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Let me start off by saying that Amazon is great. If you don't already know the convenience Amazon has brought to online shopping, you're missing out! At the click of a mouse, you can buy almost any product for an amazing price — with free two-day shipping (if you have Amazon Prime, of course). Why wouldn't you use Amazon for all your book purchases? Seems like a no-brainer, right? Not when buying Amazon bulk book orders. This is because the otherwise trusty web-based market doesn't specialize in selling bulk quantities of books. Thinking about buying books wholesale from Amazon in orders of 25, 250, 1000, or more? Think again. BookPal is the best option, and here's why:

1. You can buy books in bulk from Amazon, but there's a limit.

Amazon's "About Bulk Orders" section states that you can make bulk orders, but your purchase is limited to however many Amazon sees fit. It even specifies that "in order to provide all customers with a great selection and great prices we reserve the right to limit the quantities of certain items." The proof is in the fine print!

2. Buying books in bulk on Amazon often requires additional research.

If the title you're ordering doesn't have a limit on Amazon, you're still limited to the seller's inventory. For example, when buying books in bulk on Amazon for 100 copies or more, your order may max out at 25 books for each seller. In order to get around this, you'll have to find multiple sellers to buy from. Even worse, you might have to pay a higher price to a different seller for the same book. This makes buying books in bulk from Amazon more expensive and more complicated than it should be.

3. You may have to wait for your books.

Amazon doesn't hold large quantities of bulk books in inventory like they do with other products, which means Prime two-day shipping won't always apply to your bulk book order. This may be an issue if you have a tight need-by date.

4. You don't receive additional discounts when buying books in bulk on Amazon.

Amazon applies the same discount to your bulk book purchase whether you buy 5 copies or 100. BookPal, on the other hand, offers greater discounts based on the size of your bulk order. These steeper discounts beat the discount you would receive buying books wholesale from Amazon 99% of the time.

5. Amazon doesn't accept purchase orders.

What if you have a large list of books that needs to be fulfilled for your school? For most schools, it is mandatory to have purchase orders approved before placing any district-managed funds. Amazon does not have the ability for you to request a quote for your book requests so you can't find the best possible offer for your purchase.

6. There are no "book experts" to talk to.

Although Amazon is convenient, you will have trouble reaching out to someone about your bulk order. When you make a bulk purchase you want to feel secure. Talking to a book specialist who will spend the time to make your life simpler is what you need to make your big decision not feel wasted.

7. Your books are not guaranteed new.

Have you ever chosen a book on Amazon, but realized the only way to get it is by buying it used? This is because Amazon has a limited inventory, which means the quantity you need will even be limited! If the book you want is harder to find, then you may discover that there is no newer version of it provided on Amazon.

Amazon is great for buying individual copies of a book, hands down! But if you're planning on buying books in bulk from Amazon, you might want to think again!

BookPal is great at providing bulk books and custom journals to our customers at tiered discounts, with phenomenal service. We help businesses, schools, non-profit organizations, religious groups, and even the government on their bulk orders. We specialize in simplifying the bulk book buying process.

So, the next time you need to place a bulk order, reach out to the experts at BookPal!

This post was originally written by Shelly Leung, the marketing associate at BookPal. She is currently reading Radical Candor by Kim Scott and The New Milton Cross' Complete Stories of the Great Operas by Milton Cross.