Current Canadian book promotions
Chapters/Indigo
| Coupon code | Expires | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Telus Mobility | $10-off min $50 purchase. | |
| Instore Promo | $10-off min $50 purchase. |
Amazon.ca
| Coupon code | Expires | Description |
|---|---|---|
| MAPSUMMERNEW | 31Jul05 | $10-off min $50 purchase new customers only. |
| Telus Mobility | 31Jul05 | $10-off min $40 purchase new customers only. |
| Link to register | ??????? | $10-off new customers only. |
BookCloseouts.com
| Coupon code | Expires | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Code: groucho Pass: bookcloseouts | 31Oct05 | $5-off min $35 purchase. |
| More... GoldFishLegs RedFlagDeals |
Tips for maximizing value
Multiple purchases It's usually cheaper to buy books individually using a separate coupon for each purchase than to consolidate purchases. A $10 coupon is worth more than the savings in shipping fees due to order consolidation.
Comparison shopping Let websites do the comparison shopping. What if you have discount coupon but the vendor's price is higher? Call or e-mail their customer service department to ask if they'll match their lowest competitor's price. Once they say "yes," tell them you'll be using a coupon.
Corporate discounts Chapters offers a Corporate & Institutional Sales program under which you or your group may be able to get 10%+ discounts on regularly-priced books.
Greed Some people who have abused the system (by creating multiple accounts in order to apply multiple coupons for the same promotion, etc.) have reported that their orders were cancelled and their accounts deleted. Remember: pigs get fat, but hogs get slaughtered.
Websites that search for lowest prices
AddAll compare books prices worldwide including shipping to Canada
Best Book Buys [Canadian shipping rates]
Websites that track bookseller promotions
Goldfish Legs
RedFlagDeals
How this page got started
In the summer of 1999 the e-commerce divisions of Chapters and Indigo launched a $10-off coupon and free shipping campaign to celebrate Canada Day. This page was started in a modest effort to promote literacy among Canadians by publicising these promotions. The coupon and free shipping war continued to wage throughout that summer, no doubt aided in part by the information posted on this page. Below for posterity are the contents of the initial page.
Help Chapters (and Indigo) celebrate Canada Day
If you'd like some some highly discounted -- or even free1 -- books delivered right to your home or office, Chapters.ca has a Canada Day Sale on until July 9th [1999] in which, among other things, they offer free shipping in Canada. Moreover, in another promotion that runs until July 18th [1999] they offer not one, but two, $10-off coupons. So if you want some free or almost free summer reading:
P.P.S. If you want to be a real pig, send an e-mail here and ask them if they'll match Chapters' offer. (Hint: Bylo already knows the answer.)
P.P.P.S. Be sure to tell family and friends about this amazing ("Amazong"?) offer. It (and perhaps also Chapters and Indigo) won't last long.
1Order a book that Chapters sells for less than $10 and the book, shipping, and yes even the GST are all free!
See also The next chapter in the Chapters story