<p>Are there any UCSD bookstore alternatives that are ~not online~, but physical stores? I am asking this because during a recent visit to a friend at UC Berkeley (they're in school already!), he took me around to different textbook stores (neds, pegasus, etc; he needed to buy books) that acted as competition toward the UCB's own bookstore, you can actually compare prices, which is great for students.</p>
<p>we only have one bookstore but if you want books for a cheaper prices and not online, buy it from other students</p>
<p>there used to be a place in the old student center selling used books, forgot the name</p>
<p>You can get books from other students on campus and not have to buy over the internet using uloop.com</p>
<p>Just search the book title and contact the poster :)</p>
<p>Yup knew about those already thanks to this place.</p>
<p>It’s too bad the bookstore has no direct competition… =/</p>
<p>@astrina: I think its called groundworks books</p>
<p>what are your reasons for not buying online? amazon has no tax…</p>
<p>@Arctic</p>
<p>Nothing much, I’m just a people person. Rather interact with a real living person rather than a emotionless intel xeon server anyday…</p>
<p>~~~~~Amazon adds taxes for CA residents however… ever since around last year when out state passed a bill aimed at amazon… Don’t believe me? Check an invoice that came with a shipment and look at how much they charged you it and compare that to the online price. ;)</p>
<p>false, no tax for CA residents because there are no physical locations in California. Checked my last order just in case also, no tax. I looked up the bill you mentioned (AB 178) as far as I can tell it was never passed</p>
<p>you can also sign up for amazon prime student if you have a valid edu email address. free 2 day shipping and 3.99$ overnight shipping. [Amazon</a> Student](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/gp/student/signup/info]Amazon”>http://www.amazon.com/gp/student/signup/info) - when you order online you are interacting with people, just in a different way, someone has to your items in a box, and someone has to deliver them. How much conversation do you have with the checkout clerk? Talk to the UPS guy instead.</p>
<p>Amazon does not charge sales tax for shipment to California.</p>
<p>You should be aware that you are supposed to pay a use tax to California for these Amazon shipments. There is a line in the California income tax form to report and pay it.</p>
<p>@Arctic</p>
<p>Darn it, I was talking about a different site… see I already do a lot of online shopping, obviously with my jumbling up of online retailers :)</p>
<p>And nope, can’t talk to UPS guys… amazon ships with Ontrac here, whose guys always just place the package down on your porch and don’t even care to ring even your doorbell.</p>