Korean Job Discussion Forums

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

I'm purchasing books for my MA/TESOL program, and want to buy from Amazon, because it's cheaper. If I order less than $100 worth, do you think I'll face any customs issues?

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

When my CT and I tried to order something from Amazon we got a screen saying that Korea wasn't an area to which they delivered.

teachergirltoo · Joined: 28 Oct 2006

I have ordered several times from AMAZON and they gave fantastic fast service. However, you must order direct from AMAZON and not any of the sub-sellers, otherwise you will have problems with shipping to Korea.

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

teachergirl, what did you order? Textbooks?

Seon-bee · Joined: 24 Jan 2003 Location: ROK

Hi Bass,

I've ordered from Amazon and received shipments in 7-10 days. My purchases have all been between $80 and $120, and I've gotten books and movies sent without problems from Amazon or Customs.

However, as far as I know, you can't order electronics, clothes, or other items. The payment screen will tell you what you can or can't have shipped.

Since you're ordering ELT books, why not order direct if you need OUP or CUP books. They both have a big selection of books used in MA TESOL courses--you can order domestically, get a discount, and receive them in a few days.

teachergirltoo · Joined: 28 Oct 2006

Textbooks. But my orders have only been about $60 per order.

ddeubel · Joined: 20 Jul 2005

I receive books from Amazon every few weeks (I've got a big library!). Never had a problem, ever. They get to my office desk within 5-7 working days though they advertise up to 4 weeks. Further, our community has a bookstore through Amazon. I've got other questions but never any peep about someone having problems. http://eflclassroom.com/eflbooks.html

DD
http://eflclassroom.com

Intrepid · Joined: 13 May 2004 Location: Yongin

Just a bit of advice: textbooks are MUCH more expensive in the US. Finegan's "Language"--a book I used in my MA-- for example is $39 used/$85 New on Amazon!
At Kyobo you can get it for 28,000 won.
With all the Korean teachers doing MA TESOLs these days, the big bookstores have quite a good selection.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

Well I guess you had much better luck with Amazon than we did.

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

Well, Kyobo can get it in 10 to 12 days, and I'll pay the same (after exchange rate) as I would in dollars, anyway. I'll just get it there. Thanks to all!

jackson7 · Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Location: Kim Jong Il's Future Fireball

I get all my books for my MSEd program through Kyobo, Interpark, and Yes24. I check all three and reap the rewards of shopping around. As my Korean girlfriend put it, "Textbooks are something Koreans just refuse to pay big bucks for, and we don't mind making 'copy books' in the library. In the U.S. you have gotten used to the idea of paying a lot for textbooks, so it continues." My uni students whine profusely about paying 10,000 for a text.

Shop around! The savings can be incredible...unless your podcast has taken off and you're raking in the million, who couldn't use a little extra in the wallet these days?

misoman · Joined: 11 Oct 2008 Location: Uijeongbu

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

None that I have seen.

www.kyobobooks.co.kr

BS.Dos. · Joined: 29 Mar 2007

I've probably placed about a dozen orders though amazon.co.uk since I've been here. No problems as yet.

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

Well, it looks like 2 of my books might have to come from Amazon. I can't even find them on Kyobo. I'll try some more Korean sites, but I have my doubts.

So none of you have been hit-up by customs?