Q8books is regularly updated. This happens atleast once a week. If I am busy or lazy, then, it could takes 10 day to two weeks. Actually, on the left side menu bar there is a “just added” link. This is the best way to find out which new books have been added to our catalogues. The way I see it, readers just want to know what kind of books are available and not very particular about when it is added. As long as the books are available at the store.

Unlike many other online stores and websites selling stuff in Kuwait, Q8books is first and foremost a bookstore which has a website to compliment itself. So, without ever having to go online, you can always visit the store and physically check out the books. Since Kuwait is only a few miles apart, there is not reason to add a shopping cart and gateway to the site. Besides, shopping is, and will probably continue to be the foremost source of entertainment for most people living in Kuwait! It is unlikely, that the trend would change towards sitting in front of the computer to do shopping. This is perhaps one reason that many online stores have been unsuccessful in Kuwait. Moreover, there are very few websites (those selling or displaying consumer products) in Kuwait who have been active for the last 5 years or so and kept current. Fortunately, Q8books is one such store inspite of it being run by just a one man army!! Our website is an ad free site except for some post it notes. There is not much clutter and so the browsing is more focused as well. Ofcourse, having said all this, it is important to say that the website and the store is a pet project and so may lack the fineries that are found on other small online bookstores.

Yes. As your rightfully remarked, new books are indeed expensive in Kuwait. It is further compounded by the lack or libraries and used books stores. For many years I was faced with the same problem and finding no solution, I set out to start such a store where one can find books more modestly priced and also avail a right-to-return policy. After all, once a book is read, in most cases it sits on a shelf collecting dust!

You are welcome to step into the store anytime.. atleast for a cup of coffee! By then I hope to figure out how to pronounce “Q8Ba7th”!

Cheers..

As for the cost breakdown, I understand for individual books from Amazon it’s not a saving. That’s why I said “people who have Aramex shipments all the time”. Those people will only pay for local shipping US as most novels are less than 1/2 Kilo and will not add to the Aramex shipping cost. Also, some shipments make it to Kuwait in 1 week time or juts a bit more. If he is only buying this book, then your calculation is very much valid it’s not worth it.

I am really impressed if the idea is selling however, even if for only limited customers. Online and book business in Kuwait are both not having great success in most occasions. Exceptions apply ofcourse. It’s really sad good libraries are limited and expensive in Kuwait that I stopped shopping for books here. The only time I visit library is to see what’s available. Most of the time it’s either old or expensive book. I end up buying online.

Thanks again for taking the time to write down your comments, I may give your store a visit someday. It is our objective from this site to shed the light on available online services and businesses in Kuwait like yours.

Cost of Book – 1 Cent
Post & Courier – 5 US$
Waiting time – Two week plus
No buy back policy offered. If at all they do you will get half of 1 cent! Whatever that is.. Of course you have to spend another 5 dollars to send it back..! Better to bring it down to Q8books and trade it for a small value.

The other option is driving down to Kuwait City and to Q8books
Book Cost – 5.50 US$(the average cost of my paper backs which is about 1.800 KD)
Parking cost – 100 fills!
Waiting time – None!
Buy back offered.. So you get half the value back upon return. Unless your child used it as a painting board or the family dog took it for walk!

And if you are lucky, you may even be offered a free cup of tea or coffee even!

Yes. Reading is on the decline in Kuwait. I guess most of them are glued to the TV, internet, or playing video games! Yet, there are enough readers to have kept Q8books afloat for the last 4 years. Thanks mostly to a few loyal customers and also to the many who have liberally donated books too.

There are just less than half a dozen exclusive bookstores in Kuwait. Q8books is unique because it stocks new, used, and some out of print books as well. Besides, it is probably the only used bookstore in the Gulf that is online. Come to think of it, except for Magrudis in Dubai which has a few books online, there are no other new bookstores that are online either. Probably, the best thing about Q8books is that you can actually sell or trade your books there. Now, how many bookstores in Kuwait will do that? NONE

As for the author’s comment on if selling used books is a good idea in Kuwait – I can vouch first hand for it. Unlike most others things, there is very little differentiation made between reading a new book versus a used title. Actually, Kuwait could be one of the very few countries in the world where there are no public English language libraries accessible for the wider population. This in itself is such a shame. There are countless expatriates who make up for more than half the population in Kuwait who wish to read – and read inexpensively. So, in that sense atleast Q8books has come half way to meet the needs of such people. So, other than the immeasurable joy of serving people this way, and if the rent is paid for – then, truly it is all worth it.