Lonely Planet - Pick & Mix Chapters Deal (Save 45% or More on 5+ Chapters)

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ronthy on 24/09/2009 - 18:13 shop.lonelyplanet.com (261 clicks)
Last edited 02/12/2009 - 18:29

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(updated - this offer appears to still be valid as on 2 Dec 09)

The Lonely Planet site allows you to purchase digital downloads (PDFs) of popular travel guides by Chapters, so that you don't have to buy the entire guidebook if you're only planning to visit a few places within a region (eg. Europe, China, etc.).

The PDFs are also more portable if you have a device (eg. mobile phone, netbook) that can read PDFs. Alternatively, you can always print some of the pages out (eg. Maps) - saves carrying a v thick book with you.

If you purchase 3 or 4 digital chapters, you can save 25%.
If you purhcase 5 or more digital chapters, you can save 45%.

However, I did note that when I purchased 10 or more chapters from a particular guidebook, the savings was 80%!

The digital chapters I purchased were all from the "Europe on a Shoestring - 6th Edition" guidebook:

http://shop.lonelyplanet.com/Primary/Product/Pick_and_Mix_Ch…

What would've been AUD$62 in total came down to AUD$12.40.
(note that the 80% discount was from the same guidebook - i don't think the same 80% discount would apply if you mix-and-match 10 or more chapters from various guidebooks - might be a different percentage instead).

No idea when this offer will expire - doesn't appear to be specified on the site.

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  freddy on 24/09/2009 - 20:54

  +1

  Credit to Lonely Planet for selling their chapters in PDF format, and not some awful DRM-encrusted format.
  This can be very convenient.

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  bargrin on 25/09/2009 - 10:01

  just be aware the files can be very large and take some time to download.

  this offer been around for a while, I used it couple months ago and when you order over $50 you got a free encounter book.

  also dont forget 10% cash back with MBC.

  • 

    ronthy on 28/09/2009 - 10:39

    i think it depends on how big the chapters are that you're planning to purchase and download.

    to give you an idea of the sizes of the files i had downloaded:

    • the biggest file was about 4.75MB containing 83 pages, including maps - it was for the chapter on Italy.
    • the smallest was about 1.2MB containing 23 pages including maps - it was for Belgium.
    • the chapter on Germany came to about 3.11MB containing 70 pages including maps.

    hope that helps :)

• 

  Snibbo on 25/09/2009 - 10:01

  Some of guides also allow you to download the introductory getting started chapter for free

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  kcyw on 25/09/2009 - 16:08

  Good deal but the chapter pricing is marked up compared to the price of the guidebook in paperback.

  If you get all the chapters of Europe on a Shoestring, it comes just over $40 even with 80% discount. Meaning the original price of the full volume in digital format is over $200.

  • 

    ronthy on 25/09/2009 - 16:16

    True. But i think the main idea behind this 'pick and mix' feature is that you are not interested in getting the entire guidebook - you only just want the couple of chapters that are of interest to you.
    :)

    It is definitely more worthwhile getting the entire printed book instead of purchasing all the digital chapters.

    Their 3-for-2 books deal is still available on the site (with free delivery) if you're planning to get the printed guidebooks:
    http://shop.lonelyplanet.com/index.jsp?lpaffil=lphp-podmaino…

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  greazy on 26/09/2009 - 16:34

  Are these guides your run of the mill or are they really awesome and worth while to get? Thinking of visiting south america.

  • 

    ronthy on 28/09/2009 - 10:47

    they're basically the digital copies of selected printed editions of the Lonely Planet guidebooks that you'll find on the shelves of major bookshops.

    as bargrin has suggested below, definitely go check the printed editions out and see if you like the guidebooks.

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  bargrin on 26/09/2009 - 17:25

  I reckon really really awesome, go to local dymocks you can see them there