Books on ExplorOz- Your Thoughts?
Submitted: Thursday, Mar 05, 2009 at 16:18
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ExplorOz Team - Adele
Keeping up with book titles is a never-ending process so we've decided to put it over to you to tell us what books you'd like ExplorOz to offer from our
Shop. Please use this post to tell us what sort of books you would buy if we could source them for you on the ExplorOz
Shop.
We’ve just completed a big product review and found very little interest from our customers in the historical stories of bushmen, gold rush times and pioneers, so we have removed many of those titles. Atlases, camping guides and reference books are all very popular, and we think we have that covered (although if you have any suggestions for more of these titles please let us know). However, we really want to know if you read novels or something similar (and if so which titles) when you are actually travelling, with all that spare time to relax, or are you all too busy fishing, sleeping, or cooking?!!
Let us know if you want us to stock different book titles – suggestions by genre, or even better if you have suggestions for titles/authors etc. Over to you...., Thanks Adele
Reply By: Member - Mark G Gulmarrad - Thursday, Mar 05, 2009 at 16:32
Thursday, Mar 05, 2009 at 16:32
Gday Adele
just a suggestion but maybe some simple diy on 4x4 or caravan maintenance books might be popular,cheers.
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Reply By: Chris & Sue (Briz Vegas) - Thursday, Mar 05, 2009 at 17:15
Thursday, Mar 05, 2009 at 17:15
Hi Adele,
For my money (which is what you'll get if I buy from EO!), SWMBO and I like to know the history and attractions[*] about
places we're driving through or towards. Stuff like how the country was opened up, what's left from the early
explorers that we can visit,
places of scenic beauty, etc.
Ok, you can sometimes visit the local
tourist information office, but these can be 100kms away, and in the wrong direction! Also, it can be better to have the information when you're doing the initial planning so you know what items you really must include and those of lesser interest that you might skip if time is getting tight
One of the ways we pass our time touring is for the non-driving person to read out interesting items about the next place we're about to visit. We find it makes for a better visit when we get there.
Cheers,
Chris
[*] Attractions in this case are things that attract us and generally does NOT include anything to do with Theme Parks that end in 'World' or eating
places with Golden Arches. :-))
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Reply By: Member - Michael O (NSW) - Thursday, Mar 05, 2009 at 17:53
Thursday, Mar 05, 2009 at 17:53
Have only bought maps and guide books and I reckon you have them covered....
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Reply By: Member - Rotord - Thursday, Mar 05, 2009 at 18:00
Thursday, Mar 05, 2009 at 18:00
Hello Adele
The RFDS book
Outback Survival , I think I remember the title correctly , includes chapters on survival equipment and techniques , medical kit contents and procedures , expedition planning , vehicle eqipment , driving and recovery , navigation , campcraft , communication and emergency contact numbers and frequencies . Contributors include police and SES . Could be the best book of its type though I know there is at least one other similar book also recommended by
forum contributors .
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Reply By: Member - Lionel A (WA) - Thursday, Mar 05, 2009 at 20:52
Thursday, Mar 05, 2009 at 20:52
Hi Adele,
Playboy, Hustler, Penthouse.......hehehe.
I'm probably one of many that never find the time to sit down with a decent book.
Pioneering history is something that has always interested me, however, there would be many titles I would save for my retirement, at the moment, when I hit 80.....lol.
I think DVDs are more popular, instant info etc.
But, aside from that, Bush Tucker Man, Malcom Douglas, Leyland Brothers and that type of thing would induce me to purchase.
Having said that, I must admit, I rarely visit the
shop.
Must do so more in future.
Cheers.....Lionel.
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Reply By: Member - DickyBeach - Thursday, Mar 05, 2009 at 20:52
Thursday, Mar 05, 2009 at 20:52
Sorry to learn that there was very little interest in the historical stories of bushmen, gold rush times and pioneers for that awareness is often the reason to visit certain
places.
Although you have removed those titles if you have any unsold stock how about listing the titles and you might be able to clear them.
Of course perhaps you actually source them elsewhere when interest is shown from customers and in which case this post is irrelevant.
Dick
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Follow Up By: Twintrail(W.A.) - Friday, Mar 06, 2009 at 00:59
Friday, Mar 06, 2009 at 00:59
adele.as per dickybeach.i didnt know of books on explore oz.am interested in gold prospecting ect .would like a list if possible.thanks pedro
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Follow Up By: curious - Friday, Mar 06, 2009 at 09:37
Friday, Mar 06, 2009 at 09:37
Dick, I share your view that knowing the history and reading first hand accounts of pioneers who've lived there, gives a totally different and much richer appreciation of a location. As Chris & Sue commented, research pays off and adds to the experience.
However I'm also an avid reader and love Australian history but recognise that not everyone reads books or likes history. ExploreOz has to remain commercially viable and that involves reviews of their merchandise.
Adele, as a suggestion if you cull the history books, would it be feasible to list some of the small publishers who are producing these books. That way it doesn't conflict with what you are trying to sell yet still provides a resource to those of us who want to read and research. Generally these publishers are very small but have an amazing range of Australian history especially first hand accounts.
- Peter
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Reply By: walwffoeg - Thursday, Mar 05, 2009 at 20:56
Thursday, Mar 05, 2009 at 20:56
I wish I had checked with exploroz.com before i went to the RAC today where I was sold an out-of-date book....Camps Australia Wide 4!
They even had the nerve to tell me they had had it in only a couple of months!
Tomorrow I will be taking it back and purchasing Camps Australia Wide 5 from this site.
I wonder how old the RAC's other maps are?
Geoff
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Reply By: The Rambler( W.A.) - Thursday, Mar 05, 2009 at 21:37
Thursday, Mar 05, 2009 at 21:37
I don't know if the dvd's put out by the Gall boys promoting the Kedron caravans are for general sale, but they are VERY interesting and show a great deal of the true outback.Iam sure anyone who has seen these dvd's would agree that they would be a worthwhile purchase.There is a set of 7 covering different areas-highly reccomended.
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Follow Up By: Lex M (Brisbane) - Thursday, Mar 05, 2009 at 22:01
Thursday, Mar 05, 2009 at 22:01
You got to be kidding. It's a wonder they haven't killed someone with the way they carry on. Demonstrate some very dangerous driving procedures.
Just my opinion.
cheers
Lex
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Follow Up By: Twintrail(W.A.) - Friday, Mar 06, 2009 at 00:47
Friday, Mar 06, 2009 at 00:47
the rambler.did you pick up dvds .from nic. pedro
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Reply By: Member - Ron M (NSW) - Thursday, Mar 05, 2009 at 21:57
Thursday, Mar 05, 2009 at 21:57
I would dearly like to see a book written about the history and landmarks , historical site , points of interest , etc etc. . of
places that we travel through .. Forget about the museums , Who has the time to go through everyone . and once you have seen one you have seen the lot. Just a book that will tell you what's ahead of historical or something of interest
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Reply By: Member - DickyBeach - Friday, Mar 06, 2009 at 01:43
Friday, Mar 06, 2009 at 01:43
Adele,
I've now trawled through your list of books (and was surprised at how many there are) and have put my money where my mouth is and purchased half a dozen.
Would still like to see a list of those that you have removed but may still have in stock awaiting return to the publishers, if any.
DickyBeach
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Follow Up By: ExplorOz Team - Adele - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2009 at 11:44
Tuesday, Mar 10, 2009 at 11:44
Hi DickyBeach,
Thankyou for your order.
I just thought I would let you know that the only titles so far which have been removed from the
shop are the ones we no longer have stock in. All items which we are removing can be found in the "Bargain Buys" category of the
shop.
I hope this helps,
Adele
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Reply By: steved58 - Friday, Mar 06, 2009 at 01:50
Friday, Mar 06, 2009 at 01:50
Trouble is after postage the books are cheaper in my local store eg camps Australia 5 same price at several local stores after postage it becomes dearer on exploroz
Steve
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Reply By: Rod, Sydney - Friday, Mar 06, 2009 at 07:07
Friday, Mar 06, 2009 at 07:07
Hi.
My purchases have tended to be maps, map books etc. But I do treasure the occasional Australian history and pioneer books that are purchased.
Maybe you could use your website dominance to partner with someone else eg Westprint?
Cheers
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Reply By: Member - John G- Friday, Mar 06, 2009 at 09:19
Friday, Mar 06, 2009 at 09:19
G'day Adele
I'm with Chris and Sue.
It would be good if there was a general guide for each State along the lines that they suggest, and which would allow more informed planning. We use various editions of the Explore Australia, Discover Australia 4WD, and the Hema Around Australia Atlas & Guide, but invariably end up spending quite a lot of time on the net (incl ExplorOz of course) trying to get local knowledge.
My guess is that the perfect guide doesn't exist.
Regards
John
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Follow Up By: Gramps - Friday, Mar 06, 2009 at 09:32
Friday, Mar 06, 2009 at 09:32
"We use various editions of the Explore Australia, Discover Australia 4WD, and the Hema Around Australia Atlas & Guide, but invariably end up spending quite a lot of time on the net (incl ExplorOz of course) trying to get local knowledge. "
That's half the fun isn't it ??? :))) If it was all in "the perfect guide", we'd be bored witless
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Follow Up By: Member - John G- Friday, Mar 06, 2009 at 09:59
Friday, Mar 06, 2009 at 09:59
You are right of course Gramps, but just occasionally I get the evil eye when I forsake the gardening gloves for a couple of hours hunting maps and
places on the dreaded computer.
Cheers
John
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Reply By: PMR - Saturday, Mar 07, 2009 at 14:40
Saturday, Mar 07, 2009 at 14:40
I've found the best way to have the info at your fingertips is to write your own guide. An Index book, ruled up to allow half a page per state, and all relevant information in the appropriate section, with a reference as to where it is to be found - ExplorOz newsletter, On the Road magazine, etc, with the date. When planning a trip, we read up on what we want to see, and take a few photocopied sheets of essential information, as
well as local maps. We mainly use cabin parks and motels, and our book has details of all the good ones we have found - plus ones to avoid! Please don't get rid of all the pioneers books - they are the people who made this great land what it is today (not including the mess the politicians have made of it!).
Old age - is when your mind makes appointments your body can't keep!
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Reply By: ExplorOz Team - Adele - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2009 at 11:40
Tuesday, Mar 10, 2009 at 11:40
Hi Everyone,
Thankyou very much for all of your ideas, I will be looking into the suggestions made in this
forum post, and if you have any further suggestions in the future, please feel free to let me know via email.
For all of you who would like the pioneering and outback
heritage titles to remain, we are still keeping some of these titles on our
shop, but we will be more selective in the future as to how many of these titles we decide to stock (and if you have read any great ones let us know).
Thanks again,
Adele
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