I wanted to order a book I saw for sale at the local English language bookstore. I wanted to have it for class, as it was a very flexible book I could use for a few of my classes that were about to finish their own materials in class. I didn’t mind the price tag for a book I would use for ideas and adapt from, as it was going to get immediate use. I had seen the book on three previous occasions when I didn’t need a book but had considered purchasing it because I liked it that much.

I didn’t carry enough cash on me to just purchase it on a whim, so I always ended up putting it on the shelf when I left. On one trip, I checked out the information, wrote down the ISBN, and even looked at it online. The idea was I would check to see the price online and order if it would appear I could save any money.

Prices online made it seem like buying it in the book store, while expensive, was the best option. On my last trip to the book store to pick it up, cash in hand, I went to where my book usually was found. It was gone! Someone else had bought book while I had been waiting! Not only that, but when I asked them to check the store for another copy, they said they were completely sold out. I told them to order a copy for me, then call me when I was able to pick it up.

The call came a few days later, but it was not a confirmation of order. It was a cancellation. The book no longer is for sale. It’s out of stock in Korea. I went to a second bookstore and placed another order. I told them that the other book store had said they could not find any copies, that it was out of stock, and that they wouldn’t order it for me. The second book store assured me that finding a copy wouldn’t be an issue. My order would arrive today. No problems. I wouldn’t have to worry about trying to find new material for class. It would arrive exactly when I needed it.

I got a second cancellation of my order today. No book stores in Korea will be getting any more of these books in. Either I get it online, or I don’t get it at all it appears. Curses. I had to go to the bookstore and pick up a backup sort of book to replace this book I had my eye on. Nothing exactly fits the niche it did as well, but I gave an hour or so of my after work free time into looking for the best replacement possible. I found something suitable and narrower, but not nearly as good.  However, they only had one copy of the book, which I immediately bought. I needed a few more, so I put in another order. Now I have to hope that they don’t cancel my replacement order.

I’ll probably end up ordering the book I want while I finish off the book I chose as it’s replacement. While prudence and financial responsibility are good attributes, sometimes you need to reach out and grab what you really need, no matter the cost.