There is a very nice independent bookstore about 40 minutes away in Delaware. I've done readings and signings there, and I even have a story in a recent anthology they published to commemorate 30 years in business.

But I rarely shop there.

Partly, because it's 40 minutes away. Partly because, while the owner would give me a discount, it's smaller than what I would get ordering from Amazon.

Since it's in Delaware, there's no sales tax, which is also the case with Amazon (which is a plus).

But I also like the delight of going out my mailbox and finding books have arrived. Seriously. It's like it's my birthday a couple times each month.

Probably the biggest consideration is cost. I have X amount of money to spend, and there are more books than X will cover. So, taking advantage of the better prices stretches it a bit further, which usually means not shopping at the independents.

Mind you, I also buy quite a few used books, and there the internet (and places like Abebooks.com) is a godsend, allowing me to search consortia of independent bookstores.

So, when it comes to used books, I'm all over the independent sellers. But for the new stuff, not so much.