feelings on half.com?

[pmmahan]

I was thinking of ordering a couple of cookbooks I've been wanting from half.com - what do you all think of it? It seems like you buy stuff in the same manner as ebay? Have any of you had good experiences/bad experiences? I'd like to hear them!

[lorilei]

I've had nothing but good experiences with half.com. Every book I've ordered has been in good shape -- some of them were like new -- and I've been very happy with their customer service.

http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif Warning: This place is TERRIBLE for those of us with cookbook addictions!

[Jewel]

I've bought several items on Half.com and so far I've been pleased with the products as well as the service. I started selling a few items on Half.com last month, and from a seller's standpoint my feelings are mixed. When I sell on Ebay I am the one who deals with the buyer. Once the auction is over we contact each other via email then arrange payment. Once I have payment I mail out item. On Half.com, the buyer and I never communicate unless there is a problem. Buyer pays Half.com directly on their site, then Half.com notifies me via email that I've made a sale. I have 3 days to confirm the order (or it's automatically cancelled) and once I confirm it, it MUST ship the next business day, so I have to be darned sure that I have a box, packing materials, a way to the post office, etc before I confirm that order! I get paid from Half.com only once per month, on the 15th. They deposit the money directly into my checking account. They say they pay for 'allowable shipping', but that's debatable. So far, looks like I've been charged in the $2.50-$3 range for shipping these books, and Half.com is only reimbursing me around $1.50-$2 shipping.

Good part is that all I have to do is ship to the customer, bad part is that I'm sending out my property with no payment in hand, and that gave me the willies at first. We send stuff USPS, which on standard shipping has no tracking number available, so I'm basically trusting the Postal Service to get my item to the buyer, without having payment first.

For a buyer, I think it's the ultimate in convenience. You're getting quality used or new merchandise, you don't have to deal with a seller, and your stuff is guaranteed to arrive quickly because of their 'next business day' mailing policy for the sellers. If you've got much Ebay experience (as I do! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif) as a buyer you're at the mercy of the seller when it comes to how and when the item actually gets shipped. I paid $400 for an antique in January and didn't receive it until mid-March. (They said they were busy opening their new antique store...) I've been trying to get my refund on this item since then, because it was not only misrepresented in the auction listing, but arrived broken! Between UPS claims and not being able to get ahold of THAT seller, I'm pulling my hair out. Half.com is a more streamlined way to buy books and such, and in my RAMBLING way here I'm trying to recommend them! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/tongue.gif They've combined the best practices of Ebay and Amazon.com into one pretty cool way of doing business, as long as you're careful as always!

[KLynn]

I can't rave enough about Half.com! Over the past year I have bought probably 25 or more books (both cookbooks and hardback novels). Most of the time, the condition is BETTER than expected - I've never been disappointed. I recently completed my collection of Southern Living Annual Recipes Cookbooks. I think the most I paid for one was $8 or so. I got some of the older ones for $3! I recently bought my first CL annual - and paid only $5 for a perfect copy. I don't think I will ever buy a book new again!

[Wendy w]

I learned about it from this board. Yes, this board has cost me $$ http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif, but I have learned a lot and have been having fun!!

I have purchased about 10 cookbooks (you are right Lorelei, bad, bad, Wendy http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif) within the last 3 months from them and have had good experiences. The books have been reasonably priced, in very good condition and received (except for once) in a timely manner.

I had one shipped as a gift to my BF's Mom in AZ and it arrived a day before I did!

[pmmahan]

Alright, I'm sold!
I am planning to buy:

Tra Vigne: Seasons by Michael Chiarello
and
The Wine Lover's Cookbook by Sid Goldstein (I think)

For the price of both of those books on half.com, I would be able to buy only the Tra Vigne book in the bookstore.

[funnybone]

One question to those who have sold on Half.com - how is selling price determined?

[Jewel]

Funnybone, I set my price, but they 'suggest' a price also. If there are other sellers of the same book, you obviously want to better them. On my last two books (LooneySpoons and CrazyPlates) the lowest price was $14.95, and the list was $19.95. They suggested $10.99. I said No Way, and set my price at $12.50. Each sold within a few days!

[Mousie29]

Jewel,
Did you know that USPS media mail rate is only $1.75 (up to some weight), then $2.20 for heavy books? I was also paying a lot to mail until I knew this. You have to write "USPS Media Mail" on the package and it supposedly takes longer.....

I *think* the prices to buy are lower on half.com compared to the used prices on Amazon. This is for sure: I have gotten much more business/sales/higher prices on Amazon because I think the people on Amazon are looking to buy the book, then maybe stumble across the used option.

[bossy]

Half.com is WONDERFUL! I have probably bought about 100 books on that site and sold about 50. Only once has their been a book which was not at the condition advertised and I could have sent it back - just chose not too since it was one of those books "desperately" http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif needed! Never, ever do I purchase a book without looking first at half.com.

[Beth]

I have bought at least 10-12 books through half.com, and only had one problem, and that was with a seller who confirmed the correct book but shipped a different one. All of the books were in near perfect condition (the older paperbacks were a little yellowed, but solid and untorn -- about what I'd expected). I have also received the books quicker than my few ebay purchases. In fact, my last two books purchased at half.com are books I bid on at ebay. I actually got them cheaper at half.com that they would up going for on ebay. I'd suggest looking at both places and use caution with ebay, especially if having to send money in advance.

Since you can use a credit card on half.com, we were able to dispute the charge for the wrong book we were sent and we are only out the cost of mailing the book back (less than $2 book rate).

In retrospect, since it was not what I ordered, if it happened again, I would dispute the charge, notify half.com and the seller of the error and offer to return the book after I received the postage or a postage paid envelope. The problem is that half.com doesn't begin its inquiry until they receive the returned item. Had I kept the book, the seller probably would have sent the postage to get the book back, and disputiung the credit card charge, I would have been left in the same spot I started. At least I learned that lesson for less that $2, and I can pass it on here.

[Grace]

We sold 17 books and video games on half.com right around Christmas. We made over $200, which is better than we did for our whole garage sale we had last year!

And while the company has a policy of shipping out the next day, it's not like the half.com police come to your house if you ship it out in two or even three days. I had to do that a couple of times, and we still have a 5 out of 5 rating from the people who bought our stuff saying the stuff arrived quickly and in the condition that was stated. I'm a big believer in half.com.

We just got a Playstation 2 this past weekend, and we're now going to sell all our old Playstation 1 games (as well as the Playstation 1 console), and we also decided when we buy any new Playstation 2 games, we will be selling them immediately after we're finished playing with them while they still have the highest value. Because the Playstation 2 is also a DVD player, we're going to buy our DVD's off half.com too.
And of course, there are always new cookbooks to be had..... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif !!!!

[Peeps]

Jewel- As mentioned above, make sure you're shipping MEDIA MAIL - it's much cheaper and I always find that Half.com is reimbursing me for MORE than I pay for shipping. I prefer them so much to Ebay since I KNOW I'll get paid and I don't mind the check once a month at all. I've had nothing but great experiences with them. Wonder if it was one of you guys who bought the Moosewood cookbook I sold on there that I had for years and had never used!

[Jewel]

Originally posted by Peeps:
Jewel- As mentioned above, make sure you're shipping MEDIA MAIL - it's much cheaper and I always find that Half.com is reimbursing me for MORE than I pay for shipping.


It's probably my own fault that I'm paying too much for shipping, because I use Stamps.com from my home computer, and it doesn't offer a Media Rate! I set up Stamps.com for my web business, and it's SO much easier to print postage there and just toss the item in the mail box. The post office in my area has really weird hours and long lines, so I just try to do everything without them! I keep telling myself that it's the lesser of two evils to pay an extra buck in shipping than having to stand in line for an hour after putting in a hard day's work! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[AndreaU]

I'm all for paying less than full price... half.com has been a great resource for cookbooks, best sellers, video tapes, and CDs. As long as you're not looking for too many products in mint or unused condition, it does the job. I picked up a whole set of paperbacks by an author for $.50-$1.00 each. I always check the seller's ratings, though. I might pay an extra buck or 2 if they have a perfect or near-perfect rating as far as customer service, shipping, etc.

[maizeyoats]

I am another satisfied buyer at Half.com.
I bought quite a lot of books from e-bay too but I find that a lot of sellers are charging too much for shipping and handling. Also I ordered and paid for a book on e-bay a couple of weeks ago from a seller I have purchased from before. Now he is suspended and e-bay refuses to tell me why nor will they do anything about the fact that I have not received my book.

[Peggy]

pmmahan,

DO buy The Wine Lover's Cookbook by Sid Goldstein!!! I love that cookbook! I have made many of the recipes and they have all been excellent. I also frequently refer to the Base and Bridge ingredients sections for each varietal when I am selecting a wine for a particular dinner. You will love this cookbook! If you get it, we will have to compare reviews on the recipes! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

Peggy

[pmmahan]

Peggy - I was excited about buying it before, but now I am even more excited with your good review!!
I'd love to hear your favorites - your CL reviews always mirror mine!
And thanks for the good wishes on my wedding!

[Peeps]

Jewel- I don't know if this helps you but I have sold a bunch of CDs and videotapes and they are always exactly $1.30 to ship via Media Mail - so I can just stick stamps on them (write Media Mail on the package) and toss them in a post box without having to go to the dreaded post office! Also, there's a chart at www.usps.com (http://www.usps.com) showing the Media Mail rates - 1.30 for up to 1lb, 1.75 for up to 2lbs, 2.2 for up to 3lbs, etc. Maybe you can just print the right amount?

[KathrynY]

Amother half.com satisfied customer. I've only purchased 6 or so books so far, but have been extremely pleased with the quality of the ones I've received. There are worse things than being addicted to books and cookbooks.... right? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[emilycat]

Ooh, I am so bad! I couldn't resist, and I'm tired of buying $20 and $30 cookbooks, so I visited half.com today and bought 3 -- Cracking the Coconut, Fields of Greens and Pike's Place Market Seafood Cookbook.
Anyone have any reviews??

[boisewinesnob]

I know this is an old thread, but I have a major gripe about a transaction on half.com from earlier this year :mad: .
I bought a textbook for school last year from half. It was probably described as "acceptable" and it did have quite a few notes in the margins and underlining. I didn't mind at all since that was how it was described and I could read every word (and pulled off an excellent grade in the class ;) ) with no problem.
Fast forward a few months and I listed the same book on half.com and sold it--only to have the buyer leave a very nasty comment on me!! :confused: :mad: .
BTW, I didn't add any notes of my own, so it was in essentially the same condition as when I bought it, and I didn't hide the fact that it had notes, underlining, writing and was not in new condition when I listed it for sale. I cannot believe the buyer didn't contact me first and ask if she could send it back. I would've been happy to find another buyer who was not a spoiled rich kid who would only accept new :rolleyes: (if she wanted new, why didn't she pick something from the "brand new" or "like new" categories :confused: )

Sorry for the rant. I have had great experiences with every other transaction as both a buyer and a seller. This b*tch just blew me away. I did respond to her complaint to defend myself and also left a complaint in her feedback (mostly because I was so p*ssed that she didn't try to resolve it with me first!), but there is really nothing half.com will do to resolve this stuff.

[Ralph]

Gee, how ungrateful! Not to mention rude, insensitive...shall I go on!;)

Perhaps you could notify half.com/EBay directly & let them know of the inappropriateness of this individual. I know there's a disclaimer before posting comments that they're not retractable and become public knowledge, but unfortunately, some ingrates, like her, are comfortable with the relative anonymity of the Internet.

I've never sold anything online, but I know when I'm buying, I stick with sellers with >97-8% positive feedback, and those with a proven track record. Unfortunately, it's too easy for her (and others) to change IDs to avoid negative feedback.

Sorry!

[boisewinesnob]

thanks for the sympathy Ralph :)

I don't really buy OR sell a lot of stuff on that site, so her one negative comment is really irritating; especially since I only have about 9 or 10 others (all positive).
I did try to find a way to report it to half.com/ebay but after doing an exhaustive search on the site it looks like they pretty much stay out of everything (apart from taking their commission :rolleyes: ).