Please enlighten me about the books you buy "used" on line

[Goin' Coastal]

I have bought a few used books from Amazon.com. One I received in the mail yesterday got me thinking. Where do these books come from? The book I bought for 48 cents plus $3.49 shipping in a hardback book - price on the flap is $24.95 - was listed as "new" condition, and certainly appears to be new and never read. It had a sticker on the front saying Walmart's price on this book was $17.97. So I am wondering why is someone selling this book for 48 cents? Where are people getting these books to make it worth their time to sell them at prices like this? I like getting a great deal, but I don't want to be an unwitting partner in fraudulent deals. What are the chances this book was stolen? Can anyone enlighten me as to where these books come from, and how can one be certain you aren't buying stolen goods?

[masimmons]

I'm guessing close-out bins, yard sales, Salvation Army stores, from people who read them but don't want them any more. I've sold quite a few books through Amazon.com that I just didn't want after reading, even if I paid quite a bit for them.

[barbara-cook]

I'm that masimmons is correct. I have bought many "used" books off Amazon.com. Some were from individuals just looking to get rid of them after reading them or figuring out they weren't quite what they had been looking for. Others were from book stores. We used to have (they are closing) a used book store right down the street from us. They would buy books from individuals (not a lot!) and then resell them. They also had 'closeouts" or end runs from the publishers.

Most of the ones I bought on Amazon were in great condition, maybe folded page corner here and there, or slight wear the jacket.

I suppose there could be a few stolen items out there being sold on line, but I would guess that the majority are from people looking to get rid of them for legitimate reasons, and also fromt the bookstores hoping for a few more sales for their bottom line. If I am looking for a particular cook book or gardening book, I'll go to Amazon.com and search for used copies. I just ordered a cook book I'd been wanting since Christmas for $7.95 + 3.95 for shipping and handling. The best price I'd found before that was something like $24 from the Good Cook (book club) or at Amazon.com (new). This was from an individual that probably bought it and didn't like it. They even sent me an email hoping I enjoyed the book and thanking me for buying it.

I CANNOT believe the prices that bookstore chains charge for new books. We have a Barne's & Noble about a mile from us and I can't believe they charge the prices they do. Even the price of paperbacks! If I buy a book from them, it's on the "clearance" or sale table. If I want a just released book that badly, I'll buy it at BJ's (40% off the retail price).

Most "novels" I borrow from the library. I REFUSE to pay $25 or more for a book that will take me 3-4 days to read. Then what do I do with it? Or if it's part of a series or by a particular author we like, I'll buy it at BJ's or wait till it's out in paperback.

No wonder the popular authors are all so rich (or maybe it's the publishers??).

[mbrogier]

A lot of people just sell their used books. They make a bit more money than they would at a yard sale. I know some people on this board sell the cookbooks they don't want on Amazon. I haven't done it, but it does sound tempting.

For novels, I exchange the ones I actually buy (which couldn't be found at the library) with a friend of mine. I believe in catch and release for books. The only books I'm really attached to are my cookbooks.

[Gracie]

I sell used books on ebay and thanks to Missindi, now sell on Amazon also. I find books at yard and church rummage sales mostly and it's really easy to find books that look brand new going for a quarter or 3 for $1.00. I only buy those that are in like new condition.

I've been doing this for fun for 2 years now and it has never ceased to amaze me what people will get rid of. :)

Loren

[MISSINDI]

Glad it's working out for you, Gracie! I love how quick you can get books loaded, compared to Ebay.

As far as the original question ... garage sales, bag sales at libraries, gifts from people, etc. I've seen books sell for as low as a penny! I wouldn't assume fraudulent means at all. A local hospital has a "book store" where they take donations and once a week, they have a "bag day" - $2/bag!

Keep in mind, that a tiny bit of profit can be made on shipping the books as well. Amazon gives the seller a flat $3.49 for media mail shipping (and it costs roughly $1.60 to ship it), so there's a little bit of extra $ there. For me though, even though people pay for media, I usually send it priority (just an extra fifty-six cents).

Hope this helps! :)

[bobmark226]

I CANNOT believe the prices that bookstore chains charge for new books. We have a Barne's & Noble about a mile from us and I can't believe they charge the prices they do. Even the price of paperbacks! If I buy a book from them, it's on the "clearance" or sale table. If I want a just released book that badly, I'll buy it at BJ's (40% off the retail price).

Most "novels" I borrow from the library. I REFUSE to pay $25 or more for a book that will take me 3-4 days to read. Then what do I do with it? Or if it's part of a series or by a particular author we like, I'll buy it at BJ's or wait till it's out in paperback.

No wonder the popular authors are all so rich (or maybe it's the publishers??).

I think you need to enlighten yourself a bit about both the realities of publishing and what small margins bookstores operate on. Sure, there are blockbuster authors dancing all the way to the bank, but what I perceive as your indignation ("REFUSE") over book costs is groundless. Paper and printing costs alone are staggering and the average author/writer isn't making much money, either.

That Barnes & Noble you're complaining about is being killed by the internet and things like Amazon, half.com. et al, which have no overhead to speak of, not to mention that fact that big screen TVs and cheap DVDs are killing reading period. The only reason they're hanging on are the occasional monsters like DaVinci Code, South Beach Diet, Hillary's bio, etc., (all sold at 30% off as best sellers, btw), not to mention the Oprah picks, which publishers are terrified of losing again because they gave the industry such a shot in the arm.

Of course Costco can sell cheaper because they're most likely selling you a bunch of other things with higher profit margins. (They're still making 10-20% on that book.) What's your average Costco bill compared to what else you buy in a bookstore? What's the selection like? Crappy, right? Best seller heavy?

There might be a day that B&N will close and you won't be able to browse there and buy more cheaply elsewhere, just as the small stores are disappearing.

I buy a ton of "used" online, sure, but at the same time, I purposely shop at small local bookshops, paying full price quite often, not only because I believe in supporting local businesses, but because I think bookstores, wonderful places, are facing extinction.

Bob

[bobmark226]

<didn't bump :mad: >

[mommycook]

I usually try to sell my books on amazon.com and donate what does not sell.

My husband works with a lot of truckers. Theft of so common that he is sure a lot of the stuff sold on e-bay is stolen, esp. when one seller had hundreds of the same thing, all new. Anyone see the episode of Cops a few years back where they places hidden cameras and cops in a truck and busted the robbers? :eek:

[gertdog]

I'd also guess closeouts, things that didn't sell well, or, if you're like me, books you just don't want anymore! But I'm sure there are some unscrupulous folks among the honest ones. I buy a lot from half.com, bookcloseouts.com and a few others. I've never found a book for 48 cents though! I also have been enjoying paperbackswap.com- great way to recycle books you no longer want and get a few that are new-to-you.

If I am fairly sure I'll be keeping a book, I don't mind paying new prices at all. I figure they charge 10 bucks for a movie in many places these days, and a paperback at $7 or $8 gives me many more hours of enjoyment, especially if I read it again or can swap it with a friend. I don't buy in hardback unless that's my only choice- I like my books portable. :)

[SusanMac]

I'm indignant, too! I rarely buy books at mega-chain stores for full price. I get all fiction, and a lot of non-fiction, books at the library b/c I don't need to keep them. I know the authors really don't make that much, but I don't need shelves & shelves of once-read books.

When we need reference books, or books as gifts, I try to buy them at our local independent bookstores.

Haven't had the need to buy used ones online yet.

[Goin' Coastal]

Thanks for everone's input. It just seemed odd to me why someone would be selling this book for so little - especially since the copyright date is 2005. I just do not want to knowingly purchase books (or anything for that matter) if there is fraud involved.

[SusanMac]

P.S. I should clarify a bit more...I"m not indignant that the publishers make too much or that I'm getting a raw deal. Just don't see why I should pay money for books when I already pay for the priviledge of having a library.

Goin' Coastal - I'm w/you. Seems odd for an individual to put a book on sale for under $1. There are so many over-stocks, though, that companies are willing to dump at any price. I've rarely heard of stolen/fraud on reputable web sites. I think you'd be safe w/Amazon.

[BeachBum]

Our library gets rid of books annually, and also sells off donated books. I think some of these sellers must buy these books (super cheap) and resell them. At first I thought I had purchased stolen library books, which really bothered me :), but they weren't.

[mrswaz]

Just popped in to say very well said Bob.

[Tarheel YaYa]

I think a lot of those books are sold by dealers looking to make their money off of that little margin by selling lots of books. When our local library had their annual sale a few weeks ago, there was a dealer with a STACK of books sitting in the corner talking to someone on his cell phone. The dealer was reading the ISB numbers and asking how much it was going for... I'm guessing on Amazon or ebay.

And I'm like Bob, I'm worried that brick and mortar book stores (even the big chains) will one day be a thing of the past.

[MISSINDI]

And I'm like Bob, I'm worried that brick and mortar book stores (even the big chains) will one day be a thing of the past.

A shame that the tiny little independently owned bookstores are going by the wayside. I go out of my way to support the few local ones that are still around. One near where I grew up finally closed its doors last month after some 40 years in business (but he retired, as opposed to being driven out by online sales). The excitement of finding the perfect book for your mood after spending an afternoon in the bookstore isn't something I want to give up. When we used to visit my grandmother in TX, I'd drag her to Half-Price Books, a wonderful place I could get lost in all day... :)

[barbara-cook]

bobmark226 - Maybe I sound a little snippy when I say I refuse to buy full-pirce books at the local B&N. I used to shop at a little, locally owned bookstore, but guess what? They're closed! And I know that most authors don't make a ton of money. Neither do I. So I have to be careful about where I spend what I do make. That's why I feed my voracious reading habit by getting books at the library. If I bought all the books I read (from the library) my house would be overflowing! Like I said, cookbooks and gardening books are really the only kind I buy, and I have bought quite a few at full price, so I'm not totally evil!

I appreciate your points and you are correct in saying that the internet and other factors are making it more and more difficult for the little guys to stay in business. And that is really sad. I would love to have a little locally owned book store where I could browse and ask about books and spend my money there and know it was going to pretty much stay in the community. I do try to support a lot of our local businesses when there is a choice.

Okay - I'm done defending myself now. Carry on!