Used books

[rufustfirefly]

Does anyone buy used books on-line ? I have had mixed results. Any favorite sites ? Trying to spend less and feed my addiction at the same time.

[Emil Miller]

Does anyone buy used books on-line ? I have had mixed results. Any favorite sites ? Trying to spend less and feed my addiction at the same time.

Yes, try Abe books.com. They were able to obtain for me a book that I was unable to get elsewhere and were very professional in their dealings.

[prendrelemick]

I use e-bay all the time to buy books. One should never disregard the obvious.

[Emil Miller]

I use e-bay all the time to buy books. One should never disregard the obvious.

I have bought books on e-bay but they didn't have a copy the book I have mentioned. Abe books.com were able to give me the website of the bookshop in the USA from which I ordered it.

[JBI]

I use Amazon.ca - it is almost always cheaper for books over 10$ even with shipping included, though for new books they often have good deals too.

I have bought a pretty extensive reference library for Sinology from there, now am just waiting to go to China where, given a lax copyright law, and a nice exchange rate books are 1-2$ for new, nice editions.


Generally, if you buy from Amazon most sellers will have a 100% refund policy. I have never been displeased, so never returned anything, but it is definitely a sensible method, especially for Canada as shipping from Abe and elsewhere hits the bill rather hard.

As for not, I generally go to a used book store near campus - occasionally some people dump a great deal of books there, and rare things popup mispriced, but I am not a collector, so just walk by - my professor though scouts the place out daily for rarities. Generally for things under 10$ the internet really doesn't work to well - shipping is always a few bucks, and for that money it isn't unheard of to simply buy a new copy online, or get a cheap copy at a real store.

[Emil Miller]

I use Amazon.ca - it is almost always cheaper for books over 10$ even with shipping included, though for new books they often have good deals too.

I have bought a pretty extensive reference library for Sinology from there, now am just waiting to go to China where, given a lax copyright law, and a nice exchange rate books are 1-2$ for new, nice editions.


Generally, if you buy from Amazon most sellers will have a 100% refund policy. I have never been displeased, so never returned anything, but it is definitely a sensible method, especially for Canada as shipping from Abe and elsewhere hits the bill rather hard.

As for not, I generally go to a used book store near campus - occasionally some people dump a great deal of books there, and rare things popup mispriced, but I am not a collector, so just walk by - my professor though scouts the place out daily for rarities. Generally for things under 10$ the internet really doesn't work to well - shipping is always a few bucks, and for that money it isn't unheard of to simply buy a new copy online, or get a cheap copy at a real store.

The problem arises when you want a specialist book that is out of print and isn't obtainable from Amazon or Ebay. There is a greater possibility of getting it through Abe.com. Obviously it pays to check Amazon and Ebay first but if they are found wanting, Abe comes next. I agree that the cost of shipping makes it expensive but if you really want the book, Abe will order it for you or you can order direct from the bookstore.

[dfloyd]

There is Biblio, and Alibris for two. Abe is a Canadian company and if you use a credit card you will be charged a foreign exchange fee even though their books are listed in US dollars.

There is a site called viaLibri which lists books according to where they are sold, both individual dealers and large conglomerates like Abe and Amazon.com.

I am a book collector and dealer, and I have used them all. Sometimes E-bay is good, but many times the bidding gets out of hand and books go for more than they are listed on Abe et al. I deal in finely printed classics, and have books ranging from $10 to several hundred dollars. If you send me a personal message, I can see if I have in stock what you are looking for.

[applepie]

I'll second Amazon. I normally have very good luck with them. If they're listed as good then I'm normally pleased with them. Hardback brings better luck that paperbacks, but they're normally accurate in their description.

Other than that, I have OK luck with online book swaps.

[papayahed]

I either go to amazon or paperbackswap.com. I've had good results with both.