tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040961017436764140.post3227290774072566106..comments2024-03-06T18:43:14.817+05:00Comments on Endless Falls Up: book collecting and the use of Amazon MarketPlaceRay Garratyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771800826581349483noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040961017436764140.post-53512088192642216232014-05-18T00:13:16.390+06:002014-05-18T00:13:16.390+06:00I've used them a number of times. Bookfinder ...I've used them a number of times. Bookfinder can also work, though their website is a bit clunky by present-day standards.<br /><br />What I like about all of them is that I'm supporting local booksellers, instead of chains. <br /><br />I'd still much rather be able to browse around in actual brick&mortar book shops, but there are fewer and fewer of those around in NYC. The rent is too damn high. Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00271250698430923736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040961017436764140.post-59766810010853037062014-05-17T23:57:02.455+06:002014-05-17T23:57:02.455+06:00For reading copies I prefer ABE. It offers very lo...For reading copies I prefer ABE. It offers very low shipping prices and ships everywhere, while sellers from AMP mostly sticks to domestic shipping. Ray Garratyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00771800826581349483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040961017436764140.post-46445098137321235862014-05-17T22:47:41.656+06:002014-05-17T22:47:41.656+06:00I hear ya. Yeah, if the shipping is that high, y...I hear ya. Yeah, if the shipping is that high, you have to know for sure what you're getting. Honestly, I just ordered a P.M. Hubbard book Nick reviewed over at Existential Ennui, for $1.48--the shipping was more than that. The book has no DJ, but it's the American edition, for which the artwork sucked anyhow. Just needed a reading copy. Ex-library. You get those a lot on AMP. <br /><br />If I order a first edition vintage paperback, I get very finicky about the condition of the cover. With hardbounds, I'm usually more lax. Someday, many years from now, I hope some lucky collector comes to my post-death apartment sale, and utters a cry of unbelieving delight. Or if he's really lucky, maybe the books will just be dumped on the sidewalk and he gets there just before the garbage truck. My cheerful thought for the day. ;)Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00271250698430923736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040961017436764140.post-49160272642942162602014-05-17T19:24:19.504+06:002014-05-17T19:24:19.504+06:00Underpriced books usually have some defect - it...Underpriced books usually have some defect - it's a book club or without DJ, that's risky. I can't risk ordering a book, paying for shipping up to $25 and then getting jacketless book club. I sometimes demand a refund for something like this, but not every seller will refund. For Americans it's easier, they can risk ordering a book without proper description. Ray Garratyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00771800826581349483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040961017436764140.post-91012498206736542082014-05-17T17:16:20.151+06:002014-05-17T17:16:20.151+06:00I've had somewhat better luck with AMP, but I ...I've had somewhat better luck with AMP, but I know what you mean. What annoys me the most is sellers who have a book they know is both rare and not particularly desired by most people, but there's a handful out there who might need it to fill a hole in their collection--so they stick a ridiculous price tag on it, and leave it there dangling--sometimes for years--until some collector, I dunno, wins the lottery, inherits a fortune, and says "Now I can afford to pay that ridiculous sum of money no sane person would ever pay." Just to fill that empty space in his bookshelf. <br /><br />There are some very unscrupulous sellers, but most of them are honest--thing is, you're often buying from businesses with a huge inventory, and they don't have time to carefully evaluate every single book's condition. <br /><br />And happily, they may not have time to realize they've wildly UNDERpriced some of the books, so that's where the bargains come in. <br /><br />Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00271250698430923736noreply@blogger.com