Hello fellow readers,

I looked for answers, but drew a blank.

Unlike SwapaDVD, there doesn't seem to be any way to tell if a book is desired by other members or not, at least not before you post it for trade. Am I just missing it?

Also, how many copies of this same title are already listed by other members? Can't seem to locate that useful tidbit either.

Mostly, I'd like to know if I'm wasting my time posting a book that 's just going to sit on the shelf for a year.

Any help out there?

Don

The number of copies posted is available if you add the book to your reminder list.

The number of members wishing the book is listed on the book detail page.

If you put in the ISBN of the book and click on the details as Emily said, you get the details. If there are people wishing for the book, that will show up there. That means there are currently NO copies in the system and that many people are waiting to get the book.

If you see an "order this book" button, it means there's at least one copy available and then click on the 'add to reminder list' option to find out exactly how many copies are available. When you post your copy, it goes to the end of the FIFO (first in, first out) queue. If a book is popular, there may be a LOT of copies listed--but don't let that stop you from posting it. Several hundred copies listed also means a lot of people read those books so the queue moves a lot faster than an obscure book that may only have a couple of copies in the system.

Also, sometimes your book may skip the usual progression. If someone orders a book, they can look at "order more from member" and then choose to order more books directly from your shelf, thus skipping waiting for those books that were posted first. It saves you postage also as 2 books shipped together to one person will cost less than 2 books shipped separately.

Cheryl

I use the advance search option, choose 'wish list books' and plug the title in (the author's name, too, if the title is common)

I just did this with The Help by Kathryn Stockett and 18 versions/editions are wish listed.

I keep all my books on the TBR Pile.  It'll put a W next to anything that's WL and you can sort it to show all the WL books together. I've had pretty good luck with having heavily posted books ordered pretty quickly.  Hanging out on the forums helps.  I find the heavily posted books frequently get added to the order when I post a WL book.

Box of Books is also a great way to exchange more heavily posted books you've read for ones you haven't read yet.  It's $9 a year and no credits are involved.

Hey all,

Thanks a million for all the helpful answers. I KNEW

Accidentally hit the Enter key.

I knew there must be ways of determining this information, but couldn't suss them on my own.

Excellent help!