I am finding that I cannot even give away my books.  I had a 3/1 offer in the Book Bazaar for several days last week  and although, based on past suggestions, I had listed some of the genre and authors available in my bookshelf -  not a nibble.

What am I doing something wrong with my bookshelf? 

I am even finding that when listing WL books it takes forever for them to find new homes.  One WL book went from 49 wishers to 42 before someone wanted it.  Two weeks in my Wish List folder.  I waited over a year to get the book, I would have thought others who have been waiting a long time would have wanted it when it became available.

From the start I noted that mostly books published within the past 1-2 years or "hard to find" books get requested. I have many common (lots of copies) or vintage books so they move slowly (if at all).

I have tried running a few specific deals as well, and had only one that was taken.  I think that part of the issue is the sheer number of deals that are being run in the Book Bazaar lately- there seem to be a LOT more in the last month or so than prior to that, so there is just a lot of competition.  A lot of us just don't have time to keep up on all of those offers- I often wonder what I am missing every time to go to the BB, because I only have time to check out a few of the posts.  I have pretty much given up on doing any deals for the time being, since the ones I tried a couple of weeks ago didn't generate any interest.  One thing I will suggest is that if you have books of a specific genre, consider posting a deal in the forum for that genre.  I've had a little luck doing that in the Chick Lit and Children's Books forums.  Then people who are specifically interested in those types of books will see your offer without having to go through tons of deals like in the Book Bazaar.

Grnemae, I just ordered a book and sent a pm about the free ones.

Have you tried posting your deals in the specific forum for the type of books on your shelf?  That might generate some specific interest.

I looked at your bookshelf and many of your books seem to be older ones that may move slower.

Good luck

What I have discovered is once someone orders a book from me then I see If I have others they might like and offer them a deal.  I have had more luck this way than through book baazar.  JEan

I think its just the time of the year. I think you have a great shelf, but have such a big TBR right now I am not ordering anything but my WL books. Maybe alot of other people are in the same boat.

Could be a lot of people doing what Im doing. I have stopped ordering everything but WL books. If I could hold my WL individually from my shelf I wouldnt even be ordering them. Not till June first at least.

In a couple days, I will have more credits to spend. I see quite a few that I like on your shelf. Will your deal still be in effect on Thursday?

My apologies!

Hey LaVonne W.  I see four of your books that I would be interested in...genre (Religious-Spirituality...Fiction).  Are you still running any deal...

Christy

Topics advertising your bookshelf should NOT be started in any forum but the Book Bazaar.

This topic was not started to advertise her bookshelf.

I've noticed less and less response to deals over time.

My boxes of books are a good example. I've sent 2 out this year, with only one response to each.  Admittedly, I had someone who wanted a general fiction box and I just couldn't find enough books to put in it.  Last year I sent out 3-4 and had multiple responses to each book.

I used to run a 5 for 2 deal occassionally and would get several responses.  Now I get none.

Some of it are deal-makers falling over themselves.  4 for 1 used to be unusual, not it's ho-hum.  I tend not to run to many bookshelf deals because I'm willing to raise my postage costs that much. 

And the book bazaar has gotten so busy with nothing but deals, and no real way to pick through them other than loads of time.  So some people have quit reading it that much, because it's too much work.

I used to spend a lot more time in the BB, but the sheer volume of deals going on now is overwhelming. I get lost going through the pages of posts and different bookshelves. I still check from time to time but like someone else said, my TBR pile is huge and I'm trying to limit my credit spending...unless I find something I really can't resist.  : )  I don't have the best will power.

I know I'm trying to limit ordering any more books but every now and then find a deal I can' t pass up.  But it is crazy the number of deals in the BB and when I've tried to have some it gets buried fairly quickly

<<Topics advertising your bookshelf should NOT be started in any forum but the Book Bazaar.

This topic was not started to advertise her bookshelf.>>

I believe this was not in reference to this request for advice, but to the suggestion that she post about her bookshelf in the subject forums, which is verboten, per PBS policy: "Topics advertising your bookshelf should NOT be started in any forum but the Book Bazaar."

LaVonne, one thing you might consider is to spruce up your bookshelf -- I notice that a number of books on it lack cover images, plot summaries and other details that can help "sell" your books to others.  There are also some suggestions under "How to get your books requested" in the Help Center.

Cheers,

Catt

Thanks to all for your input.  I think you have hit the nail in regards to there being just way too many offers in the Bazaar and it does not take long for an offer to get lost.

I was not trying to advertise my shelf, just looking for ways to help move some of my books.

To those who asked - 3/1 is a standard offer on my shelf at all times.

Cattriona - thanks for the tips. I have spent hours trying to find book cover images for some of my books and no luck.  I try very hard to ensure that there is a summary for every book but I may have missed some.  I will recheck my shelf.   I did not realize there was a Help Center topic so I will check that out also.

Yeah, I went back and reread the original post and I'm a goober so good night :P

You could also just go and donate all your books.  That's what I did.  I actually feel a lot better about it.  I can work on whittling down my TBR and now feel ok putting my account on hold.  It's very freeing.

Jennie - I do donate many of my books.  I send 30-36  books a month to military personnel through Operation Paperback.  I really like knowing that I am helping to provide some diversion for those serving our country.   I also send any large print books that I have to the nursing home where my daughter works.  They really appreciate the books.

I usually go through the BB deals daily, However, since I have a big WL, I tend to only have 1-2  credits at most for Book Bazaar deals at any given time. I usually only take advantage of them when I can find at least 2 books on the person's bookshelf that I really really want to read. Plus, I only order from people offering 2/1 or 3/1 or better and always skip the 3/2 or 5/2 since someone is bound to offer a better deal down the line anyway. That's when not being in a hurry and a nice size TBR pile comes in handy.

I agree, too many deals posted to go through and then find it's not what you're looking for.   I still check in quickly, but skim the subjects quickly for what interests me, so I suggest adding something in the subject as to what kind of books, like Historical/genre, Harlequin, specific series--whatever, something to encourage one to look further among the numerous postings.  Not enough time to go through them all for me.  And it helps for any I open up to have a few titles listed, to give me an idea  of what you have to go check further.   If I have more time one night and go through several and find they are not what I'm looking for, I stop and might miss "yours" even if it they are books I generally read. 

What I find. 

I use wish list almost exclusively.  Would rather wait for a very wanted great book than just have a book.

I end up not reading impulse buys and bargain books that are only marginally interesting despite being cheap.

I know many hold back credits for that occasional wish list surge.

I have a large TBR, the urge for more is not really there.  I know others feel the same.  Get picky.

Size does not matter, I mailed over 100 books last year and my bookshelf has never had over 15 books.  I give to FOL if I have a book to long on my shelf.  If I have the only copy of a title I sometimes delete and repost it to get it on the daily list again.

Old mass market paperbacks of very common authors are so easy to get there is not much demand.  You seem to have a fair amount of those books.

I used to do deals back when there weren't so many and it was more along the lines of  "two-for-one".  Postage is a bit spendy for me and as much as I'd love to do it, I can't compete with the "four-for-one", "five-for-one" folks. 

I haven't had that many non-WL orders lately either. I had one this week but that was the 1st one in probably a month and it was the only copy in the system.  I have 3 audiobooks sitting on my shelf and they normally get ordered almost immediately.  One was WL and wasn't requested.  This is one of the reasons I decided to become a boxer.  So I can exchange some books I've already read for some I haven't.  I have to pack them all up, put them into storage and move them cross country. I'd rather do that with ones I haven't read then the ones I have.  I should make some more Box offers but I don't have much of a shelf right now. 

If any of you Boxers has Blue Dahlia by Nora Roberts, take a look and see if there's anything you want to trade for it on my shelf. I have the 2nd and 3rd book of this trilogy coming in a Box deal.  I would like this one but there's so many posted I figured I put this out there.  I've already put a couple offers out there for it and got no response so I cancelled. It's not very encouraging to me when it takes almost a week to get a response.