I'm a relatively new member and I've been really pleased about how many of my books have been requested and how many great books I have received - I really love this site!  My question is this - there are quite a few books on my bookshelf that is one of over 200 books posted on PBS.  Is there any chance that any of these books will ever get picked up off of my bookshelf?  Even if I offer them 2 for 1 or 3 for 1?  Just curious what others' experiences have been with books where supply seems to greatly exceed demand.  Thanks!

They do eventually get requested but it might take some time.  THe quickest way is to offer a deal.  Or you can join one of the Virtual boxes in the games forum.  If you look under the Swaps Taking Sign Ups red thread at the top and go down the first post you'll see a list of ongoing boxes.  There's a Historical box, a Mystery/Thriller box, a Contemporary Romance box, a Cozy box etc..,

Welcome Christine!

I took a look at your shelf, and you seem to have alot by one particular author. I would suggest offering a 2 for 1 deal on those books in the book bazaar if you need credits. If not, then you could just sit back and wait. Even the most popular books do get requested eventually- I've had quite a few with over 200 in the system that took a while, but are now in new homes.

There are a few authors that are here in the hundreds per titles.  They also are requested more frequently than you might think.  I agree that you should try offering a deal for each popular author's books.  2 for 1 or 3 books for 2 credits - what ever.  Or invite someone to ask for a deal on those.

I once got a deal offer from someone and sent out 20 books (one was an unpostable) for 13 credits.  I thought it was a good deal!  And I promptly went out and spent them all! ;D

Ruth

You can also 'publish' any deals in your bookshelf header.  (Click on your bookshelf, then on 'edit my public header').  It hasn't brought in a tremendous amount of requests for me, but I've had a few from using it).

You can also create a signature line so any deals you're offering show up in your posts in the forums.

Good luck!  Hope you start moving those books soon!

Well,  I'm going to honest and tell you what I really think (not that everyone else hasn't been - they have been giving you good advice).  This advice is based on my three years of experience here at PBS:

I didn't check myself, but am willing to bet that the LaVyrle Spencer books on your shelf are the ones that have many, many copies in the system already. Those LaVyrle Spencer books are probably going to sit on your shelf or a while before they would be requested through the regular FIFO system.  She is a very prolific author and some of those books have been out for quite a few years - so probably not many copies are requested regularly through FIFO.  My guess is that those books will be on your 4-8 months if not longer before someone requests one through FIFO.  So if you are going to offer a deal, I would take the advice of several of the posters above me and do it on those books.

Now, as for the other books on your shelf, I believe they will move faster.  Maybe not necessarily Jane Green, as she's another prolific author (but not as prolific as LaVyrle Spencer) - but she is a newer author and that's an important factor also.   But I believe there are devoted SciFi/Fantasy readers here on PBS - and those books have moved well off my shelf - especially if they are part of a series.  Same goes for the paranormal romance.   Its moves relatively quickly off the shelf also.  I predict that those books will only be on your shelf 1-6 months.  

Hi Christine and welcome to PBS!

One way that I find to trade books that have quite a few copies in the system is to use the Box of Books feature. I find that people who trade BOBs are more willing to trade books that have been in the system for awhile or have more copies.

You can also do what some others suggested and offer a deal, say 2 for 1 or 3 for 1.

Good luck!

Even, if you don't do deals they will probably move if you wait long enough.  I just had an old John Grisham novel move through FIFO!  It might have taken a year though.

ETA: Posting in the forums also helps.  After I posted I decided to check out your bookshelf and the Jane Green's were ones I hadn't read, but had been meaning to and they've found a new home now.

Thanks everyone for all of the good suggestions!

I have looked and looked and even asked someone, but can't find this info.  I am wanting to see how many of my bookshelf titles are already posted.  This will help me to know if it is worth waiting for the FIFO or if I should just go to Half Price books.  I don't want to hold on to something for 3 years becuase there are over 300 copies of it.

Thanks,
Nicole

I see replies on this thread about offering credit deals.  How does that work?  Can someone explain?

Thanks,

Nicole

Nicole for a discussion on why you can't see where you are in the FIFO line see this link http://www.paperbackswap.com/forum/topic.php?t=148895

As far deals go, I'll let someone else explain the exact way it works, but you offer 2 books for 1 credit or 3 books for 2 credits or something like that.

If you put a book on your Reminder List it'll show you how many copies are posted.  You can just offer deals on certain books you have posted it doesn't have to be everything on your shelf.  You can just put in your signature or in the book bazaar the author names that you want to get rid of faster.  Put in the Book Bazaar something like 10 Lavyrle Spencer books for 4 credits or something.  You'll move the books faster and you can use those credits to shop for deals from the bazaar yourself. 

Or if you don't want to deal with that because you have enough credits: donate them. 

You can even just offer them as freebies with an order from your shelf. Say 1 Lavyrle Spencer book free if someone orders 2 books from you or something.