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Topic: Online places to purchase used books.....

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charmedstores avatar
Subject: Online places to purchase used books.....
Date Posted: 2/9/2009 11:59 AM ET
Member Since: 9/20/2007
Posts: 71
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Not sure if we're allowed to talk about this or not so I apologize in advance.  I end up reposting all my books on here so I'm hoping it's a save question to ask.  I was wondering if there were common places to purchase used books that anyone has found reliable?  I know about ebay, but just never sure of the outcome.  I know that Barnes and Noble has used book sellers but I would like to order from one place(seller) and not have to pay additional shipping fees.

:)
Kelli

maeven avatar
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Date Posted: 2/9/2009 12:22 PM ET
Member Since: 4/15/2008
Posts: 880
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Half.com (owned by Ebay) has shipping discounts when you order more than one book from the same seller.  I've also ordered used books through Amazon.  Not sure that this is exactly the info you were looking for but maybe it will be helpful!  :)

bengelchen avatar
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Date Posted: 2/9/2009 12:23 PM ET
Member Since: 7/19/2008
Posts: 1,131
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I love bookcloseouts.com. Most of the books are new with just a reminder mark on them. Shipping is very reasonable and they have a great selection. Search for coupons online, with $5 of $35 you get shipping for free.

I have ordered from them for a lot of years now and never had a problem,

 

booklover6 avatar
Date Posted: 2/9/2009 12:26 PM ET
Member Since: 5/23/2008
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I have ordered used books from sellers on half.com and amazon. but the shipping, even combined shipping, is a killer. sometimes ebay is the best place to get a combined shipping deal. Or other auction sites, such as neoloch.com, onlineauction.com, there are others out there.

I have also ordered from Beaglebooks.com, they have a good shipping rate as I recall, they also sell on amazon.

Anne



Last Edited on: 2/9/09 12:28 PM ET - Total times edited: 1
charmedstores avatar
Date Posted: 2/9/2009 12:33 PM ET
Member Since: 9/20/2007
Posts: 71
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Thanks for everyone's ideas.  Basically, I'm just trying to find a few places where I can order a couple of books at a time without have to pay so much in shipping.  I tend to get impatient waiting for some books to come through on here and like to just buy them, of course they just get posted here for somebody else's benefit. ;)

Kelli

njoybeing avatar
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Date Posted: 2/9/2009 1:36 PM ET
Member Since: 12/29/2008
Posts: 3,883
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Alibris.com has good prices for books, and shipping is free for $49 worth of stuff (but pretty expensive, I think, if you buy less). 

To contiguous U.S. addresses
FREE!
Super Value Shipping/images/elements/truck-tiny.gif
4-14 days* Free when you order at least $49.00 of eligible books
Standard
Super Value Shipping/images/elements/truck-tiny.gif
4-14 days* Books: $3.99
Music & movies: $2.99
Books: $2.19
Music & movies: $1.99
Expedited
Super Value ShippingSuper Value Shipping
2-8 days* Books: $6.99
Music & movies: $5.19
Books: $2.99
Music & movies: $2.99
Trackable Expedited 4-8 days* Books: $6.99
Music & movies: $5.19
Books: $2.99
Music & movies: $2.99
Two Day Air 2 business Days Books: $9.95
Music & movies: $6.95
Books: $6.95
Music & movies: $4.95
One Day Air 1 business Day Books: $18.95
Music & movies: $12.99
Books: $18.95
Music & movies: $12.99

MartieKr avatar
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Date Posted: 2/9/2009 1:50 PM ET
Member Since: 4/22/2005
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I like overstock.com. Their books and shipping are more than reasonable.

readermuse avatar
Date Posted: 2/9/2009 4:16 PM ET
Member Since: 12/6/2008
Posts: 245
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I'm usually a half.com person for multiple books. Not too bad and albris is listed there as well.
EmilyKat avatar
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Date Posted: 2/9/2009 7:11 PM ET
Member Since: 7/19/2008
Posts: 15,524
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Powells has both new and used.  But again, you need to order alot ($50) to get the free shipping.  But I do like the idea of my money going to bookstore that actually has stores. 

TeamEric avatar
Date Posted: 2/9/2009 10:39 PM ET
Member Since: 12/2/2008
Posts: 490
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I buy books on ebay all the time.  I get really great deals.  I try and find lots in my genre and then I look for the best deal with the most books that I want.  sometimes there's books in there that I'm just going to end up posting here, but the rest of the deal is worth it that it's just an added bonus. 

Cosmina avatar
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Date Posted: 2/10/2009 11:12 PM ET
Member Since: 6/21/2008
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I have shopped Amazon for years and through the purchases there, I have relationships with some of the used dealers that sell there like Good Will Industries and SeaShell books and Thrift books.  That way I get the book for media rate shipping without the amazon markup.  I also have accounts at Alibris, Powells and a couple of the big ones.  I have never tried Half.com or overstock.com. Thanks for the tip.

I just wanted to add that my ebay experiences have been such a hassle!  I have given up on that method of buying anything and I am envious of the great deals other people figure out how to get there.



Last Edited on: 2/10/09 11:14 PM ET - Total times edited: 1
Generic Profile avatar
Date Posted: 2/10/2009 11:53 PM ET
Member Since: 5/18/2007
Posts: 13,223
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If I get used books online (and it's not from here!) then it's usually from eBay. I've gotten several lots of books. As much as I would like to order from Amazon I just won't do it because of the shipping prices. As far as I've been able to tell there is no discount if ordering more than one book ... it's a set $3.99 per book unless you order certain new books, which offer free shipping if your oder is over $25. So eBay is the only way I've bought so far but I'm going to give some of these other suggestions a try too! I also purchase a lot of used books IRL (when I'm not getting them for a pittance from the FOL I volunteer at) and I go to Half Price Books in Berkeley. I know they have a Web site but I've not checked it out. Shipping once again would be a "break it" for me if they charge too much for it.

Last Edited on: 2/10/09 11:54 PM ET - Total times edited: 1
gremlin avatar
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Date Posted: 2/11/2009 2:51 AM ET
Member Since: 1/19/2008
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it's a set $3.99 per book unless you order certain new books, which offer free shipping if your oder is over $25.

as far as i know, you get free shipping almost any time your order is over $25 buying merchandise directly from amazon (so new books, not used).  it'll say on the specific item if it's not eligible for Super Saver shipping (like toys and tools).  their prices on hardbacks are generally better than i can get elsewhere for the series i always get in hardback.  plus, a *lot* of books under $9.99 (so mostly mass market paperbacks) are eligible for their 4-for-3 deal where you order four books and the cheapest one is free.  since they do the total for free shipping before they do the discount, i used to pretty regularly put in orders for four mmps, pay for three and shipping was free.  the 4-for-3 deal is only available on some new releases, but if you wait a month most things then get to be part of the deal.  so if you're careful to order four books of the same price together, it's basically 25% off each, free shipping, and no tax.  but if you're shopping for used books, that stuff doesn't apply. 

Generic Profile avatar
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Date Posted: 2/11/2009 3:09 PM ET
Member Since: 10/11/2007
Posts: 8,455
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I sell a lot on Ebay and I give 50% off shippping on each book. Would do better for pbs people. I will be listing a lot of paranormals and erotics and others next month sometime.  4856sherry

dmac avatar
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Date Posted: 2/11/2009 10:07 PM ET
Member Since: 12/4/2005
Posts: 2,320
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I member here sent me books in a WL Swap from a place:

Better World

 

I believe all the used books are posted by various charities--they've got a bargain basement sale going right now 5 books for $15 and I think it was free shipping for the bargain books.  



Last Edited on: 2/11/09 10:11 PM ET - Total times edited: 2
booklover6 avatar
Date Posted: 2/12/2009 9:02 AM ET
Member Since: 5/23/2008
Posts: 12,776
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As a former buyer and seller of books on ebay, I do not consider 50% off shipping on each book to be a good deal. Even $1.00 shipping for each additional book is too much, in my opinion. But, I don't buy books there any more, so its no big deal to me :) Just offering the opinion of a former buyer.

That Better World site is sort of hard to search!

Anne

dmac avatar
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Date Posted: 2/12/2009 7:05 PM ET
Member Since: 12/4/2005
Posts: 2,320
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Yeah, it is--I honestly find plenty from here, the big UBS here in town, ebay occasionally and I still buy plenty so I sometimes forget to go there and look:lol:    It's easier if you are looking for a specific title or a particular author.   I'm not a browser--I want what I want=)

Generic Profile avatar
Date Posted: 2/14/2009 12:22 AM ET
Member Since: 5/6/2007
Posts: 208
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I use ABE. It offers a wide range of bookstores so you can choose the lowest price. Shipping varies from free to 5 dollars. I buy a ton of books there!!

Lorene