I am new to PBS and was wondering if it is okay to try to bargin? For example, if I  see two books on one persons self can I pm them and see if they will do a 2 for 1? I don't want to do anything wrong but love deals at the same time :)

PM them. Usually most people will do deals!! :)

I would guess you'll get a lot of varying opinions on this one!

Strictly speaking for myself only, I would not ask someone to do that & I would feel a *teeny-tiny* bit irked if someone PM'd me & asked me to cut a deal.    My way of thinking would be --- if I had books that I *was* willing to deal on, I'd already have listed them in the book bazaar or have a tagline in my signature like many do.  

I think one credit per book is already a *fantastic* deal so I'm perfectly happy with that. 

Editted to add - I'm sure a person's perspective might vary greatly from mine depending on what kind of books were involved too.   Most of the books that I get, and those that I occasionally offer, are *mostly* hardcovers or higher-priced softcovers.   I suppose if you were talking about dime-a-dozen harlequin romances, that would make it a lot different.   (I'm NOT criticizing harlequin romances, simply using them as an example of books that can generally be obtained at very low cost compared to many other books)

Thanks for the two responses. That is why I asked before doing it. I have visit the book bazaar daily to look and see what i can find. I am mainly looking for childrens books. 

When you say tagline, that is only found in forums right? 

Thanks!  

Yes, tag lines are only in the forums.  You can always look at someone's profile too and see if they have a deal listed there.  I don't see the harm in a polite PM.  I've done it before and I've had others PM me and ask.

I do agree it'd depend on what kinds of books.  My shelf is mainly category romance books and they just don't move without offering deals on them so I'm almost always going 3 for 1 on my shelf.

It wouldn't bother me, and I don't think it would bother a lot of people who post on the forums.  People who do not post in the forums might be a little aggravated if someone ordered a book and then PM'd for a 2 for 1.  Deals are a good way to get rid of books that have too many copies in the system or books that move s...l...o...w....l....y through the system.

I think if they are common books and you ask politely for a reasonable deal (like 2 for 1)-that would be all right. Like someone else said: I wouldn't ask for a 2 for 1 on hard backs or harder to find books that will probably get ordered quickly.  If they just posted them they might not be open to a deal on them.  If they're paperbacks that have been on their shelf for a while then they might be. 

Just be prepared for a possibly rude refusal and to take no for answer politely.  You wouldn't want to get accused of harrassing someone for a deal.  Usually when people complain on here about this type of thing it's because: Someone asked them for an unreasonable deal like 4 for 1; or they didn't take no for an answer and kept haggling for a deal. 

Another suggestion would be to find the bazaar thread called Books I'm Looking For and posting there.  You might find someone willing to give you a deal if they have more than one.

Or if you post regularly-put them in your signature. Something like: I would love a deal on this author or something. I've done that before and gotten a good response.

It doesn't hurt to ask.  I've had people approach me before about deals, and if my shelf has been stale for a while, I usually do it.  A nice way to ask is something like this, "Hi, I was just browsing your shelf and I noticed that you had Book Title 1 and Book Title 2 (& so forth) that I was interested in.  I was wondering if you happened to be offering any deals at this time?  Thanks!" 

I think this is a lot nicer way that just asking for something, and it makes it easier for the person to decline if they choose to.  Good luck!

Kara--

As others have already mentioned, some members may get frustrated or annoyed with offers, but I feel that, as long as you're polite, it never hurts to ask -- just be willing to accept "no thank you".

Cheers,

Catt

Thanks for the responses!! I think if I find something I will politely ask :) Thanks again!

Yet another opinion - I really think if you're interested in more than one book on someone's shelf and want to ask for a deal, you should leave it open-ended so they can determine what kind of deal they are willing to do.  If you want two books, it'll be pretty clear you are asking for a 2 for 1 deal.  But if someone asked me for a 3 for 1, I'd think that was a little pushy of them. 

On the other hand, if they wrote and said "I'm interested in these three books on your shelf, would you be willing to make a deal for them?" I can decide for myself how eager I am to get them off my shelf.  For example, if anyone wants any of the books that have been on my shelf for a year or more, I'd be happy to do a 3 for 1 on them.  :)

I wouldn't mind it at all.   I often throw in an extra book if I have something comparable to what was initially requested,so being asked to do a 2/1 would be even easier! 

Actually, one of the points over in the Book Bazaar "How to" thread is that it is not considered rude to ask for a deal.  Nor is it considered rude to decline, everyone just needs to be polite. :-)

This is the specific point:

(5) If a member asks you for a deal and you haven't offered one, this is not considered rude; it is also not considered rude to refuse. This kind of thing should be handled politely, without hard feelings on either side.

Here is a link to the thread about Book Deals (it is a red-sticky thread over in the Book Bazaar)

Book Bazaar Tour--How to use this forum

A different perspective . . .Please consider the perspective of PBSer's who are not Forum users. . .  personally, since i have never offered deals in a public way (though I have given them privately as a Boxer, when a BoB didn't work out), I have been shocked and offended when someone requests one out of the blue. It feels like begging to me, and I don't respond well to begging.

You might want to take into consderation that the majority of PBS'ers do NOT use the forums in any way, and are not familiar with Book Bazaar, so asking for something free can be construed as suggesting that all the time and $$ a person has put into finding, listing and mailing books is worth LESS to you than it is to all the other people they have served. Just please consider this if you ever receive an offended or shocked response to a request for a deal.

Cindi

Just please consider this if you ever receive an offended or shocked response to a request for a deal.

I certainly agree that it's worth remembering that only a small portion of users actually read the forums.  That's a good point.  However, I would not justify that as accounting for a rude, unfriendly response.  Even if you are mind boggled that someone asked, tact is required in saying no. 

Sometimes I have been asked for deals, and i will say OK, even if I haven't been offering one.  Sometimes i might make a counter-offer, too, like asking if they might like 3 for 2 instead of 2 for 1.  I also agree that the duration of listing is important.  I have offered 2-4 for 1 on my books that have been on my shelf for >1 or >2 years.  Wouldn't be insulted if asked politely, even if I decided to refuse or make a counter-offer, either.