I picked up a couple of books at a book sale and was going to post them when I realized they didn't have ISBNs.  I know I can post them, and that people can search for them by title and author, but it seems like a long shot.  I was just wondering if any of you have posted non ISBN books and then had them requested?

I just posted a non-isbn book and it was snatched within the hour. I have several others that I have posted and sent. Unless they are copies of books that have a zillion ISBN editions, they should go. But, often the non-isbn books are more obsure titles and quick to go. I think that is the biggest difference, whether or not there are already tons of that TITLE in the system or a small number of them or even better, none at all!! 

Diane, is the title in the system at all?

If it isn't you can post it to your shelf using the non-ISBN method but also put a post in the Book Bazaar too. If it's obscure I bet someone is looking for it and frustrated at not finding it. LOL

I was looking for a book when I first joined and had it in my sig line that I wanted it in whatever condion. I also put it on my WL. It did have an ISBN and came up right when I put it on my WL. Months later someone pm'd me with the question of how they could post that book cause the ISBN came up with another books title. They pm'd me because they saw my sig line. I had her post the book to my WL avoiding her problem and I got the book! It was an obscure MMPB from the 70's.

So it pays to advertise.<G>

I have posted quite a few (okay, a lot) of non-ISBN books and have had many of them requested.

I've only posted one, and it was requested about 10 weeks later.  It was pretty obscure - a paperback, and I had to type in the description from the back of the book.  But - I looked at the profile of the person who ordered, and one of her listed interests matched something in the book synopsis - so you never know.

I don't think the lack of isbn makes much difference - people mostly search for books by author, title, and keyword.

I've posted quite a few without ISBNs that have been requested.

I've only posted one book without an ISBN.  You have to create an entry for it and it gets assigned a temporary short ISBN (good only for your copy of the book).  It was requested within a week and the recipient was SO happy to get it.  I almost didn't post it either because I'd tried selling it on Ebay a couple of times without a nibble there.  I figured no one wanted it.  Guess I was wrong!

I have at least one on my bookshelf that is also on someone's WL.  Actually a few people have it wishlisted but each one has a different ISBN attached to it. Its the same title and author though so I assume they are all the same book.

I just posted 6 and had 2 requested within an hour, so it's possible.  Good luck!

Many of the sci-fi books that I posted with no ISBNs were grabbed almost within a week. So I'd say go ahead and post them. I know when I am looking for a book, I exhaust all possible searches for that title and author. I'm sure others do the same.

They absolutely will be requested, it may just take a little longer than with an ISBN.  I've posted several w/o ISBN and they have been requested.  If it has a WL, you may want to create a signature line letting people know you have it on your shelf, and mention it in the "WL w/o ISBN" book bazaar thread, too.

It probably also helps if you take the time to load a cover image, as well.  I have dial-up at home and it takes forever, so I usually don't do it.  I think when people are browsing shelves, books without cover images tend to get overlooked, even if they have an ISBN.

Anytime a WL book is posted in a dif format or ISBN# the system sends out an email to the people on the list letting them know a dif copy is available.  But it's up to them to find the book. Usually when I've posted a WL book w/a dif ISBN or format or no ISBN it's been snatched up pretty quickly. Especially if you go into Book Bazaar and post that you have that book.  You can put it in your signature line as well.

Recently I had a book that had 30people on WL for a dif ISBN and 1 actually posted for the one I had. Both were mass market paperbacks. I posted on the boards that there was a copy of the book available. It was snatched right away and by the time I posted mine there were 2 people WL for that book.