[lit-ideas] Re: books on amazon

John Wager writes, re Amazon.com’s book sales through its independent sellers program.

'You might save quite a bit more by eliminating the Amazon.com middle man. There are hundreds of used book dealers who do sell through Amazon, but this comes at a hefty premium of the price. There are other websites that list the same books from the same book dealers but for a bit less than Amazon does, and more of this goes to the book dealer rather than Amazon.'

It is practically never true that one can save money by buying elsewhere; in fact, I’ve never found an instance where it was. Amazon’s fees and commissions are not exorbitant—I’ve sold a number of books through them—although I don’t know what Alibris charges its sellers. They’re very generous about defraying shipping costs.

In any event, among Abebooks, Alibris, and Amazon, Alibris consistently has the highest prices and the smallest selection. Here’s a small sampling done on a quiet Sunday afternoon. I looked for two David Lodge books, Changing Places, and Therapy, in new, but possibly remaindered copies. In used copies, Amazon wins hands down.

Changing Places:

Amazon:         

$1.75
        
New. Seller: elephant_books (Safe buying guarantee)

Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days; Ships from CA, United States. Expedited shipping available. International shipping available.
See shipping rates

Comments: New! Might have black mark.

Alibris:

$2.95
                
Ships within 2 to 3 days        

BargainBookStores, MI, USA
Reliability: Excellent

Binding: Paperback Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) Date Published: 1979 ISBN: 0140170987 Description: NEW NEW Great Buy! -May have remainder mark-100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.

Therapy:

Amazon:

$1.91
        
New. Seller: _textbook_ (Safe buying guarantee)
Rating: 97% positive ratings over the past twelve months (6605 ratings).

Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days; Ships from NC, United States. Expedited shipping available.
See shipping rates

Comments: NEW, UNREAD PAPERBACK, MAY HAVE BLACK PUBLISHER'S MARK AND SLIGHT SHELF WARE [sic], SHIPS IMMEDIATELY, SEE OUR FEEDBACK, FREE USPS DELIVERY CONFIRMATION WITH TRACKING

Alibris:

$2.95 

Ships within 2 to 3 days

Binding: PAPERBACK Publisher: Penguin USA (Paper) ISBN: 0140249001 Description: New 0140249001 All Books are brand new. 100% to your satisfaction.

Gulfbooks, TX, USA

However, for only forty cents more, one can buy a new hardcover copy from Alibris.

$3.35 

Ships within 2 to 3 days

Binding: Hardcover 368 Publisher: Viking Adult Date Published: 1-Jul-95 ISBN: 0670863580 Description: EMAIL FOR DETAILS jacket. FROM NEW TO GOOD-EMAIL FOR DETAILS 1.8 x 6.5 x 9.2 inches "FAST, FRIENDLY, GUARANTEED"

Name: Affordable Used Books, AZ, USA
Reliability:

As against this, if it’s a used book you want, you can buy a very good copy from Amazon for _six cents_ (plus 3.49, shipping). Used book conditions are fine, very good, good, and fair (I suppose there’s a poor category, but fair is about the limit of acceptability). If you just want to read a book but don’t plan to keep it, I’d certainly recommend Amazon’s sellers; if you want a book for your library, collect first editions, signed copies, etc., I’d recommend Abebooks.com. There’s some overlap between Abebooks and Alibris, but Abebooks is usually your best bet.

Robert Paul
Reed College
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