“The used bookstore is pulling me in…I can’t stop it…”
Mar 20 '01 (Updated Mar 12 '08)
The Bottom Line Used books are treasures; don’t let your preconceptions about them keep you from a wealth of cheap, wonderful books.
What’s keeping you from buying used books? Is it the age? The condition? Some childhood complex that prejudiced you against them forever? Whatever’s holding you back from getting acquainted with used books, keep an open mind and perhaps you’ll think a little differently by the end of this article.
Whenever I walk into my favorite used bookstore, it’s like saying hello to an old friend again. Yes, the friend is old, but it doesn’t make it any less welcome. That’s the way it is with used books. I treasure those on my bookshelf, knowing that someone else before me knew and loved them before moving on to higher ground. It doesn’t interfere with my reading experience when the book has a line or two down the spine, or the edges are slightly roughed up, or the cover has a scratch. It tells me that somewhere in a past life, this book was read and loved.
The price of used books is obviously a win-win situation. Retail books today are so expensive comparatively. I just can’t justify paying $8 for a paperback, especially when I’m buying a series or set. Online companies have good deals, but the savings are negated by shipping costs. All in all, used books are great bargains, and their usedness doesn’t make them any less special – in fact, it makes it more special.
I have an original copy of The Lord of the Rings, authenticated by Tolkien himself. It was 93 cents originally, I bought it for $2. This is a book I treasure, even though it isn’t in pristine condition. I don’t value it for its monetary worth, since I don’t know whether it has any or not; I value it FOR its age and generation, as well as for the story itself.
So, what’s keeping you from buying used books?
The age
Well, didn’t I just prove that you can love a book FOR its age? That copy of The Lord of the Rings is far more special to me than any brand-new factory-spewed copy at the new bookstore. It’s the same way with most of the other books I buy used; their age is a specialness to me. I can reminisce that this book was published when the author was alive (well, it isn’t always the case, but I can dream, can’t I?), and that brings an additional charm as I’m reading it.
The condition
Not all used books are falling apart and moldy. At my two favorite bookshops, they carry used books in beautiful condition for the most part, with flat (and firmly attached!) covers, clean pages, and otherwise nice features. One used bookstore puts all their books in plastic slipcovers, while another only accepts books that are in good condition or better.
Some people like their books “pristine” and in perfect condition. Wakeup call: if you’re anything like me, by the second read-through your books won’t be in perfect condition anyways, so why not pay less for a “pre-loved” book (as thePirateKing put it).
The selection
Granted, you’re probably not going to find the books you’re dying to have at a garage sale. If you get really, REALLY lucky, you’ll find something worthwhile (I once bought a ZONE book, hardback, brand-new condition, for 50 cents), but don’t hold your breath.
Good used bookstores, however, are a different story. Find a nice large one and you’ve found a treasure chest. Most have a nitch; for instance, one shop I know specializes in romance novels, another in hardbacks, another in sci-fi/fantasy (I could spend hours in that one). Still, most good shops will have a wide selection of all types of books. They will also sometimes carry out-of-print, hard-to-find, and antique books. It’s definitely worth it to buy them this way than at a huge price on Amazon.
The aura of used bookstores
I will never deny that used bookstores, at least the ones in my neighborhood, do not have that clean, cozy, sit-down-and-read atmosphere that big retail stores like Barnes and Noble do. Most used shops in my locale are located right next to the gun-and-pawn shops – not extremely conducive to coziness. ;-) But you have to consider that you’re paying for atmosphere at B&N, whereas at used bookstores you’re saving money instead of spending it on atmosphere. And after all, you spend most of your time reading at home, not at the bookstore itself.
Not knowing where to look
It should be pretty obvious by now that a good place to look for used books is at a used bookstore. But I feel your pain if you say that all the ones in your area are really cruddy. To find the best used shops, you have to do some serious looking – in the phonebook, asking friends, even calling the shops you know and asking for references to other used bookstores. Don’t worry – you WILL find one you like.
There are a couple other good resources for used books. Good will stores and other very cheap stores of that kind have fabulous deals, even if the selection isn’t all that reliable. I picked up ten novels (that I actually wanted) for $1. Go figure.
Another interesting place to buy used books is the library. Many larger libraries will have book sales of books that are no longer usable for circulation. Sure, some of them may have paint spilled all over them, but others are in great condition – I picked up a hardback copy of The Hobbit, very good condition, for 50 cents. In the same line are the flea markets, book markets, and other general open-air markets, which can have some good choices.
Knowing the author doesn’t get royalties
If you’re feeling that guilty about the author, consider this: most of the money you pay when buying a book goes to the publishing company and the other organizations involved, not the author, who usually gets about 10% royalties. Another point to remember is that the author and publisher already has received their money from the time the book was purchased retail. Any profits from additional sales belong to the person selling it.
What are some of the unique benefits of used books?
The unbelievably low price
I know that statement sounds like a car salesman, but what a steal used books can be! Most bookshops I know charge half-price for them, although some charge 2/3. If you buy a book semifrequently, this isn’t that big a deal; but if you’re a bibliophile (lover of books) like me, you will save bigtime on books when you buy them used.
Finding hard-to-find books
I discovered a very special fantasy novel at my favorite used bookstore, a novel I couldn’t find anywhere else. I also found a copy of a book in French that I had searched for two hours for on the Internet, with no luck. Every time I need an out-of-print or hard-to-find book, I turn first to the used shops, not to Amazon’s out-of-print section. Not only do you pay less for the book at the shop and don’t have to pay shipping, you’re also supporting the used bookstore…and sometimes not even Amazon or other online companies carry the book you’re looking for, and the used shop does.
Unexpected perks
You just never know what you’re going to find in used books. Oh sure, sometimes you come across old corn flakes or book lice, but sometimes, just sometimes, you come across something very precious. Like the time I found – get this – a $100 bill in a hardback I bought for $1. Talk about a 10,000% return! Or an autograph from the author. Or an article published about the book when it first came out. Or…..
Textbooks – an incredible bargain
For college students, there’s nothing better than putting money in your pocket by buying a used copy of your textbook. I know a store close by that sells second-hand but still current textbooks from USF (University of South Florida), and I use that a lot.
If you’re buying books because you love them and you can’t get enough of them, then used books are a wonderful option. If you’re buying books to fill your bookshelf and look impressive, used books cut the money you spend in half (and hey, nobody’s going to know whether they’re used or not when they’re on your shelf). The library may be good, but some things are better owned. Should you buy used books? What the heck, of course you should.
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
Greatpilgrim
|
 - Top 1000 |
|
Member: Victoria
Location: FL
Reviews written: 272
Trusted by: 704 members
About Me:
April 25: My computer has now officially been broken for 10 days. WAHHHH!
|
|
|
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.