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I want my books back!

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  • I want my books back!

    I don't often have cause to post here, but twice in the past two weeks, we've had people who brought in their books for sale, telling us that they would pick up the books we didn't want. That much is more-or-less usual, though we prefer giving the rejects to charity rather than hanging on to them until someone picks them up.

    But these folks, when we told them how much we'd pay for (some of) their books, say "never mind, we'll take all our books back!". Now, we know we don't pay much, we're up front about that. That's because not only is it harder to sell books (we're competing with Amazon, which can sell books at tag-sale prices), but we are flooded with incoming books (thanks, Marie Kobal ), including a goodly number who just donate their books without asking for payment. (Or dump them on our doorstep, but that's another letter.)

    But to ask us to return all your books after we've already sorted and selected from them is a great big Fuck You to us, not to mention definitely not on the same page as normal people who sell us books. (And legally iffy, but that's can of worms we don't intent to open.) This is why we've considered dropping the pick-up option altogether.

  • #2
    Seriously, folks, either you want the damn books or you don't. Make up your mind BEFORE you drop them off.

    I'm planning to take some of my books to a second-hand bookstore, and what I get is what I get.

    It definitely sounds as if you need to get rid of the "pick-up" option, given how it's being abused.
    Customer service: More efficient than a Dementor's kiss
    ~ Mr Hero

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    • #3
      Just so. Also, the books we reject, we do so because we don't think we can sell them. Mostly because they're too damaged or too common, but also most textbooks outside the hard sciences, and some that are just too stupid.

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      • #4
        As a person who works for a chain bookstore, I see a lot of books we put on hold (up to 8 days) for people and more than 50% don't get picked up. Yes, pain in the ass to get them off the shelf, input info. in system, put wrapper on it, put it on the hold shelf, then 8 days latter put them back. So either person got book at 1/2 price store, Amazon, or other parent got the book or person was interested in a topic today then tomorrow not interested in the topic. Yes, I see it as a pain in the ass but also have to see that sometimes the person doesn't need the book anymore, and I know if I'm in the customers shoes (which happens) I should be allowed to change my mind.

        Also, at times being so poor the only way I will buy a lunch for today is I sell some of my books. In good times I might stock up on Song of Ice and Fire books and Jack Reacher books from second hand store (especially if they are $.99 or lower) because I know there is always a market for them and I can make extra cash for them. Or I have Stephen King novels I don't want to sell but then at lean times, go sell these books and realize I don't make enough with what I spent on them. There are books I don't want to sell, have to sell, then decide not to sell because I know I will latter buy copies of those books to replace what I would have sold and decided not to sell because it makes no sense. Like if I was going to sell my Dark Tower series for $2, and know I will have to replace them and spend more than $20 (again, having to go to second hand stores), I won't sell them. I might have to eat beans and rice that night instead of a hamburger.
        Time! Time! Time is what turns kittens into cats.

        Don't teach me a lesson; all I learn is that you are an asshole.

        I wish porn had subtitles.

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        • #5
          Quoth depechemodefan View Post
          As a person who works for a chain bookstore, I see a lot of books we put on hold (up to 8 days) for people and more than 50% don't get picked up. Yes, pain in the ass to get them off the shelf, input info. in system, put wrapper on it, put it on the hold shelf, then 8 days latter put them back.
          Maybe this is why bookstores around where I used to live would only order a book if you paid up front?
          "It is traditional when asking for help or advice to listen to the answers you receive" - RealUnimportant

          Rev that Engine Louder, I Can't Hear How Small Your Dick Is - Jay 2K Winger

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          • #6
            If we take books we want to sell to the local big bookstore, we tend to walk out with more books to replace them.

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            • #7
              Quoth Sparklyturtle View Post
              If we take books we want to sell to the local big bookstore, we tend to walk out with more books to replace them.
              Well, our peeps have an option to get double the amount in store credit. Which still amounts to perhaps a quarter as many books, because our buy prices are so low. Even so, I've heard many variations of "the wife will kill me if I bring more books into the house!"

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