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Wed May 09, 2007 10:31 am |
Book swapping sites are my latest obsession. I love that I can browse through them like a good book store, but then get any book I want for free! It's like a library but way better since if I like the book I can keep it or pass it on to my sister or mom. Right now I'm only using two book swapping sites, but I was wondering if there are any others? The two I'm using both have their own pros and cons. The first one I'm using is called paperbackswap.com. I guess I like this one the best because it's the easiest to use, and if a book you want isn't available you can reserve it on your wishlist. You are put in line based on what order you reserved the book in, and when it's your turn you have first dibs on the book. I also like that once you list 9 books you get 3 free tokens, so you can start ordering books right away.
The other site I use is called bookmooch.com. It's not quite as easy to navigate and you don't get 3 free tokens for order books, however, you do get 1/10 of a point for every book you list, so if you list a lot of books you can end up with a lot of points in a hurry. However, when you put a book on you wishlist you don't necessarily have first dibs on it, so it can be harder to get more popular books on this site since it's first come, first serve. Overall though I would recommend both sites to people who like to read. Are there any other book swapping sites I'm missing, ladies? |
_________________ 27, sensitive/reactive/acne prone skin, dark brown hair, blue eyes, possibly the palest woman alive... |
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Mon May 14, 2007 8:37 am |
Oh, darn! Why didn't I open this thread sooner!
Bookswapping is something I've never heard of and I must buy about 3 books a week. Lucky to get 25 cents when I sell them to the used book store.
It's great to know about book swapping. |
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Mon May 14, 2007 9:52 am |
How does the shipping costs work? Does the person who wants your book pay for the shipping, or do you have to find someone that has a book you want and who also wants one of your books and you each pay the shipping for that book? Does that make sense, I think I just confused myself. |
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Mon May 14, 2007 10:35 am |
Diana P wrote: |
How does the shipping costs work? Does the person who wants your book pay for the shipping, or do you have to find someone that has a book you want and who also wants one of your books and you each pay the shipping for that book? Does that make sense, I think I just confused myself. |
On both of the sites I use it works the same way: you pay for shipping when you mail a book to someone, but then when someone mails a book to you they pay for the shipping, so it evens out in the end. If you use Media Mail the shipping cost is not much at all--- much cheaper than buying a new book or even buying from half.com! Paperbackswap.com I think is US only, however, you have the option of swapping internationally at bookmooch.com. What happens then is if someone from another country wants your book and you agree to send it, you get 3 tkoens (in other words, 3 books) instead of 1 to offset the higher shipping cost. I love it when people from other countries request books from me because then I know I can pick out three more books. Does this clear things up a bit? |
_________________ 27, sensitive/reactive/acne prone skin, dark brown hair, blue eyes, possibly the palest woman alive... |
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Mon May 14, 2007 11:15 am |
manslayerliz wrote: |
Diana P wrote: |
How does the shipping costs work? Does the person who wants your book pay for the shipping, or do you have to find someone that has a book you want and who also wants one of your books and you each pay the shipping for that book? Does that make sense, I think I just confused myself. |
On both of the sites I use it works the same way: you pay for shipping when you mail a book to someone, but then when someone mails a book to you they pay for the shipping, so it evens out in the end. If you use Media Mail the shipping cost is not much at all--- much cheaper than buying a new book or even buying from half.com! Paperbackswap.com I think is US only, however, you have the option of swapping internationally at bookmooch.com. What happens then is if someone from another country wants your book and you agree to send it, you get 3 tkoens (in other words, 3 books) instead of 1 to offset the higher shipping cost. I love it when people from other countries request books from me because then I know I can pick out three more books. Does this clear things up a bit? |
Yes it does, thank you. This is something I am definiety going to look into, as I love to read and spend way too much on books. I do love summer though and all the garage sales, as this is when I stock up for the winter. |
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Mon May 14, 2007 12:15 pm |
i have even not heard books swapping before!
it is interesting! i like this! |
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Mon May 14, 2007 3:08 pm |
I use paperbackswap.com like crazy and it runs so smoothly. No complaints so far. Their online system is great and they are always improving it.
There is some variability in the books. Some have seemed new and some were fairly worn. So you have to be flexible that way.
But it makes it so you can have a library of just 20 books at your home. Then you just rotate. It's great if your place is small or if you tend to hoard books.
Michele |
_________________ late 30's, medium/olive tone, learned recently I'm oily, not dry and my pores clog if you just look at them, love natual products...in beautiful Seattle |
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Mon May 14, 2007 3:52 pm |
michelec wrote: |
I use paperbackswap.com like crazy and it runs so smoothly. No complaints so far. Their online system is great and they are always improving it.
There is some variability in the books. Some have seemed new and some were fairly worn. So you have to be flexible that way.
But it makes it so you can have a library of just 20 books at your home. Then you just rotate. It's great if your place is small or if you tend to hoard books.
Michele |
Michele, like you I've had an awesome experience with paperbackswap.com. I used to be a total book hoarder, but I ran out of space. Still, I didn't want to give my beloved books to a used book store for pennies per book, so sending them to a loving home AND getting another book in exchange is the way to go for me! |
_________________ 27, sensitive/reactive/acne prone skin, dark brown hair, blue eyes, possibly the palest woman alive... |
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Thu May 17, 2007 11:49 am |
This is a great concept. Thank you for posting. I will have to look in to doing this. I have a lot of books collecting dust in the garage. The only annoying thing would be to have to run to the post office every time someone wanted my books. |
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Thu May 17, 2007 12:11 pm |
No, you don't have to go to the post office. The paperbackswap site tells you the postage. You just put enough on the package and drop it into any post office box. It's super quick.
It does help to keep extra stamps around but I stock up just for that purpose.
I so believe in this. Someone told me recently she just puts the books in the recycling after reading them. That it's just too much trouble to even donate them. That upset me because I believe in reusing everything until it can't be used anymore.
There is something else about the swap I like. It's a funny kind of connection. You print out the label and there is this name of someone, in another city, who also likes to read and somehow this is a nice feeling. The site also has all sorts of things where you can rate books and write reviews.
Michele |
_________________ late 30's, medium/olive tone, learned recently I'm oily, not dry and my pores clog if you just look at them, love natual products...in beautiful Seattle |
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Thu May 17, 2007 6:12 pm |
What a GREAT idea! Thanks for sharing! |
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