Comments on: Do you think paying half price for used books is too much?

By: Ms. Skellington :)

Ms. Skellington :) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:08:59 +0000

All my books are new from Borders and the most I've paid for one is 20 bucks, maybe. Books really aren't that expensive.
References :

By: M M

M M — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:40:59 +0000

That half-price bookstore OWNER has to pay for
rent on the building,
city taxes,
state taxes,
permits,
employee wages,
employee insurance,
insurance on the building,
building maintenance fees,
cleaning supplies,
toilet paper,
ad space in the papers and phone book,
and a thousand other expenses.

He generally buys those nice used books for one fourth of their cover price.

If a book costs 10.00 and he pays 2.50, then sells it at 5.00 then he gets to take his pittance of a profit out of that 2.50 difference. There’s not much left, so he has to sell a LOT or he doesn’t eat that week.

I’m amazed such stores can even stay in business.

So no, I don’t think they’re charging too much at all and I count myself lucky they’re even there in the first place.

There’s no bookstores, new or used, in my end of town; I have to drive 10 miles to the nearest, so I support it, otherwise it’s a 20 mile drive to the next closest store.
References :

By: ash

*ash* — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:33:59 +0000

i think half price is a good price if they are in really good condition..if i was buying them i wouldn’t complain
References :

By: troublewolf

troublewolf — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 12:57:59 +0000

It all depends on the conditon. If like new, then half price is reasonable. Around me, books don't seel well at any pricde, buts just yard sells and such. we don't have a used bookstore here that i know of.
References :

By: asmith2000

asmith2000 — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 12:14:59 +0000

The used bookstores around my area also charge 1/2 price. I don't usually mind paying that because I think $10 for a new book that you'll finish in 2 days is too expensive. However, whenever I drop off clothing or other articles at Goodwill or similar places I usually see what they have on their shelves and I've picked up some nice hardcover books for $1. As far as the convenience and selection that a used bookstore has to offer, half price is fair and reasonable.
References :

By: Hotelkeeper

Hotelkeeper — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 12:04:59 +0000

On used paperbacks, half price has pretty much been the standard for at least 25 years. When it varies, it is usually half price plus 25 cents. Anything more than that is robbery.

Asking half price for hardbacks is a way to go out of business. Hardback prices should reflect internet prices for the same books.

The half price rule is usually found a places that rely on offering trade for one quarter the price. Let’s be honest, there are cheaper books out there so you shouldn’t expect half price for anything that isn’t popular, by a major author, or in demand.
References :

By: Shaz247

Shaz247 — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 11:23:59 +0000

To be honest, I am more than willing to pay more than half price. I would more than likely keep the book. So it would be worth my while. Fiction and non-fiction. There is a store that sells 2nd hand books for nearly full price, but then again I'm in Cape Town.
References :

By: Kirsty B

Kirsty B — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 11:03:59 +0000

i have only been in a used book store once, and i cant say for all the books but prices i was looking at were between £1 – £3 for the more known books i.e. chocolat half price isnt a bad price to charge for books, just cant have half price across the whole range as some are so common you can get them loads cheaper elsewhere and some are uncommon so you could pay alot more else where.
I generally buy my used books from play.com as i can find lots of ones i like for £2 free p&p
References :

By: BookWorm

BookWorm — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 10:30:59 +0000

I’d pay half price for a nice used book. I typically don’t buy used from Amazon because I don’t want to pay shipping, but prefer used if I’m buying from brick-and-mortar because of the positive impact on the environment.

Do you have a lot of traffic through the store, but not a lot of buys? If you don’t have a lot of traffic, that may be the source of your problems, not the price of your books.
References :

By: Alice Belle

Alice Belle — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 10:23:59 +0000

I have a used bookstore near where I live and I go there quite regularly. Like your's, my bookstore sells all newly released books for half price. Sometimes I wonder if it is too much but then I just remind myself that it's better than full price, right? I mean, even if it isn't a new book or in a great condition, at least you're getting a really good deal.
References :