Paperbackswap.com

[doublej]

I find out about this site from another member here. I just wanted to spread the word about a great place to "buy" used books or "sell" those you have read. I have had a little luck with getting rid of some books that I haven't been able to get rid of on half.com. You get 3 credits with you first 9 book listings. Check it out!

[Elle]

doublej, I am a member (check my siggy) and found out about it through someone on here. I have sent out over 25 books--including hardcovers--and have received 8. I absolutely love it--I can get rid out books that were cluttering up my closet to people who truly want to read them.

The problem is, it is my new obsession. I have 55 books posted, and 144 :eek: on the TBR pile. I told my husband that all I want to do is read these books to post them!

It's a gem of a site.

[PinkGirl]

I belong, too! I love being able to get rid of the clutter and actually get something back from it. My nickname on there is PinkGirl.

[keska]

I'm also a member. I've sent 143 books and received 114. I probably spend more time on PBS now than I do here.

[Katy]

Elle & Pinkgirl, please note that it is against CC rules & policies (http://www.constantchatter.com/showthread.php?t=6560) to link to affiliate programs (rule #22). Please adjust your signature.

[Sonicstef]

Cool site. I signed up this morning (doublej, I put you down as a referrer but I dont know if that was your username there).

I have to post more books when I get home but this seems like an excelent idea!

[Adaya]

I signed up last weekend and I have 3 books coming to me already, and I've already sent out 9.

What a great service!!

[greenbunny]

bump

[Adaya]

Just got an email the other day that they offer a cd swap service now.

[Jessica]

I signed up when I first read this a few months ago and I love it. I've sent out more books than I requested so far, but I'm sure when I have time I'll find plenty to request.

I got the email about the CD thing also, but I'm not sure if I'll try it.

[VASLP]

I signed up last week. Posted 17 books and 2 were immediately requested (people must have had them on their wish list). Nothing else so far...I was hoping to "clean out the bookcase" a bit more. Is everyone else having more luck getting rid of books quickly? I haven't requested any yet but I'm looking foward to finishing up my current reads and getting some new ones from there!

[fuzzy]

The NY Times best sellers go quickly. Stuff like older Grisham novels will go very, very slowly (you can see a list of the top 25 posted books -- that it'll give you a good idea of stuff that won't go fast).

That said, I've been on it for some time now and have managed to get rid of a lot of books. It just takes time. The beginning of summer was busy for me -- I think people wanted books for vacation.

[pixielou]

i just recently joined. have sent out 5 of the 20 books i posted.

but i'm wondering - my goal was really to clean out my bookcase. so is there a politically correct amount of time i should keep the books posted? or in a month or so - is it ok if i delete my list and just donate the books to charity? i wouldn't delete my membership - i would just delete books that aren't moving, and i would continue to post books as i continue to clean out my bookcase.

~pixie

[EmilyZA]

I'm obsessed with Paperbackswap!

Ugh...

I'm on it a lot. I've sent out a bunch of books and received a whole lot too! It's the greatest-- so useful!

[greenbunny]

Not to sound stupid, but is it okay if I post hardbound books? Or is that a terrible faux pas? I really want to get rid of them and I don't mind paying a tad more for the shipping if it gets them in the hands of someone who wants them.

[EmilyZA]

Not to sound stupid, but is it okay if I post hardbound books? Or is that a terrible faux pas? I really want to get rid of them and I don't mind paying a tad more for the shipping if it gets them in the hands of someone who wants them.

You can post hardbound books! I have done it in the past, just remember it will be a little more to ship them.

[greenbunny]

Thanks! I posted 13 books and I had requests within 20 minutes! :eek:

[doublej]

Bumping

[jmvan74]

Great site!

[Adaya]

I joined a while ago after reading about it here and I'm still going strong. I keep posting and swapping away!

[imagirliegirl]

Wow! I'm so glad this thread resurfaced! I just joined and am posting a bunch of books! This is very cool!

I've always kept my books, although I don't know why. Time to let them go. :)

[PinkMartini]

This is the first time I've heard of this (I've always just used BookMooch) - is it totally free to join? Or do you have to pay some sort of fee to join?

[imagirliegirl]

This is the first time I've heard of this (I've always just used BookMooch) - is it totally free to join? Or do you have to pay some sort of fee to join?

It's totally free! You just pay to ship books and you get a credit when you ship one. Then you request a book and they pay to send it to you.

[Adaya]

This is the first time I've heard of this (I've always just used BookMooch) - is it totally free to join? Or do you have to pay some sort of fee to join?

What's BookMooch like?

[PinkMartini]

What's BookMooch like?

I've been a member since early last year and I like it. The only thing is the points don't equal out exactly... You have to have 10 books in your 'inventory' (books you want to get rid of) to get 1 point, which you use to request a book. Once you send the book out you get another point. And it costs 1 point to request a book be sent to you (2 if you want one shipped from another country).

So far I've sent out 4 books and received 3. I think I have like 15 books listed in my inventory. You list the condition of the book and get feedback from people who've received books from you.

I like it. It's easy to list books and search for other books. You can keep a wishlist of books you'd like and when one comes available, it emails you to let you know....

[Adaya]

Thanks for the info PinkMartini. Sounds a bit similar to Paperback Swap.

[mgrace]

I love Paperback Swap. I used to always go to the library, but was never done with books before I needed to return them. I get to keep them for as long as I want, which is very nice. :)

[imagirliegirl]

Sheesh! I've already gotten requests for 8 of my books! I'm about to have to put my account on vacation hold for a little while! :)

[Heather719]

As a PBS junkie, I thought I'd pass along one of my favorite tips.

If you buy the postage from PBS (it prints out on your wrapper), you automaticaly get 1 point once you mail that book. It is roughly 50 cents more expensive to do this vs. putting regular postage on it- but if you live far from a post office or don't keep a ton of stamps on hand at home, this is a great alternative.

You can pay for postage either via PayPal or Credit Card.

So if you buy your postage this way, you end up getting 2 credits. One for mailing the book with their postage and another when the person gets the books.

[imagirliegirl]

So if you buy your postage this way, you end up getting 2 credits. One for mailing the book with their postage and another when the person gets the books.

Ok I'm confused because I thought this is how it worked. I've been buying the postage through their site and getting credit when I do so. But I have NOT been getting credit when they get the books.

I don't understand why. I thought that was the point of mailing them this way. I asked their live help and they said:

It is my understanding that using PBS postage means you get your credit immediately instead of waiting for the receiver to post that it has been received. You still only get one credit. Sorry!

How are you getting 2 credits?

[Heather719]

I've been buying the postage through their site and getting credit when I do so. But I have NOT been getting credit when they get the books.


I'm embarrassed to admit, you're exactly right. :( You get instant credit when you mail the book after buying postage from PBS.com- you do not get another credit when the book is received by the member. I had always thought I was getting 2 credits..I obviously misread the FAQ's section.

So sorry for the confusion!

[imagirliegirl]

Oh okay! I was like no fair! How come she gets two! :D

[sarahh]

Just joined this site the other day (first heard about it from this thread) and have sent a bunch of books and am getting five in the mail! SOO cool...thanks for sharing!