I had quite a few books listed on eBay last week. Soon after the auctions began, a prospective buyer from Canada asked what I would charge "complete with shipping" for five certain books. I assumed that the buyer wanted to know what the postage cost would be for the five books. Understandably, almost all international buyers request this information so that they will know whether the shipping is too high.
I replied that the five books would have to go via priority mail since the weight of the package would be slightly over four pounds, making the postage cost a total of $23.75. I also told the buyer that four books would weigh under four pounds and could go first class at a total of $16.25.
The buyer replied that she actually wanted to know "if we buy all five books, what would you charge us? (book cost + shipping)." I replied that all five lots were auctions and that I had no way of knowing what the final prices would be. Argh. At this point, I realized that this person was likely wanting me to cut her a good deal for each book at a price lower than the opening bid price. Not surprisingly, the buyer never placed a bid on any of the books.
I cannot understand why this person could not just state that she wanted to pay less than the opening bid prices. I would have declined, but at least I would have known what was really wanted. Be specific when asking questions. We cannot read minds.
13 comments:
Hi Jennifer, Before discovering your blog and website I was a collector of series books but I never read them (I just loved the vintage covers) but since reading your words I have started reading my books! I read the first Kit Hunter and liked it but didn't really get into it but have started the first Cherry Ames and love it! I can't wait to read more of hers! Thanks for sparking my interest=) I also love the dustjackets pages on your site- do you own all the ones you put up?
I have to wonder why Rachel asked such a question! It seems to exemplify what Jennifer was just cautioning against: "Be specific when asking questions. We cannot read minds."
Here are some possible reasons behind Rachel's question:
1. She's worried about copyrights and doesn't want you to post anything that you haven't personally scanned
2. She wants to borrow some books which she thinks you own
3. She wants to buy reproductions of some of these djs
Well you can see that I'm being ridiculous, but that last one sounds good to me!
So my question is: Jennifer, would you consider selling scans or reproductions of series book djs?
I know that it's a big hassle to make them, so if not, do you know anyone who sells recreated djs for Blythe Girls and Outdoor Girls?
(And as I thought, the answer to Rachel's question is actually on the main page at series-books.com)
Thanks anonymous=( I don't have anyone IRL who shares my interest in old children's books and was excited to have found someone who does! Maybe think before you type in future and try not to assume you can read minds!!
And just for your info 'anonymous', the reason I asked the question was because there are series I wish to complete and was just curious to know whether somone else has managed to do it! So none of your rubbish about copyright or borrowing or anything applies!
Good grief! I sometimes think that I need to disallow anonymous comments, and you can see why! It is the anonymous posters who either spam with links or tend to be a bit rude. Was that really necessary?
That is exactly why most people are afraid to post comments.
I do own the dust jackets that I have scanned and put up. In most cases, I edited out the flaws before I uploaded the scans.
Jennifer, would you consider selling scans or reproductions of series book djs?
No. I do make copies sometimes, but only when I have a book to sell that is without a jacket and only when the book is a somewhat hard to find title.
I know that it's a big hassle to make them, so if not, do you know anyone who sells recreated djs for Blythe Girls and Outdoor Girls?
It is because it is a hassle that I am not willing to do it. I would have to charge more than what anyone would be willing to pay. It would be better to buy original dust jackets.
I assume that Jim Towey still sells copies of dust jackets. I don't know if he does the Blythe Girls or the Outdoor Girls series. Here is a link to his page:
Recreated Dust Jackets
the reason I asked the question was because there are series I wish to complete and was just curious to know whether someone else has managed to do it!
I figured that it was curiosity or something like that. I take questions at face value, which is what the point of my post was. Apparently someone failed to understand that and decided to read something into your question that was not there.
Rachel, I hope you feel comfortable posting comments in the future. Normally, this sort of thing does not happen, and I'm sorry that it did.
Dear Rachel,
My sincere apologies. I certainly did not intend to offend you. I had hoped that my comments were light-hearted, but there were real concerns behind them based on experience.
When a well-known library published its holdings on the web, rare and expensive volumes quickly disappeared. So I caution everyone about what information they make public.
There is unfortunately (at least in America) some confusion about copyrights, and I've had the misfortune to be threatened with infringement when I thought I was just being helpful in compiling a series book index. So although my above comments were partly in jest, they were spoken from my own difficulties.
Having said that, I'm *delighted* to hear that you've become interested in series books! It often seems to me like I'm about the only one who actually reads them, so it really is fun to hear of someone else's excitement!
Again, I'm very sorry, and hope you'll enjoy Jennifer's site as much as I do.
I had hoped that my comments were light-hearted
I hoped that was your intent, but it didn't quite come out that way. I'm glad that there was no harm intended.
So I caution everyone about what information they make public.
It is always wise to be cautious. I am always cautious with what I say in this blog and everywhere on the internet. I do not state everything, particularly when I give my opinion about eBay auctions and certain sellers. Sometimes I worry that I have pushed the button too far, but so far there have been no negative repercussions. If I did state everything I know and what I really think, I'd have some people coming after me. I don't need that to happen.
Thanks Jennifer, I love reading your blog and your website is a real treasure trove! My only intention in asking the question was curiosity! You have an amazing collection!!!=)
Rachel
Thanks, Rachel! I regret that I did not answer your question first thing this morning when I saw it. I did not have a lot of time to get to work, so I decided to wait until after I got home.
I hope you find some more series books that you enjoy!
forgive the perhaps newbie-ish question:
i've been collecting series books in a kind of haphazard way for a few years (mostly just reading copies of series i like), so i don't often bother looking for dust jackets. however, i have a fairly nice dust jacket of a marjorie dean book, but a wedge has torn away from the top of the dj spine. assuming i get a protective cover for it, how would you go about reattaching a broken piece of dj? or would you give it up as lost? i'm just assuming that tape is the collector's enemy... thanks, and love the blog!
I only throw away a piece of a dust jacket when the piece is tiny, such as less than around an 1/8 inch square piece.
In most cases, detached pieces can be placed in the mylar cover so that they will stay in place once the cover is folded shut and placed on the book.
Companies such as Demco do sell archival tape, which is expensive. Some collectors frown upon the use of any type of tape, including archival tape. I have used archival tape for serious problems, such as when a page from the book is ripped into two pieces.
good to know! thanks!
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