Selling Your Stuff on Amazon Part 13 - Advice for newbies in first two posts

Honey_Bear

I haven't tried using it on books to remove wretched adhesive gunge, but eucalyptus oil works for me on all sorts of things, mainly getting tar off a pale wool carpet when people walk it in off the street.

If it were a really precious book I'd probably try dabbing a teeny tiny amount on an bit that doesn't show (ie use it on the tip of a cotton bud on the folded under bit of the spine) first.

ring1377

Hi
I am struggling to source books at the moment - any ideas?!! We don't have many bootsales where I live until the summer which is a bit annoying - where do you all get your books from??

Thanks for the helph

Crestfallen

Ring, in your case as with everyone else's it is a case of finding where second hand goods are sold.

If there's no local bootsales running (are you sure? have you asked around?) then there will be other outlets for second hand goods in your area. Trade doesn't stop just because of the time of year, too many people feed themselves by doing so. People who run house-clearance businesses need to shift stock, second-hand sellers of all kinds constantly turn over stock and get rid of anything they can't sell.

Ask around your usual sources and try to tap into the pulse, buying and selling is happening out there right now, just get stuck in and find out where in your neighbourhood.

JesaRose

Can you post requests on Gumtree to say you are looking for books? I'm not sure because I have never used it but I've read lots of other people talking about it so might be worth checking out. Maybe Freecycle too

Annabee

Can I ask you lovely people about book condition? I just bought an out-of-print paperback from an Amazon seller. Chose that seller because book was described as 'very good' condition. OK there are no missing pages, scribbles, tears, but book is very yellow (on inside covers especially, has what seems to be dirty marks at the top and bottom, (where all the pages join, don't know what you call it), and has a very strong fusty smell. So much so I feel slightly squeamish about reading it in bed etc (maybe I am being a bit precious here!)
It was only printed in the 80s. Do you think someone kept it in shed or something?
It is from a second-hand shop (so probably not one of you lot!)

So I just wanted to see what you thought:

1. Am I justified in giving neutral or negative feedback, as the condition was not 'very good' IMHO?
2. Is there any way to get rid of smell etc, as I really want to read the book?

JesaRose

Copied from Amazon guidelines:


Used books

• Like New: An apparently unread copy in perfect condition. Dust cover is intact with no nicks or tears. Spine has no signs of creasing. Pages are clean and not marred by notes or folds of any kind. Books may contain a remainder mark on an outside edge but this should be noted in the listing comments.
• Very Good: a copy that has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.
• Good: a copy that has been read but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact and the cover is intact (including dust cover, if applicable). The spine may show signs of wear. Pages can include limited notes and highlighting, and the copy can include "From the library of" labels.
• Acceptable: a readable copy. All pages and the cover are intact (dust cover may be missing). Pages can include considerable notes--in pen or highlighter--but notes cannot obscure the text.

What we will not accept for sale at Amazon.co.uk: mouldy, badly stained or unclean copies; copies with missing pages or obscured text; promotional books, including advance reading copies. Uncorrected proof copies are prohibited.


I wouldn't list a book which smelt or had yellow pages under "very good". If it really smelt I would not list it at all. The marks you describe sound like foxing which is very common in books.


To get rid of the smell you could try sealing it in a bag with some lavendar or one of those drawer lining papers.

I think if you don't agree that the seller has followed the "very good" guidelines then you are justified to leave feedback to say so, if they have followed the rules it might be unfair to.

Lastly you are always entitled to a refund on Amazon so if you are not happy the best thing to do is email them politely telling them all which you have told us and see if they offer a refund on return of the book. If they don't offer you can request a refund as you are not happy. Then you can buy anther another copy.

ring1377

Hi
I am trying to list a new item in Household items - is it possible to list free postage? I noticed one of the other seller has and if I have any way of competing with them then I will need to! I am not a pro merchant if that makes a difference!
Thanks in advanceb

petestan

ring1377 wrote: »

Hi
I am trying to list a new item in Household items - is it possible to list free postage? I noticed one of the other seller has and if I have any way of competing with them then I will need to! I am not a pro merchant if that makes a difference!
Thanks in advanceb

No sorry, the postage for the few departments that you are allowed to sell in is fixed, just like books and dvd's, you need to be an official approved seller central seller to be able to change the postage costs or use FBA (fulfilment by amazon) the way I understand it.

burnoutbabe

anyone else having issues with Amazon seller account? have tried to reactivate my account since getting back from holiday and not letting me log in (the buying account is fine)

very strange!

Kite2010

Just had my first negative in over 18 months for an item which hasn't arrived.

Fair enough it was posted 3 weeks ago but the buyer has had no point contacted me to say it hasn't arrived :mad:

And to make matters worst, I replied to the feedback with "I was unaware the item hasn't arrived, a refund will be given" and then straight away gave the buyer a refund with a note in the "message to buyer" area saying sorry that the item hasn't arrived only to get an email from the buyer saying "I bet you will" :mad:

I wish buyers would contact sellers before leaving bad feedback when it's something simple like an item not arriving.