do YOU buy used books from Amazon?

zippydi

HI

I really want to buy a book from Amazon, and it has quite a few 'used'. When you go to the list it has 'new' by each of the listed 'used' books. Dont know what that means. But I am unsure whether to. Will it drop to bits? IS it also better in a recycling way to buy used books do you think?

What's the catch?

Do YOU buy used books from Amazon?

geordie_joe

I think the "new" refers to the condition of the book i.e. "as new"

I have bought many used books from Amazon and always been very pleased with them.

I only buy from British sellers, but that a postage thing, you get the books quicker.

As with ebay, check the sellers rating and feedback before you buy.

V_tricky

Yes I do!

I has borrowed an old ish book from a friend and left the dratted thing on the train :mad:

I tried to replace it in Waterstones, but they've got a new cover on and the friend has it as part of a collection of books by the same author, all with the same style covers.

I found the book on Amazon booksellers as nearly new condition, for 49p (instead of £9.99) and with postage it came to £3.24

When it came the spine had no creases in it - it looked completely unread.

It was sooo nice to be able to say to my friend "I'm really sorry I lost your book.... but here's a replacement in better condition than yours was!"

If I'm ordering a few books at a time I'd probably buy new and get the free postage, because Amazon sellers charge a P&P for each book (which can really mount up), but I've ordered quite a few from them, and have always been very pleased with the condition (and price!)

Fizog

I regularly buy books from Amazon...it's a brilliant way of getting a book for 1p.
Postage is always £2.75 for paperbacks so very often a new book will be £6.99 but as they are relatively new you can get a real bargain... the seller has to state the state of the book ie used excellent condition, used well thumbed, used scribbles on the cover inside perfect. I buy all my sons A level books there at a fraction of the cost and very often they haven't been read! I've sold a lot of books on there as well. Green Metropolis is another company that recycles used books.

rosysparkle

Yes, and sell them too. I always describe my books for sale carefully, including corners and the spine. There are some real bargains to be had. Amazon set the p&p charges, so sellers have no control over that.

mrs-d_3

I bought second hand books on Amazon a few times and never had any problems. I also buy from UK sellers as it's quicker to arrive. Haven't bought from Green Metropolis yet.

soolin

It is quite possible for a marketplace seller to be selling a brand new book many that I have listed are brand new. Just make sure yu choose a seller with ood feedback, read the feedback as well make sure there are no real problems and also check the book desciption as given by that seller and you will be fine.

I buy a lot from brand new right through the conditions to acceptable. I also sell and like many seller pride myself on the fact that I describe my books well so that buyers know what to expect.

fiscalfreckles

I've bought quite a few, there are some real bargains to be had, and it's a good place to find older books that bookshops no longer stock.

Many are "as new", they may just have been read once or even given to the seller unread, but because they have been pre-owned they are often described as "used".

If I were buying a book as a gift, I would make sure that it really was in new condition, but really when buying at a low price I'm prepared to take a gamble - I have never yet received a book from Amazon marketplace in a condition I'm not happy with.

Surfbabe

Yep - I've bought books frrm Amazon Market place - A level art books for DD and Uni text books for DS - all in excellent condition. Always first port of call now especially as you can get some real bargains.

Taadaa

Agreed there are some real bargains on there.

But don't forget https://www.readtiswapit.co.uk you just pay for postage to swap your books with other users.

firepoppy

I was just going to suggest readitswapit! Also, if it's an easy to find book you might be able to buy it in a charity shop for £1 or £1.50 Each amazon marketplace book costs £2.49 for postage so don't forget to add that on to your price!