Condition of Books

[Mustlovebooks]

I just love all the books I list for sale. And I'm very honest when it comes to describing the condition of each book. If I list a book as being in a very good condition, it will have minimal wear on the cover and spine.

I know there are many opinions on the condition of second hand books, but I have purchased books that were described as being in a very good condition (without pics) and when they arrived, I was totally dismayed. I would have said they were fair, maybe good if I really had to stretch my imagination.

What is your opinion on accurate descriptions of book conditions? I always add a scan of the actual book as image and if I look at some other listings, I think I'm way off base. Or aren't I?

[booksallsizes]

I must say that I totally trust your descriptions. If you say a book is very good, then it is usually even better than very good!

I am also very careful with descriptions because I know what sort of quality I would expect when someone says a book is very good. But quality is subjective - I have also been a bit upset when books have arrived not in as good a condition as I was led to believe. You kind of get to know who describes books accurately to your standards. Unfortunately this does mean receiving less than up to scratch books from time to time.
I usually try and take quite a few photos - this makes listing take a bit longer but it makes me feel a bit better that the buyer can actually see a book's condition along with a description. With the average softcover novel - I don't bother with too many photo's unless there are some major flaws. But with collectibles I think it's nice for a buyer to see as much as they can before they buy. And I also tend to be on the more negative side of describing - so much so that a lot of buyers have said that the books were better than they thought from my descriptions...

But, as I say, I think quality on second hand books tends to be subjective - I've bought from overseas sites a few times where their descriptions were extremely questionable (and these are professional booksellers!).

By the way, it's so nice to have another bookseller on the forum And one with an obvious love for books!

[Mustlovebooks]

Thank you for the welcome and thumbs up! Isn't the forum awfully addictive?

I agree with everything you say. Especially on the multiple pictures for collectables. Then you know that your buyer can rest assured that he won't be disappointed with it. It's just a pity that book collection isn't as big in SA as in other countries. The second hand book market is not easy, I must say, but I love every minute of it.

Sometimes I look at pictures of second hand paperbacks with their descriptions as being good or very good and I think "you must be joking". I'm happy to know that there are people who have the same high standards and I can buy from them with confidence.

[Tananka]

Hi, yes I agree with you all the way - an accurate description is extremely important for your sake and the buyer's sake.
I make sure all my descriptions are extremely accurate and point out any flaws that there might be.

[kyle2]

I love books, especially older ones, I have a book with an inscription from the early 1800's and it is in relatively good condition, I also collect certain esoteric books, hard to find stuff, out of print and so on. Descriptions are vital to me and it is very refreshing to see some people who take the time to do things properly.

[lilythepink]

I also love books and believe that, as with all other items listed, a fair description of the condition is vital. On a couple of occasions I have really wanted to read a particular book so haven't minded that it is yellowing and well thumbed and the seller has been honest enough to say so.

[mellowred]

It's just a pity that book collection isn't as big in SA as in other countries.

Hi MLB. It's amazing what books sell for in the UK in particular. That is why the BoB link is very important to the book site (can't remember the name and too lazy to search ) that has been mentioned in another thread.

[booksallsizes]

Hi MLB. It's amazing what books sell for in the UK in particular. That is why the BoB link is very important to the book site (can't remember the name and too lazy to search ) that has been mentioned in another thread.

Bookfinder ... It would also be nice to link to for the fact that there are books people have which are valuable but don't have a market in this country...

[TS Ron]

We love books in this family and absolutely abhor it when people damage books..I often wonder what joy people get from damaging books?

[Mustlovebooks]

We love books in this family and absolutely abhor it when people damage books..I often wonder what joy people get from damaging books?

I usually get a fit when people fold the page corner over to mark their place or put an open book down on its face.
I also don't like lending books out. I once lent a brand new Jodi Picoult book to a cousin and when I got it back, all the pages were loose. I haven't even read it myself yet. Since then, she can only borrow my old books

[TS Ron]

I usually get a fit when people fold the page corner over to mark their place or put an open book down on its face.
I also don't like lending books out. I once lent a brand new Jodi Picoult book to a cousin and when I got it back, all the pages were loose. I haven't even read it myself yet. Since then, she can only borrow my old books

Oh Mustlovebooks I shall not talk about loaning books to friends I have lost so many that I get tearful about it. I can not handle people scribbling in library books I want to hang them by their thumbs forever!

[spacefinder]

Hi, I also love old books and mainly list an eclectic mix of pre-ISBN books. I agree condition is subjective and so rely on photographs to describe my listings. I started the Bookfinder thread, and would dearly love to see our bob listings show up on Bookfinder, but it might be some time, I think, before that happens. Meantime, I think we all need to market bob book listings wherever we can, and use Bookfinder as a comparison for pricing. One idea I've had is to create my own "front door" website which links directly to my bidorbuy listings. Unfortunately bob rules dictate I can't give out the URL, but by using the bob affiliate trade feed I have been able to dedicate separate pages to several categories, including cook books, Africana and militaria books. By marketing this website, I drive traffic to my - and everybody elses! - bob book listings, and new members to bob, as well.
Finally, I love your reactionary approach to justice, asecon! What do you suggest for people who write their name on the title page?
Ciao!

[booksallsizes]

I love your reactionary approach to justice, asecon! What do you suggest for people who write their name on the title page?
Ciao!

Or those who stick down plastic coverings with sellotape?

[voldermort]

The sellotape can with a bit of a struggle still be removed but those who stick down the dustjacket with pritstick......ai, the book immediately plummets down in value

[mellowred]

I'm interested in the "name in the front of the book" part. I just have a load of old books but don't really know what is good or bad. From a personal, sentimental view I like the name in the front of the book with a date. I'm not referring to scribbles and nasty stuff, but a neatly written birthday note or owner's name.

What impact does this have on the value of a book?