posted on April 4, 2001 03:45:59 PM new
Did you all get the email that says Bibliofind will cease as a separate entity and merge directly with Amazon? it appears that now you have to pay for a zShop or something to store all your books. Either that or they'll be on Marketplace...and have to be re-loaded every month?
Wonder what they will do about ARCs. That's mostly what I'm using Bibliofind for at this time. the site is lousy with them, and they are forbidden on Amazon. Hmmm...
posted on April 4, 2001 09:13:39 PM new
Keziak, I saw you mention those the other day. How in the world do you acquire such a thing, work where they are printed?
I got the email, too. I guess I'll end up at Abe. There is another, not 321Main, but...can't put my finger on the name. I'm not comfortable with the idea of jumping in a pro merchant account, or a zshop just yet. I think the way Amazon handled this Bibliofind deal with the sellers was underhanded...allow all the free listings, just to move us on board.
Not like I hadn't heard it was coming. Hate to have dedicated alot of time to listing, just to have it crushed...Glad I was informed.
posted on April 5, 2001 03:54:25 AM new
escandyo - ARCs are promotional materials sent out to reviewers, bookstores, and other places that might contribute to pre-publication "buzz". It's sort of like boxes, if you are in the right place where they come in, you get access to them. Some of them sell on ebay but others don't. I used to list on half.com but they've stopped having entries for books pre-pub as far as I can tell.
I haven't sold enough on Bibliofind to justify doing the same on ABE and paying fees. Guess I'll just keep on keeping on by listing on Marketplace for the 30 days. I don't really like keeping books around indefinitely anyway.
Don't know about anyone else, but I've seen a slow-down in general the past two weeks, across the board.
posted on April 5, 2001 06:18:04 AM new
There are those who disagree, but I think it is the economy in general. I don't understand how they can think the economy being in a tailspin does not affect sales...or, that it is good for Ebay sellers (more people having to shop frugally.)Shopping quits pretty much altogether.
Don't like books sitting around? I've always had gobs, now its worse with those I've gotten to sell. Going to tote off a load of books and stuff for an auction this weekend. Its getting ney impossible to walk through the house, you have to pick a path! Little good that will do, when I already have plans of getting more!
I agree Bibliofind was a bit of a disappointment for me, too...but, I don't think I put enough time into it to have really given that method a fair assessment. Ebay and Half have worked the best for me so far. I gave Bidbay a fair shake, with only 2 sells. Not worth the time, tho it is free and you can have items relist for weeks.
I think the best shot may be this store front Ebay is talking about. Hope they plan it with little guys in mind.
posted on April 5, 2001 11:08:21 AM new
I'm also looking forward to ebay's storefronts. I wouldn't count on it being geared to the little guy though. Can't be worse than Amazon anyway - they have gone from bad to worse.
posted on April 5, 2001 06:07:24 PM new
Keziak, those ARCs you were talking about. I managed to get ahold of a few of them myself today. Offhand, would you say those that do sell tend to bring more, less or about the same as other books?
I also got ahold of some which might not be considered ARCs, it isn't printed on the book itself, but they have loose paperwork indicating they were intended as a library preview copies. So, are they considered ARCs only when it is plainly stated?
Do you include this paperwork when you sell, or mention it in the auction?
posted on April 5, 2001 07:46:17 PM new
escandyo - pre-publication materials come in various formats. Some are just galley proofs: they may not be bound at all, or roughly bound in a binder, complete with editorial scribbling all over the pages. There are also "uncorrected proofs" and "advance reading copy". The latter might have a paper cover with the art that will appear on the hardcover book.
There are some more technical terms that could be used, but in my auctions I simply give a photo or describe what the book looks like. If there are publisher materials, I might include them, but I usually don't have them. Are your books hardcover with publisher blurbs inside? Those could be sold simply as new hardcover books.
As for how they sell, it depends. If there is a built-in demand for the author, prices can go way higher than the published hardcover. This is often true for science fiction or fantasy novels. I have a British buyer who always wins any ARC I get for a certain fantasy writer, and he pays whatever it takes. Other fiction writers have zero pre-pub appeal. Nonfiction is dicey, even name authors don't necessarily sell. I would rather put those on half.com if they'd just load the records.
As with all things, if you can find the angle - the hook - someone might buy. I just sold a parrot book for $9.25 which is way lower than the future hardcover, but not a bad price for what is essentially a paperback copy.
posted on April 5, 2001 09:14:59 PM new
And all along whenever I saw "ARC" mentioned, I thought it was in reference to a book published by the American Red Cross!!!!!!!!
