posted on March 16, 2001 12:55:03 PM
Well, it finally happened! A direct indication that Half.com banners are affecting book sellers. I had a book on
auction that a buyer bid on. The bid was
subsequently retracted two days later. The reason? Bidder states that she bought it
on Half.com after seeing the search box at the bottom of the page. How are the rest of you booksellers doing now that Half.com is listed on every search page with your book title already printed in the box? I find this to be very irritating. It's certainly not profitable to list most books on Half.com
since the prices are usually so depressed. Do you think book sales of in print book is dead on Ebay?
posted on March 16, 2001 02:00:58 PM
I know its hurt my sales. Then, if you turn around and sell it at Half, you don't sell unless you try to beat everyone elses price (considering condition.) Its like a war to drive down the price, instead of getting a decent amount.
On top of that, most of the book dealers in my town list on Half, so you can't get a deal from them anymore.
If that isn't enough, now the resale and charity shops are getting in on the deal. Went in one shop today, the 10 or so old books they had were priced at $10 or more, with a web page sheet, description, etc. folded inside.
Getting to where if I'm not buying at a yard sale, I can forget it. I lost more money with what I bought today than I can get back! Meaning, the bidding war drive down at Half!
