posted on September 3, 2001 10:24:50 PM
When I sell a book, listing it as "ex-library," do I need to go into details, like the card envelope and library stamping. Especially, if I say the book has a dust jacket, is it necessary to say it's covered in plastic too? Just wondering how much detail to go into.
I never list those books on half.com as anything better than "good" or "acceptable."
posted on September 3, 2001 10:56:12 PM
I sell alot of ex-libs and always state them as such. I simply say they have the items typically found on one. You may wish to state the acetate covering as a plus since it is both attractive and protective to the dustjacket. In my own library I prefer ex-libs.
posted on September 4, 2001 04:26:45 AM
I'm afraid I'm not terribly consistent with this. I sell a lot of them and sort of slack off sometimes on going into gory details, often ending up saying "ex-library in good condition, usual markings".
I try to give my honest impression of overall wear, which IMO for "how-to" books is more important than the stampings. If I was trying to sell the book as a collectible artifact in and of itself, it would be crucial to note every deviation from "mint".
The only time I've been "zinged" was on Amazon where a buyer was appalled to get a "library book!", probably because they didn't read my description. But another buyer there didn't like a regular book I sold in what I thought was good, though secondhand, condition. At least on ebay the photos usually give a reasonable impression of the overall quality of the book.
posted on September 4, 2001 08:17:43 AM
I will state "exlibary with all marks " exlibrary with all markings" I sometimes remove the mylar cover which reduces the library marks and makes the dust jacket look GREAT! and will state bright and clean jacket. I wil also state whether inside pages are clean and bright or if they have been "well-read" I don't put the gory details! detracts
Summary:
exlibrary with all markings. Clean and bright pictures/pages. ( or well read!) Dust jacket is bright!
