Here’s the link to the booknerd here the more on used books — which I believe were the two posts cited.

Thanks for the info. I find them too complicated for general use anyway, and being in the UK doesn’t help matters. They’re only for emergencies where the postage works out – i.e. books that are commonly available 2nd hand in the US, but difficult to find in any form in the UK. Abe turned up trumps when tracking down early Loretta Chase.

Kristin: What I don’t get is how a ‘used book’ seller could have a used book ready for sale the DAY of a new book’s release.

Speaking as a bookseller, the two main sources are: review copies traded in by local reviewers (these are often sent out well in advance of the release date, so that the review can be published around the release date); copies received damaged from the publisher being sold at a reduced price (rather than hassle with the damaged-returns process).

Francois: ABE Books also includes new books these days – they eliminated their “used only” rule several years ago.

Its a bit of a pain, but I tend to go through each book I want to buy, checking the price difference. But sometimes, even despite the price difference I’ll buy new. Agnes and the Hitman is a bit of a dilemma. I’ve requested the local library buy it because I never buy hardbacks (they take up too much space and are unnecessary), but will they buy it? And will my willpower hold out?

Kristin: What I don’t get is how a ‘used book’ seller could have a used book ready for sale the DAY of a new book’s release.

I thought this was usually because the publisher decided to remainder books–i.e. sell whatever’s left to stores for 1/2 price. I don’t know why they would remainder books before the release date. Perhaps it made sense back before online sales created pricing competition between “new� and “new used�.

I’ve often figured — especially in the case of much anticipated books by big authors — that in the case of individual sellers, they acquire the book on the day it’s released, read it immediately, and then, like the next day, send it out as used. Often, I find that these sellers are not stores but individual Amazon Marketplace or eBay sellers. Also, since so many books seem to be released some places ahead of their actual street date, that books are acquired early and then sold as used on the actual release date.

As far as used books go. Love em, where else can I get out of print books?

Also, I have actually found new authors to read through used books and ended up buying their new hardcovers so I think it all evens itself out in the end. Despite the publishers greed.

Me too. I love the idea of ebooks, but in practice I miss paper. Partly because ebooks look so similar. When I read a printed book, I get attached to the quirks of that edition–the cover, heft, color of the paper, font, whether it opens flat.

I always read Jane’s posts about ebooks, hoping to catch the bug, but it hasn’t gelled yet. I’d be more motivated if I had to pay postage… or if e-publishers carried more out-of-paper-print books (I’ve only seen a little of this so far). Used book stores are hit-or-miss for catching up on an author’s backlist. Ebooks would be perfect for it.

Of course, I’ve rarely bought used…ever. UBS and antique stores give me the creeps. I can’t stand the vibes I get off a lot of used books, so I generally avoid them.

I know, I’m weird…

I can’t afford it.

My book budget is small and my reading appetite is huge.

Also, books are very expensive here (New Zealand) and a standard mmp works out costing about US$17. If I buy from Amazon and have books shipped here, it’s nearly the same once the outrageous cost of postage goes on.

I buy new whenever I can as I do like the idea of supporting the author, but it just isn’t always possible.

So while I appreciate the various ethical reasons offered for purchasing, the bottom line is being able to afford it.

I am starting to buy ebooks, and I think they work out well for authors as then I only have to pay the same price as any US consumer and I get the book immediately. However, I haven’t got over the need for a real, paper book yet. (And, if a book is tucked away on my computer I tend to forget I have it, whereas if it’s glaring at me from the shelf, I’m more likely to see it and remember to read it.)

Just a ramble really, but trying to offer a pov from those of us who don’t live in a “big” country.