Second Hand Books

[EcclesCake]

I am quite a voracious reader and often visit the local Oxfam book shop for favoured authors and to take a cheap punt on unknown/untried authors.

The going rate for a paperback novel in Oxfam Book Shops is £2.49, is this typical across the board for charity shops?

Given what you can pay for kindle versions, it seems a bit steep to me.

[sandyRoe]

It's about the same for a paperback here in Belfast in a charity shop. I suppose we can console ourselves with the thought that some of our money is going to help whatever charity is selling the book.

[yogasun]

Well, I think Oxfam tend to be somewhat dearer, The local shops (diff. charities) seem to charge between £1 to £2

[dotty.]

that sounds expensive, but it is a charity i guess. on chorley flat iron on a tuesday you can swap books, he gives you 50p or £1 off another title. not been there myself but my mum used to do that.

[EcclesCake]

You are quite right it is for charity and I fully take that on board.

But having recently tinkered with Kindle I was surprised at the price of titles available as eBooks vs what I paid for three titles this week in Oxfam.

Trouble is I haven't reprogrammed my brain for browsing for eBooks whereas studying the shelves in Oxfam is easy and it got me thinking about the pricing structure....

[Maydup]

Have you ever tried this Eccles? Its an online charity bookshop.

You buy a second hand book for £3.75 but you can sell books back to them for £3. http://www.greenmetropolis.com

[jake-the-peg]

Brilliant maidup

That's made my day!

[askyourgran]

We have a Mind shop and the British Heart Foundation. The mind shop charges about £1.75 for a book, usually clean and tidy books, if not they knock 25p off. The British Heart Foundation charges around £2.50 which I find a bit steep so I don't go there often. We have another charity shop who have book sales every so often, 2 books for 1 they are usually £1.50 each. It pays to shop around, even in charity shops.

[EcclesCake]

Maidup, that is a fantastic site. I can see my bookshelves being emptied and rapidly restocked. Especially after a couple of quick author searches. Thank you so much.

I think I should broaden my horizons and venture into a wider range of charity shops as Oxfam do seem to be setting their prices at the higher end.

[Maydup]

Good oh Jake! I've bought but not bothered to sell as I end up dropping them into the local charity shop. But its a lovely site with plenty of room to browse!

[ojread2]

my local Co-op, I discovered this weekend, has a table by the checkouts full of second hand books. You stick a suggested donation of a £1 in the tin provided

I've only ever paid for one book on my Kindle, so far, and that was simply because I know the author other wise all are free

£2.49 is a bit steep IMO

[askyourgran]

That's a good find Maidup I might have a go at that.

[Maydup]

You're welcome Eccles. Its a great idea for recycleing books and for supporting charities at the same time, especially for people who get through lots of books - a good way to keep them in circulation.

[askyourgran]

I have a feelng that Clint Eastwood played Reacher from one of Lee Childs books. I'm racking my brain about the title of the film.

[rosyposy]

In 'help the aged' they were selling hardbacks for 50p each and paperbacks 3 for £1 - they were nearly all in perfect condition too -a couple of the ones I bought hadn't even been opened, so I wondered if maybe they were publishers 'ends' ( or whatever they call them?) I do think Oxfam have always been expensive - rosy

[rosyposy]

Sorry - it was Age UK - rosy

[chaptazbru]

In my town the RSPCA have the cheapest books, some 50p and really good ones at that. I always give more than 50p though. The British Heart Foundation charge the most, usually £2.50 per book.

I think Liam Neeson will make a good Jack Reacher, or is he a bit too old now ...

[chi-chi66]

I love charity shops for books..but as said prices can vary. I find the 'expensive' ones are Oxfam and British Heart. Help the Aged and the
different Cancer shops are cheaper...sometimes same book about £1 cheaper..
at the moment sales are on in the shops..50p a book.
I bought one two weeks ago in an Oxfam shop £3.45..it's a paperback
biography about love and oppression in Afghanistan....last friday on the
local market..same book £1.

[woofgang]

thanks for the green metropolis website...