I tend to do a lot of shopping online. I buy books, CDs, DVDs, things like that. And I was always hesitant to purchase from those offering their wares "used" because of a couple bad experiences on eBay.
However, I recently was forced to purchase some books for a research paper I am currently writing. I could find practically nothing at the local libraries or the university library relevant to my subject. So I decided to just buy some books online instead.
As you may have heard, I no longer shop at Barnes and Noble, so I went straight to Amazon. They had exactly the types of sources I needed. However, the Amazon prices were astronomical. One book was $75.00, and another was around $50.00. I was not looking forward to making such an expensive purchase, but it was too late to change my paper's topic.
That's when I noticed that both these books were selling "used" at Amazon for under ten dollars each. I rolled the dice, made the purchase, held my breath, and received both books, in good condition, in a matter of days. I saved money, and was extremely happy with my experience.
However, I know (a lesson from eBay) that not every such experience is going to be so positive. I was wise enough to order only from those selers with a large number of past sales (at least 1,000) and a rating of over 4.5 stars. But still...I am hesitant to do much more online shopping this way.
Perhaps my fellow BlogCritics can provide me with some anecdotes and advice as to whether this is a good idea for future purchases, or if I should stick to paying retail directly from Amazon.
So, what is your collective wisdom on this topic? :-)
Article comments
1 - Mark Saleski
try checking some of the othe online used book outlets such as abebooks.com or maybe powells.
2 - RJ Elliott
Well...it's too late now! :-)
But, are these sites you mention less expensive and more trustworthy than the used section of Amazon?
Also, I frequently purchase items other than books online. Do you suppose it is safe, say to buy a used DVD or CD from Amazon? Or am I just asking for a scratched-up piece of garbage by doing so?
3 - Mark Saleski
abeboks and powells have been around for years. book dealers use 'em. you'd have to do a quick price comparison.
i've never bought used cd's online. a guy i know used to buy tons of stuff at secondspin.com.
i don't know, i like looking at the disc before i buy it (mostly for big, nasty scratches)
4 - Mac Diva
Mark, when I need a used book, I just walk a few blocks or hop the trolley to Powells and buy it. (Looking very smug.)
5 - Mark Saleski
yea...i didn't need to hear that diva.
i do have some great used stores around me.
the only book i've ever bought used through mailorder was a copy of mr. olsen's Encyclopedia of Record Producers.
6 - Tom Johnson
I buy used CDs online all the time, mostly through Half.com. I have had a few bad experiences (discs being listed as "good condition" but having scratches through the reflective surface, several times - people must not understand what "good" means) but most users were very good about refunding the money, including shipping. I've had nothing but good experiences with Amazon, the few times I've used their used services. I usually have worse experiences buying used locally, actually - I more often find discs with many scratches, missing or ruined artwork (what, do most people use liner notes as coasters to soak up drink-sweat?) I don't know how Half.com getting folded into Ebay will effect things, but I don't expect it'll be too different. The rule I always follow is to check the seller's feedback - I won't bother with anyone who has more than a few percent of negative feedback.
7 - Mac Diva
In my experience as an active Half.commer and eBayer a couple years ago, the prices things sold for on Half were usually lower, Tom. It was also a good site to place obscure items. I sold the peripherals for old laptops, NEC, Compaq and Apple there. (Unfortunately, I still have an unopened Plaintalk Microphone and the original earphones from the Apple Multimedia kit in the storage closet somewhere.) Half was good because you could put those needle in a haystack items up there and let them sit until the rare person who was looking for them noticed. If you do that at an auction site, you end up shelling out fees for something that may take forever to sell. Or not sell at all.
8 - The eBay Entrepreneur
I would have to say that I view online shopping [for second-hand items] as a way to save in a major way. On rare, rare occasion I may have a bad experience, however I find that the huge cost savings I garner from online buying more than balances out the equation.
If you feel that paying retail makes sense for you, then you should of course buy brand new. Most of the time, used items have a good amount of life in them, especially books!
If you are buying on the Internet,use a method of payment that allows you to charge back the transaction if things go wrong.
Warm regards,
Christopher Matthew Spencer, author
"The eBay Entrepreneur"