Comments on: Strange prices for used books on Amazon

Question: Strange prices for used books on Amazon

srboisvert — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 03:00:26 -0800

Why are there used books for sale on amazon for far more than amazon sells them for?

For example this book: Designing Web Interfaces: Principles and Patterns for Rich Interactions (Paperback) retails for just under $32 brand new but there are three used book resellers that have prices starting at $69.

What gives?

By: mattn

mattn — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 03:15:12 -0800

Because books go out of print and Amazon sometimes runs out of stock, at which point people who really want a book will be prepared to pay a premium for it. It would be more convenient for the bookseller simply to give books an expensive price from the outset, so that they don't have to keep monitoring Amazon's prices/stock.

By: fire&wings

fire&wings — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 03:46:03 -0800

The prices probably date from a time when Amazon didn't have a copy in stock.

By: litlnemo

litlnemo — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 04:12:56 -0800

What they said. One book I own was out of stock at Amazon for a while and the prices skyrocketed, then they got it in stock again and the prices went back to normal -- only some sellers left their listings up with the higher price, because they probably just aren't checking.

By: tokidoki

tokidoki — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 04:14:32 -0800

I've noticed that too, always thought it was lazy sellers not keeping their competitive edge in check.

By: shownomercy

shownomercy — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 06:34:43 -0800

Used book sellers can't usually keep an eye on which books are going to be reprinted and when, etc. I personally have paid $40 for an out of print paperback on amazon (it will almost certainly become a classic and be reprinted, but who can say if that will be this year, or in another 10-20 years? ). ;) There's a market for this.

By: willmize

willmize — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 06:44:02 -0800

As someone whose mystery novels are carried on amazon, I also see insane prices for my books - well above the listed price.
Like 8 times the listed price.
I think that some of these 'sellers' are somehow automated, and make listings merely based on ISBN. They may not even have the book in stock.
The higher the feedback number, the more I am inclined to think that the 'seller' is some large conglomerate or back end, as opposed to an individual selling books out of their spare bedroom.
I have no proof or evidence, just my gut feeling that a lot of listings are just thrown in there.

By: Pants!

Pants! — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 06:51:40 -0800

Some of them are a collector's copy.

By: thebrokedown

thebrokedown — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 07:39:03 -0800

I think that all of the reasons above play a part. In addition, the "megasellers" sometimes use a huge figure as a place holder for stock they don't have--instead of relisting when they get the book, they merely change the price.

Amazon sales are a really interesting thing, really. It can mess with your sense of what "value" really means.

By: Ziggy Zaga

Ziggy Zaga — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 08:58:13 -0800

Previously

By: ragtimepiano

ragtimepiano — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 14:01:53 -0800

"Previously", above, is a rich source of info.
In rare instances, as Pants! writes, there are collector's copies; some are autographed by the author.
I find it's good to check www.bookfinder.com to find the going prices from many booksellers, some of the mega companies as well as many others.