[cid:[email protected]] this is aacc This sort of transaction was not all that unusual for out of print materials in the pre-internet days. (And I have been around long enough to remember that!!!) In those days, libraries maintained “want lists” of OP items. In our case, we worked with a local used bookstore that handled both antiquarian and general used books. We provided the store with copies of our want lists on a regular basis. If this seller had the item in stock, we would purchase it from them. But if not, which was often the case, the seller placed our “wants” on its own, larger list of “wants” and circulated it to other booksellers near and far – all by snail mail. If we were lucky, another seller responded to our bookseller, and we had our book. At that point, we were not purchasing VHS tapes – another unit at the college did that – but I would guess that there was a similar process in place for that.
Cynthia Steinhoff Anne Arundel Community College Arnold, MD The information contained in this email may be confidential and/or legally privileged. It has been sent for the sole use of the intended recipient(s). If the reader of this message is not an intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication, or any of its content, is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message. Thank you. From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Helen P. Mack Sent: Friday, May 13, 2011 8:58 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Videolib] Amazon MKPLC-- buyer beware! I have had similar experiences. When I look at the range of used copies for sale, the prices generally hover in the same area, except for those sellers who, for example, price a $30 book for $1,200. I avoid these sellers, because I figure that they don't actually have the book in stock, so the price covers the labor they will expend in finding it. I also stay away from sellers whose descriptions say only "... millions of books sold, thousands of satisfied customers, ..." and lack any comments particular to the copy being offered. If they won't tell me about the copy they have, then how do I know that it is worth buying? Do they think we are stupid? I had a very strange experience once. I no longer recall all of the details but here's basically what happened: I ordered a book from an Amazon Marketplace seller. It took a long time to come, and when it did, it was hand-delivered by a Lehigh faculty member who had listed his copy for sale on half.com. Apparently my Marketplace seller didn't really have it, so he went to half.com to get it and had that other seller drop-ship it to me. Since his office was in a building nearby, the drop-ship amounted to his walking into my office and dropping it on my desk! This stuff makes my hair hurt! On 5/11/2011 10:33 AM, Chris McNevins wrote: Interesting article about algorithmic pricing…. http://www.michaeleisen.org/blog/?p=358 On a similar note, when dealing with Marketplace vendors you really need to do your homework. I recently tried to purchase the first ed. of Characterization Tests for Objects of Art and Archaeology at $169.95 from an Amazon Marketplace vendor. The vendor emailed me back and said that he didn’t have the 1st edition but he could offer me the 2nd edition at the same price. Foolishly I said yes without doing a further investigation. I received the 2nd edition not from the Marketplace vendor but directly from Amazon.ca. The packing list stated that the price was 58.59 CN for the book. The vendor ordered the book from Amazon.ca and had it shipped to me at over $100 mark-up! When I checked this title again on amazon.com, the 2nd edition was readily available at $56.85. I returned the book and was refunded for the book but got socked $16.95 for the return postage (which was subsequently reimbursed). I gave the vendor a horrible review. I was later contacted by the vendor who pleaded with me to revoke my review. After giving him an earful about fair pricing I caved and retracted the review (what can I say? I’m a pansy) I see that this vendor still has the 1st edition listed even though I KNOW he doesn’t have it in his possession. Moral of the story: 1) buyer beware 2) never solely rely on ISBN searches in Amazon—there may be a newer edition lurking out there What a racket!!! I know now how I’ll be financing my retirement…. (only kidding, although it IS tempting….) Chris McN ________________________________________ Chris McNevins | ACQUISITIONS COORDINATOR UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT | HOMER BABBIDGE LIBRARY 369 Fairfield Way Unit 2005AM | Storrs, CT 06269-2005 USA PH: 860-486-3842 | FX: 860-486-6493 | EMAIL: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> ________________________________________ VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors. -- Helen P. Mack, Acquisitions Librarian Lehigh University, Linderman Library 30 Library Drive Bethlehem, PA 18015-3013 USA Phone 610 758-3035 * Fax 610 758-5605 E-mail [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>
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VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors.
