5of5 Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 I’m looking for any recommendations on alternates to PaperBackSwap. Later this month they are going to start charging a fee. I don’t really use the service to justify paying it. I’m not even that interested in the per-book fee option. I mainly used the site just because I thought it was a good way to recycle books, not because it was a bargain. I mainly use my local library and e-books now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustEm Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 What a fee!! I'm done with it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethel Mertz Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 I'm done with it too, even though I have a big wish list. What I wasn't clear about was whether or not one still needed a swap credit plus the fee to get a book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahW Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 This is horrible! Thank you for posting this though, my PBS is still sent to my old email address which is overrun with spam. Bookmooch is run by losers, and I think they may charge a fee now as well. There's also change-o books, but they were small and not sure if it's still around. I don't know what I'll do with PBS or my credits there... :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: Amazon books start at $4, PBS books were around $2.50. With .49 added or a yearly premium....I'm not sure it's worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5of5 Posted February 2, 2015 Author Share Posted February 2, 2015 I'm done with it too, even though I have a big wish list. What I wasn't clear about was whether or not one still needed a swap credit plus the fee to get a book. By my reading, it is both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5of5 Posted February 2, 2015 Author Share Posted February 2, 2015 As a spin-off of my own thread, I wonder if there is (ethically, not legally) a form of breach of contract in the sense that my accumulated credits are now worth less than they were before. I’m tempted to hurry up and try to find some books to get before I walk away! :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuvToRead Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 I think I am just going use up all my credits and be done with it. By the time I pay shipping, plus the 50 cents, plus the cost of a book, I can get used books elsewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 It's only 49 cents if you pay per swap. I use it once or twice a year if that and don't mind paying to use the service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 As a spin-off of my own thread, I wonder if there is (ethically, not legally) a form of breach of contract in the sense that my accumulated credits are now worth less than they were before. I’m tempted to hurry up and try to find some books to get before I walk away! :glare: I'm fairly certain their user agreement addressed the fact it may not always be a free service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5of5 Posted February 2, 2015 Author Share Posted February 2, 2015 It's only 49 cents if you pay per swap. I use it once or twice a year if that and don't mind paying to use the service. For me, the cost of shipping the book was more than I'd pay at a local used book store. As I said, I thought it was a good way to recycle books, but this was the "last straw" --- for me anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunflowerlady Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 Wow, I hadn't seen that they are going to start charging a fee. I did have an email from them in my inbox that I have not read yet, so I will check it out. I have not used PBS in a long time, and I just bought three credits there and ordered two books I wanted so I have one credit left. I need to find a book and use the credit I guess. edit-I read the email and it is about the fees. By my reading of the email, and a brief reading of the FAQ that they link to, you don't have to get a yearly membership. There is an option of just paying 49 cent each time you request a book. Also, if you buy credits instead of earning them from sending a book, it includes the fee. Lately, I have just purchased a few credits here and there when I wanted a book. The purchased credits were a little more than it costs to mail a book, but it was worth it to me. Also, if you are sending out a book and use their printable postage, you will get a free swap credit. So for an occasional user like me, it will still work out, I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhonda in TX Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 I looked at bookmooch and really don't like the layout of their site. I buy used books at a variety of sources and will continue to use paperback swap as one of them. It's been a valuable source for me and I don't mind paying for it. I'm going to go a la carte for now, but may purchase a yearly plan eventually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horsellian Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 Bookmooch is run by losers, and I think they may charge a fee now as well. You may think it's run by losers, but it does not charge a fee. The site layout leaves something to be desired, and the search functionality isn't great either unless you have an ISBN, but it works, and I get quite a lot of books through it (and get rid of lots of books - yay!) I can't compare it with PaperBackSwap, since PBS is US only so I can't use it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahW Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 It's only 49 cents if you pay per swap. I use it once or twice a year if that and don't mind paying to use the service. Yes, but the wishlist also gets cut to 100. :cursing: And not able to post on the forums...hmpf. Not that I visit the forums there often, but for the odd problem they've been helpful. And they're really pushing the printable postage. I don't have a postage scale people, seriously. :001_rolleyes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahW Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 Ok, one thing that interests me in the Standard Membership is being able to post books directly to friends' wish lists. (I'm assuming that also comes with credits, unlike now). If we WTM-PBS made up our own friend ring and passed around books to each other's wishlists - that could maybe be worth $20 to me. Or, we could just keep doing what we do, and post things FFS in the classifieds.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiewindmomma Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 I am debating on what to do as well. I think I am going to use up my book credits before my gold key membership (which is being converted to standard) ends. Some of the books in my wish list have been there for a few years; I may as well acknowledge that amazon used is going to better fit my needs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ronnellsmom Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 I use bookmooch with some success. It is easy to use, free and has a lot of books. The quality of what's available isn't as good as paperback swap but it's a place to give away your books at least. I'm trying a new one today called Whatsonmybookshelf.com It looks promising. :) Same as the other two....post books, give away books, earn points, get books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairfarmhand Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 Just for buying used books, I like thriftbooks.com. Free shipping and great prices. And a very good selection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 Bookmooch is run by losers, and I think they may charge a fee now as well. What do you mean? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JumpyTheFrog Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 I have 16 credits I'm going to use up. I have requested six books so far, including several Prentice Hall Science Explorer books. I need to figure out what else to get. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahW Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 What do you mean? When you sign up for an account and use the site completely as it is intended and within the rules, you get locked out without warning, treated like a criminal, and get nasty messages making all sorts of wild accusations about your character when you try to get it resolved. It's insane. After a few months of my account being "under review" with no action I washed my hands of them. I don't need to hang around that sort of negativity. My advice to someone who wants to successfully become a member there, during the first three months: DO NOT make a wishlist. Ignore the option to upload a list, Don't do it. DO NOT request a book. Just don't. DO NOT sign up at all if people previously lived at your address. They may have made an account. Who are you to say you aren't them? DO NOT offer to send international. You simply can't be smart enough to do that. In other words, be as invisible as possible. You might make it. :001_rolleyes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 Just for buying used books, I like thriftbooks.com. Free shipping and great prices. And a very good selection. Thank you for this recommendation! DD is currently reading a series that I didn't have any luck finding except new on Amazon, but there are used copies available at this site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horsellian Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 My advice to someone who wants to successfully become a member there, during the first three months: DO NOT make a wishlist. Ignore the option to upload a list, Don't do it. DO NOT request a book. Just don't. DO NOT sign up at all if people previously lived at your address. They may have made an account. Who are you to say you aren't them? DO NOT offer to send international. You simply can't be smart enough to do that. I'm sorry you had a bad experience, but I've done all the above, except have a previous occupant of my house hold an account, and had no problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamaraby Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 I just closed my account. I found most books I wanted had an incredibly long wait list. By the time I pay for the shipping (and I usually did the printed one) plus whatever fees they charged for putting money on my PBS account and then whatever fees were added to the purchase of postage that I didn't come out any further ahead than I was before. I'll just stick with Amazon Used and Half-Price Books. I can not only get exactly what I want, but at least with Half Price Books, I can check out the book's condition first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 I'm sorry you had a bad experience, but I've done all the above, except have a previous occupant of my house hold an account, and had no problems. I've only used Bookmooch once or twice and it was several years ago, but I didn't have any issues either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahW Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 I'm sorry you had a bad experience, but I've done all the above, except have a previous occupant of my house hold an account, and had no problems. So there's no good reason I was summarily banned? The admin who told me I was a scammer was just lying? Even better! <_< On PBS I think I'll just keep my account going for my wishlist, and pay the fifty cents if something comes up. It would annoy me to put money in my account though, I've made it for years there without going through the hoops to stick my cash into their system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephanier.1765 Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 Just for buying used books, I like thriftbooks.com. Free shipping and great prices. And a very good selection. Shoot, wish I had known this before I bought a pile of used books from Amazon. Even though, I guess either way buying used supports the little guy. I wish there was an easy way to share the books once I was done. We have a huge used bookstore here but they are so huge that they buy only a few books from the piles I take in. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heartsjoy Posted February 18, 2015 Share Posted February 18, 2015 addall.com gets all the used book sites at once. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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