"book hoarders" who resell online??

[valleythriftshopper]

I think the reason people get annoyed with the scanners is that the dealers can scoop up a large amount of books quickly and maybe they feel like they don't get a chance to look at them.   I don't go to too many library sales or book sales and don't purchase alot of books, but maybe it would be a good idea to have an hour or two of scanner free viewing at the opening and then allow people to start scanning the books.  If many of the valuable books are obscure ones that most wouldn't be interested in, it wouldn't matter.  Also as one person mentioned their local thrift raised prices on books after people were buying cart loads of them. 

I mostly see regular antique dealers and the reason why people don't like them is because they really do act like boobs.  Showing up super early, badgering people to sell stuff for much lower than the asking price, camping out in front of someone's house as they bring stuff out, etc.  I enjoy selling antiques but I don't show up early or try to get people to lower their prices, I just buy stuff I like that is priced at the amount I am willing to pay. 

I don't think anyone feels like the dealers are looking to resell items for dubious reasons, but I think everyone wants a fair shake at what is being offered, since thrifts put stuff out randomly it is first come first serve, but the prices can be affected by large volume buying. 

[consultnerd]

Have you ever thought that the prices went up, because EVERYTHING is going up...

Groceries are more expensive, even WalMart prices are up, so why would Thrift stores not raise their prices also?

Why do some people come up with conspiracy theories about everything, they read into things, when sometimes the simple obvious answer could be the correct one?

Or maybe the person that hated the "dealers" kept complaining to the clerks, and they figured this way the "dealers" would not buy as much and then the person complaining would find a few books...

Hmmmmm......

I don't buy much at FOL, but do go regularly to Thrifts and Goodwills, and even donate my time and effort to put out things for them.   And I am a good buyer.
Want to assist your book buying?   http://BobsStuff.com/scantool

[Cookie]

I think Selena aka "Apron Thrift Girl" gave the best answer!

I was in a thrift store the other day and a couple was hanging out in front of the book section forever.  They didn't have scanners, but they definitely monopolized the whole area and I ended up leaving without having a chance to look at the books.  Did I have a right to be angry at them for "hogging" the area?  I don't think so.  And I wouldn't call them rude either.  It was just bad timing and bad luck for me. 

[sortanice]

As one who makes my living selling used books on Amazon (and who uses a scanner), I thought I'd better respond.

First, there's no excuse for rudeness or for being inconsiderate of others. Nothing I'm about to say is to justify this sort of behavior. I have seen some dealers at library sales behave this way, and I cringe.

Nevertheless, this boorish behavior is not caused by the technology they're holding in their hand. It is a character issue that would be present if they had a scanner or not. It would be and probably is present in other areas of their lives.

Some of the people posting on this thread, however, seem to resent the very presence of someone trying to make money at library sales or thrift stores, as if it is somehow unethical to buy low and sell high. I would ask, though, what aspect of the business world does not do this? One does not have to be an uber-capitalist to acknowledge that our entire economy functions on this simple principle.

Others seem to think that using a helpful tool to make buying decisions is indicative of someone who lacks a soul. But is not the very existence of a website like this one, with its reviews of stores and even this forum, not sort of the same thing? How far removed from technology does one have to become in order to possess a soul, by this standard?

As for the "hoarding" notion, I must respond that I am merely trying to provide a service for those who either don't have the time or the inclination to search for their books in the pre-internet way. Please realize that we do not sell books to nameless, faceless machines. We sell to actual people, actual readers -- and given my feedback score, I must conclude that these people are very grateful for the service I provide. So are my children, who are literally fed by the proceeds.

The thrift stores and the libraries are grateful, as well, for dealers buy a lot of books. As one poster rightly mentioned, these entities are trying to make money. Most Friends of the Library groups are thrilled to see dealers leave with multiple boxes of books. It means money for their library.

Only the tiniest fraction of books have a value on Amazon. But those that are not good for internet sales are often in high demand by local readers. I have bought lots of books for my own use at library sales and thrift stores that have no re-sale value. There are still tons of books at these venues after the dealers blow through, and the sales are still brisk. There is an abundance of books out there, not a scarcity.

But one thing I would suggest to Friends' groups, and I think it would go a long way toward making things go smoother at their sales: People rightfully get hacked off by dealers snatching up and storing loads of books and then scanning them in a corner or hallway. There should be a "scan as you go" policy that would require replacing unwanted books back to where they had been. This is fair to other shoppers and also to the dear volunteers who staff these sales. I can scan as quickly as other folks who are just browsing (I don't scan every item -- that's nuts and is the mark of someone who knows nothing about books). As I move along, I may be going a little faster than the elderly lady next to me, but because I'm not removing half a table at a time, hopefully I'm not disrupting her shopping experience.

Long post, but I hope that it gives a different perspective. . .

[Good Buddy]

As one who makes my living selling used books on Amazon (and who uses a scanner), I thought I'd better respond.

First, there's no excuse for rudeness or for being inconsiderate of others. Nothing I'm about to say is to justify this sort of behavior. I have seen some dealers at library sales behave this way, and I cringe.

Nevertheless, this boorish behavior is not caused by the technology they're holding in their hand. It is a character issue that would be present if they had a scanner or not. It would be and probably is present in other areas of their lives.

Some of the people posting on this thread, however, seem to resent the very presence of someone trying to make money at library sales or thrift stores, as if it is somehow unethical to buy low and sell high. I would ask, though, what aspect of the business world does not do this? One does not have to be an uber-capitalist to acknowledge that our entire economy functions on this simple principle.

Others seem to think that using a helpful tool to make buying decisions is indicative of someone who lacks a soul. But is not the very existence of a website like this one, with its reviews of stores and even this forum, not sort of the same thing? How far removed from technology does one have to become in order to possess a soul, by this standard?

As for the "hoarding" notion, I must respond that I am merely trying to provide a service for those who either don't have the time or the inclination to search for their books in the pre-internet way. Please realize that we do not sell books to nameless, faceless machines. We sell to actual people, actual readers -- and given my feedback score, I must conclude that these people are very grateful for the service I provide. So are my children, who are literally fed by the proceeds.

The thrift stores and the libraries are grateful, as well, for dealers buy a lot of books. As one poster rightly mentioned, these entities are trying to make money. Most Friends of the Library groups are thrilled to see dealers leave with multiple boxes of books. It means money for their library.

Only the tiniest fraction of books have a value on Amazon. But those that are not good for internet sales are often in high demand by local readers. I have bought lots of books for my own use at library sales and thrift stores that have no re-sale value. There are still tons of books at these venues after the dealers blow through, and the sales are still brisk. There is an abundance of books out there, not a scarcity.

But one thing I would suggest to Friends' groups, and I think it would go a long way toward making things go smoother at their sales: People rightfully get hacked off by dealers snatching up and storing loads of books and then scanning them in a corner or hallway. There should be a "scan as you go" policy that would require replacing unwanted books back to where they had been. This is fair to other shoppers and also to the dear volunteers who staff these sales. I can scan as quickly as other folks who are just browsing (I don't scan every item -- that's nuts and is the mark of someone who knows nothing about books). As I move along, I may be going a little faster than the elderly lady next to me, but because I'm not removing half a table at a time, hopefully I'm not disrupting her shopping experience.

Long post, but I hope that it gives a different perspective. . .

Very, very well put.

[daswitzer]

Around 15 years ago, I was a librarian in a public library.  We had two annual sales.  We sold discarded books and books that were donated exclusively for the sale.  All of the sale money went into the general fund.  I no longer work there, but I can't imagine someone scanning books at these sales.  As a thrift shopper, I would be too embarrassed to do it myself.  Beep, beep, beep...I don't like to draw attention to myself.     There are always so many more books left over after the sale than the number that sold.  Maybe everyone that wants to scan should have to wait until the sale is over and then they can all go in together and have a beep-a-thon.

[mjeddry]

Well, I was one of those book hoarders in the Boston area.  A bunch of us hoarders, who all resold the books, would arrive at the library sale 1-2 hours before they were scheduled to open.  We'd often not be the first ones in line.  We carried several tote bags.  Yes, it was run and grab.  I'm no longer part of the pack.  There was too much tension for me...over books, of all things!  I still buy books at yard sales and resell them, but now it's at my pace. 

[Rev Bucky]

Book sellers, enjoy this while you can.

What stops a library from using those self same scanners and doing the sales on Amazon, etc, themselves?

NOTHING!!

And just like too many pawn shops and thrift stores have started selling the best online, leaving dregs in their stores so soon will these sales.  Because if money and profit is the goal, then that is what is going to happen, no question no doubt.

Oh, and I have to add, if scanners are being rude, blocking areas, etc, do what I do when that happens, go look at what you want to, and if they are blocking, say excuse me, and go around them!!  Hell, I've stood right next to/right in front of them, reached around them, etc.

It may seem rude to do the same thing they do, but it's almost instant karma, as they are being treated the same way as they treat others.

[Good Buddy]

I like you style Rev!

[SplashsMom]

I am not a tech junkie but this caught my eye.  There are now (or maybe will be soon??) phone applications that allow one to do the same function as the book scanners. You do not preload a list of numbers, you scan the book with your phone and check the value on the internet.
I wonder if this will come up with a value as quickly as the scanner, and it does require internet time, but I bet I will see this become commonplace soon.

[valleythriftshopper]

You can pretty much do everything from a phone these days!  I stopped in at my local library book sale last month, it had been going on for a while so I found nothing interesting, but they had a sign saying "no hoarding of books" so apparently it became a problem for them.  Wonder if they actually enforced that rule at the beginning of the sale. 

[tsmanager]

To all the book sellers out there.
First - Check with your local Goodwill before you waste your time buying books from them. All the local Goodwill's here in Tampa area use a book scanning software. Every book is scanned before it gets put onto the shelves. The software tells them whether to pull it ,for shipment to dc ,to be resold online. And get this my local Goodwill, DO NOT allow people with PDA's to scan their books.
You see the thrift stores are starting to get smart.
As the manager of a newer thrift store in the region and an ebayer from way back. I knew there was money to be made in books. I don't use the sophisticated software that Goodwill does. I rely on my gut and amazon to determine which books might be good.
I must be getting pretty good because one of our regular book scanners came in and left without any books. Looks like I have them all online now.
just some useful information - I hope

[Good Buddy]

All the local Goodwill's here in Tampa area use a book scanning software. Every book is scanned before it gets put onto the shelves. The software tells them whether to pull it ,for shipment to dc ,to be resold online.

This is actually not true.
Each Goodwill territory is a separate corporation and they sell their own books.
The software they are using is by a company called Monsoon. It really neat software and they make alot for Goodwill.
http://www.MonsoonWorks.Com

[TraceyTyler]

I actually bought a used book on Amazon.com from a Goodwill store. I don't believe that Amazon charges anything similar to ebay's posting fee (?), so I really wish that the thrift stores could get their acts together and do this more often. I want to see them make more money; the low prices in thrift stores can be depressing, when you know that charities are depending on them.

[valleythriftshopper]

I actually bought a used book on Amazon.com from a Goodwill store. I don't believe that Amazon charges anything similar to ebay's posting fee (?), so I really wish that the thrift stores could get their acts together and do this more often. I want to see them make more money; the low prices in thrift stores can be depressing, when you know that charities are depending on them.

That is an interesting observation.  I guess as a treasure/bargain hunter I never find low prices depressing.  The Salvation Army that charges cheaper prices in my area does very well because they sell a high volume of stuff, so a few dollars can make the difference between an item gathering dust, or making money for the organization.