tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3216081229982312439.post2596015868189672518..comments2024-02-20T17:51:43.989-05:00Comments on Buckling Bookshelves: What is *Normal* Book Damage?Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03215797870829907924noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3216081229982312439.post-34582369698928710772014-03-23T12:27:38.289-04:002014-03-23T12:27:38.289-04:00I guess this is what the feedback system is for! I...I guess this is what the feedback system is for! In a way I'm glad this happened because it's really helped curb my online book shopping impulses :)Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03215797870829907924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3216081229982312439.post-55220394695598551632014-03-10T19:40:44.947-04:002014-03-10T19:40:44.947-04:00A dog eared page or a small mark on the cover is o...A dog eared page or a small mark on the cover is only (in my opinion) "very good". The word very makes the difference for me. I would be soooo pissed to get anything more than that. Did you report this to Half.com? I would with pictures and a copy of her email. That is a mess. I would make someone give me my money back too! I hope you tell them a few choice word. :)Alysiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02921848593897537382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3216081229982312439.post-73785298838797489172014-03-09T10:33:32.611-04:002014-03-09T10:33:32.611-04:00Given the giant college bookstore USED sticker on ...Given the giant college bookstore USED sticker on the back, I'm going to guess she's not a reader, but was just trying to sell off some school books. And you're right, depending on the book some of that damage could be seen as normal, but just be honest about it!Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03215797870829907924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3216081229982312439.post-33762442726149292792014-03-09T10:31:40.815-04:002014-03-09T10:31:40.815-04:00Glad to know I'm not crazy! It was the attitud...Glad to know I'm not crazy! It was the attitude more than anything that bugged me -- if she just apologized and said she didn't know about the guidelines, I would have been much less upset.Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03215797870829907924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3216081229982312439.post-20399559703993870242014-03-07T04:31:06.083-05:002014-03-07T04:31:06.083-05:00I would consider a wrinkle in the spine as 've...I would consider a wrinkle in the spine as 'very good', because even reading them very carefully with some books it's impossible to not crack the spine at all, but anything further than that, and most definitely what you've described of the book, that is 'pretty bad condition'. I wonder if the seller is a reader themselves - I can't imagine even those who are happy with cracked spines would say it was very good condition.Charlie (The Worm Hole)http://wormhole.carnelianvalley.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3216081229982312439.post-6242426324100802642014-03-04T13:44:54.322-05:002014-03-04T13:44:54.322-05:00You are not crazy. From the sounds of it those boo...You are not crazy. From the sounds of it those books are not in very good condition and she shouldn't have said they were. She should also be going by the websites standards and not her own. It seems to me that this seller thinks that as long as you can read the word from the page it doesn't matter if the book is falling apart, she considers it good. Ugh, I'm upset for you. The tear in the cover is the one thing that really bothers me, no way is that from normal reading. Kayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03788568691345783808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3216081229982312439.post-82600937433510409002014-03-02T11:31:46.238-05:002014-03-02T11:31:46.238-05:00You're right -- it's really all about maki...You're right -- it's really all about making an informed decision -- while shopping in the scratch and dent section or under the acceptable category on Half.com, you know what you are getting yourself into!Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03215797870829907924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3216081229982312439.post-73158734743616733032014-03-02T11:30:25.916-05:002014-03-02T11:30:25.916-05:00I totally agree -- it was the attitude of "th...I totally agree -- it was the attitude of "that's just what happens if a book has been read (at all)" was what really baffled me!Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03215797870829907924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3216081229982312439.post-66545030130050237722014-03-01T14:04:33.799-05:002014-03-01T14:04:33.799-05:00I haven't done much "used" book shop...I haven't done much "used" book shopping online, except for book outlet. But when I shop on book outlet I shop under the scratch and dent section, not really expecting the books to be in quality..simply because they are only a few dollars. But if the seller said it was a certain quality, the book HAS to match the description of that quality!<br /><br />Sorry this has happened to you!<br /><br />Lisa<br />www.turningpages94.blogspot.comAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09617724310641626697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3216081229982312439.post-11634183128078594792014-02-26T20:21:06.773-05:002014-02-26T20:21:06.773-05:00I think a book could get a cracked spine without b...I think a book could get a cracked spine without being abused if it was read enough, but I wouldn't categorize that as "normal" use. Most of my books are only read once or twice and are in nearly new condition. I think it's terrible that she ignored the guidelines! I would see if there's a way you can report her to half.com.DoingDeweyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09902496432225294188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3216081229982312439.post-46721534991759477482014-02-26T10:49:46.905-05:002014-02-26T10:49:46.905-05:00Interesting! You are definitely the first person I...Interesting! You are definitely the first person I've heard of you prefers cracked spines. My beat up pile would be right at home on your shelves :)Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03215797870829907924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3216081229982312439.post-77238498770241915812014-02-26T10:48:32.558-05:002014-02-26T10:48:32.558-05:00I can't imagine not having used books in my co...I can't imagine not having used books in my collection, though I can guarantee my collection would not be as large as it is if it weren't for used books since they are so much less expensive (and sometimes free with trade credit!) There is something extra exciting about a brand-new pristine book though :)Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03215797870829907924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3216081229982312439.post-13738012307163844422014-02-24T14:51:56.958-05:002014-02-24T14:51:56.958-05:00She does sound inconsiderate, make sure you leave ...She does sound inconsiderate, make sure you leave some less than positive feedback!<br /><br />I am a bit weird with book damage as I love cracked spines and will go out of my way to crack a spine as I read a paperback. I like that it makes them look loved and read. I know I'm in a minority on this!Sam (Tiny Library)https://www.blogger.com/profile/16375434438465319913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3216081229982312439.post-44324932525400419432014-02-24T11:05:15.517-05:002014-02-24T11:05:15.517-05:00Your upset at this transaction is well warranted. ...Your upset at this transaction is well warranted. I've never purchased a used book online, nor do I own any used books, so I can't weigh in too much on this particular topic. The way you have described this book though sounds like it's well and truly beaten up. <br /><br />It's understandable that books get cracked spines over time, I know a lot of my books get cracked spines in their first usage because those kinds of things don't both me, but rips and see able wear and tear are by no means 'good condition'. <br /><br />I guess it is the same with many online transactions though, there will always be some disappoint. It is just a shame to have duped in to buying something that was not properly advertised. <br /><br />:-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3216081229982312439.post-63029736244059106532014-02-24T10:35:08.810-05:002014-02-24T10:35:08.810-05:00You're probably right, and my experience selli...You're probably right, and my experience selling on the site myself has probably made me more sensitive to and aware of the differences between the quality levels. I take those guidelines seriously though so buyers can know what to expect when their package arrives -- and I would say the vast majority of sellers do follow the rules. In fact, it has happened much more often that I receive a book in better condition than expected, so this this was truly an anomaly.<br /><br />This book also had one of those giant-ass college bookstore USED stickers on the back, so it probably was more heavily read than she was letting on, since she was claiming that in order to read a book at all, you have to crack the spine. THAT attitude was what really surprised me and got me thinking. And any book that has made the rounds at a college, is unlikely to remain in "very good" condition!Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03215797870829907924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3216081229982312439.post-15061285574761577592014-02-24T10:22:38.670-05:002014-02-24T10:22:38.670-05:00Yea, I'm not sure where you bought your book f...Yea, I'm not sure where you bought your book from, but I have learned that Half.com quality rules are much more lenient about markings and highlighting inside a book than damage to the outside -- I guess because it's more obviously visible? All the more reason to favor brick-and-mortar used bookstores going forward, so I can see for myself!Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03215797870829907924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3216081229982312439.post-43206317220982279122014-02-24T10:18:48.342-05:002014-02-24T10:18:48.342-05:00I really like that motto, and you're so right ...I really like that motto, and you're so right -- if she had responded more nicely or if she had simply said "I'm sorry, I'm a new seller and I didn't realize I had listed this book improperly" I probably would have just let it go! I understand the desire to defend your actions, but a simple apology would have been so much more professional. She also kept saying how it was an inexpensive purchase, so she was basically trying to tell me that for the price I paid, I had no right to complain -- but it wasn't about the amount of money spent, it was about her being misleading in her listing by not following the rules, and then not taking responsibility. Oh well, one more reason to help cut back on the book-buying :)Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03215797870829907924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3216081229982312439.post-38519384772757308762014-02-24T10:08:12.579-05:002014-02-24T10:08:12.579-05:00Yea, I always try to resolve problems first before...Yea, I always try to resolve problems first before leaving negative feedback, but it didn't really help much in this case!Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03215797870829907924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3216081229982312439.post-26637698647049152382014-02-24T09:34:04.307-05:002014-02-24T09:34:04.307-05:00I definitely don't consider a ripped cover to ...I definitely don't consider a ripped cover to be "very good" condition or normal wear and tear for a book. If it was just the cracked spines, I'd say you're reading into it too much. But for the cover to be torn and for there to be creases in the cover means this was less than good condition. <br /><br />Also, it sounds like their excuse for the damage was that it was a well-read book. In that case, I wonder why they decided to sell it. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3216081229982312439.post-17689205294293414972014-02-24T06:07:51.976-05:002014-02-24T06:07:51.976-05:00I had a similar experience when a book was apparen...I had a similar experience when a book was apparently 'very good' but was actually filled with highlighting and biro marks. Oddly, though, I don't mind buying battered used books (within reason) but I never break the spines on new books. Interesting post!Elliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09362128444319074118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3216081229982312439.post-56684640885748769702014-02-24T03:43:47.417-05:002014-02-24T03:43:47.417-05:00I've always been a firm believer of "It&#...I've always been a firm believer of "It's not what you say, it's how you say it". I don't mind used books either, but that doesn't mean that when I buy a book, I want to get one. More importantly, I can't stand this kind of defencive, snippy, borderline passive-aggressive attitude by someone who wants me to give them my money. Very unprofessional. Rivhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04561804353287763337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3216081229982312439.post-41212099204929013162014-02-23T16:33:39.276-05:002014-02-23T16:33:39.276-05:00If the cover is damaged or book is separated from ...If the cover is damaged or book is separated from spine that is not excellent condition. I think you have every right to be upset and I hope your feedback of seller reflects thatKimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15658833731713991138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3216081229982312439.post-66763356477555245922014-02-23T15:52:08.507-05:002014-02-23T15:52:08.507-05:00I love local used bookstores so much, and I will d...I love local used bookstores so much, and I will definitely be opting for them more often going forward! It's just too bad these kinds of things happen sometimes which can overshadow all the good experiences.Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03215797870829907924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3216081229982312439.post-16190238433126348122014-02-23T15:49:40.732-05:002014-02-23T15:49:40.732-05:00Cheeky indeed! In my view, the real issue was dish...Cheeky indeed! In my view, the real issue was dishonesty more than the actual damage, but it was the additional comments that really got me thinking (made for an interesting post, at any rate!) Reading what the seller considered "normal" for simply having been read were truly baffling to this book-lover!Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03215797870829907924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3216081229982312439.post-58511397277516600032014-02-23T15:46:12.527-05:002014-02-23T15:46:12.527-05:00Yea, my beat-up Outlander books are definitely a r...Yea, my beat-up Outlander books are definitely a rarity in my collection. Mass market paperback was not the smartest format to get such lengthy tomes in! The newer books in the series I have in trade paperback or hardcover :)Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03215797870829907924noreply@blogger.com