Buy Books Online

Those who are interested in increasing their book collection but do not have the luxury of time to spend scouring brick-and-mortar bookstores might wish to check out virtual bookstores or those online shops that offer books for sale and other products on the internet.

Online Book Buying Tips

Shopping online is not only convenient; it is also hassle-free, as one is just a click away from the book(s) that they want. In addition, some books that are sold online are sometimes rare and limited in print; as such, leaving them in the public is a big no-no as this might damage the value and integrity of the book. With that said, as in all buy and sell activities, some things should be noted. This can help prevent problems from happening and ruin one’s buying experience. Listed below are some tips to consider before buying books online.

How To Buy Books Safely

The first tip when buying online is to check the seller’s background or history. This is usually an indication of whether the seller delivers on their promises, can be relied on in terms of the accuracy of the product, and communicates well with the buyer. One can usually find this info on the feedback page or comments by previous buyers.

The next thing to consider is to ask for an actual photo of the item that the seller is selling. This is important as some sellers would only display stock photos and as such, buyers are not aware of the actual condition of the item. More often than not, authentic sellers would post actual photos of the item and would snap a shot if the buyer asked for another picture. Asking for some details like the paper condition, edges of the book, book cover or jacket, and any missing pages is essential especially if one is thinking of buying rare artifacts or limited edition books. Remember that any unnatural condition to the book would diminish its value.

One should also ask the seller about their terms, and policies for return and refund in case there is a problem with the item. Some sellers would allow the return of the merchandise; however, the buyer often shoulders the shipping cost while others provide free returns within a specified amount of time. Do remember that books from international sellers might require one to pay customs duties as well as other additional charges.

Safety in Transactions

If the seller is new, one can ask if they can do meet-ups in a public place. This way, one is assured that the seller is authentic, and since it is in a public place, one can ask for help if needed. However, it is prudent to bring someone along just to make sure that one is safe. Check the books thoroughly to ensure that this is the right book that both are talking about. For those who are collecting rare books, ask for a certificate authenticating the book, chances are, genuine sellers would be able to show a certificate of the authenticity of the book as well as the body or organization that authenticated the item.

On the other hand, those who are inclined to buy e-books, make sure to buy only from authorized sellers to support the authors. Some do offer free previews of their books so one can try them out before buying the whole book. Last, but not least, is the payment procedure determined by the seller. Ask how to go about with your payment. Some companies would allow cash on delivery, check payments, and even postal or cashier checks. Other sites also offer electronic payment, which is a great payment method as one can get their money back if the seller proves to be fraudulent.