book search
if you want a particular book that is not on any of my lists and
that is old, used, out of print or collectable, chances are that somebody, somewhere,
might have a copy for sale.
I can rummage through all the titles that I have uncatalogued,
check with my contacts, then run a global search.
if I find the title you requested, I immediately reserve it and
notify you to see if it is what you want.
if it isn't, or you no longer want it, or you want something
different, that's fine.
none of this costs you anything.
time-scale
many titles have to be sourced overseas, a) because it's a bigger
market-place, and b) because relatively few UK suppliers have adopted the Internet, and
conventional trade searches may take weeks/months.
I offer a keen service: many people are amazed when I contact
them within hours, to advise that I have located the book they have been chasing for
years. It happens.
realistically, the typical success-rate is better than 50%, and
the average time-frame is around 2½ months.
in any event, I shall continue the search for a title,
indefinitely, or until you tell me to stop.
all of this is part of an ongoing service; and none of
this costs you a penny.
what's involved
the cost comes only when I find a suitable book, and you want to buy it -- just as you
would in a shop.
the cost usually has 2 elements:
- the price of the book from the dealer
- shipping and handling costs
book price
depends on the price quoted by the dealer.
sometimes there is no choice, if only a single copy is found; other times I will weigh
the charges involved, the class and condition you have requested and whether other books
are obtainable from the same supplier.
shipping
covers mailing, packaging and insurance, if applicable.
inland UK postage is at cost; surface mailing is cheapest from overseas, but may take
several weeks (up to 12 weeks is cited by some suppliers); airmail is quickest at 4-7
days, and usually charged at cost (typically UKP7), but some dealers operate a blanket
charge up to US$20.
I try to arrange delivery direct from the source, avoiding additional UK postage; most
dealers are happy to oblige.
payment
although detailed above, few charges appear remarkable when set against the acquisition
of an otherwise unobtainable title, and not all apply to most transactions anyway; and
until we clever humans have developed a universal currency and teleportation (each as
likely as the other), we are stuck with them.
and so, when you are happy with the details of a book and comfortable with the price, I
will secure it and purchase on your behalf.
I then expect payment in UKPounds or USDollars, by whatever method (I don't care,
as long as I get it!); simultaneously, I despatch the goods.
guarantees
as an honoured (I think), member of the International Book Dealers Association, I am
obliged to offer specific assurances to clients that I may never see, and that assuredly
may not want to know me, otherwise I am liable to be summarily discharged without honour;
these are:
- Accurate book-condition descriptions with guaranteed satisfaction.
a 30 day, money-back, guarantee is provided for inaccurate grading or descriptions.
- Proper identification of books sold as 1st edition.
a 60 day, money-back, guarantee is provided for mis-identified books.
- Attention to customer service, and prompt dispute settlement.
I never dispute. You get your money back, if the book is not what you want!
as for the rest, rarely are books not as described; most dealers are jealous of their
reputations.
I know I am: word travels faster on the Internet!
and
that's all there is to it; except for ...
... details I need
and the first customer, who gets them all correct, wins ...
... a free, signed, 1st edition of my obituary -- posthumously!
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