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           Book Search


Details of what we can do to get you a book, what's involved and what we need to find it.


In response to the many queries we get with enquiries, the following notes on searching for titles should prove useful. Mind, we don't expect everybody to read them, still less to digest, and we am just as happy sending snappy replies by e-mail!

NB However, please note the free BookSearch facility applies to UK only and to books in the English or Welsh language & published in the UK.

 

 

book search

if you want a particular book which we do not list, and that is old, used, out of print or collectable, chances are that somebody, somewhere, might have a copy for sale.

we can rummage through all the titles that we have not yet catalogued, check with our trade contacts, then run a global search.

if we find the title you requested, we try to 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 Ok.

none of this costs you anything.

time-scale

some titles may have to be sourced overseas, a) because it's a bigger market-place, and b) because many UK trade suppliers have not adopted the Internet, and conventional trade enquiries may take weeks/months.

we offer a keen service: many people are amazed when our girls contact them within hours to advise that we 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 2 months.

in any event, we shall include the title on current search lists for one month, or until you tell us to stop.

all of this is part of our ongoing service; and none of this costs you a penny.

what's involved

the cost comes only when we 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 we 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 cited by some suppliers); airmail is quickest at 4-7 days, and usually charged at cost (typically GBP7), but some dealers operate a blanket charge up to US$20.

we usually arrange delivery direct from the source, avoiding additional UK postage; most dealers are happy to oblige.

payment

while detailed above, such charges appear trifling 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 device (neither more likely than the other), we are stuck with them.

and so, when you are happy with the details of a book and comfortable with the price, we will secure it and purchase on your behalf.

we then expect payment in GBPounds,  by whatever method (don't care, so long as we get it!); simultaneously, we despatch the goods.

guarantees

as an honoured (they say), member of the International Book Dealers Association, Dustybooks is obliged to offer specific assurances to customers that we never see; these are:

  1. accurate book description and genuine condition.
    a 30 day, money-back, guarantee is provided for inaccurate grading or descriptions.
  2. proper identification of books sold as 1st edition.
    a 60 day, money-back, guarantee is provided for mis-identified books.
  3. close attention to customer service, and prompt dispute settlement.

We 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: blame travels faster than fame on the Internet!

and

that's all there is to it; except for ...


... the details we need

looks a lot, but only the title, price, name, phone number and email address are essential, but the rest is helpful (sometimes pivotal).

Book Title in full most useful
Author preferably correct spelling very useful
Category i.e. fiction, biography even more helpful
Subject if non-fiction & not obvious just as helpful
Publisher if known
Year published likewise
Cover hardback, softback what you require
Edition / Condition 1st, signed, any what you require
Price Ceiling no point in us going after books beyond your budget - please enter an approximate price or price range including the currency. E.g. £20 or $30 - $50
Delivery to which country?
Your name
Notes or Comments anything else? could be very useful.
Phone Number for query & authorisation crucial
Email: please do not use Hotmail - find out why
E-mail Address for a quicker response most useful

and the first customer, who gets them all correct, wins ...

... a free, signed, 1st edition of my obituary -- posthumously!


[ Last updated 15 November 2012 ] 

 

All prices are in £ pounds sterling with $ dollar approximations. Most bookplates and minor inscriptions are ignored.
Unless otherwise stated, all titles are published in the UK and are octavo size ( 8" x 6" or larger.)

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