I can't believe it's taken me so long but I've finally discovered the most useful, fabulous, fantastic website ever (sorry FB, Twitter, Amazon, Alexcaseybaby.com... ok, well, maybe not ever). At least in the world of books, this is one serious find.
Get this - PaperBackSwap.com gives users the opportunity to trade books with one another - FOR FREE!
I mean, consider the alternatives: I myself am a library geek but I must say, I hate waiting for my holds to come in. It could take months before my requested reading gets to me and then I have to pick it up and make sure it's returned on time. Amazon (or any book store) remedies the waiting part, but I'm shelling out thousands of dollars per year on books that get read and then add to the clutter in my house. So PaperBackSwap.com is truly the best solution to my book dilemma!
It works like this: you sign up and post 10 books to the site that you are prepared to trade. Once you list 10, you are awarded two free credits, each good for one book. People "order" books from you - you are prompted to respond that you can or cannot ship said book (some people have conditions like: "I have an allergy to mold - if your book is moldy or old, please do not send." You then either proceed with the shipping or not). The system evenallows senders to print the postage from their computer along with the shipping label. You then wrap the book in the computer paper label and give it to your mail-person. Only catch is that the sender pays shipping (around $3 typically) but when you order books, they are completely free to you!
So, since yesterday I've listed 15 books and shipped six. Not bad for day one. Now I just need to stop shipping and start shopping!
I've been using swaptree for a year or so. Similar, but CDs, DVDs and video games can also be traded.
Posted by: 3carnations | May 01, 2009 at 04:09 PM