Um, no.

[novapsyche]

Upon advice given in ann_arbor_ypsi, I decided to go to Dawn Treader to see if I could sell some books. The majority fit their "wanted" criteria: modern, first-edition hardbacks, skewed toward academic titles. One, The Revolutionary Kant, is a trade paperback that normally sells for $60. All in all, I toted nine books up a hill and over six city blocks.

The guy at the counter said the store's usual buyer was upstairs, touring a new employee; he didn't know how long the person would be. He then offered to quote me a price, as he was a "backup buyer". I made the mistake of telling him that I was moving when he asked me if I wanted cash or store credit.

He looked at my books and offered me about a dollar each. I looked dubious. He split the pile into titles he particularly wanted and those he didn't; however, he didn't indicate a difference in price, so I assumed it would still be $1/ea. Another person had lined up behind me, so I felt rushed; I said, "Can I think about it?" I collected my books back into my bag.

The guy said I could try selling them at "a yard sale" (didn't mention eBay once). No thanks, dude.

Comments

[simianpower.livejournal.com]

Yeah, Dawn Treader SUCKS in that regard. They buy for shit prices and sell for about 75% of cover price. They even have the gall to sell older books, that originally sold for $0.75 for like $4-7.

The bookstore I go to is in Warren. I used to work there. There's a single, easy policy: you get 1/2 cover price in store credit, purchases are at 1/2 cover price + $0.50. That's it. She has special types of credit for scifi, mystery, and a couple of others, but those credits can be used for "general" purchases as well. She generally has only newer books, from say the last four or five years, but her scifi section has stuff that's been out of print for decades. I miss having a place with such a simple, reasonable policy around. She makes good money because she doesn't rip off her customers. I almost never go to DT because I can't stand their greed.

[novapsyche.livejournal.com]

That's a great policy. I'll keep that in mind.

Let me know the next time you are thinking of going up there.