Amazon's new and used books

[gmw]

Does anyone know where/what/how Amazon's new and used books listing comes from? I'm talking about the additional buying choices you see when you select a particular product. I had always thought they must have been legitimate alternative purchase possibilities for new and used copies but ...

The paperback version of my book is finally starting to appear, and almost as soon as it did Amazon started to show alternative locations where you could buy the book, including 1 used copy. Curious, I went directly to those websites and searched for my ISBN ... nada. One of the "new" places was The Book Depository, which I've been checking regularly anyway because it should show there eventually (I hope), and it definitely hasn't had my book at all yet. So where are these things coming from?

I'm not really complaining. I imagine it's probably a good thing for a book to look like it's had sales even when it hasn't. But it did make me curious.

[kennyc]

There is any number of scams and near-scams related to that. I've seen/heard of ebook only authors finding their books available in print (sometimes at outrageous prices).

I think there was a discussion of it here somewhere.... sorry I don't have a link...

[frahse]

gmw,

There are shams on the used books. (They offer to sell one before they own it. You order it, and they will buy it, receive it, and ship it to you for high price.)

[mr ploppy]

They're all over Ebay as well. Not really worth worrying about unless you object to someone else making money out of you. If anyone does buy one you'll still get your cut from Amazon, and I always get a bit of a boost in ebook sales when one of mine goes on Ebay so readers obviously aren't as daft as those sellers think.

[frahse]

Originally Posted by mr ploppy

They're all over Ebay as well. Not really worth worrying about unless you object to someone else making money out of you. If anyone does buy one you'll still get your cut from Amazon, and I always get a bit of a boost in ebook sales when one of mine goes on Ebay so readers obviously aren't as daft as those sellers think.

There is nothing to keep you from doing the same thing on your own book.
In fact, you could put in the description "signed by author, real collectors item. ((Really High Price))"

[VydorScope]

Yep... I have see my FREE book listed for hundreds of dollars. I contact Amazon about it, they said they would look into it, and later it disappeared. But really do people pay that kind of money for a book from an unknown author? Am I missing out on something?

[andreabc]

Originally Posted by gmw

One of the "new" places was The Book Depository, which I've been checking regularly anyway because it should show there eventually (I hope), and it definitely hasn't had my book at all yet.

I once noticed that Book Depository had a book listed through Amazon that wasn't listed on their regular site. I asked about it on twitter and they quickly updated their website to show it available there as well.

[gmw]

Whatever it is, it seems to be quite variable. The first day showed items more expensive than Amazon, has later dropped back in price.

I have seen a "legitimate" reseller here in Australia selling my paperback for $8 over the RRP - I feel like writing to them and asking for my cut. I checked out a few other books and they're over-pricing lots of books, even traditionally published stuff. Maybe it's so they can offer "free delivery".

andreabc, thanks for that note. I know quite a few people who purchase through The Book Depository, so they're definitely one of the places I want to be available.

[frahse]

Originally Posted by VydorScope

Yep... I have see my FREE book listed for hundreds of dollars. I contact Amazon about it, they said they would look into it, and later it disappeared. But really do people pay that kind of money for a book from an unknown author? Am I missing out on something?

Doggone it. So that is why that book disappeared. I was about to punch the 1 click.

If you want to know what people will do, check your "spam email file." Wonderful letters from Nigeria, etc. They wouldn't send those out if no one ever took them up on it.