I have had similar experiences. When I look at the range of used copies
for sale, the prices generally hover in the same area, except for those
sellers who, for example, price a $30 book for $1,200. I avoid these
sellers, because I figure that they don't actually have the book in
stock, so the price covers the labor they will expend in finding it. I
also stay away from sellers whose descriptions say only "... millions of
books sold, thousands of satisfied customers, ..." and lack any comments
particular to the copy being offered. If they won't tell me about the
copy they have, then how do I know that it is worth buying? Do they
think we are stupid?
I had a very strange experience once. I no longer recall all of the
details but here's basically what happened: I ordered a book from an
Amazon Marketplace seller. It took a long time to come, and when it
did, it was hand-delivered by a Lehigh faculty member who had listed his
copy for sale on half.com. Apparently my Marketplace seller didn't
really have it, so he went to half.com to get it and had that other
seller drop-ship it to me. Since his office was in a building nearby,
the drop-ship amounted to his walking into my office and dropping it on
my desk! This stuff makes my hair hurt!
On 5/11/2011 10:33 AM, Chris McNevins wrote:
Interesting article about algorithmic pricing....
http://www.michaeleisen.org/blog/?p=358
On a similar note, when dealing with Marketplace vendors you really
need to do your homework.
I recently tried to purchase the first ed. of /Characterization Tests
for Objects of Art and Archaeology /at $169.95 from an Amazon
Marketplace vendor/. /The vendor emailed me back and said that he
didn't have the 1^st edition but he could offer me the 2^nd edition at
the same price. Foolishly I said yes without doing a further
investigation. I received the 2^nd edition not from the Marketplace
vendor but directly from Amazon.ca. The packing list stated that the
price was 58.59 CN for the book. The vendor ordered the book from
Amazon.ca and had it shipped to me at over $100 mark-up! When I
checked this title again on amazon.com, the 2^nd edition was readily
available at $56.85. I returned the book and was refunded for the
book but got socked $16.95 for the return postage (which was
subsequently reimbursed). I gave the vendor a horrible review. I was
later contacted by the vendor who pleaded with me to revoke my
review. After giving him an earful about fair pricing I caved and
retracted the review (what can I say? I'm a pansy) I see that this
vendor still has the 1^st edition listed even though I KNOW he doesn't
have it in his possession.
Moral of the story:
1) buyer beware
2) never solely rely on ISBN searches in Amazon---there may be a
newer edition lurking out there
What a racket!!! I know now how I'll be financing my retirement....
(only kidding, although it IS tempting....)
Chris McN
________________________________________
*Chris McNevins*| ACQUISITIONSCOORDINATOR
UNIVERSITYOFCONNECTICUT| HOMERBABBIDGE LIBRARY
369 Fairfield Way Unit 2005AM | Storrs, CT 06269-2005 USA
*PH*: 860-486-3842 | *FX*: 860-486-6493 |*EMAIL*:
chris.mcnev...@uconn.edu <mailto:chris.mcnev...@uconn.edu>
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