USATODAY.com - Get best-sellers on the cheap at Internet's used bookstores Classifieds: Cars Home News Travel Money Sports Life Tech Weather | Jobs | Dating | Shopping Posted 10/28/2005 12:01 AM Search Related Advertiser Links Tech Products Products home Edward C. Baig What's this? Get best-sellers on the cheap at Internet's used bookstores Gaming Gaming home Arcade Jinny Gudmundsen Marc Saltzman Wireless Center Hotspot finder Wi-Fi primer Columnists Columnists index April Holladay Andrew Kantor Kim Komando Kevin Maney More Tech Hot Sites Tech briefs Ask Kim Komando Science & Space RSS feeds Classifieds Marketplace Arcade Music Shopping Special Offer Newspaper Classifieds How would you like to buy today's best-selling books for 30% or 40% off the suggested retail price? You can on the Internet as long as you don't mind buying a "slightly used" copy. There's hardly a wait because used copies of best-sellers are often available just a few days after their release. (Related item: Ask Kim) Big online retailer Amazon (www.amazon.com) lists used books alongside new ones. On a book's product page, there's usually a link for used copies. It lists the number of available copies and a starting price. Click the link to see what's available. Sellers list the price and condition, along with special notes. You buy used books the same way you buy new ones. Amazon processes the payments and the seller ships the book directly to you. If you're skeptical about a seller, review the rating and comments left by other buyers. Amazon isn't the only game in town. Alibris (www.alibris.com) specializes in used and new books. It connects independent booksellers to buyers. Again, the book's condition is listed along with other notes. The selection is impressive. Abebooks (www.abebooks.com) and Barnes and Noble (www. barnesandnoble.com) are similar to Alibris. Sellers are independent booksellers. None of these sites takes possession of the books. They simply facilitate the transactions. Powell's Books (www.powells.com) also has a separate used section. It's like a traditional book store. Copies are shipped http://www.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/kimkomando/2005-10-28-used-books_x.htm (1 of 2)10/28/2005 1:05:44 AM E-Mail Newsletters Sign up to receive our free Tech enewsletter and get the latest tech news, Hot Sites & more in your inbox. E-mail: Go Select one: Text HTML USATODAY.com - Get best-sellers on the cheap at Internet's used bookstores directly from the store. You also can try eBay (www.ebay.com) if you feel like bidding. Or eBay's subsidiary, Half.com (www.half.com), lists items at a predetermined price. Books are grouped by condition, and sellers can leave special notes for buyers. Most people who buy from these sites are looking to buy recent releases at deep discounts, but you also can find old classics. Avid collectors peruse these sites looking for rare books. The rare ones are easy to spot because they have hefty price tags. If you're a student or know one, many of these sites sell used textbooks, which can add up to considerable savings, too. You also might want to sell your slightly used books. Amazon, Half.com and eBay make it easy. Commissions are low, so you'll likely make more than at your local used bookstore. Amazon has a "Sell Yours Here" link on product pages. Click the link and set your price. Amazon charges 99 cents, plus15 percent of the sales price and a low closing fee (usually less than $1). You get a credit to cover shipping. You pay when your book sells. Half.com takes a percentage of the selling price. It varies based on the price range. For items under $50, it's 15%. Half.com reimburses you for shipping. Ebay charges a listing fee and a percentage of the sale. Fees are tiered; consult eBay's fees page for details. Komando hosts a national talk radio show about computers and the Internet. Go to www.komando.com to subscribe to her e-mail newsletter or find a station near that broadcasts her radio program. E-mail her at [email protected]. Related advertising links What's this? Place your ad here Subscribe Today: Home Delivery of USA TODAY - Save 35% USATODAY.com partners: USA Weekend Sports Weekly Education NOW Personal Technology Home Travel News Money Sports Life Tech Space.com USA TODAY Weather Resources: Mobile news Site map FAQ Contact us E-mail news Jobs with us Internships Terms of service Privacy policy Media kit Press room Add USATODAY.com RSS feeds © Copyright 2005 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc. http://www.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/kimkomando/2005-10-28-used-books_x.htm (2 of 2)10/28/2005 1:05:44 AM