Why join a book swap club? Here are some potential advantages.
a. Save the cost of new books. I read pretty fast and don't want to spend the money to buy lots of new books (you know what they cost)!
b. Avoid library waiting lists. The library system in my area just does not offer all of the books I am interested in. Sometimes I have to wait for a very long time to get one of the new popular books.
c. Have access to books that the library might never have or might discard. The library pulls books off the shelves if they are not checked out frequently, which means a lot of older books are not available. Books also go out of print. If an out of print book wears out or is stolen, it can not be replaced.
d. Avoid trips to multiple used book stores. The selection of books in one particular used book store is often rather small.
Many internet book swap clubs are available. Before joining one, visit the various web sites (see resources below for an incomplete list). What features does it offer? Here are some items to consider:
a. Does the club include only paperbacks? only hardbacks? Are other items such as CDs, DVDs, or video games also traded?
b. Does each book count for one other book of the same type? of different types? Does the age and condition of the book affect the number of books you will receive in trade for it?
c. Can you buy books instead of trading for them? Can you offer bonus books or other incentives to encourage people to order books from you instead of others? Do you need to participate in blogs or forums to bring your books to people's attention?
d. What are the book condition requirements? For example, do they accept books with underlining? Do hard back books have to have dust jackets? Does the seller need to rate the quality of the book (such as fair, good, better, best)?
e. Can you pose any conditions on the books you will accept? Can you order books from a smoke free environment? From a cat free environment?
f. How is the swap made? Do you provide a list of books you want which is then matched by the computer without requiring you to contact the book owners? Do individuals contact each other based on information in a database? Is there a minimum number of books you must list for trade? Instead of taking a book in trade after you have sent one, can you sell your credits? Can you buy other people's credits?
g. Can you remove a book from your trade list or want list if you change your mind? Can you add more books to your trade list or want list at any time? Can you stop trading for a period of time without losing your membership and your credits?
h. How soon do you have to send the book after you get a request?
i. How is the postage paid for? Does the book owner pay the postage, or is it paid by the person receiving the book? Does the book club sell you postage on line? Is insurance and/or a book delivery notice required? Does the book club charge any handling fees?
j. What happens if the book you order does not arrive, or arrives in bad shape? If you send the book but the buyer says it never arrived or arrived in bad shape? Is there a central arbitration service? Do buyers and sellers rate each other?
k. Can you keep a book instead of trading it again, or are you required to list it again for trade after a certain amount of time?
You may be wondering where you can find a good local source of books so you can keep swapping if you don't want to trade back some of the new books you receive in trade. You can:
a. Purchase new books at a book store (hopefully on sale)
b. Buy new books online
c. Buy used books at a used book store
d. Buy books at a thrift store
If you buy books, keep the book club condition requirements in mind. It is of course ok to buy books that don't meet those conditions, but be fully aware that these are "one shot" purchases. You can't trade them after you read them! When looking at used books, there is often little extra cost to avoid forbidden books such as (depending on the club requirements) those with underlining, torn covers, stains, interior writing, loose pages, etc. If you have to pay the postage, you might also want to consider how heavy the book is!
Read the book before swapping! The important thing to keep in mind is to read your books before you swap them. That way you get two books for the price of one. If you buy books just to trade them, you take the chance that no one will want that book and you will be stuck with it. Of course you can swap books that were given to you as presents or that you bought if it turns out you don't like them and can't get through them!
Another great benefit of book swapping clubs is that book recycling is a great way to save the earth's resources! Kill less trees!