Curling up with a good book is the favorite past time of every reader. Sadly, some new hardback bestsellers can cost as high as $35 per book brand new. Purchasing books on sale at bookstore chains, Sam's Club, or Costco might alleviate the punch to your wallet a little. However, purchasing used books online can reduce the cost per book by more than half, if not more.

So what's the deal with online used bookstores? Consider online bookstores much like an auction. Gently used books are offered at low prices by small businesses and independent booksellers. These vendors must follow guidelines established by the book sale site that functions as a moderator between sellers and buyers. The buyer must pay shipping that is not figured into the advertised price of the book. Many vendors use media mail for affordable shipping at flat rates based on item weight. Delivery is typically within 7-10 days.

Buyers searching for limited edition, out of print books, or collectible books have so many more options using online used bookstores. Consumers are no longer limited to local shops or ordering copies from the large bookstores in their areas.

The Ins and Outs of Online Used Book Stores

A quick Google of used book stores brings up a large list of sites. As with any online shopping, consumers must be aware that their own research makes the difference in their online shopping experience. Used book sites are no different except that the consumer is buying directly from an individual bookseller. Whatever site you choose, always make sure the shopping site is secure. In addition, some sites offer free or reduced-rate shipping so check their offers closely.

Most online book sale sites have a rating feature in which other customers have reviewed the service of that particular seller. Never purchase used books without reading the seller reviews. If a customer has had a problem, this is the place to find out. Many used book sites also offer full customer comments for sellers. Take advantage of others experiences, both good and bad, and save yourself the aggravation of dealing with an unreliable vendor.

Some sites sort items by book title and then list various used books for sale by price. Many vendors have specific comment fields for each book for sale. Here's where you'll find out the condition of the used book. Is it dog-eared, missing it's book jacket, or coffee-stained? Read this section outlining the general condition of the used book. Other sites list their books by conditions such as brand new, like new, very good, good, and acceptable. Prices for each used book should be commensurate with the category.

Some Recommended Sites

Amazon.com is well known for being a premier bookseller on the Web. Unless you look at all the features on the book sale pages, it might not be clear that they also sell used books. Buyers can recognize significant savings by purchasing used books for the latest titles. Amazon lists in-depth seller ratings and shows various used book prices including condition descriptions so the buyer can make an educated choice.

Half.com is the used book, CD, and DVD portion of ebay.com. This site divides their used books into categories by condition and features feedback scores from buyers on various sellers. This site also shows related items on e-bay so buyers can compare prices. Some sellers offer optional upgrades on shipping to speed delivery. Half.com requires membership to make purchases.

Barnes and Noble, the big store book seller, has recently gotten into the online used book selling business. It's lucrative and one more vendor in the mix can only mean good things for the consumer. Barnesandnoble.com works very much like Amazon.com, functioning as an intermediary between buyers and sellers.

Allbookstores.com is a wonderful site that actually compares prices for a given book title at two dozen different online bookstores. This site allows you to see an overview of sites offering the used book for purchase to make your decision. Allbookstores generates a "compare" list that shows availability, item price, shipping charges with days, and computes the total cost for the customer, all before any purchase is made.

So it's no longer necessary for avid readers to restrict themselves to just 2-3 new books per month due to the high cost of new books. Save some money and start buying your books used online. You just might be able to purchase that brand new bestseller from someone who paid full price for the book!