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Paperback swap
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I thought I would just add this as it’s own thread for others. So I have a question. I signed in .. a breeze. I wanted to search for a couple books I am looking for and they popped up.. now what? How do I get them if I have no credits? I didn’t see a place for purchase, or something of the sort. Am I missing something? Thanks for the help. Misty
You need to have credits in order to request the books. They will give you 2 free credits for the first 10 books you list. List those books you are willing to get rid of. If someone asks for one of your books you mail it off and receive another credit for sending that book. You can create a wish list of books you want and as they get posted you will be offered them, depending on your place in line.
They recently opened a marketplace where you can buy books without having credits, but I’ve found Amazon to be cheaper if you’re actually having to buy.
I keep my eyes open at thrift stores and book sales for books I know others might want and use those for swapping too.
Heather
No, no, you can purchase credits, and Amazon is not cheaper! Click on “PBS Kiosk” to purchase credits. You can get 3 for about $10, still cheaper than just the shipping on an Amazon Marketplace book! Cheapest is to list and mail off books, but average cost for buying credits is just over $3.
The books in the marketplace are not cheaper than Amazon, for the most part. I’ve seen them at $6 or 7 dollars plus shipping (about $3.45). While the shipping is cheaper than Amazon, most of the books are not. But I guess it depends on the book.
I didn’t realize you could buy credits – I always have a ton of books to trade. I just cleaned off one bookcase and found a ton of stuff to swap. Their whole Pokemon collection, the Bionicle books, lots of twaddley picture books….
I’ve bought credits a few times. If I can get the book brand new for less than $5 I usually won’t *buy* a credit for that.
I have found so many good books on PBS. I’ve never been disappointed with the books I’ve received either!!
~Audrey
For international book lovers, I want to put in a plug for Book Mooch. I’ve been using it for just a few months now and have already received several great books for our homeschool.
So I have a question.. when listing books.. I have 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade A Beka Books the readers I want to get rid of. Would I list them as “sets” or seperately? Thanks Misty..
Then to so I total understand cause for me I like to know.. I pay the cheapest way to send the book they want and when they get it they mark a credit to my book. When I get a book they take away a credit?
Ok so I put in 12 books, my 2 credits are there and when I went to my account page.. AHH I have 3 waiting to check credits?? Does that mean they are on someones wish list and if they have credits.. how will I know.. I send them to thme?? Does it send me there address.. Now I feel scared..
!!!! MistyHaving browsed the paperback swap site in the past and not fully understanding how it worked until now, I am so glad that it was reposted as an option not only for collecting but also as a way of sharing our books with other’s.
I purchased some *credits* and ordered 3 books that I needed, which was super easy and quick! Then I found 10 books to swap, which was way easier than I expected and received my 2 credits for 2 more books.
And, after searching high and low in our area for the 3 books I need and after comparing amazon’s prices, it was cheaper to buy the credits this time around:) And, I love amazon, goodwill, library, etc. It’s just another great option out there for those of us trying to acquire hard to find books. Thanks for the great info.
OK, Misty. Yes, your credits are taken away when you “order” a book. It is restored if something happens, like the person cancels or the book gets lost in the mail. You get those free credits for listing your book, and for each book you send out. You can choose the cheapest way–do check especially with small books, as sometimes first class can be cheaper! (the mailing label you print out will usually say “Media Mail” rate, but I always have the person weigh it and check for me if it is small!) If you have books in a series, list them all separately–you get more credits that way! You receive your new credit 1) when the person who receives the book marks it received–they get reminded to do this by the site, btw OR 2) if you pay the postage on the site, you can get “delivery confirmation” and then you get the credit as soon as you mail the book. But it costs a little more–I rarely do it that way.
I’m not sure what you mean by waiting to check credits. If someone actually ORDERS your book, you will get an email. Then you go to the site, mark when you can mail the book, and print the mailing label. If you still have a question about what you see, maybe if you describe it a little more I can help. You can PM me if you like.
Michelle
I think what it means is that someone has your book on their wishlist, but the member needs to confirm they have enough credits. So the system has sent an email to the person and if they want it, the system will send YOU an email saying the person does in fact want it and can you send it? Then you reply that you can mail it, or not. Figure out how you want to mail it (either by printing postage from home or taking it to the post office) and send it off.
When you reply that you do in fact want to mail it (after they send you an official email) you will be given their address.
It’s really rather easy – after the first time or two you’ll be a pro and wrapping books in under 30 seconds like Bookworm!!!
Heather
What are you “wrapping” your books in? Like brown paper bags using packing tape?
Here’s the message in “my account” : Reserved On: 4/8/10 12:21 PM ET
Status: Waiting 48 hours for other member to confirm that they have credit(s) for this book. SO that just means I wait for an email to say they have the credits and the “email” will have steps to follow for the mailing lable. You are all great to type me through this! Yup, you just wait.
OK. Here’s what I use for various wrapping. For trade-size paperbacks (that ubiquitous common paperback size) I wrap in saran wrap, then I use the two-sheet wrapper that you print off on the PBS site, then I use clear packing tape over the package. This is the one I can do in less than thirty seconds. 🙂 I can use the tape over the whole package because I add on my postage usually at the grocery store down the block. If you print PBS postage, you CANNOT tape over it.
For other books–hardcovers, I use brown paper bags or brown postal paper. I usually put the book inside a plastic grocery bag, tape it shut, wrap in brown paper, tape and then tape the ONE-PAGE PBS wrapper over the top of the package.
For odd-sized books, like the little inexpensive paperback Golden Books, I save mailing envelopes from things people mail to me, stick them in that, tape the one-page PBS wrapper over it.
I try to use as much recycled material as I can to keep the cost down. The one thing I really believe in is lots of packing tape! I’ve never gotten a damaged or wet book that was well-taped.
Michelle D
Bookworm you are to funny.. you made me laugh.. I can just imagine you taping and wraping books to be sent off!! But I put 40 books into my post and I requested just one to see how it goes!! Yeppie I think I did it.
Misty,
PBS is so much fun! My mom was cleaning out some things today and was getting rid of books. I told her not to throw them away or give them away. When she asked why, I told her that she would be giving her grandchildren wonderful homeschooling books by “donating” her books to my PBS bookshelf! It was funny!
I have just “ordered” the first two Little House books. Last week I ordered The Swiss Family Robinson. I’m so excited! Really, this is so much better than Amazon or Half.com. I love it!
Happy Swapping,
Lindsey
!!!! Misty
me through this! 
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