Down Mulberry Lane

Paperback swap... bargain or no?

I've been signed up to Paperback Swap  for a while now.  At first I really wondered if it was worth the trouble!

I maybe made the mistake of listing 50 items during that first week I signed up.  I wanted to get a set of 5 books for my daughter and by signing up you got two credits, so I needed 3 more.   I wanted to increase my chances of getting these books, BEFORE they were gone.  I was lucky and in the first week, I had takers for 4 of my books.  I was able to get the 5 book set that I wanted (with the freebie credits).  I did leave my list of 50 books up there and Dh gave me permission to list his old comic books cuz they were just collecting dust, especially if I could pick up books for the homeschooling, he was fine with that. 

I have had 17 books requested so far.  Great!  But I have to realize that each time a book is requested... I am paying the postage for those books to be sent out.  Most are around $2.13, but some have been as much as $3-4 and a couple as low as $.80.  I didn't track the postage on the first 13 books, but thought I would start.  I have 4 books tracked for postage. 

I have gotten some nice books in exchange and when I get it for homeschooling, it is a valuable trade in my opinion.  I didn't have to buy it for a price plus shipping, just the shipping.  I have saved quite a bit.  The Paperback swap site tracks how many books you have received and figures your savings at around $4.50 a book.  I'm not sure this is totally accurate, but a savings is being had. 

I am tempted however to swap for "interesting books!"  Books I don't need and books I likely won't get around to reading for quite some time.  And books I could easily borrow from the library.  To me that is making the swap more costly.  That is like buying a pop at the convenience store or a fancy coffee drink that I really don't need and could likely wait until I was home.  Going debt free really is making me examine my motives with alot of things.  Sure some things in life are nice... and yet, we can get carried away in thinking we deserve to have things even when really money doesn't allow for such niceties... especially on a regular basis.   I have to watch my contentment factor.  Am I doing this because I am discontent?  Or am I doing it out of need, desire, or creating a hobby?   Do I have time and expense to do this long term and participate financially without taking money from the regular budget? 

For the time being, it is helpful.  It is ridding clutter of books we don't read and I have been unable to sell.  It also has allowed me opportunity to build our homeschool library a bit and also afford me the ability to get some self help books I have been wanting to get (that would help me down the road) that I just wasn't willing to pay $10-15 a book for.    I will have to guard my heart in upcoming days and watch and see if this activity is continuing to be worthy of its time and expense. 

Warmly,

~Melissa

Untitled Comment

12:07 AM, April 23, 2008 .. Posted by dhcfarm

very interesting thoughts. I've thought about joining the book swap, but I keep hesitating. I've been pretty lucky finding books at garage sales, especially homeschool books. I'm still hesitant to try the book swap.

Hugs & Blessings!
Susan
http://www.susangodfrey.blogspot.com

Thank you!

7:54 AM, May 1, 2008 .. Posted by reginaclarejane

I've been wondering myself about PBS... I really do have loads of books that I could get rid of but I am not sure whether to do it this way as opposed to just donating the books...? It's a dilemma for me. I really do love books and the thought that I could get some books for free is enticing, but as you said, what is the real motivation behind this...
Could you give any more thoughts sometime on your experience with PBS?
:)