New or Used?

EC2 · Post by **EC2** » Tue October 26th, 2010, 5:23 pm

I buy used books if they are out of print and I need them for reference and I buy fiction if it is out of print and I want to read it.

I borrow books from the library and I read a lot of new titles courtesy of Amazon Vine these days. I buy fiction new if it's an auto buy author or I am buying for presents. I always buy novels as stocking fillers at Christmas and birthdays for those in my family who have an eclectic love of reading.

I never buy second hand in print books since the authors do not receive royalties on them. Mostly the sales are made to people who would not buy the book new in the first place, and of course the author has had the royalty the first time around, so I can see both sides of the coin, but it's my personal moral compass never to buy an in print work of fiction or non fiction second hand. Out of print is fair dos.

Sharz · Post by **Sharz** » Tue October 26th, 2010, 7:39 pm

I always bought new until two years ago, when I had to cut expenses. When I analyzed how much we spent at the bookstore/online, I was stunned. Cut WAY back. I go about 70% used / 30% new. Mostly swaps. And since going to (mostly) used, I've found a whole world of OOP HF that was completely oblivious to before.

Madeleine · Post by **Madeleine** » Wed October 27th, 2010, 11:39 am

I'm about 75/25 - I buy new if it's a book that's just come out, however if I discover a new author or have a book recommendation then I'll basically seek out the best price for it; if there's a reasonably-priced new copy then I'll buy it new, but if there are well-priced used copies which are promised to be in good condition then I'll buy one of those.
this is partly due to financial constraints, but also if those are the only copies available (used), which is often the case with an author's backlist.

Eigon · Post by **Eigon** » Mon November 1st, 2010, 8:17 pm

Since I live in the town of second hand books, and work in a second hand bookshop, it's almost against my religion to buy new books!
However, I will make an exception for authors I really admire - Phil Rickman's Merrily Watkins series (and spin offs about the local area) for example, or books that I know are unlikely to turn up easily second hand, like the wonderful book I have on Medieval Wales.

Eigon · Post by **Eigon** » Mon November 1st, 2010, 8:21 pm

Here are a couple of interesting websites on the subject:
CE Journal at http://www.cejournal.net
Skeptical Science at http://www.skepticalscience.com