6 Online Used Book Stores and Sellers
Online Booksellers
As I prepared a hub about books I recommend, I realized I had better check which are in print or out-of-print, and from where can one buy them? My test criterion was that all of the below sellers must have in stock the out-of-print child’s book: “How to turn war into peace.” This is what I discovered.
AbeBooks
As far as I can tell, this store sells books and ONLY books. On the Home page,it offers textbooks, large print books, signed books, audiobooks, Man Booker Prize shortlist books, and rare and collectibles. My bookstore search includes whether Spanish language books are available. it is exciting to use the links to their international sites, so not only can one buy books in other languages, but also the instructions are in that desired language. The non-English speaking countries listed are: Germany, France, Italy, Spain. However, other English-speaking countries of the former British Commonwealth have store links. (My buddy in Bristol, England always teases me that the Americans and Brits do not speak the same language. If you agree with him, then there are several more "foreign language' collections available from AbeBooks.)
BetterWorldBooks
http://www.betterworldbooks.com
I am highly impressed with this site's commitment to being a social change enterprise first — a business with a mission to promote literacy. The store is partnering with literacy nonprofit organizations throughout the world. Bonus points: their shipping energy use is eco-balanced with carbon offsets.
When one moves on to the book selling end, there are books, movies, music available. Within book categories are rare and collectibles, and audiobooks.
Alibris
Alibris sells books, movies, games, music, eBooks and rare and collectible books. Although not listed as a separate category, the store does offer books in Spanish. I found this by searching for the Spanish title “Mi Gato.” Happily, many copies were available. Although there was no college textbook entitled separate category, there are textbook searching tips for this store.
Valore Books
This store rents and sells college textbooks. Additionally, it sells music, movies, games, and software. Although it seems focused on college books from the appearance of the home page, entering a children’s book title did bring several results.
The Two MegaStores
These are names known by most American consumers.
Amazon
In addition to all sorts of products, Amazon sells books, eBooks for Kindle, movies, and music. Included in the book department are textbooks and audiobooks.
Barnes and Noble
Another store which is almost a one-stop shop is Barnes and Noble. They seem to have a hold on college campus bookstore concessions. At their online site they offer books, eBooks for Nook, movies, and music. Furthermore, this store explicitly offers books in Spanish, and rare and collectible books. Also,textbooks.
Options are good for competition
Many of these online book sellers may have been previously unknown to you. They were to me. It is nice to have choices. I hope you will visit these bookstores and see which most closely match your needs.
Photo and text copyright 2011 Maren E. Morgan.
