half price books scam artists lawrence ks, Kansas
I've gone in three off four times to the Lawrence Kansas store to sell books. Each time I bring about 20 books or more and one time 15 old time cds. Every time, no matter how many I bring in, the last time I brought in 40 or 50 books, I get five dollars or less. The books are in great condition as I care well for my books but I can never get more than that even with hard backs. I shouldn't get $5 for ten books then $5 for fifty books. I find this to be atrocious and scandalous practices. I have read the site for what they need several times and it doesn't make any difference whether its a highly requested item or or not. And then there this thing they do where they say " we'll buy these books but take these." And if you don't let them take the others the price drops. This is crooked and thievery. They don't give you the option to take the books else where to sell them. They won't bargain for a higher price. They won't even try to work with you. You just have to take their price and live with it. Even when you need the money. I have seen books on their requesrt list and brought them in to be given a severly low price but I see it on their shelves and its ten times more in worse condition than the one I brought it. Something needs to be done.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Flynrider
Phoenix,Arizona,
USA
Ridiculous complaint.
#3Consumer Comment
Wed, December 21, 2011
You are not being ripped off. They make an offer to buy your books and you're agreeing to sell them. If you don't agree with the price, you don't sell. That's how free enterprise works. If everyone else thinks that the store's buy prices for books are too low, they eventually won't have any books to sell. See how that works?
" They don't give you the option to take the books else where to sell them. "
How does that happen? Are they holding you at gunpoint until you handover the books? If that's the case, I agree that it's a ripoff, but you should be calling the police instead of posting here.
" You just have to take their price and live with it. "
Actually, you don't.
" Something needs to be done. "
You're right, and it's you that needs to do it. They only buy books for pennies because you are willing to sell them for pennies. Any product or commodity is worth what someone is willng to pay for it. If you think your books are worth more, don't sell them for a few pennies. As long as you do, that's what your books will be worth. It's a self adjusting system.
Good luck.
Robert
Irvine,California,
U.S.A.
Then do it...
#3Consumer Comment
Wed, December 21, 2011
Something needs to be done.
- If you don't like the price they are offering you then move on. Seriously what law says a company must give you a certain amount for your books?
Better yet since you obviously have a degree in economics if they are getting 10 times what they were willing to pay you, then give them some competition. Go out and sell the copies you have. If they are selling books for 10 times what they wanted to pay you, then you sell yours for 8 times.
Oh, you don't have a way to sell them..well why not open up a store. When you do it won't cost much to run and I am sure you can still make a profit. After all you only have to worry about the rent for the store, the utilities, the insurance, labor costs, advertising, and of course the cost off the books you are selling..that is of course if they sell.
Good Luck to you.