Doing some research this morning on a book that we bought, I came across this description from an on-line seller. See, they aren't all morons, and some do have standards:
LA: Nash, 1971. Book. Fair-. Hardcover.
1st Printing, Stated. While text, binding, and boards are sound this
item has multiple cosmetic flaws and should be thought of as a reading
copy. These include, marking from paper clips, a chapter with yellow
hiliting and other minor yellow hilites as well. Trace of board
smudging, 3 owners names 1st end sheets, back pastedown laid in
imperfectly at bindery. All this said, a good reader, foto coming.
*We feel that books offered for internet sale should be described
thoroughly and accurately. Books listed by Brass Dolphin are so
described, and graded, using the strict, traditional standards. For this
reason, we have virtually zero returns.*. Nash US
I never said NONE of them could walk on their hind legs. But explain to me the behavior of two U.K. bulk sellers, "Awesome Books" (somewhere in the wilds north of Newcastle, where the populace survive on burned oats and sheep offal) and "The Perfect Used Book Store" (Croydon Surrey.)
ReplyDeleteIn recent weeks BOTH these modestly named enterprises advertised copies of "Night Frost, Wingfield, Constable 1992." In each case we ordered via ABE, adding a buyer's note (which in one case they actually printed out and returned to us as part of our shipping manifest) reading: "Hi -- You advertise 'Constable 1992' and that's what we seek. Dust jacket should show a flaming tombstone. Please do NOT send BCA reprint with photo of TV actor David Jason to front. Thanks."
You guessed it; in both cases they sent us yet more BCA reprints with photo of TV actor David Jason to DJ front panel. Yes, yes, we get refunds and they usually don't even want the books back. But beware: these characters shamelessly admit listing their books by scanning ISBNs, which turn out NOT to be unique identifiers, and then "letting the machines fill in the blanks," which explains why they are also fully capable of advertising copies of "Frankenstein, M. Shelley, 1818 first edition, glossy paperback with photo of Boris Karloff to cover."
-- V.S.