Looking for a used book
 

My mom has developed a hankering for a particular book she remembers reading to her classes when she was a teacher. The only problem is, it is out of print and, apparently, on the rare side. My dad has undertaken to purchase a copy for her for Christmas, but while he is a man of many fine qualities, books are not exactly his thing (unless they happen to be instructional books about wood carving or power tools), so he delegated the task of finding a copy he could buy to me.

The cheapest copies I've found so far are just under $200, at Amazon. ABE Books, which is where I usually go for used stuff, shows several copies of the older hardback edition, for around $300.

Does anybody have any other suggestions for where to look before we pick one? 90% of the web hits are Amazon affiliates so they show the same hits. Nothing new on alibris either.

What's the book, Steve?

(I collect old books myself)

Oh, I forgot to say... I guess the danger of someone seeing it and buying up the cheapest copy to aggravate me is small! :cool: It's The Christmas Cookie Sprinkle Snitcher.

[edit to make "spinkle" "sprinkle" tyvm]

...Spinkle Snitcher?----what's a Spinkle? Anyway, I go to thrift stores, 2nd hand shops, library sales....maybe it'll show up?? :) I'll snap it up for you and then over-charge you for it! ;)

Look up some rare book shops, they may not have it but they might just know someone that does or at least give you the name of another shop where you can try again but don't expect to pay less that that range.

There is actually a used book store in Bryn Mawr that I've been to a couple times and they seemed to have a lot of kid's books... I called her & she said she might have a copy stashed at home & will call me back tomorrow.

I don't expect to pay less (or, to be more precise, I don't expect my dad to pay less! :yelgreedy ) but under the circumstances if I have my choice I'll go with the copy I can hold in my hands first rather than mail ordering it.

You just have to get lucky. I'd go to Yahoo yellow pages and look for "used books" then skip down to below the "sponsored links" to the local links.

Then, work the phones and offer to pay a finder's fee to the bookstore if they can secure a copy. The best way to get it is to get someone who knows everyone in the used book business to find it for you.

I'd check EBay as well. I don't know but there may be a way to have stored searches. Check every five days since that's the shortest duration (I think) an auction can be. You might not get a direct hit since chances are slim that anyone is listing that exact title so be prepared to write sellers and ask about that book specifically.

Somebody out there has it and is more than willing to sell it. But it will take some doing to find them.

I am looking for "Where Silence Reigns," Rilke. Anybody have it? I know it exists but no one has a copy.

I'll keep an eye out for it.. I"m heading to the used bookstore tomorrow anyway.. good luck my mother was that way as well...

Well, they have it on Ebay for the next 4 days. The buy it now price is $225 but bidding is under $30 right now, but the reserve has not been met.

I cannot believe that a 1981 children's book can be that expensive. :eek:

Wouldn't it be funny if some of the folks clamoring for a copy of the book are sd's mom's former students who remember the book quite fondly and want their kids to experience the magic ...

Try Baldwin's Book Barn in West Chester.

Steve, you might want to try Walk a Crooked Mile at Mt. Airy Station (Gowen and Devon).

If they loved it so much they should take up a collection & buy a copy of it for their teacher!! :angel:

I'm surprised by the prices too. Thanks for all the suggestions!

I know it's a bit late for input, but there is a site called www.fetchbook.info that has it on there....

Yeah, they have it listed, but no actual copies for sale!

With my assistance Dad snagged a copy for $175 on ebay. However, he hadn't planned ahead.... even though I told him this seller didn't take credit cards, he didn't have cash for it so he had to fess up to Mom since she keeps the checkbook! :D

They should be receiving it any day now....