(1)------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Fri, 07 Dec 2001 22:33:12 -0500
From: Marsha J. Hamilton (Ohio State U.) <hamilton.8_at_osu.edu>
Subject: Re: ACQNET: Using Half.com
We have been web ordering o.p. and hard to obtain titles from a
variety of sources using a university purchasing card for about three
years now. We have placed and received several orders for monographs
from Half.com. We have had no difficulties with them in supply, card
charges, or any other area.
All of our half.com purchases have been from small independent
bookshops. You do get full vendor information when materials are
received.
Marsha Hamilton
Head, Monograph Acquisitions
The Ohio State University Libraries
1858 Neil Avenue Mall
Columbus, OH 43210-1286
hamilton.8_at_osu.edu
(614) 292-6314
(2)----------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sun, 09 Dec 2001 01:55:13 -0500
From: Cecilia Harel (Univ. of Haifa) <harel_at_univ.haifa.ac.il>
Subject: RE: ACQNET: Using Half.com
Re: purchasing OP books
When we find a source for an OP book (like half.com or any other bookstore)
we still send the order to one of our regular vendors. We print the
page citing the book details and the bookseller details, and fax this
information with our purchase order to one of our regular book vendors. We
then avoid having to use a credit card and dealing with dozens of different
(and unknown) sellers and separate invoices. We then receive the OP book
from our regular vendor and are invoiced by him along with our new book
shipments. We are happy with this arrangement, and from the comments I have
received from our vendor(s), they are also happy that we give them our OP
business and provide a source for them. I think that some sites like
half.com do not actually have the book or a source for it, and simply use
online requests to initiate searches via regular Internet channels.
Regards,
Cecilia Harel
Acquisitions & Collection Development Specialist
University of Haifa Library - Acquisitions Department
Haifa, Israel 31905
email: harel_at_univ.haifa.ac.il
tel: +972-4-8249324 fax: +972-4-8249170
(3)-------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Mon, 10 Dec 2001 14:10:36 -0500
From: Susan Panak (Spring Arbor U.) <spanak_at_arbor.edu>
Subject: Re: ACQNET: Using Half.com
I quite often use Bibliofind (Amazon's used book source). I have had
two incidents with half.com. One time the book was not described
correctly in that I received a 1985 version of a 1998 book and the other
time the book had considerable higlighting in it. I never was able to be
refunded for these books; therefore, I use half.com when it is only absolutely
necessary. I will spend a few more dollars and use another used book
site.
I use Amazon's used book store and Alibris quite often.
The university had no problems giving me a credit card to use for my
purchases. The physical processing, and cost of sending prepayment
far outweighs the risk of using a credit card.
Susan M. Panak
Acquisitions/Archivist
Spring Arbor University Library
106 E. Main Street -- St #7
Spring Arbor, MI 49283
(517) 750-6434
(4)---------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2001 13:10:28 -0500
From: Kidd Orphee/Rich Cooke <bookchaserus_at_yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: ACQNET: Using Half.com
Dear All-
As regards to half.com and its relative merits I might
emphasize/remind all that as a consortium of dealers
and private individuals you're playing the odds with
each purchase. Unlike Abe and other bookdealer/bookstore
aggregate bodies, you've got grannies, teenagers and a
range of individuals as wide as they come and along with
the half.com employee manning the office, warehouse and
assorted corners of one helluva huge virtual/collective
body and its listings.
One can always investigate further the prospective
vendor to some detail and length if one has the time.
Or by being cautious/conservative by buying only from
those whom one knows or has had vetted by word of
mouth.
A lot of what one will risk is dependent, obviously,
on the relative availability of the title. Stick with
the higher price, established pros or take a chance
with a discount-friendly newbie such as myself who
lists in both places has a certain minimal experience
in billing cycles, drop shipping and all the other
little skills and options that can, when present, make
all the difference in the acquisition experience.
But then again, most likely the overwhelming majority
of purchases through half.com go off without a hitch
or the intervention/assistance of the site's
administrators.
It is important to remember that with the precocity
and democraticizing [sic] of the net, there's a lot of
sellers-and buyers out there who've yet to build up a
portfolio and understanding of the details of how it
works - and/or how to optimize the experience.
Sometimes that evens out to that hoary of truisms, ya
get whatcha pay for.
A little bit of FYI from the other side of the
trenches.
Sincerely-
Rich Cooke
bookchaserus_at_yahoo.com
=====
bookchaserUS on-line op/used book wholesalers to the trade
Snailmail: 179 Dora Street Pawtucket, Rhode Island 02860
Phone: (401) 728-1607 Email: bookchaserus_at_yahoo.com
Website:http://www.geocities.com/bookchaserUS
Received on Thu Dec 20 2001 - 12:51:16 EST