Date: Fri, 6 Jan 2017 21:26:42 +0000
To: "'acqnet_at_lists.ala.org'" <acqnet_at_lists.ala.org>
Replying to both Angela and Bob about Amazon Marketplace sellers. We use Amazon Marketplace sellers extensively. These sellers are wonderful sources for out of print books, and well as recently published titles. Sometimes the prices on new books from Marketplace sellers are better than Amazon or other booksellers used by libraries. For a more personal view, I do research in a somewhat obscure area in the broader field of the history of textiles. I have been able to build my personal library of books, most originally published in small quantities and now long out of print, through purchases from Marketplace sellers. In terms of quality, we look at "new," "like new," and "very good" condition categories for library purchases. We read the comments attached to the condition statement in the listing, especially for the "very good" category." A book in this category described as "small tear in dust cover" is something that we would consider for purchase, as we don't retain the book jackets on our books. A book in that same category described as having "corner bumps" or "highlighting on 2 pages" most likely would not be considered. We also look at the price being charged vs. the condition statement and comments when making a decision. For my personal shopping, I generally stick to these same condition categories, though on occasion, in order to acquire a book that I really need, I have purchased a copy in "good" condition. I've generally found these purchases to be acceptable for personal use, though they would not hold up very long for library use. And I look at price, too. Cindy Steinhoff Anne Arundel Community College Arnold, MD From: acqnet-request_at_lists.ala.org [mailto:acqnet-request_at_lists.ala.org] On Behalf Of Robert P. Holley Sent: Thursday, January 05, 2017 7:00 PM To: acqnet_at_lists.ala.org Subject: Re: [ALCTS-acqnet] Amazon and credit card reporting trouble "I only purchase those designated "new" or "like new" since people tend to over-evaluate the quality of the book." As a retired library science professor who sells books on Amazon as a hobby, I would suggest that libraries also consider "very good" items from sellers with high ratings and detailed descriptions. I take great care to avoid over grading books and to provide a detailed description of any faults. I've sold many books to libraries with no complaints that were graded "very good." I routinely get comments that the book was in better shape than the buyer expected. (I do occasionally miss something and make every effort to "make things right.") I know that at least some Amazon sellers are contentious in making sure that the buyer gets what they expect or better. Bob Dr. Robert P. Holley Professor Emeritus, Wayne State University 13303 Borgman Avenue Huntington Woods, MI 48070-1005 email: aa3805_at_wayne.edu<mailto:aa3805_at_wayne.edu> phone: 248-547-0306 ________________________________ From: acqnet-request_at_lists.ala.org<mailto:acqnet-request_at_lists.ala.org> <acqnet-request_at_lists.ala.org<mailto:acqnet-request_at_lists.ala.org>> on behalf of Angela Masden <amasden_at_regent.edu<mailto:amasden_at_regent.edu>> Sent: Thursday, January 5, 2017 4:13 PM To: acqnet_at_lists.ala.org<mailto:acqnet_at_lists.ala.org> Subject: RE: [ALCTS-acqnet] Amazon and credit card reporting trouble Good afternoon, everyone! We have a corporate account so we haven't seen the problem you are discussing, but I'd like to make a suggestion. While trying to get the best price, I find I purchase more from the Amazon Marketplace. Our librarians allow me to purchase used books for our library which can save a lot. I only purchase those designated "new" or "like new" since people tend to over-evaluate the quality of the book. Even if I order 30 books at a time each one will have its own order number since they are coming from different vendors and appear separately on the corporate account statement. Since different vendors are involved every title would necessarily have to be charged separately on your credit card. It might help to try the marketplace. Just search the book as usual and then click on the links for either new or used books. Believe it or not, new books are often cheaper than used ones. Angela Masden Acquisitions Specialist, Regent University Library 1000 Regent University Drive LIB 109, Virginia Beach, VA 23464 Office: 757-352-4178 Fax: 757-352-4179 Website<http://www.regent.edu/lib/> | Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/groups/RegentULibrary/> | Blog<http://librarylink.regent.edu/> | Twitter<https://twitter.com/regentulibrary> | YouTube<http://www.youtube.com/user/RegentULibrary> [http://www.regent.edu/images/general/Ru_logo_emailsig.jpg] From: acqnet-request_at_lists.ala.org<mailto:acqnet-request_at_lists.ala.org> [mailto:acqnet-request_at_lists.ala.org] On Behalf Of Marynelle Chew Sent: Thursday, January 05, 2017 1:22 PM To: acqnet_at_lists.ala.org<mailto:acqnet_at_lists.ala.org> Subject: [ALCTS-acqnet] Amazon and credit card reporting trouble Aloha all, Is anyone who uses a university credit card or purchasing card having trouble with the information Amazon is sending to the credit card company for reconciliation purposes? Beginning mid-November, the amounts Amazon reported to the credit card company as the debit have not been matching the order invoices one can retrieve from Amazon. Nor do the items listed in the debit details match the Amazon invoices correctly. In the past, the titles reported to the credit card may not have matched, but the amounts debited matched correctly, which we could live with. Actually, even the Amazon invoice itself doesn't match what was debited, based on the debit summary that appears on the bottom of the big order invoice. It looks like they're mixing up the titles from an order at random. I was hoping it was only a November issue, but I see that it is continuing in December, alas. We're not missing any items. (Yay!) I can balance the two reports out (my credit card report and the Amazon order report). But it is a lot of extra work for me to reconcile the two. And a phenomenal waste of trees, which my business office requires. Although, it's not helpful, because as I mentioned, even Amazon's own order summary is goofy. While we're certainly not their biggest customer, it's enough to make me stop using Amazon. That, or order every single title as an individual order so Amazon is forced to debit each title individually. I called Amazon and asked to speak with someone in accounting (in the US). While I was transferred to a native speaker, that person said Amazon does not have an accounting department. Really? A business without an accounting department?!? Does anyone have a telephone number for Amazon accounting? Note: This is not an issue with any other vendor from whom I made online purchases in the past two months. Thank you for sharing your experiences and advice. Marynelle ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Marynelle Chew Head, Access & Collections Services Joseph F. Smith Library Brigham Young University-Hawaii 55-220 Kulanui St., Bldg 29 #1966 Laie, HI 96762 Email: marynelle.chew_at_byuh.edu<mailto:marynelle.chew_at_byuh.edu> Voice: 808-675-3863 Fax: 808-675-3877 ________________________________ The information contained in this email may be confidential and/or legally privileged. It has been sent for the sole use of the intended recipient(s). If the reader of this message is not an intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication, or any of its content, is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message. Thank you.
