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Next: Collecting: help me someone
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External
Since: Dec 04, 2003
Posts: 49
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(Msg. 1) Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2004 10:58 am
Post subject: A different kind of price gouger
Archived from groups: rec>collecting>books (more info?)
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Usually when we refer to a book dealer as a price
gouger, we mean that he tries to squeeze out
every penny he can on every book he sells.
Let me tell you about someone far worse
than your garden variety price gouger--
a genial Jack the Ripper of paperbacks
who has literally gouged out the prices on
thousands upon thousands of paperbacks
in San Diego County.
I won't mention his name, because he
really is a pretty nice guy, and in most ways
an authentic professional when it comes
to selling used and rare books.
Anyway, for many years, perhaps for
several decades, he has engaged in the
terrible habit of, with a sharp instrument
of some sort, gouging the price right out
of the cover and the spine of the paper-
backs he sells!
To a paperback collector, that is vandalism,
pure and simple.
My suspicion is that he got started with
this during the inflationary period of the
1970's. Perhaps he had some customers
whining because he was selling paperbacks
publisher-priced at fifty cents for one-dollar
or one-dollar fifty, that sort of thing.
Sort of like, "What do you mean by trying to
sell this for a buck twenty five? The price
is printed plainly enough, and it is fifty
cents!"
Anyway, one can imagine that a few such
scenes caused him to embark on his
book mutiliation spree. In just about
every store that sells used paperbacks
in San Diego county, you can find some
this price gouger's handiwork.
Yes, as a used book dealer, he has many
good points. It is just that being a price
gouger is not one of them.
Mr. Palmer
Room 314 |
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External
Since: May 15, 2004
Posts: 220
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(Msg. 2) Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2004 10:58 am
Post subject: Re: A different kind of price gouger [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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On Thu, 25 Mar 2004 07:58:34 GMT, "palmer.william"
<palmer.william.DeleteThis@sbcglobal.net> declared:
>Anyway, for many years, perhaps for
>several decades, he has engaged in the
>terrible habit of, with a sharp instrument
>of some sort, gouging the price right out
>of the cover and the spine of the paper-
>backs he sells!
>
>To a paperback collector, that is vandalism,
>pure and simple.
you must go ballistic over those that stamp their name inside them...
Robert
The sound of gunfire, off in the distance, I'm getting used to it now
Lived in a brownstone, lived in the ghetto, I've lived all over this town
This ain't no party, this ain't no disco, this ain't no fooling around<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ --> |
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External
Since: Jul 05, 2003
Posts: 31
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(Msg. 3) Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2004 2:00 pm
Post subject: Re: A different kind of price gouger [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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MindElec wrote:
> On Thu, 25 Mar 2004 07:58:34 GMT, "palmer.william" <palmer.william.RemoveThis@sbcglobal.net> declared:
>
>>Anyway, for many years, perhaps for
>>several decades, he has engaged in the
>>terrible habit of, with a sharp instrument
>>of some sort, gouging the price right out
>>of the cover and the spine of the paper-
>>backs he sells!
>>
>>To a paperback collector, that is vandalism,
>>pure and simple.
>
>
> you must go ballistic over those that stamp their name inside them...
At least a dealer's rubber stamp mark is not visible when the book is
sitting on the bookshelf. I have occasionally seen books with the price
scratched out, or somewhat less bad, blackened over by a magic marker.
= Eric<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ --> >> Stay informed about: A different kind of price gouger |
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External
Since: May 15, 2004
Posts: 220
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(Msg. 4) Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2004 5:21 am
Post subject: Re: A different kind of price gouger [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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On Thu, 25 Mar 2004 11:00:03 -0800, Eric Bustad
<ekbustad RemoveThis @monmouth.com> declared:
>MindElec wrote:
>
>> On Thu, 25 Mar 2004 07:58:34 GMT, "palmer.william" <palmer.william RemoveThis @sbcglobal.net> declared:
>>
>>>Anyway, for many years, perhaps for
>>>several decades, he has engaged in the
>>>terrible habit of, with a sharp instrument
>>>of some sort, gouging the price right out
>>>of the cover and the spine of the paper-
>>>backs he sells!
>>>
>>>To a paperback collector, that is vandalism,
>>>pure and simple.
>>
>>
>> you must go ballistic over those that stamp their name inside them...
>
>At least a dealer's rubber stamp mark is not visible when the book is
>sitting on the bookshelf. I have occasionally seen books with the price
>scratched out, or somewhat less bad, blackened over by a magic marker.
the magic marker can often be removed with a bit of spit on a finger.
Robert
The sound of gunfire, off in the distance, I'm getting used to it now
Lived in a brownstone, lived in the ghetto, I've lived all over this town
This ain't no party, this ain't no disco, this ain't no fooling around<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ --> >> Stay informed about: A different kind of price gouger |
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External
Since: Mar 28, 2004
Posts: 51
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(Msg. 5) Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2004 6:18 pm
Post subject: Re: A different kind of price gouger [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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In some of San Diego's Amvets thrift stores, the workers have been
taught to price-clip DJ's. And if there isn't a pair of scissors
within reach, they just tear the prices off with their fingers.
Also, they put a price sticker on the book's spine and also one
inside. They carefully write the price on both stickers, and even more
carefully make sure that their Sharpie pen stroke continues off the
sticker and onto the book. In this way they can determine if the price
sticker has been removed or swapped.
This tempts me to bring my own Sharpie and add a second price for
dress shirts and blouses on the fabric! Or maybe I should cut off a
button or two? Maybe then the thrift stores would realize they are
defacing their books.
DKM
On Thu, 25 Mar 2004 07:58:34 GMT, "palmer.william"
<palmer.william.DeleteThis@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>
>Let me tell you about someone far worse
>than your garden variety price gouger--
>a genial Jack the Ripper of paperbacks
>who has literally gouged out the prices on
>thousands upon thousands of paperbacks
>in San Diego County.
>
To contact me directly, send EMAIL to (single letters all)
DEE_KAY_EMM AT EarthLink.net. [For example X_X_X.DeleteThis@EarthLink.net.]<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ --> >> Stay informed about: A different kind of price gouger |
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External
Since: May 15, 2004
Posts: 220
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(Msg. 6) Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2004 6:18 pm
Post subject: Re: A different kind of price gouger [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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On Fri, 26 Mar 2004 15:18:26 GMT, Doug McClure
<Dee_Kay_Emm RemoveThis @EarthLink.net> declared:
>In some of San Diego's Amvets thrift stores, the workers have been
>taught to price-clip DJ's. And if there isn't a pair of scissors
>within reach, they just tear the prices off with their fingers.
>
>Also, they put a price sticker on the book's spine and also one
>inside. They carefully write the price on both stickers, and even more
>carefully make sure that their Sharpie pen stroke continues off the
>sticker and onto the book. In this way they can determine if the price
>sticker has been removed or swapped.
>
>This tempts me to bring my own Sharpie and add a second price for
>dress shirts and blouses on the fabric! Or maybe I should cut off a
>button or two? Maybe then the thrift stores would realize they are
>defacing their books.
>
thrifts in atlanta tend to write the price on the ffp in crayon.
Robert
The sound of gunfire, off in the distance, I'm getting used to it now
Lived in a brownstone, lived in the ghetto, I've lived all over this town
This ain't no party, this ain't no disco, this ain't no fooling around<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ --> >> Stay informed about: A different kind of price gouger |
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External
Since: Apr 20, 2004
Posts: 229
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(Msg. 7) Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2004 10:07 pm
Post subject: Re: A different kind of price gouger [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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Eric Bustad wrote:
> >At least a dealer's rubber stamp mark is not visible when the book is
> >sitting on the bookshelf. I have occasionally seen books with the price
> >scratched out, or somewhat less bad, blackened over by a magic marker.
MindElec replied:
> the magic marker can often be removed with a bit of spit on a finger.
Ah! The technical approach.
--
John
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://rarebooksinjapan.com" target="_blank">http://rarebooksinjapan.com</a><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ --> >> Stay informed about: A different kind of price gouger |
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External
Since: Jan 09, 2004
Posts: 39
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(Msg. 8) Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2004 11:29 pm
Post subject: Re: A different kind of price gouger [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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"MindElec" <MindElec.DeleteThis@aol.com> wrote in message
news:cvp7605dsvqmol6p02pu0tumpc5n3vlbja@4ax.com...
> On Thu, 25 Mar 2004 11:00:03 -0800, Eric Bustad
> <ekbustad.DeleteThis@monmouth.com> declared:
>
> >MindElec wrote:
> >
> >> On Thu, 25 Mar 2004 07:58:34 GMT, "palmer.william"
<palmer.william.DeleteThis@sbcglobal.net> declared:
> >>
> >
> >At least a dealer's rubber stamp mark is not visible when the book is
> >sitting on the bookshelf. I have occasionally seen books with the price
> >scratched out, or somewhat less bad, blackened over by a magic marker.
>
> the magic marker can often be removed with a bit of spit on a finger.
>
> Robert
Yes, or if you rub gently with a plastic eraser, it will also usually come
off. I like the Staedtler Mars Plastic eraser for this, after trying various
brands it's the nicest I have found.
For example, a while I had an old John Fante paperback where someone had
written, in huge 4" numbers, 25c on the front cover. After less than 10
minutes of careful work with the Staedtler, it was completely gone - without
any trace at all ~~
best,
Denise<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ --> >> Stay informed about: A different kind of price gouger |
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External
Since: Feb 28, 2004
Posts: 35
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(Msg. 9) Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2004 12:48 am
Post subject: Re: A different kind of price gouger [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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"MindElec" <MindElec RemoveThis @aol.com> wrote in message
news:qot860l2qlrvopdivik8fbromtj13cm97k@4ax.com...
> On Fri, 26 Mar 2004 15:18:26 GMT, Doug McClure
> <Dee_Kay_Emm RemoveThis @EarthLink.net> declared:
>
> >In some of San Diego's Amvets thrift stores, the workers have been
> >taught to price-clip DJ's. And if there isn't a pair of scissors
> >within reach, they just tear the prices off with their fingers.
> >
> >Also, they put a price sticker on the book's spine and also one
> >inside. They carefully write the price on both stickers, and even more
> >carefully make sure that their Sharpie pen stroke continues off the
> >sticker and onto the book. In this way they can determine if the price
> >sticker has been removed or swapped.
> >
> >This tempts me to bring my own Sharpie and add a second price for
> >dress shirts and blouses on the fabric! Or maybe I should cut off a
> >button or two? Maybe then the thrift stores would realize they are
> >defacing their books.
> >
>
> thrifts in atlanta tend to write the price on the ffp in crayon.
>
>
> Robert
Robert, crayon can usually be removed by putting Thoro (the
dry cleaning fluid found at grocery stories) on a cotton ball,
letting it "soak" for a minute or two, then gently wiping.
Kris<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ --> >> Stay informed about: A different kind of price gouger |
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External
Since: May 14, 2004
Posts: 212
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(Msg. 10) Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2004 12:48 am
Post subject: Re: A different kind of price gouger [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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> Robert, crayon can usually be removed by putting Thoro (the
> dry cleaning fluid found at grocery stories) on a cotton ball,
> letting it "soak" for a minute or two, then gently wiping.
>
> Kris
Goo Gone also works wonders on crayon (as well as stickers, sticker residue
and other problems).
--
Bob Finnan
The Hardy Boys Unofficial Home Page
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://users.arczip.com/fwdixon" target="_blank">http://users.arczip.com/fwdixon</a>
New & Out Of Print Books, Books-On-Tape, Videos, DVDs, CD-ROMs For Sale
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://users.arczip.com/fwdixon/hbsale.htm" target="_blank">http://users.arczip.com/fwdixon/hbsale.htm</a>
To reply: replace nospam with fwdixon
......................................................................<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ --> >> Stay informed about: A different kind of price gouger |
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External
Since: Feb 28, 2004
Posts: 35
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(Msg. 11) Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2004 5:36 am
Post subject: Re: A different kind of price gouger [Login to view extended thread Info.]
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"Hardy-Boys.net" <nospam DeleteThis @yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:c429c0$2b0oo1$1@ID-182835.news.uni-berlin.de...
> > Robert, crayon can usually be removed by putting Thoro (the
> > dry cleaning fluid found at grocery stories) on a cotton ball,
> > letting it "soak" for a minute or two, then gently wiping.
> >
> > Kris
>
> Goo Gone also works wonders on crayon (as well as stickers,
> sticker residue and other problems).
>
> --
> Bob Finnan
Lighter fluid's cheaper  .....and has no added coloring.
Kris<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ --> >> Stay informed about: A different kind of price gouger |
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External
Since: Oct 29, 2003
Posts: 40
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(Msg. 12) Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2004 7:30 am
Post subject: Re: A different kind of price gouger [Login to view extended thread Info.]
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On Fri, 26 Mar 2004 12:32:32 -0600, in rec.collecting.books MindElec
<MindElec.RemoveThis@aol.com> wrote:
>On Fri, 26 Mar 2004 15:18:26 GMT, Doug McClure
><Dee_Kay_Emm.RemoveThis@EarthLink.net> declared:
>
>>In some of San Diego's Amvets thrift stores, the workers have been
>>taught to price-clip DJ's. And if there isn't a pair of scissors
>>within reach, they just tear the prices off with their fingers.
>>
>>Also, they put a price sticker on the book's spine and also one
>>inside. They carefully write the price on both stickers, and even more
>>carefully make sure that their Sharpie pen stroke continues off the
>>sticker and onto the book. In this way they can determine if the price
>>sticker has been removed or swapped.
>>
>>This tempts me to bring my own Sharpie and add a second price for
>>dress shirts and blouses on the fabric! Or maybe I should cut off a
>>button or two? Maybe then the thrift stores would realize they are
>>defacing their books.
>>
>
>thrifts in atlanta tend to write the price on the ffp in crayon.
>
Thrifts in central North Carolina don't price the books, but they use
Sharpies on the spines *and* front upper left corner to write a
2-digit code (so they can throw away unsold books after 10 days - 2
weeks).
When supervisors are asked about the policy, they point out that books
are for reading, so as long as they don't mark up the text, people
will buy them.
Their reason why sales have been down since they started doing this c.
6 months ago is that books only have a chance to sell for 2 weeks
instead of sitting there, getting more and more shelfworn until
someone comes in whop is willing to pay for it. Their damaging the
books (particularly older dustjackets and hardcovers with no jackets)
is NOT why the sales have decreased, because the books are still
perfectly readable.
Or so they claim... Goodwill started this trend, and the other,
smaller thrifts are picking up on their bad habits. :-/
Bill
--
By working faithfully eight hours a day, you may eventually
get to be boss and work twelve hours a day. - Robert Frost<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ --> >> Stay informed about: A different kind of price gouger |
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External
Since: Oct 13, 2004
Posts: 46
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(Msg. 13) Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2004 4:39 pm
Post subject: Re: A different kind of price gouger [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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"Kris Baker" <kris.baker.TakeThisOut@prodigy.net> wrote in message news:<AM59c.44559$zH1.3233@newssvr16.news.prodigy.com>...
> "Hardy-Boys.net" <nospam.TakeThisOut@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:c429c0$2b0oo1$1@ID-182835.news.uni-berlin.de...
> > > Robert, crayon can usually be removed by putting Thoro (the
> > > dry cleaning fluid found at grocery stories) on a cotton ball,
> > > letting it "soak" for a minute or two, then gently wiping.
> > >
> > > Kris
> >
> > Goo Gone also works wonders on crayon (as well as stickers,
> > sticker residue and other problems).
> >
> > --
> > Bob Finnan
>
> Lighter fluid's cheaper .....and has no added coloring.
>
> Kris
And use by an open window or other well-vented area, unless one
pharmacologically gets off on the fume.
--
Ht >> Stay informed about: A different kind of price gouger |
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External
Since: Mar 11, 2004
Posts: 27
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(Msg. 14) Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2004 11:01 pm
Post subject: Re: A different kind of price gouger [Login to view extended thread Info.]
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Wildwood wrote:
> <MindElec DeleteThis @aol.com> wrote:
>><Dee_Kay_Emm DeleteThis @EarthLink.net> declared:
>>
>>>In some of San Diego's Amvets thrift stores, the workers have been
>>>taught to price-clip DJ's. And if there isn't a pair of scissors
>>>within reach, they just tear the prices off with their fingers.
>>>
>>>Also, they put a price sticker on the book's spine and also one
>>>inside. They carefully write the price on both stickers, and even more
>>>carefully make sure that their Sharpie pen stroke continues off the
>>>sticker and onto the book. In this way they can determine if the price
>>>sticker has been removed or swapped
.....
>>thrifts in atlanta tend to write the price on the ffp in crayon.
I've discussed this with thriftstore managers and some agree that they
are destroying the collectable value of the book. They continue to
do it because with removable stickers or pencil there is more loss due
to price alteration and sticker swapping than they lose from lost sales
to dealers.
Then there are the managers who cannot understand how the marks would
decrease the value since the book is still readable.
[Similar to the ones described in the previous posting quoted below.]
> Thrifts in central North Carolina don't price the books, but they use
> Sharpies on the spines *and* front upper left corner to write a
> 2-digit code (so they can throw away unsold books after 10 days - 2
> weeks).
>
> When supervisors are asked about the policy, they point out that books
> are for reading, so as long as they don't mark up the text, people
> will buy them. ...
One store near me codes dates on the spines, but due to customer
complaints they now do it with stickers. [Ones that are difficult
to remove, but a soaking with naptha takes care of it.]
They even threw out the grease pencil and now mark the higher priced
books with pencil!!!
There are some thrift store managers that listen and learn.
Brian
-----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =-----
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.newsfeeds.com" target="_blank">http://www.newsfeeds.com</a> - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World!
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Since: Mar 28, 2004
Posts: 51
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(Msg. 15) Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2004 7:34 am
Post subject: Re: A different kind of price gouger [Login to view extended thread Info.]
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And the clothes would still be 'wearable' if a button had been cut
off, or if the price had been written on the fabric.
DKM
On Sun, 28 Mar 2004 20:01:04 -0800, Brian
<bml121212.TakeThisOut@hotmail.yesbacon.com> wrote:
>
>I've discussed this with thriftstore managers and some agree that they
>are destroying the collectable value of the book. They continue to
>do it because with removable stickers or pencil there is more loss due
>to price alteration and sticker swapping than they lose from lost sales
>to dealers.
>
>Then there are the managers who cannot understand how the marks would
>decrease the value since the book is still readable.
To contact me directly, send EMAIL to (single letters all)
DEE_KAY_EMM AT EarthLink.net. [For example X_X_X.TakeThisOut@EarthLink.net.]<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ --> >> Stay informed about: A different kind of price gouger |
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