The U.S. Tolkien Guide

The U.S. Tolkien Guide web site now hosts Seven Stones Bookshop, and my eBay offerings (if any) can also be found there.  Scroll to the end of the seller policy for information about me - priorities, you know.  Clicking the books also speaks volumes...
Notes for sellers are on the myworld page.

Questions are welcome!  I appreciate interest in my auctions, and always respond to messages within several hours, most often sooner.  If you need to delay payment or have other issues, It might not be a problem - if I know what's going on.  Exceptions are more likely to be made to the following policies for communicative, polite, nice people (if "nice" is difficult for you, creative is close enough).  Should anything go wrong, please talk to me before leaving feedback - I will make it right.

Item descriptions are complete and accurate to the full extent of my knowledge.  What the description says is exactly how it is, nothing more or less;  flaws, item origins, and all relevant details are disclosed.  I'm not the sort who needs all things to be perfect, but as a buyer I expect things to be FULLY described, so that I can make an informed decision, just as you do.  If I plead ignorance, or list an item "as is", it's up to you to know what you're bidding on;  otherwise, if I misrepresent an item, you can send it right back for a full refund of the total price.

Most of the books are stored in a smoke free, temperature regulated, dedicated free standing building on my property, far out of reach of the kitten cat cats who let me live here.  Items which came to me used may have been kept otherwise.  It will be noted in the listing if an item is musty or has any unusual odor.  If any of these things are major issues for you, contact me for details before bidding.

COST - Unless otherwise stated, winners pay for shipping, in advance.  The listed or calculated price is for my complete basic service, which includes;  USPS delivery with either confirmation and tracking or insurance (check the individual listing), materials, and all associated costs.  Extra services and upgrades are optional and at cost;  please ask before you check out.
 

MULTIPLE PURCHASE discounts are applied (if possible) on items purchased within 7 days and paid for at the same time.  If you need more time, please ask.

WHEN - Items are shipped within 48 hours of confirmed payment, within 1 business day for Priority parcels.  Your tracking or insurance number will be sent to you via email.  Packages arrive within 10 business days under normal circumstances, priority packages should arrive within 3 days.  I guarantee delivery -see the refund policy.  Please ask before bidding if you have questions about shipping or local pick-up.

I pack with great care.  All book and record orders are bubble wrapped and either carded or boxed, multiple items are boxed, without exception.  Barring a freak postal accident, your items will still look just like the pictures when they arrive.

Bidders are welcome!  I only accept PayPal from international buyers, but would consider other suggestions.  Cost estimates are given for Canada and several overseas locations.  Airmail is now the only service offered by USPS.  Limited insurance is included for Priority parcels.  For parcels weighing OVER 5lb. (2.27kg), Priority is the only available option.  Insurance is not required on lighter packages sent Letter Post, but in choosing uninsured service, you assume responsibility for loss or damage in transit.  We have never yet had a package go missing (though we did have one run over by a truck - delivered without apology with tire tread marks and all), and proof of postage will be provided upon request.  Residents of the southern hemisphere are strongly encouraged to hire me to personally hand deliver their items!

The nutshell version:  You pay for the item, and for your preferred shipping method, in a timely fashion.  The item then belongs to you, so if I've been provided with a shipping address, I send it.

USPS money orders and checks drawn on U.S. bank accounts are very welcome.  If you prefer PayPal and don't need to have your postage calculated, feel free to use self-checkout.  Otherwise, request your total or respond to your invoice, which will arrive between 2 and 24 hours after the end of auction.  I'll accept cash (who would send it back?), but mail it at your own risk.

If no payment and no transaction agreement is made, late reminders will be sent; after 7 days non-payment will be reported.  If I have to ask eBay to refund my fees, the bidder will get a non-payment strike.  I didn't write that last bit;  that's just how it works, and it never has to happen -TALK to me!  Buyers are responsible for incidental fees or taxes assessed by government, banking or shipping agents, if any.  Customs forms will not be falsified - please just don't ask.

An auction that has been bid on will not be ended early for any reason, however;  until a bid is placed, it may be available for immediate purchase in other venues.  And, I will usually post a Buy-it-Now price if asked.

I personally guarantee that parcels shipped to a verified address anywhere in the U.S. 50 states will arrive.  I can't promise that it will be on time, that nobody will steal it from your porch, or it that it won't have been run over by a truck - but if it is lost by USPS I will replace it or refund your purchase price.
 
I offer Seven Stones Bookshop"s no-questions-asked return policy on eBay only to repeat buyers and known entities, hopefully for obvious reasons.  But if I make a mistake I'll pay for it, simple as that.  If you have any problem with our transaction, please email me right away!  A full refund of your total purchase price will be promptly given if the item is really not as described;  simply return the item within 7 days of receiving it.  Other solutions may be considered if you are dissatisfied for any reason;  email me with details of the situation.  And, if I sell you a pair of shoes and two weeks later your left foot is crushed by a circus elephant and you need to scrape money together for physical therapy, it would be terribly insensitive of me not to buy back the shoes (read: if you must be a PITA, at least come with a good story).

ABOUT ME  and my stuff...
I am a private collector with a little experience designing websites.  I maintain an information site called The U.S. Tolkien Guide, the purpose of which is to help buyers locate any U.S. Tolkien book ever printed.  Should you run across merchants who post listings without photos, or fail (in some cases even refuse) to give publishing information, it comes in pretty handy.  Perhaps it will pay for itself through its supporting shop eventually, but it is not a for-profit enterprise.
 
Previously owned books have been painstakingly cleaned, most are furnished with archival quality protective covers, and all are extremely well kept.  I've acquired some proficiency in repair and conservation, and very rarely, I sell repaired items - this is always noted in listings.  Only professional acid-free materials are used, and every effort is made to preserve, to the greatest extent possible, an item's original state/appearance and function, and I avoid doing anything that cannot be un-done.  I hope they all find good homes, and bring joy to generations of readers!

Here are some links;  Happy hunting, and.  Thank You for visiting!