The Fine Print

If you are new to my auctions please take a few minutes to read this page of dreaded "fine print". If in doubt about payment options just wait until I send you a winner's letter at the end of the auction.

Description Definitions

For many years, the grading system defined by AB Bookman (now sadly defunct) was the standard in the antiquarian book trade. My standards, listed below, do not fundamentally differ from those standards though they have been expanded upon, and defined a bit more specifically. If there is only one grade - that is for the book only. If the book has a dustjacket it will have two grades.

(Condition normally shown as __/__, i.e., F/F, denoting first book & then dustjacket condition)

AS NEW (AN) or VERY FINE (VF) or MINT (M): Without faults or defects, unread, in the same immaculate condition in which it was published (Note: very few "new" books qualify for this grade, as many times there will be rubs/scuffs to the dustjackets from shipping, or bumped lower spine ends/corners from shelving). I never grade a book this way..ever! A brand new book will only get a Fine from me unless it is wrapped and therefore not even subject to shelf wear.

FINE (F): Approaches the above, but not quite as crisp. May have been carefully read and dustjacket may have been slightly rubbed or spine ends slightly bumped from shelving/shipping, but no real defects or faults.

(NOTE: From here on, there may be "+" and "-" in a grade, which will mean that it is above the grade noted but not quite to the next higher grade for "+", and that it is below the grade noted but not quite to the next lower grade for "-".

NEAR FINE: Also used. Meaning a book or dustjacket approaching FINE but with a couple of very minor defects or faults.

VERY GOOD: A used book showing some small signs of wear on either binding or dustjacket. Any major defects/faults will be noted.

GOOD: The average used and worn book that has all pages or leaves present. Major defects will be noted. Good typically means "not so good". Not so with me. A book I rate as good will be good...but it will look like a used book.

FAIR: A worn book that has complete text pages (including those with maps or plates) but may lack endpapers, half-title page, etc. (which must be noted). Binding, dustjacket, etc. may also be worn. All major defects/faults will be noted.

POOR or READING COPY: A book that is sufficiently worn that its only merit is the complete text, which must be legible. Any missing maps or plates should still be noted. May be soiled, scuffed, stained, or spotted, and may have loose joints, hinges, pages, etc.

EX-LIBRARY: Will always be designated as such no matter what the condition of the book.

BOOK CLUB: Will always be noted as such no matter what the condition of the book. BOMC or BCE = Book Of The Month Club or Book Club Edition

BINDING COPY: A book in which the pages or leaves are all present but the binding is very bad, loose, off, or non-existent.

BOMC or BCE = Book Club Edition or Book Of The Month Club

I always offer my buyers as many options as I can. That usually means a choice between Priority Mail and Book Rate (Media Mail) postage whenever possible. Priority mail parcels go out in boxes provided by the USPS, Book Rate books go in a padded mailer. If your book is rare, or if condition is important to you, then I strongly recommend boxed shipping. If the book is for reading purposes, or is not terribly valuable, then a padded mailer is fine. Please don't ask me to box media mail books. Obviously ~sets~ of books will ship in a box even if going by book rate postage.

I allow you to choose whether or not to purchase insurance but I cannot be responsible if your package gets lost or damaged in transit. The one thing I have to insist on is that online tracking be used since it is required for Paypal's buyer-seller protection policy.

I charge a mere $2.00 over actual postage unless noted. That fee includes the 55for online tracking plus shipping supplies. That does not begin to cover the cost of padded mailers, labels, tape, ink, paper, bubble wrap, shrink wrap...you get the idea. Good thing hubby works for free!

Insurance is $1.30 for up to $50.00 coverage..... $2.20 if your package is valued between $50 - $100......... $3.20 for coverage from $100-$200........and $1.00 for each $100 in value thereafter.

I'll be happy to discount shipping for multiple purchases. If you are buying several items from me I will continue to send out my normal winner's letter for bookkeeping purposes. When you're done shopping, just send me a note with a list of the auctions you won and I'll get a combined shipping total for you so that you can save $$ on postage. If you use Paypal to pay for multiple items *please* put it through in a single payment and note all item numbers in the notations section of the form. I cannot save my buyers money on postage if I have to pay multiple transaction fees! Please don't pay me until you want me to ship your order - once I see payment is made I take it as my cue to ship your package. If you have any problems doing thes, just let me know and I'll send you a paypal invoice.

Unfortunately, there's been an increase in credit card fraud with Paypal payments. If you have an unconfirmed address I may decline to accept your credit card payment through paypal for expensive items. This will especially be true for new ebayers or those with low feedback numbers. Buyers will always be welcome to pay via personal check (within the US) or bidpay.com or international money order (for international buyers).

I love to leave feedback for you! Yes I do! I do!! These days I'm using an automated feedback program in order to devote more time to the other parts of the auction process that require my personal attention.

All I ask is that you let me know you have received your item safe and sound by leaving feedback when you get your package. That will trigger glowing, gushing, positively ooozing-with-sugar feedback for a job well-done and a transaction complete! Of course if there are any problems with your order please email me right away and I'll do everything humanly possible to make sure that you're happy with your purchase. This is an auction so all sales are final unless I make a big boo-boo in my listing or miss a large defect. In that case I will gladly accept your returned item for a full refund of your purchase price. Postage cannot be refunded.

Because I obtain the majority of my inventory from a variety of sources including garage sales, estate sales and auctions, I can not insure that the items come from smoke-free, pet-free, little old grandma who uses too many mothballs environments. I sniff the books before I buy them and I freshen or air items when practical or needed. It has been my experience that any remaining odors will fade out if the item is left outside on a sunny day (you can even lightly spritz most books with a little Febreze). If you are highly allergic to dust or mold spores you might want to consider collecting only new books.