F.A.Q.’s
ISBNs
Q: What is an ISBN?
A: ISBN is an acronym for International Standard Book Number. It’s a standardized identification system for books, software and mixed media established in 1968-69 and maintained by RR Bowker, a division of Reed Publishing USA.
Q: Where can I find the ISBN of my book?
A: Publishers typically put the ISBN on the back of the dust jacket – typically above or near the bar code that is printed on the back of the dust jacket — and on one of the first few pages of the book – usually where the copyright and publisher information is printed.
Q: What does an ISBN look like?
A: Usually the letters “ISBN” will be printed followed by a number with sections separated by hyphens, e.g. ISBN 0-89123-145-2
Types of Books
Q:What types of books can you sell?
A: This Website is dedicated to the selling and buying of TEXTBOOKS for South African Primary Schools, High Schools, Tertiary Institutions and Private Colleges.Please do not list any other Books.
Q:Will you consider listing rare or old books?
A: You can list rare or old books. Please send us an email with the details on your books (Title, Author, Publisher, Published Date, Condition)
Book Condition
Q: What sort of physical condition should the books be in? (this will help you selling the book at a good price)
A: Books must be in very good condition which means that books must meet the following criteria:
- No tears to the cover, or pages.
- Corners of covers should not be bent, dented or frayed
- Minimal wear to the binding – pages should be firmly attached to the binding — bindings cannot be broken
- No writing on the sides of the book — for example a name written on the edge of the book
- A small amount of writing, underlining or highlighting of pages is usually okay, as long as it is on fewer than 20% of the books pages. However, workbooks and study guides must be clean and unwritten in (no answers filled in already)
- No missing pages
- Absolutely no water or moisture damage – crinkled pages, stains, rings
- No fire or smoke damage
- No strong odor of any kind (including musty odor, cigar or cigarette odor)
- If a textbook originally came with a CD-Rom, the original CD-Rom must accompany the book. The CD must be in working condition
- No advance reading copies, uncorrected proofs, and/or promotional or “screener” copies of books
- No books that state “not for resale” (or “not for sale”) anywhere on the cover or inside
- No ex-library books
- No partial sets (ie, only sending volume 1 of a 2 volume set)
Books received that do not meet these requirements are not eligible for listings- so please make sure that your books meet the quality requirements and PLEASE pack your books carefully when sending to the Buyer. Books damaged during shipment are not our responsibility. To ensure that books are not damaged please follow these guidelines:
- Use a sturdy corregated box. Thin boxes (e.g., cereral boxes) will not protect your books in shipment.
- Do not use plastic peanuts for packing material. Plastic peanuts shift during transit and damage pages. Nearly every shipment we’ve received with plastic peanuts result in several damaged books
- Choose the right size of box. Huge boxes of books nearly always result in damaged books
- Keep the weight of the box and books under 10kgs. Heavy boxes nearly always result in damaged books
- Use wadded up newspaper to fill gaps. Newspaper can be wadded up tightly and provide protection
Q: Can I list books that include CDs?
A: Yes, but be sure to include the CD along with the book when selling.
Text Books
Q: Do you buy text books?
A: No we do not buy textbooks but act as a go-between. They must meet the quality requirements and if the book came with additional media (e.g., inserts, CDs, etc) they must be included with the book.
Getting Paid
Q: When and how do I get paid?
A: When you have found a Buyer for your Books please negogiate with him or her.
Q: Should I pay for tracking and insurance on my package of books?
A: The S A. Post Offices offers an INSURED MAIL with TRACKING NUMBER SERVICE. If your Parcel is under 1 kg and not bigger than 30cm by 20cm it will be considered “ECONOPARCEL”. You can track and trace at www.sapo.co.za
You should pay for tracking if you are interested in confirming the location of the box as it moves through the postal service and ultimately delivery to our location. You should purchase insurance if the loss or destruction of your package through the postal service is an unacceptable risk. Both of those costs are up to you. Generally, it doesn’t cost much to track and insure a package.
