Reading another thread got me to thinking... I would suggest to everyone who likes to buy use to save money-check out the retail price and the price on CBD or other websites BEFORE buying from e-bay or amazon. People are more than willing to sell for more than you will pay the publisher in some cases. I have also noticed that when people bid on items on e-bay, they will get very close to the retail price. For example: TT have sold for $10 or $20 less than retail (or they have in the past). I would fork over the extra $10 or $20 and get a new set. By the way, TT doesn't charge shipping, so you aren't saving much if the e-bay seller is charging shipping. It pays to know the details.
That's why I keep my copy of Rainbow Resources catalog right above my computer. I've actually told people that Rainbow lists it at.... and they've brought their price down as a result. Sometime people know what they paid for it at the publisher, and base the selling price on that, rather than what you can get it at the discount places like CBD or Rainbow.
I know that I can get just about anything for 20-30% off throughout the year (especially at Mardel's or CBD), so I NEVER buy used unless it's at least 40%. My goal is 50% unless it's something in great condition, rarely updated, and easy to resell.
CBD=www.christianbook.com I *think* the letters actually stand for Christian Book Distributors. Thanks for the reminder about Half.com...I always forget about that site.
I am glad I am not the only one who looks at something and thinks well that is crazy. I can spend a few extra bucks and get it in new condition and not worry about dealing with ebay or craigslist. etc. A funny story: I was looking to buy spelling power and MOH v1. There was a lady on craigslist who had both books for sale. I asked how much she would sell them both for. She told me her price which was more then cbd on them, and at the time I could get free shipping and the new edition on both books. So I emailed her the links to cbd and told her what I was willing to buy them for which was about 50%. I thought that was a good deal for both of us. She sent me a scathing email about how I was trying to rip off a poor hs mom. She was only asking for a little more then what she paid for them on ebay 2 years ago!
I hope it was a typo! It was half.com, and there were several listed for over $100, though! YIKES! My first thought is they are crazy, but my 2nd thought is to feel bad for them...they probably really got ripped off!
I don't know to much about half.com. But my husband looks at cnc's on ebay all the time. There are a few machines that have been on there for over 5 years, at way inflated prices ( should be around 2-3k and priced at 25-30k) The people who are in the same business as my dh laugh and make fun of those people because they think their goods are worth gold.
It seems that people will try to get what they can, not thinking of the other person. Doesn't she understand that other homeschooling moms need a break also?
I was checking out a book on Amazon for a friend (Wisdom's Way of Learning). I bought a copy from a homeschooling store for about $15 or so. One of the ones I found on Amazon was outrageous (somewhere between $75 and $100). I contacted that person and she said that because it was out of print, she could charge that much. Well, she is right, she can charge what she wants and someone might buy it. I just think that is wrong.
