Condition issues

Want to post something else SK related that doesn't fit into an existing category? Do it here.
Post Reply
downs1418
Posts: 33
Joined: Tue Feb 25, 2014 8:26 am
Karma: 0

Condition issues

Post by downs1418 »

I have to preface what I am about to say with this: I am a new collector and with most new collectors, I don't have the financial means to go out and buy a pristine copy of a highly sought after book. Limited edition and signed books are still out of my range. Therefore, I have been relegated to the thrift store, used bookstore and estate/garage sales to find copies of books. Therefore, I am regularly buying books that have some type of condition issue(s). Now, onto my question . . .

For those of you who have been collecting for longer than I have, when you are buying a book off the secondary market, what condition issue(s) are you tolerating in the books that you are buying. Obviously, some (if not all) depends on the rarity and price of the book. And, buying a copy with no issues is better than one with them. What issues are you willing to never accept?
ajw2910
Posts: 46
Joined: Mon Mar 24, 2008 12:01 pm
Karma: 0

Re: Condition issues

Post by ajw2910 »

I would never accept it without a very fine dustjacket if it was issued with one.
User avatar
racerx45
Posts: 156
Joined: Tue Nov 12, 2013 7:50 pm
Karma: 0
Location: Santa Rosa, CA

Re: Condition issues

Post by racerx45 »

The two issues I would avoid are mold and no dust jacket. A book with either of those issues are not worth your time.

After that I think it is up to you to decide on what condition is acceptable in your collection.
User avatar
TrueNorth
Posts: 176
Joined: Fri Jan 03, 2014 8:12 am
Karma: 0
Location: Canada
Contact:

Re: Condition issues

Post by TrueNorth »

In order to get every SK book I bought some pretty rough copies of the harder to get ones. As time and opportunity marched on I replaced these with better copies. For me it's a never ending hunt to find better copies.
downs1418
Posts: 33
Joined: Tue Feb 25, 2014 8:26 am
Karma: 0

Re: Condition issues

Post by downs1418 »

TrueNorth wrote:In order to get every SK book I bought some pretty rough copies of the harder to get ones. As time and opportunity marched on I replaced these with better copies. For me it's a never ending hunt to find better copies.
That's been my philosophy since I began to seriously collect. Since I was buying most of my books for $5 or less, I finally decided if I kept looking for a perfect copy, that I would be looking for a long time and would be passing up on copies that might have one or two slight imperfections. I decided that it was better to own a "seasoned" desirable copy than to not own one at all. There are some issues that I would never accept: mold, no DJ and severe spine issues. I also have to keep telling myself that any SK book released in the last 2-3 years isn't very likely to be in the $1 bin looking to be cleared out. Time will come and my collection will grow one used book at a time.
User avatar
TheCollector
Site Admin
Posts: 1806
Joined: Wed Feb 20, 2008 4:00 pm
Karma: 118
Location: West Coast
Contact:

Re: Condition issues

Post by TheCollector »

downs1418 wrote:
TrueNorth wrote:In order to get every SK book I bought some pretty rough copies of the harder to get ones. As time and opportunity marched on I replaced these with better copies. For me it's a never ending hunt to find better copies.
That's been my philosophy since I began to seriously collect. Since I was buying most of my books for $5 or less, I finally decided if I kept looking for a perfect copy, that I would be looking for a long time and would be passing up on copies that might have one or two slight imperfections. I decided that it was better to own a "seasoned" desirable copy than to not own one at all. There are some issues that I would never accept: mold, no DJ and severe spine issues. I also have to keep telling myself that any SK book released in the last 2-3 years isn't very likely to be in the $1 bin looking to be cleared out. Time will come and my collection will grow one used book at a time.
I've also bought rough copies, typically because it was a screaming deal. Mentally that's makes aquiring a better copy less "urgent" (for lack of a better term) and I can take longer finding a better deal on a pristine copy, knowing I already have one on the shelf. Afterwards I often offload the old copy
Post Reply