Thrifty Reading

I love books! And two of my favorite websites allow me to trade books with others–PaperBackSwap and SwapTree.

PaperBackSwap works on a credit system. YOu post all of the books you want to trade, and for each book someone requests from you, you earn one credit. You then send the book to the requester. This usually costs between $2 and $3. People likewise will pay to send you the books you request. Once you earn credits (and they automatically give you two once you list 10 books), you can use them to request the books you want. You are also able to purchase credits to request more books.

SwapTree is similar, but has some key differences. You also pay to send books requested from you, but wherease PaperBackSwap gives you credits to get books, SwapTree allows you to trade directly with people who have items you want. Three-party trades are also possible. SwapTree also has books, dvds, cds, and video games all on the same site, so you can swap your book for someone else’s movie. You and the other people participating in the trade all have to agree to it before the trade goes through–you’re not obligated to trade your brand new dvd for a cheap paperback, unless that’s a swap you want to make. Swaptree also let’s you rate the condition of books. This can help you determine whether or not you want to enter the swap.

I find the two systems complement each other well. I like that on PaperBackSwap I can order books from whomever I want, regardless of whether or not they want something of mine. However, for popular items, you’re put on a waiting list, and it could take a long time before all of the people ahead of you get the books and it finally gets to you. This points toward a main advantage of SwapTree–if there’s something you want, there isn’t a waiting list. You just have to have something the owner wants. So if you have a desirable item, you’re likely to get what you want fairly quickly. This trading system can also be a disadvantage, though, because you must have something that the other person wants. Overall, I find that by belonging to both sites, I get the benefits of both, and they balance each other out.

I recognize that an even thriftier way to access books (and other items on SwapTree) would be to go to the library, as you do spend money to send out each book. I do use the library sometimes, but they don’t always have too books I want, and I want to be able to read the books at my own pace when I get the time. This isn’t always possible with the library. Overall, I find paying only shipping makes books significantly cheaper than buying new and also cheaper than at a used bookstore. Plus it’s always fun to get mail.

This is also an economical way to purchase gifts. Get items you know your gift recipients would like that are in good condition, and they become great, affordable gifts. I was able to get books for Christmas gifts for my mom, my mother-in-law, and my cousins this way.