I’m considering doing some book swapping and I’m curious as to how this really works. The concept sounds great and most importantly cheap. While I tend to keep my books, I do have a few I’d be willing to part with for the sake of cheap reading.
Everything I’ve read about book swapping sounds positive and I thought I’d post here and hopefully hear from my readers who have actually swapped. I’d like to know how it worked out for you, and how often you do it. Have you ever not received a book in return for a book you sent? If so, was there any recourse? I’d also like to know what the average wait for a book is. Are you happy overall with the process?
I know of three book swapping sites: PaperBackSwap.com, SwapTree.com, and BookMooch.com. If you’ve used any of these, what are your thoughts about the site. It is easy to navigate, can you find what you want? Can you recommend any other book swapping sites (that you’ve actually used)?
I’m looking forward to hearing from you all and I hope to be swapping soon!
About FV Sophia
I've always wanted to swap books, but most sites are only open to the US and I'm in Canada. I'm still searching, though!
Virginie
Bookmooch.com is open to those outside the US.
I do Paperback swap and LOVE it. BUT – once you send the book away you don't get it back. Similarly, the book you request is yours to keep.
There are waiting lists for the more popular books at pbs but you can put them on your wishlist and then you are notified when they become available. I have LOTS on my wishlist
PBS works great if you have a good amount of books you will post. For every book someone requests of you, you receive one credit to "buy" a book.
I'm signing up with Paperback Swap today. I cleaned up my book shelves this weekend. so I have some I can do some swapping with. It'll be my first experience doing the book swap thing.
I don't swap because I rarely can part with my books. I have tried BookSwim (a netflix style book rental). That was pretty cool, but I bowed out after I bought a Kindle.
I don't swap either – we have some great used book stores that take trade in. I do know that quite a few of my friends on Goodreads really like bookmooch and use it all the time.
I use paperbackswap.com and it works well for me. I have also used paperspine.com, which is a book rental service. It was great. It was cheaper per book, which is great if you don't want to keep the books.