Auction Power Guide

Quilters can find a huge selection of discount quilting books on eBay.  In addition to the rock-bottom prices, there are many other advantages for buying quilting books on eBay.

New quilting book titles can often be purchased before they are released to the brick and mortar stores.

Quilters who enjoy collecting books written by a particular author can often find a seller listing their entire collection on eBay.

Rare, out-of-print, and otherwise hard-to-find quilting books can often be found for sale on eBay.

Before purchasing any quilting books on eBay there are several important things to be aware of.  Here are five useful tips for buying discount quilting books on eBay:

Pay Attention to the Advertised Condition

Be sure to carefully read the description of the quilting book offered for sale.  If a book is advertised as being ‘second hand,’ or ‘used condition’ be aware that the book may contain flaws such as page discoloration, and scratches, bends, and folds on the cover.

Be Aware of The Book’s History

Many quilting books offered for sale on eBay are acquired from estate sales.  That means that the buyer does not know the history of the book being offered for sale.  The book may have been in storage for months and could have a musty odor or smell faintly of mothballs.

This is important to be aware of if you have allergies or are sensitive to odors.  If the book actually belonged to the seller, they will often disclose if the book came from a smoke-free or pet-free home in the description.  Some sellers, however, do not provide this information. When in doubt, always ask!

Watch Those Shipping Costs

Most sellers will ship quilting books via US Postal Service Media Mail or Parcel Post.  The shipping cost, therefore, is generally not that great, unless the book being sold is oversized or a large lot is purchased.  However it is important to note that not every seller will charge ‘actual’ shipping costs. 

Those special ‘handling’ costs that are often tacked on can include such items as tape, packing envelopes, time spent packing the books, etc.  Many sellers offer to consolidate orders, for multiple wins.  This can save greatly on shipping costs.  Some sellers even offer free pickup for local buyers.

Read The Return Policy

Always read the return policy. Be aware that a seller will not offer a refund just because a buyer changed their mind about purchasing the quilting book.  Some will refund the purchase cost if the item is not as described.  Normally, however, the buyer is responsible for the cost of the return shipping.  If the item is damaged during transit, a seller will not offer a refund unless insurance was purchased. 

If you follow these four buying tips, buying discount quilting books on eBay will be a rewarding, profitable, and pleasant experience.

Sue B. Quillen