Abbat Books query
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Discussion

BunkMoreland

Original Poster:

4,008 posts

33 months

Sunday 6th October 2024
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The initial message was deleted from this topic on 25 June 2026 at 20:54

leestanton

1 posts

20 months

Thursday 10th October 2024
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It sounds like you’re right to be cautious. Here are a few things to consider:

Generic photo: The use of a stock image instead of an actual photo of the book is a red flag, especially for rare or collectible books where condition is key. You could ask the seller for more photos of the actual item to ensure it's legit.

Price fluctuations: The fact that they initially rejected your offer, raised the price, and then circled back to your original offer could just be negotiating tactics, but it also feels a bit inconsistent. It could be a sign they’re trying to make a quick sale.

Brief description: The short description might just be laziness, or it could mean they don’t have the book on hand or aren't familiar with its condition. Sellers of rare books usually provide detailed info about the edition, condition, etc., so it's odd that this one doesn't.

Reputation check: If you're unsure, check their eBay feedback for any similar complaints or issues. Negative reviews or even neutral ones can be telling.

Too good to be true: Trust your gut. If something feels off, it's worth proceeding with caution. Maybe ask if you can pay via PayPal to give you some protection, or find a seller with more transparency.

Hope that helps! Better safe than sorry when it comes to rare books.

smithyithy

7,853 posts

144 months

Tuesday 5th November 2024
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leestanton said:
It sounds like you’re right to be cautious. Here are a few things to consider:

Generic photo: The use of a stock image instead of an actual photo of the book is a red flag, especially for rare or collectible books where condition is key. You could ask the seller for more photos of the actual item to ensure it's legit.

Price fluctuations: The fact that they initially rejected your offer, raised the price, and then circled back to your original offer could just be negotiating tactics, but it also feels a bit inconsistent. It could be a sign they’re trying to make a quick sale.

Brief description: The short description might just be laziness, or it could mean they don’t have the book on hand or aren't familiar with its condition. Sellers of rare books usually provide detailed info about the edition, condition, etc., so it's odd that this one doesn't.

Reputation check: If you're unsure, check their eBay feedback for any similar complaints or issues. Negative reviews or even neutral ones can be telling.

Too good to be true: Trust your gut. If something feels off, it's worth proceeding with caution. Maybe ask if you can pay via PayPal to give you some protection, or find a seller with more transparency.

Hope that helps! Better safe than sorry when it comes to rare books.
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