[wilko]

OK, some of you have raised the possibility of a swap-shop for books.

Have you any ideas how this would work? Post all suggestions here. Also, what would you expect to see from the site developers (that would be StevieTee and I) to facilitate this?

I'm not promising that we can do it, but its worth thinking about.

[homerpovey]

Didn't think as far as how it would work when I suggested it .

Maybe put a list of books people are giving away with whoever name next to them and people can post in the thread if they are interested. I think the person receiving the book should foot the postage bill.

There's a few thoughts. Do you think we need a book club membership or is that a little stupid. Never been part of anything like this before so not sure what else to suggest.

[wilko]

Here's what I would suggest:

1) Each member pays a small entry fee. This "Entry fee" is fully refundable when they leave the club, and is only there to ensure honesty.

2) The fee would be something small, maybe £3?

3) In exchange for the entry fee, the member receives a number of "credits". Each credit can be used to "buy" a single paperback book, and 2 credits will buy a hardback book.

4) A user builds up credits every time they send a book (and confirmation is received that the book arrived safely). They can then use these credits to "buy" a book from another member.

5) If a book does not arrive safely, the account of the sender will be deducted by an amount, maybe £1? When their account reaches zero, they cannot trade until they "top up" their account.


These are just initial ideas, and it may not work, but it needs to be done in such a way that its not a "reciprocal" exchange - i.e. you can have books from anybody, and not just somebody that you have sent a book to.

[Silent Bob]

Rather than "swapping" them, how about just having a list of books available and who has them - like a library? Maybe with a waiting list.

You have to be a regular forum user and that upon taking a book from the list it has to be returned to the list. Otherwise I could see people taking them and flogging them.

[littlesheepy]

Originally Posted by Silent Bob

Rather than "swapping" them, how about just having a list of books available and who has them - like a library? Maybe with a waiting list.

You have to be a regular forum user and that upon taking a book from the list it has to be returned to the list. Otherwise I could see people taking them and flogging them.

I like the 'library' type idea where we caould all list books we have that we are willing to lend/swap. You could put your name down if you are interested in a certain one and pay the postage to swap/borrow it but on the understanding if someone else wants to borrow it, when you have finished they can pay the postage and borrow it from you. We could even have a request list of things people would like to read if they're available :)

[Model Citizen]

Quite interested in this. The biggest drawback with buying second hand books is the postage. Even when sellers on Amazon are selling for 1p, the postage is usually what stops me buying.

I like the library idea, listing what's available, how about also having a fixed postage charge too, maybe one price for paperback and one for hardback?

[littlesheepy]

Think that would work except maybe some could carry an 'outsize' warning which means they would cost a bit more if they're particulary big?! A standard paperback price shouldn't be a problem i would have thought