Published: February 27, 2009 12:30 am      

LITERATURE: Book trading Web sites a viable option for readers

You’re an avid reader. You love the library, but you also take pride in your book collection.

So, you buy books. You visit used bookstores, but the options are sometimes limited. And new books are great, but you don’t always feel like dropping $15 to $30.

It might be time to turn to the Internet and its world of book swapping Web sites.

These sites allow readers to list books that they would like to trade. In return, other site members offer up their reading material. In most cases, the only cost is shipping, and the books come directly to your home mailbox.

Although the fundamental concept of these sites is similar, there are slight differences in the way these services allow users to swap books. We examined five of the most popular book swapping sites on the Internet, all of which offer free membership.

Raw numbers and service details were taken into consideration, but we also checked to see if certain books were available, in ascending order of rarity: The relatively recent and popular “Life of Pi” by Yann Martel, anything by noted Japanese author Haruki Murakami and “This Perfect Day,” a dystopian novel by Ira Levin which has been out of print for years.

Paperbackswap.com

Of the five sites we visited, Paperbackswap.com had the most available books by far — more than 3 million. About 500,000 of those books available were unique titles.

Paperbackswap has two related sites, as well — Swap a CD and Swap a DVD — but it doesn’t appear that members can swap books for other items and vice versa.

Registration for the site is free, but there is a note: “As with any club, at some point in the future we may ask members to help support the club for around $10 to $20 per year, per member.”

Paperbackswap.com’s system is simple. One credit equals one book, no matter what. The more books a member ships out, the more credits he or she earns. Those credits can be used on other books. Hardcover (and audio) books are included, despite the site’s name.

The shipping system is easy, as well. Members print out a wrapper with two sheets of printer paper and add postage (typically less than $2.23 per book). There is no need to visit the post office if the shipped book weighs less than 13 oz. The site e-mails members when someone else requests one of their books.

Is Martel’s book available? Yes.

Murakami? Only one copy of any Murakami books — not an English translation.

Levin? No.

Bookins.com

Bookins.com has more than 500,000 books and about 30,000 DVDs available for trade. Members can exchange books for DVDs and vice versa.

Shipping costs are higher at bookins.com. The site uses flat rate shipping of $4.49. All labels and postage can be printed from home. Delivery confirmation and a quality guarantee are included. The site also provides replacements for damaged or lost items.

Unlike paperbackswap.com, this site uses a weighted points system. Some books and DVDs are worth more than others. According to the site, “Generally, recent, popular, and award winning books and DVDs are worth more points then (sic) others.”

Martel? Yes.

Murakami? No.

Levin? No.

Bookmooch.com

Bookmooch.com has more than 500,000 books currently available.

The point system is a little different with this site: Members receive 1/10 of a point for every book they make available for trade and one point for each book they ship. Give a book, earn a point. Get a book, lose a point. Members can also trade with international users for more points.

There’s no loophole to be exploited by entering more book titles into the system to rack up the points: “In order to keep receiving books, you need to give away at least one book for every three you receive,” according to the site. Yet, another page on the site lists a 2:1 ratio — members must send out one book for every two they receive.

Bookmooch also uses a feedback score similar to eBay so that members can determine which other users are to be trusted. There doesn’t seem to be any sort of shipping system in place, so members will likely have to make trips to the post office.

Martel? Yes.

Murakami? No.

Levin? No.

Swaptree.com

Swaptree.com only features about 75,000 books for trade, but members can also trade books for movies, music or video games. All items are assigned some kind of point value using a secret algorithm. (For instance, don’t expect to earn a Wii game if you’re only offering a popular paperback.)

Swaptree members are paired with other members who want their items, and vice versa. Users must put items up for trade before they can trade.

As soon as members put an item up for grabs, they can immediately see what other items are available to them in a trade.

Swaptree members can use postage they print out, or they can go to the post office. The site can also pair nearby members in order to forgo the shipping process.

Martel? Yes.

Murakami? Yes.

Levin? No.

Whatsonmybookshelf.com

Only about 20,000 books are currently available at whatsonmybookshelf.com.

The site employs a credit system. For every five books registered on the site, members receive one credit. Books are given point values based on their new book prices.

If members are low on points, they can purchase one point for $2. However, users can only buy five points per month.

Shipping requires making a trip to the post office.

Martel? No.

Murakami? No.

Levin? No.

Final verdict

Though not a perfect option, there are enough positives to book swapping sites for readers and book collectors to give these Web sites a serious look.

The sites are best when used for newer, more popular books. Obscure and out-of-print books are harder to find.

There are pros and cons to each site. If you’re interested in just books, paperbackswap.com and bookins.com look like the best options. If you want to include other items, swaptree.com looks like the way to go.

In any case, if you’re considering joining a book swapping site, you have to be willing to offer things that other people will want. Otherwise, you won’t be trading often.

Contact editor Phil Dzikiy at dzikiyp@gnnewspaper.com.