In Part 2 of my Book Trading Series, I’m profiling PaperbackSwap, the first book swapping site that I joined.

 

PaperbackSwap is probably the most popular of all the swapping sites I use.  I’m pretty certain that if I wait long enough, I will get almost every book I want through PaperbackSwap.  Unfortunately, I’m not that patient.

Pros

• There is a large selection of readily available books.  If it’s been released in mass market paperback, you could probably request it right now, without having to wait.  Older books are pretty readily available or generally have short waiting lists.
• Simple trading system – one credit per book, two credits for audiobooks
• First come, first served – you don’t have to sit at your computer, hoping you have good timing in order to grab a book.
• High volume of books traded, which means if you wait long enough, you’ll probably get what you want.  For short waiting lists, the wait time can be surprisingly short.
• The owners of PaperbackSwap own two other swapping sites, Swap a DVD and Swap a CD, so you can get rid of your other stuff and transfer your credits over to PBS.  The ratio for transfer from CD to PBS is 1:1 and from DVD to PBS is 2:3. 
• The site is very easy to use, though the default search setting is set to show only posted books, which is a minor annoyance.
• Has lots of features that you aren’t required to use (I don’t) but enhance the social networking aspect.  Additionally, apparently the forums are a good place to find trades and such, and the games are fun.
• Can set condition requirements for books you request – for example, must come from a non-smoking household, hardcovers must have dust jackets, etc.
• If a book is damaged by the Post Office, your credit is often returned to you without it being removed from the sender.
• You can purchase credits ($3.45 each) if you need some in a hurry

Cons

• People get on waiting lists very early.  For example, Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner, which publishes in September 2009 (approx. 4 months from now) has a waiting list of 233 people.  That makes it difficult to get popular new releases. (May change with the new Wish List – see below)
• Cannot post ARC’s
• Cannot list condition of a book when you’re posting it to the site
• Since there are so many books available on PaperbackSwap, there is a chance that many of the books you post might already be available in the system.  Usually, the books move pretty quickly, so this isn’t too much of a problem.  (However, good luck getting rid of your mass market paperback copy of Angels & Demons)
• You don’t get credit for shipping a book until the receiver marks it as received (unless you used PaperbackSwap’s Printable Postage, which charges a premium), so you have to keep credits stocked up in case something you want shows up.
• Wish List is limited to 200 books.  (Will change to unlimited with the new Wish List – see below)
• Trading system of one credit per book sent out doesn’t seem equitable for very heavy books (> 3 lb) which can cost a lot to ship.

The Wish List:  Right now, the Wish List is simple.  You find a book you want and add it to your wish list.  You are placed at the back of the “line” and move forward as copies become availeble – it’s completely first come, first served.  However, PaperbackSwap is planning on changing the Wish List so that your position in line will depend on the priority you assign to a book, as well as how long it’s been in your Wish List (currently the way the wish list for Swap a DVD works).  I personally think this is a pro, but for people who think far enough ahead to add books that aren’t coming out for months to their Wish Lists, this might anger them.  It all really depends on how well it works.

Printable Postage: I also got a question about PaperbackSwap’s printable postage, and whether it’s worth it.  Basically, PaperbackSwap allows you to put money in your PBS account and then print postage straight from your computer so you don’t have to go to the post office.  Is it worth it?  In my opinion, it depends.  They do charge you a premium of 43 cents per item to use it and you are required to use Delivery Confirmation.  However, if you use PaperbackSwap’s printable postage, you receive credit for a book as soon as it’s marked as mailed, which is good if you are trying to get a credit quickly.  Also, you don’t have to deal with the hassle of addressing the package – they automatically prepare a nice label for you.  If time or simplicity, rather than cost, is a premium, this is probably the way to go.

Bottom Line:  If you want to get rid of books quickly at a site where you know that eventually, you will find something you want, PBS is the way to go.  I also feel like it is the lowest maintenance – just set your Wish List, and as long as you have enough credits, you don’t have to check it on a daily basis.  I definitely think PBS is a great trading sites, but because I have ARCs, I think it’s worth it to use other sites as well.

If you have any thoughts or questions, please leave them in the comments section!

If you join PaperbackSwap, I’d love it if you used a link from this page – that way I would get credit for referring you.