Q&A: Is selling ex-library books kosher on eBay or Amazon?

QUESTION: I recently went to a library sale. Only later I realized some of the books had a library stamp. Should I try removing some of the marks with Goo Gone? How should I grade and price these books?

ANSWER: Goo Gone can create an even bigger flaw on some books if it soaks into the finish. For most books with some lamination or glossy coating, it's fine. But on cloth or plain paper, it will create an eyesore.

I get most of my books from library sales, so I've sold hundreds of ex-library copies on Amazon Marketplace. I've never sold an ex-library on eBay, but you're probably on safer ground there, since more of those buyers tend to read descriptions.

On Amazon, I've had only one nightmare from an ex-library sale. Someone bought a "Large Print" library book that I graded conservatively in "Good" condition and described as a "former library copy with library markings." When the buyer received the book, she gave me a 1/5 feedback, and to top it off, her feedback claimed I'd stolen the book from the library!

(That's one of my pet peeves: Certain people who complain about things without spending 10 seconds getting the facts. If I were going to publicly accuse someone of committing a crime, I'd want to be doggone sure I knew what I was talking about.)

That customer was one of the few -- out of more than 100,000 people I've sold to on Marketplace -- who I didn't bother dealing with after receiving a complaint. Didn't want to waste my time or temper on that one. (This was a few years ago, before it was possible to get buyers to remove feedback comments and ratings. If this happened today, I'd gingerly approach the customer and try to get the feedback removed.)

But that one bad apple was the exception that proves the rule -- it's perfectly fine to sell ex-library books. I haven't had a single other complaint.

On the other hand, the ex-library books I sell usually fit into a few categories where buyers often expect an ex-library copy, like Large Print books, business directories, and encyclopedias.

Now, to the question of how to grade and price ex-library books: For a common book, library markings definitely call for a big price reduction and a condition downgrade. You'd want to indicate "Good" condition, perhaps even if the book is "Like New" except for the library marks.

And certainly, you'll want to go out of your way to call attention to the flaw. On Marketplace, I start off with something like this, in all caps:

EX-LIBRARY COPY IN VERY GOOD CONDITION EXCEPT FOR THE USUAL LIBRARY MARKINGS.

Probably 98 percent of the ex-library books I sell are expensive, specialized books where it's hard for the buyer to get a discounted price -- or perhaps the book is just plain hard to find. For example, a few times every year, I come across a book like this one.

I pick up something like this at library sales for about $5 when they replace it with the new edition. I sell the ex-library copy for about $150, and usually it's never been used, so the buyer is totally unconcerned about the library stamps. They just want the information in the book. Perhaps they need the book for their job, it's not for their personal collection.

(Also, this is probably a perfect example of a book that will sell quicker and for more money on Marketplace than eBay. Someone needing a specialized book for their work isn't going to wade through eBay. And they're probably getting reimbursed by their employer -- or writing it off on their taxes -- so they don't care too much about the price, they just want a fair price.)

However, you usually can't sell a fiction "collectible" First Edition that has library markings -- the library stamps totally invalidate the book as a collectible. But of course this is a totally different buyer than someone who's trying to get a deal on a specialized nonfiction book.

For common books, you've got to make it worthwhile for the customer to buy your ex-library copy. Merely offering a dollar or two of savings isn't going to cut the mustard. And, these penny-pinchers tend to be the customers who don't read "seller's comments" and have no qualms about zapping you with nasty feedback.

I'm interested in hearing others' experiences in selling ex-library books, on Amazon or elsewhere. Any horror stories? And what do you think is the best "condition" you can assign to an ex-library? Lots of booksellers claim you shouldn't grade anything above "Acceptable" for an ex-library. What do you think? Please chime in with your comment below.