I like to buy the rarer, and occasionally more costly books, so I sometimes list items by "highest price first". This avoids wading through page after page of ordinary magazines. Sometimes historic canal maps and parliamentary acts and very rare books are offered; such as early editions of Hassell's Tour of the Grand Junction which go for around £3,000. However, sometimes the list includes items that are plainly priced incorrectly. This can sometimes be attributed to incorrectly using a currency conversation, but sometimes there doesn't appear to be any logical reason.
Today I found an example which appears to defy all logic. The GEOprojects series of maps are practical modern folded paper maps. Their map covering the Caledonian Canal is currently unavailable from the usual retail suppliers such as Waterstone's and Blackwells and the IWA shop doesn't have a copy. When available the map was priced at around £4.75. The next usual route for purchase would be on-line through Amazon but they don't have a new copy available.
However, they do however have three used copies. Now you might expect them to go for around £5 but you would be mistaken. A second-hand book seller is actually offering them through Amazon for £11,894.78! They are also available at the same price through eBay where postage is available for only £2.50.
Now I thought that was the limit for overpricing for this item until I found the same maps were available via ABEbooks from the same seller for whopping £23,2790.92 with £2.75 postage. Not a bad mark-up for a modern folded map that recently was on on sale for less than £5. Finger trouble when posting - who knows? I hope nobody clicks on them by mistake when on-line shopping!
The same seller also has a historic 1910 map of the Caledonian Canal offered at £8.29; now that looks a bargain in comparison!
4 comments:
What I have heard regarding car parts on eBay, for example, is that if stock is zero it's easier (and cheaper?) for the advertiser to adjust the price than to remove the item from the list, only to have to reinstate it when stock becomes available.
As said, I've only been told this about eBay sellers, but perhaps the practice has spread across the other sites you mention.
I agree, it's irritating for the uninitiated, and shows, to my mind, a certain contempt for the potential customers who can't help but feel frustrated at having found the item they want, only to be denied it in this manner.
Regards.
I understand your argument and it makes sense rather than saying "out of stock", but this seller claims to have three in stock!
Could it be an ISBN number by mistake?
They quote the right ISBN number and it doesn't look like the price! Maybe it's their lottery numbers!
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