• Home
  • 1-989-423-0430
  • Cart (0)
  • Checkout
reading vintage an online quality vintage bookstore
reading vintage an online quality vintage bookstore
  • Classic Fiction  
    • Mystery
    • Western
  • Cookbooks & Recipes 
    • Vintage Recipe Boxes
  • Childhood Favorites
  • Browse More Books 
    • The Easton Press Leather Bound Collection
    • Oxford University "World's Great Books" Series 
      • New Old Finds
    • Estate Sale Finds 
      • Vintage Bookends
    • History Books 
      • Vintage Military History & Fiction
      • Tales of the Sea
    • Nature Books 
      • Birding Books & Field Guides
      • Fishing & Hunting
    • Art Books for all Ages
    • How-To Books  
      • Photography
      • Vintage Dance Books
    • Sports  
      • Golf
    • Ephemera  
      • Yearbook's
      • Paperback
      • Postcards
    • Medical
    • Railroad
  • Classic Fiction  
    • Mystery
    • Western
  • Cookbooks & Recipes 
    • Vintage Recipe Boxes
  • Childhood Favorites
  • Browse More Books 
    • The Easton Press Leather Bound Collection
    • Oxford University "World's Great Books" Series 
      • New Old Finds
    • Estate Sale Finds 
      • Vintage Bookends
    • History Books 
      • Vintage Military History & Fiction
      • Tales of the Sea
    • Nature Books 
      • Birding Books & Field Guides
      • Fishing & Hunting
    • Art Books for all Ages
    • How-To Books  
      • Photography
      • Vintage Dance Books
    • Sports  
      • Golf
    • Ephemera  
      • Yearbook's
      • Paperback
      • Postcards
    • Medical
    • Railroad
The Vintage Book Addicts Blog

Your Checklist When Shopping for Vintage Books Online

April 10, 2022

Best Tips for Buying Vintage Books Online-reading vintage

How to Spot Valuable Books Online

If you do not have the time to shop old book stores, antique malls or estate sales, there are still ways to find collectible vintage books for your library. Shop online.

Vintage books are better for the environment and frequently reveal a story that expands beyond the words on the page. Perhaps it's a writing on the inside of the front cover or a stray annotation from a prior owner.

Buying vintage antique books online is a great way to find some scarce and exciting books. But, it's not always easy to tell if you're getting your money's worth. 

How to shop for rare and vintage books online

Because there are so many benefits to buying vintage books rather than new books, I've compiled a list of six strategies to use when shopping online. If you are a collector of vintage books, it is essential to find the right place to buy them online. There are a lot of websites that sell vintage books, but not all of them offer quality products.

6 Things to consider when shopping for a vintage book online.

  1. Check the website's feedback and ensure that they have a good reputation. Use Google to find reviews. If a seller has a lot of negative feedback, it might be best to avoid them.
  2. Ensure the website has an About, Policy, Terms of Service, and Privacy pages. Read them for more information. Then, scroll to the end of the website and inspect the information at the footer.
  3. Know what you want before you start shopping- If you are looking for a specific title or author, use the search function to narrow down your search and avoid wasting time browsing through tons of irrelevant listings.
  4. Make sure that you know the book's condition before you buy it. Some sellers will say that their books are in better shape than they really are, so make sure that you read the listing carefully. Scroll in and view the photos and ask questions if necessary.
  5. Check shipping costs: Shipping costs can vary depending on where the seller is located and if they offer free shipping. This could affect how much money you end up spending on your purchase and whether it's worth buying from one store over another.
  6. Always pay with PayPal or another trusted payment method so that there is some protection if something goes wrong with your purchase.

Antique or Vintage Book Identification Tips

It is crucial to first decide on what you are looking for. If you want a book in good condition, you may want to look for one that has been properly stored and has not been exposed to any harsh conditions. If you want an old book, then the age of the book will be a deciding factor.

Check the condition of the book

Make sure that you know the book's condition before you buy it. Some sellers will say that their books are in better shape than they really are, so make sure that you read the listing carefully and ask questions if necessary. The condition of a book can make or break the price you pay for it. For example, if there are any water stains, tears, or missing pages, you should know that this will lower the value of your purchase. 

Scroll in and view the photos. 

Don't be afraid to ask for more photos to make your decision. First, make sure there are clear photos of the tile and copywrite page. If not, ask for information to verify the details given of the book in the description.

Check the copyright date

You should also check the copyright date and publisher on any old book you consider buying online. This should be with the photographs showing the book's condition; if it's not, email the seller and ask for a photo of the title page and copywrite page.

First Edition?

Knowing if the book you are considering purchasing is a first edition is confusing. So much so, I have a whole article dedicated to the topic, How to tell if my Vintage book is a First Edition? Be sure to use these tips for sourcing a first edition; this will help make your book buying easier.

Final Tip on Value of Your Old Books

For more tips on finding clues about your old books, this article will help you; How to Determine The Value of Your Vintage Book. Of course, just having a first edition book is only one key in the steps to establishing value.

In Conclusion 

Keep these four handy tips in mind when shopping online. With this knowledge, you can buy smart and buy the books you love.

4 tips when adding books to your collection
  1. - Find out what kinds of books you like and want to collect.
  2. - Know the value of the book before you buy it.
  3. - Buy from reputable sellers who will guarantee the authenticity of their product and provide a refund if necessary.
  4. Always check Reading Vintage first. If I don't have what you're looking for, have my permission to look elsewhere.

    Happy Reading,

    Pam of Reading Vintage

    You Might Also Enjoy

    The Essential Guide to Antique, Vintage, and Retro!

    The words antique, vintage, and retro are often used when shopping at Antique Festivals, Antique stores, and flea markets. Learning what these terms mean can only help you in the bargaining process. Knowledge can help you add an elusive piece to your shelves at a fair price. 

    7 Tips for Taking Care of Your Library's Books

    Are you in the middle of your cleaning routine, sorting through cupboards, closets, washing windows? Don't forget about your extensive library of old books; they also need love and care. 

    Can You Live Sustainably as An Avid Reader?

    Reading a book allows us to transport ourselves to another world, learn new things, and escape reality. Now your passion for books and reading can help the environment.

     



    Tweet Share Pin It Email

    Leave a comment

    Comments will be approved before showing up.

    Links
    • Contact Us
    • Return & Refund
    • Vintage Sustainability
    • Glossary of Terms Used in Grading Books
    • Glossary of Terms Used in Vintage Cookbooks
    • Who Is Reading Vintage?
    Love Old Books?

    Sign up To Receive Updates on All Things Vintage, Author

    Spotlights, Exclusive Offers, and New Finds.

    Thank You!

    For supporting my small but mighty bookstore.

    Make time to read! You will be better for it.

    Happy Reading,

    Pam of Reading Vintage


    © 2023 Reading Vintage. 4215 Dyckman Road Midland Mi. 48640 Powered by Shopify

    American Express Apple Pay Diners Club Discover Meta Pay Google Pay Mastercard PayPal Shop Pay Venmo Visa