Routine warning about buying books on eBay
Napoleon Plural
LondonPosts: 10,427MI6 Agent
I've been caught like this. If you buy books off, well certainly World of Books or I Want This Book, you may not get one with the cover that is shown, which can be very annoying if that's the main reason you're buying that particular edition.
I got a copy of Les Mis from World of Books, they're regularly advertising it, with the version showing a frenzied crowd on a historical painting. When it arrives, it's a picture of a miserable looking bloke in a hat nursing his drink. Scroll down to the foot of the order, and okay, it says quite clearly: 'The cover shown is for illustrative purposes only' or words to that effect. Of course, you're never gonna read that unless you scroll all the down, past all the blurb and small print about World of Books. And I think it's the same for a lot of these eBay purchases through book dealers rather than individuals.
While the individual often has to tell when it's a 'stock photo' there's absolutely nothing to enforce a seller to make it clear from the start that the picture they have has NOTHING to do with the book they are actually selling you! X-(
I got a copy of Les Mis from World of Books, they're regularly advertising it, with the version showing a frenzied crowd on a historical painting. When it arrives, it's a picture of a miserable looking bloke in a hat nursing his drink. Scroll down to the foot of the order, and okay, it says quite clearly: 'The cover shown is for illustrative purposes only' or words to that effect. Of course, you're never gonna read that unless you scroll all the down, past all the blurb and small print about World of Books. And I think it's the same for a lot of these eBay purchases through book dealers rather than individuals.
While the individual often has to tell when it's a 'stock photo' there's absolutely nothing to enforce a seller to make it clear from the start that the picture they have has NOTHING to do with the book they are actually selling you! X-(
"This is where we leave you Mr Bond."
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Comments
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/les-miserables-victor-hugo/1004116734?ean=9780140444308&format=paperback
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/les-miserables-victor-hugo/1004116734
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/les-miserables-victor-hugo/1004116734?ean=9781416500261&format=paperback
Or is it different?
Thanks for the warning, by the way. Sorry you got caught by the fine print.
Yeh you have to be careful. Sometimes it's only the BOX they are selling... and people don't realise... and like for an i-phone box someone paid £80 thinking they were getting the phone too... so you do have to read carefully... and all the way to the end!
Yeah, those were the ones. Penguin with Norman Denny translation. Well, I got the book, but not with that attractive cover. Anyone enthused, look over to eBay and you'll see plenty of 'em for sale, mostly from World of Books with its 'hidden' disclaimer at the foot of the page. X-(
One time I turned up that Moonraker paperback rarity, with Bond and Gala steathily walking around a stationarly V2, the MR itself. It was on amazon, but when I emailed to check it was with the same cover, it mysteriously disappeared! Maybe the seller got wise to its value.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Roger Moore 1927-2017
They probably should require it to be mentioned in the basic official info box where it lists condition, publisher, size, etc. Should be a box saying Item as Pictured or Item may differ from Picture
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Les-Miserables-Classics-Victor-Hugo-/170785212904?pt=Fiction&hash=item27c39789e8
You have to scroll down.
That said, having found that book and tried reading it boy it's hard work. That's one of the harder classics to wade thru, and it's got more length than Dirk Diggler once the fluffer's been at him.
Another one translated by Rosie someone looks easier to get through.
Roger Moore 1927-2017