Half.com Review

Half.com specializes in new and used books, CDs, DVDs, and videogames.  Unlike Ebay, Half.com is not an auction house; you can jump right in and make a purchase without worrying about the intricacies of placing bids or keeping up with auctions.  Like eBay, Half.com does not directly sell or warehouse any merchandise.  The site is merely the means by which buyers and sellers purchase media from one another. 

Some sellers are ordinary individuals looking to clear out their collections, while other sellers are high-volume professionals and small bookstore owners with new stock at discounted prices.  The inventory and prices are constantly in flux because those factors are driven by what sellers have to offer on any given day. The price at which they decide to sell is completely up to them.

This past summer I was in need of a good read, but the book recommended by a friend (Snow Flower and the Secret Fan) was already checked out at my local library.  I wasn't familiar with the author's work, so I didn't want to invest too much money in purchasing a hardcover book. 

First, I headed to Amazon.com and found that the paperback edition was a compelling 40% off the retail price. A mere $8.37.  Barnes and Noble had similar pricing.  Still, the bargain hunter in me would never stop at two options.  Impossible.  I decided to check the prices at Half.com. 

Luckily for me, the paperback edition was being offered by several sellers--both individuals and businesses--in a variety of conditions:  Brand New, Like New, Very Good, Good, and Acceptable.  The best price at the time was $4.50 for a "Good" copy and the highest price was $9.84 for a "Very Good" copy.  Interestingly, condition does not necessarily correspond to price.  Some of the best prices are in the "Brand New" and "Like New" categories, while some of the most expensive books are in the "Good" or "Acceptable" category.  Go figure.

Anyway, I selected a "Like New" copy being sold by an individual who stated it had never been read and who would sell it for $4.99.  She had a solid feedback rating from past transactions both on Ebay and Half.com.  Sold.

I received my book in the condition described and in the timeframe promised.  Overall, I've never had any problems with purchases from Half.com.  I enjoy getting both a great bargain and a great read, all in one easy transaction.