Amazon.com gets a nice portion of my disposable income every year. I’m not going to name a specific dollar amount, but let’s just say that it’s comfortably in the four figures. I buy most of my books, DVDs, music CDs, and electronics from Amazon.com because I like their low prices and free shipping on any order over $25.

In the past, whenever I bought a book I would always buy a new copy, but recently a book I wanted was not available new so I was “forced” to buy a used copy. The copy I bought used was not in perfect condition, but while reading it, I realized something very important. The fact that the book was used may no difference whatsoever in regards to my enjoyment of the book. The jacket may have been worn, but the actual words contained in the book were no different. Additionally, the used copy was several dollars cheaper, even with shipping cost included, than the new copy would have been. Also, thinking in larger terms, I was “recycling” the book. In theory, the more people read each copy of the book, the fewer copies have to be printed. So, why haven’t I been buying used copies of books, movies, etc. all along?

One reason for not buying used, which I am a little embarrassed to admit, is that my ego gets in the way. As a middle class citizen of a prosperous western country, I often feel that I don’t “have” to buy used. Under this mentality, buying used is something that is “forced” upon those without the financial means to buy new goods. Because of my higher economic status, I felt like I had the “privilege” to buy whatever new goods I wanted.

To remedy this situation, I know ask myself, “Why shouldn’t I buy this used?” For some things buying new still makes sense to me, because of product warranties or for electronics with short obsolescence lifecycles (the dictionary definition of “iPod” is “a music device that lasts for two years”). But, if a used product can be had even slightly cheaper, I now jump on it. With my book buying addiction, I expect that this could save me several hundred dollars a year and will, in the long run, save a tree or two. Book Buyer’s Anonymous, or the library, could save me and the environment even more, but I’m not quite ready to take those steps just yet.

Here’s a good example. I was looking for a Japanese cookbook, and saw that Morimoto: The Art of Cooking has very good reviews, and looks interesting to me. At a local bookstore, this book would retail for $40 plus sales tax, but Amazon.com sells new copies for around $34, a savings of ~$6. But, click on the “used & new” link and you’ll be able to pick up a “like new” copy for ~$28, a savings of $6 off the Amazon.com price and over $12 off the bookstore price. But wait, I did a quick check on Half.com and found a used copy for $18 shipped! Saving me $22 off the retail price and $16 off of Amazon.com’s “low” price! Now I can afford to buy a second Japanese cook book!

Okay, it looks like if I’m going to use these savings to buy even more books, than I really should check out a BBA meeting, but still, you see my point. I’ve purchased a number of used items off Amazon.com and Half.com now, and every time I’ve received the items faster from individual sellers than I would have using Amazon.com’s free shipping, which frequently takes up to a week to post my purchases.

So, consider doing yourself, and the environment, a favor when you decide to pick up a copy of Planet Earth , buy a used copy. The used copy will cost you $50 less than a new one at your video store and they’ll be five less plastic discs and boxes that have to be manufactured.

Philby

This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 14th, 2007 at 2:42 pm and is filed under Personal Finance. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.