Damaged Books

[Welrain]

I was in my local games shop a few weeks ago and they had just received copies of the Dragonlance: Age of Mortal campaign book. The only problem was the on each of the books one of the corners was damaged (impact damage to the top right corner and a little bending too) like they had been dropped.

I enquired as to this at was offered a £2.00 discount on a £24.99 book. I didnt take it, as £22.99 is still alot to pay for a book, esp a damaged one.

Would you have taken the damaged book or what sort of discount would you have expected?

 

[Mark]

I would take a discount if I was planning to purchase a book anyway. I'm a person who uses my books, and uses them in such a way that they show some serious wear and tear after some period of time. So, for me, a book is bound to eventually get damaged. If the store is offering the discount they probably do not plan to return them for fear of losing some customers by not having them in stock, even as damaged/discounted books.

Still, ask for fifteen percent off of the retail price and perhaps do not settle for less than ten percent. Throw them a bone, though, and let them know that you will purchase some additional items while you are there if they go the extra mile for you. Once the haggling begins, it cannot end until you feel satisfied enough to open your wallet.

 

[S'mon]

For minor damage I'd expect 10-15% off the RRP, but if they think they can sell it at a lower or no discount that's their prerogative of course.

 

[Cthulhu's Librarian]

At least they offered you some kind of discount. One of the FLGS I shop at has a few books with cut covers. They have been there for about 2 years. I once asked if they would sell them at a discount, and was told "No, somebody will buy them at full price." Well, they are still there. One of the books I was really interested in, but with no discount, I wasn't going to buy a damaged copy. I asked them to special order me another copy, and was told "No, we've already got one." Needless to say, my $ went elsewhere. I've got no problem with purchasing a book with minor damage, as long as I receive a discount that seems reasonable.

 

[Sirius_Black]

One of the FLGS I shop at has a few books with cut covers. They have been there for about 2 years. I once asked if they would sell them at a discount, and was told "No, somebody will buy them at full price." Well, they are still there. One of the books I was really interested in, but with no discount, I wasn't going to buy a damaged copy. I asked them to special order me another copy, and was told "No, we've already got one." Needless to say, my $ went elsewhere.

Dear Cyric, that mentality you just described from the store, is insane. Granted not surprising based upon my experiences with FLGS, but still...it's insane. No wonder some FLGS are having business trouble if any have the mentality of the store you just described.

 

[Cthulhu's Librarian]

Dear Cyric, that mentality you just described from the store, is insane. Granted not surprising based upon my experiences with FLGS, but still...it's insane. No wonder some FLGS are having business trouble if any have the mentality of the store you just described.

Most of the staff there has either left or been fired, so things are looking better now. I still don't buy much from them anymore. The same guy who wouldn't discount the damaged books for me also took a book out of my hands while I was looking at it and put it back on the shelf saying "Don't mess the books up, I just organized everything." Some people just aren't made to be sales clerks. He now works as a short order cook after getting fired for telling a customer to "F-off" on the phone while the owner was in the store.

 

[WayneLigon]

... me also took a book out of my hands while I was looking at it and put it back on the shelf saying "Don't mess the books up, I just organized everything." .

I wouldn't blame you for not going back. The mere idea of them refusing to special order a book for you because they already have one.. that just boggles my mind. I'm glad they fired this idiot. Too bad that the store will probably never get back the customers he's run off with his behavior; they'll either be ordering online or getting their friends to do so.

On the damaged books.. I probably would not expect a large discount for that unless the utility of the book itself had been damaged. 10% seems to be usual, mainly because you (normally) can just order a new copy.