I recommend everyone staying as far away from the site as possible. Bad business is bad business and news of bad business on the web can quickly go viral. Details of my experience can be found here.
Monday, October 11, 2010
BookMooch Needs to be Taught Some Etiquette
I recommend everyone staying as far away from the site as possible. Bad business is bad business and news of bad business on the web can quickly go viral. Details of my experience can be found here.
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Wow, missed your earlier experience, but thanks for the warning. Mindless stupidity is truly scary.
ReplyDeleteI will never use Bookmooch, or recommend it to any of my friends or associates. There is no excuse for poor customer service! tsk
ReplyDeleteIt's only Goodreads from now on!
ReplyDeleteOh wow! I'm so sorry you've been forced to experience that ugliness.
ReplyDeleteI've fortunately never even heard of BookMooch.
In the past, I held an account with Bookswim and really enjoyed it (although the selection was limited)... alas, our family needed to make a few financial sacrifices, and my Bookswim account was a luxury. *sigh*
This site sounds horrid, and it's a wonder someone doesn't report them to the BBB or sue them.
I'll pass along the word,
Take care,
- Tara
Becky's tone is downright nasty. I never received a comment or reason from FaceBook on why my page was taken down and my email account has been banned, and felt violated. I had no recourse or access to my contacts and the links I had found. So, I can just imagine how you must have felt receiving Becky's sharply worded emails.
ReplyDeleteSorry you had to go through this. Yeah Goodreads!!
Heather, have you read these comments on this site? Seems something more is going on that meets the eye.
ReplyDeletehttp://librarytwopointzero.blogspot.com/2006/09/proper-review-of-bookmooch.html
@Tara, Be happy you never heard of them. Thanks for passing on the word!
ReplyDelete@Vic, That's awful! No wonder you hate FB so much. Thanks for the article too! I guess you could say I'm not surprised if those accusations are true based on the dealings I've had with the site!
If you want a really TERRIFIC book swap service, check out www.paperbackswap.com
ReplyDeleteI've been using them for several years now, and they are unfailingly wonderful. Very professional!
Ok, clueless but now forewarned. I am curious how long they have been in business? With this kind of response by their customer service staff, I would say they will not be around much longer, and all those members with 100's of points and no where to spend them will be sorely out of luck. This sounds like a ponzy scheme. So sorry.
ReplyDeleteWow, that's terrible! What horrendous customer service. I've been using Bookmooch for several months now without a problem, but this has certainly put me on guard.
ReplyDelete@Alisa, You're the second person to recommend them, so I will have to check them out!
ReplyDelete@Laurel Ann, The more I think about it the more I think someone inside the business created an additional account with my email and address (for else would they get it?) in order to create some sort of dirty dealings.
@Vanessa, If I were you, I would mooch my books and then switch over to different service!
A pathetic attempt of a 18-century style (public) thank you note using the modern media:
ReplyDeleteDearest Lady Carrol,
My Heart has ever been susceptible of the warmest greatitude for your effort and kindness, but your last kind, unexpected as well as undiserved, noble presant in particular to me, calls for a particular acknoledgement from me. Except then dearest Lady, my most Sinceare and hearty thanks, with a promise, that your kindness Shall ever be greatefully rememberd, and your donation be made the best use. When dear Lady Carrol, shall I have the happiness, of thanking you in person, for all your kindness; god send it may be soon: till then, please to except this incorrect Scrawl and permit me to Subscribe myself, your Sincearly affectionate forever obliged, and ever dutifull admirer.
Viscount N.V.M.
My Dearest Viscount,
ReplyDeleteI knew it to be quite imprudent in commencing written communications to you; but since I am a spinster whose reputation has long been wounded, it was of no accord. I am warmed by the news of the safe arrival by post and delighted by your fine letter. I wish you great joy in your literary exploits.
Your most humble servant, &c &c
Lady Carroll
Countess of Gossip
I too had a bad experience with Bookmooch. I sent an excellent book in excellent condition to a Bookmooch person, and then was astounded to be attacked most rudely because this book was --gasp!-- a paperback edition. I could not believe this shallowness and gratuitous nastiness. This person also tried to damage my reputation on the site while trying to shake me down for book credits. I ended up giving my Bookmooch book credits away to more civilized souls I'd encountered on the site, and bade farewell to Bookmooch forever.
ReplyDeleteAnother reason why I use my local used paperback bookstore. For the books I turn in, I get credit toward the books I want to buy and often have enough credit that I end up spending nothing at all.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry about your experience. I'd never even heard of them until this.
@Mary, How could you! How DARE you! For shame, sending a paperback! Honestly, I don't blame you one bit for leaving.
ReplyDelete@NM, I am also lucky enough to have a great used bookstore in my town, but I really liked the idea of a global exchange. Oh well
First time reader, first time commenter!
ReplyDeleteI will second PaperBackSwap.com (or PBS to aficionados). I've rarely had a problem with any book, and that's always due to the post office sending it through the mangling-machine instead of the one that routs the mail properly.
The only problem is its popularity -- since so many people use the service, the waiting lists for popular books get very long. However, I see they are making deals with online booksellers to sell off overstock at a large discount in exchange for PBS credits, so there's hope it may yet be an economical alternative! Good luck!
And I love your blog! I can't stand modern gossip, but the quote is true, "It's worthless... But I take it, I bury it in the sand for a thousand years, it becomes priceless!" Or, in this case, a hundred!