When it comes to curriculum I like to order new items. I have got burnt a couple of times buying used. But I had a friend of mine point out Homeschool Classifieds. Do any of you order from here and have you had success? I could save a great deal of money if I did, but at the same time I could get burnt again. Thanks for the input!
I use Homeschool Classifieds and the Well Trained Mind forums pretty often to buy used. The key is to ask a lot of questions so that there are not surprises. Good condition to one person is not acceptable to another. Always look at the seller's ratings, too.
You don't want me to answer. :lol: You can get burned anywhere. I've only bought one thing from HC, but it never showed up, and the person finally stopped emailing "it's in the mail" altogether. After a while, it was clearly a scam. Lost $20. Could've been worse. I WOULD buy from there again, though.
I was burned on e-bay, the item was listed in like new condition, but there was writing on about 50 pages. It wouldn't have been so bad, but I couldn't even erase the writing well enough to use it. I would buy from e-bay again, if it wasn't to expensive. I have also gotten some great deals from other forums. I bought a complete algebra TT for $100. I was a little concerned (as I didn't know the person, etc.), but it was in great condition and I saved about $85. If I could, I would buy everything new, because I like new stuff and also I like the idea of supporting a business, but that is unrealistic for me.
I buy most of my stuff at Homeschool Classified. I've sold a few things on there. Yes, you can lose money anywhere. Someone tried to scam me out of a considerable amount...one of those "I'll send you a money order for more than the amount, and you write a check to send on with the package, because I'll be sending it overseas...." But any idiot can see that's bogus! Other than that, I've never had a problem and it's been quite a bit of stuff over MANY years. I will also check out VegSource for used stuff, and haven't had trouble there, either.
You could check out one of my sites: www.curriculumshare.com. It is free, you just pay shipping. I have only had a couple of complaints about stuff never arriving, however, if that happens, you only lose a few bucks instead of a lot of $$ and then I delete them (if I am notified). I have purchased from HSC before and was pleased! But it all depends on the seller, not the website!!
I buy a lot from homeschool classified's and only one time I was not happy with the purchase. They said like new and when it was received there was writing and highlighting in the book and it had some damage to the book. I still buy from them and have aways gotten my stuff. I save a lot of money ordering from them. TC
The questions I was referring to stem from the only bad experiences I've had. Be sure to get details about the condition, not just a general idea. Ask if it has every been written in and if answers were erased. Make sure it is actually a complete set and name each component by name (Do you have the Teacher's Manual, Student Workbook, Test book and DVDs?) Sometimes we take for granted that the words we use to describe something are the same words they are using. To them, the "complete" set might have been the TM and DVDs, kwim? It also doesn't hurt to ask if they have used it themselves or if they purchased it just to resell it. My worst experience to date stemmed from a woman who sold me a book in "new" condition only to find it had an entire chapter--and the most important one-- ripped out of it. She refused to do anything about it because she had the book given to her and didn't know it wasn't complete. :roll:
Thank you for the replies. I ordered some stuff and as long as I get it, it will save me a lot of money, plus they said it was new!
Just wanted to say that I ordered a lot of stuff off of HSC and that I received it all and it was all in the shape that the seller said it was! I am sooooo glad that I ordered from there. I meant to see how much money I saved but keep forgetting. One of the neatest things about it was the conversations I had with the people. It was fun. I also sold stuff on there and received my money! I like HSC.
Yes! What she said!!! :lol: I ought to go back and add up what I saved instead of ordering everything new, too.
I actually ordered from Craigs list in my area before. It was nice cause I could view it in person before buying.
I order from HSC, WTM and vegsource. Also on here when there is something I need. I have only had problems as a seller with people not "getting" the items. Solved that with buying deliver conf and insurance now. Well I did have one problem with one transaction as a buyer the books came and they were yucky. I could not even touch them they were so gross. I ended up throwing them away. Buy used has saved me a lot of money. So, when I have to buy new it doesn't seem as if I have payed so much for books that year.
I might add that I keep my copy of Rainbow Resources right above my computer! That way, I have an idea of what price I can get it for new. One time, they were actually selling it MORE than Rainbow (though lower than the publisher's price)!!!
I have ordered used from Amazon, and ebay. Amazon listed the book fairly appropriately, although there are more pencil marks than they mentioned. However, I was pleased with the condition. On ebay, the item was said to be in 'excellent' condition.. honestly, those books looked NEW. There was a number on the inside cover, but when you opened them up, they acted just like brand new books. I got a heck of a deal on that one (paid $20 including shipping for 3 sci textbooks). I would buy used again, especially if it's something I want but refuse to pay 'new' prices for. I will say I looked at the stuff on wtm and won't shop there. They want to sell used for only $10 or 20 off the new price (on expensive items, mind you) and I think that's crazy. Unless the deal is really there, and it's worth the possibility that the disks won't work, or the books will be written in, I'd rather go new.
