Here’s one thing you won’t find on books ordered through Amazon: stupid, sticky, impossible-to-peel-off-easily, irritating, ugly PRICE STICKERS. If I’m buying a hardcover, there’s always the tiniest thought in my mind that maybe down the line, this book might be of interest to book collectors willing to pay big bucks for a first edition (i.e. this is my retirement plan), so I don’t appreciate all the gummy stickers gunking up my pretty hardcover paper jackets.
And even if it’s just a trade paperback, I hate that residue left behind after I scrape, scrape, scrape to get off the stupid sticker, wrecking my fingernails in the process.
If you think I’m crazy, please note:
--Price range of “fine” quality first edition of The Great Gatsby without the paper jacket: $3500-$5000
--Price of “fine” quality first edition of The Great Gatsby WITH the paper jacket in “fine” condition: $50,000
(Amusingly, the shipping cost on this purchase is only $8.00. Uh—maybe spring for some insurance on this one?? Or perhaps someone forking out $50K should get free shipping??)
Source (in case you’ve got some pocket change you’re looking to spend): Abebooks
So, independent bookstores, please find less sticky labels already!