Problem with older books/reproductions

[JudesNiceThings]

When I list books, I like to add to the stock item database via the ISBN number.
On more than one occasion, I have had to NOT add a book, even when it has an ISBN.
Why? - Because the 'release date' dropdown only has options from now back to 1970, and no option to insert an earlier date.
Without a date, the whole stock page is not accepted.

EXAMPLE:
I'm at present trying to list a paperback reproduction of a book written and released in 1884 - to list it as 'released in 2004' would not actually be true, and I cannot list it as an 'antique' as it is not.

Could we have 'other' on the dropdown menu please, or set it to accept without a specific year entry.

[somersethedge]

not sure if it will help or not but have a look at one of the books I have listed.... the "template" might do you for the odd book you have problems with

[raindropsies]

is there anywhere other than eBid that you can get the info for all isbn numbers, as the way it is at the moment, listing books IMO take far too long, so I then just don't bother with them as it takes on average 20 minutes a book, which is not cost effective for me. But if there was a isbn site that hadd all the relevent details to copy & paste to a listing that would be great.

[leadhillsonline]

I use book collector it will search a number of sites and pull a variety of details depending on what you want. Can't remember how much it cost me but I think it was money well spent.
It then takes a couple of mins to list a book. I think I spend more time scanning the covers than anything else.

[johnwash1]

is there anywhere other than eBid that you can get the info for all isbn numbers, as the way it is at the moment, listing books IMO take far too long, so I then just don't bother with them as it takes on average 20 minutes a book, which is not cost effective for me. But if there was a isbn site that hadd all the relevent details to copy & paste to a listing that would be great.

I tried using ebid's info from isbn numbers, never got a hit in dozens of attempts, so I never bother now. Has it improved?

My method is to put the isbn into amaz**.co.uk and paste some of the info from there, as well as pointing bidders to that site so they can see I'm cheaper here. Of course sometimes I find I won't be cheaper here, there are books there that are a penny plus the 2.75 postage and if it's a heavy book there's no way I can compete with that, so it goes for recycling.

You need to watch out though -- Am*z*n's listings don't always exactly correspond with the ISBN, I find. Different bindings, for example. Given the difference in weight between a hardback and a paperback that can be quite important.

If only there were postcode based searches on this site it would make it worthwhile listing such books for collection only. I do not understand why there isn't a gang of 1,000's of determined eBidders standing outside eBid's office with placards, screaming for this feature. It could make a massive difference to the sales on this site.

Yes, it takes me too long doing an auction. Especially if I want a pic, yet I'm finding I really should take the trouble to include pics, it does seem to turn buyers' heads.

[leadhillsonline]

My method is to put the isbn into amaz**.co.uk and paste some of the info from there, as well as pointing bidders to that site so they can see I'm cheaper here. Of course sometimes I find I won't be cheaper here, there are books there that are a penny plus the 2.75 postage and if it's a heavy book there's no way I can compete with that, so it goes for recycling.

You need to watch out though -- Am*z*n's listings don't always exactly correspond with the ISBN, I find. Different bindings, for example. Given the difference in weight between a hardback and a paperback that can be quite important.

If only there were postcode based searches on this site it would make it worthwhile listing such books for collection only. I do not understand why there isn't a gang of 1,000's of determined eBidders standing outside eBid's office with placards, screaming for this feature. It could make a massive difference to the sales on this site.

Yes, it takes me too long doing an auction. Especially if I want a pic, yet I'm finding I really should take the trouble to include pics, it does seem to turn buyers' heads.

I know what you mean, a lot of my info comes from there as well and it is surprising how often it is wrong.
As to a postcode seach, I've found them useless on the other side as they work them out as the crow flies which can make it a lot further away than you expect.

[Gothicina]

I know what you mean, a lot of my info comes from there as well and it is surprising how often it is wrong.
As to a postcode seach, I've found them useless on the other side as they work them out as the crow flies which can make it a lot further away than you expect.

IKWYM there I'm sick of being told that I live 15 miles away from Chatham,it's nearer 50, & 20 miles away from Colchester, that's more like 40. For a postcode/distance search to work properly it needs to be more like google maps.

[JudesNiceThings]

Well - thanks for the advice - I don't really mind doing the ISBN database, it doesn't take long, and I have plenty of time!

It's the shortcoming I was trying to point out - only a small thing, after all, and I CAN explain it in the listing below it.

The other thing that sometimes complicates things (but not for me so far) is that ISBN numbers are different in USA.

(on Feebay.com, they have a database for books, but it doesn't work with UK ISBN numbers!)

[leadhillsonline]

Well - thanks for the advice - I don't really mind doing the ISBN database, it doesn't take long, and I have plenty of time!

It's the shortcoming I was trying to point out - only a small thing, after all, and I CAN explain it in the listing below it.

The other thing that sometimes complicates things (but not for me so far) is that ISBN numbers are different in USA.

(on Feebay.com, they have a database for books, but it doesn't work with UK ISBN numbers!)

ISBNs are unique to each edition of a book. Often the USA have their own editions which also sometimes have a different title.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN

[moonwitch]

When I list books, I like to add to the stock item database via the ISBN number.
On more than one occasion, I have had to NOT add a book, even when it has an ISBN.
Why? - Because the 'release date' dropdown only has options from now back to 1970, and no option to insert an earlier date.
Without a date, the whole stock page is not accepted.

EXAMPLE:
I'm at present trying to list a paperback reproduction of a book written and released in 1884 - to list it as 'released in 2004' would not actually be true, and I cannot list it as an 'antique' as it is not.

Could we have 'other' on the dropdown menu please, or set it to accept without a specific year entry.

I have listed several books with the pre-filled information in the last couple of days and didnt add a publication date at all.

My listings went through alright - dont know what I did though