F.A.Q
Do you ship across Canada?
Yes, we do! We have shipped to most provinces and territories in Canada.
Orders up to eleven pounds that fit into a flat rate box we ship with Canada Post. For larger orders, we look into courier shipping.
Orders up to eleven pounds that fit into a flat rate box we ship with Canada Post. For larger orders, we look into courier shipping.
What does shipping cost?
Most book orders will ship in Canada Post flat rate boxes. Typically, by the time a medium flat rate box is full, the 11 pound weight limit has been reached, and I rarely ship the larger box, unless someone purchases an oversized book. Medium flat rate boxes ship for $25 plus tax.
If an order exceedss 11 pounds, we will consider using couriers to ship. Sometimes the courier price is very cost effective, although for orders to the Maritimes or far north, using another flat rate box might be the most affordable option.
Book orders of two books or less ship for a flat fee of $10, so long as they are able to ship in a single letter mail envelope; once the value of the books exceeds $25, actual shipping charges apply.
If an order exceedss 11 pounds, we will consider using couriers to ship. Sometimes the courier price is very cost effective, although for orders to the Maritimes or far north, using another flat rate box might be the most affordable option.
Book orders of two books or less ship for a flat fee of $10, so long as they are able to ship in a single letter mail envelope; once the value of the books exceeds $25, actual shipping charges apply.
How often do you ship?
I pack up orders most Fridays, and ship by the following Tuesday. Orders placed after Friday won't be packed up until the following weekend.
During holidays and breaks, this schedule is up in the air a bit. Please message me if you need your books urgently.
During holidays and breaks, this schedule is up in the air a bit. Please message me if you need your books urgently.
How many of each book do you have in stock? Do I need to order right away?
We generally only have one copy of each book at a time. We list them as we find them, and we rarely find multiples.
So yes, if you see a book you want, don't wait! It might be gone the next time you look through the site.
Please note: Because we don't accept payments here on the site, and I can't finalize orders until we receive payment, in rare cases you might request a book that's already been claimed by someone else, but is waiting for that order to be finalized. That's why we ask that payment be made promptly, within 24 hours of receiving an invoice. I apologize in advance if I have to let you know that a book you were hoping for has already been claimed by someone else.
So yes, if you see a book you want, don't wait! It might be gone the next time you look through the site.
Please note: Because we don't accept payments here on the site, and I can't finalize orders until we receive payment, in rare cases you might request a book that's already been claimed by someone else, but is waiting for that order to be finalized. That's why we ask that payment be made promptly, within 24 hours of receiving an invoice. I apologize in advance if I have to let you know that a book you were hoping for has already been claimed by someone else.
What kinds of payment do you accept?
At this point I accept e-transfers and for local pick-ups, cash as well.
Once you place your order on the website, I will pack it up and weigh it, and let you know your total, including shipping, and payment details. At that point you have 24 hours to send an e-transfer, before I relist the books on the site and they become available for anyone else to purchase.
Local pick-ups - if you are able to pick up within 48 hours of placing your order, I will gladly accept cash payments. If it will be longer, please send an e-transfer.
Once you place your order on the website, I will pack it up and weigh it, and let you know your total, including shipping, and payment details. At that point you have 24 hours to send an e-transfer, before I relist the books on the site and they become available for anyone else to purchase.
Local pick-ups - if you are able to pick up within 48 hours of placing your order, I will gladly accept cash payments. If it will be longer, please send an e-transfer.
What do all the acronyms mean in the listing descriptions? Are the books in good condition?
Every book I sell is a used book, and has either been thrifted, is being sold on commission, or is simply a book that I no longer have space for on my shelves. Usually, these books are in very good used condition - sometimes they look almost new. Sometimes they show considerably more wear, though they are still good for many more reads. Here's a list of the abbreviations you'll see on this site.
SC - soft cover/paperback
HC - hardcover
BB - board book
LB - book has an extra reinforced library binding
dj - book comes with a dust jacket*
*Dust jacket condition is always described separately. Sometimes a dust jacket is in poor condition because it's been doing a great job of protecting the book underneath.*
EXC or like new - book is in excellent condition - like new - with basically no flaws
VG - book is in very good condition; it may have minor flaws such as minor creasing to the covers or a few dog eared pages, it might be inscribed, or have dents or shelf wear to the covers and spine, but the binding is sound, and book has no major defects
G - Good condition - evidence of wear and usage (scuffs, staining, creases, bumped corners, markings, minor tears, etc.) but a solid reading copy. Any flaws do not interfere with reading. Good condition books might benefit by having a piece of tape placed over softcover spines, or the hinges reinforced for longevity. etc.
F - Fair condition books are readable but are not books to hand down to your descendants. There could be more substantial damage, such as the spine separating form the cover, tears through multiple pages, lots of underlining or highlighting, etc., in addition to the potential issues mentioned above.
P - Poor: book has many flaws and is better for crafting than reading
exlib - ex-library book - not a condition descriptor as such. An exlib book will have library name/discard stamps, stickers, pockets, etc.
vintage condition - not necessarily a descriptor of condition, but more an understanding that glue may be brittle, the boards may show wear, there may be some foxing, etc. A book in good vintage condition is a book that is in good condition, considering it's age and the amount of usage it's seen.
Is the copy of the book pictured on your website the exact one I'll receive?
Sometimes. For the vast majority of books, I have only one copy in stock at any given moment. Occasionally a book will turn up several times in a short period and I will have more than one copy on the shelf. In that case, unless the condition of the books varies drastically, I will photograph only one copy of the book.
Additionally, in the interest of saving time (which translates to keeping prices low), I sometimes reuse a listing for a new copy of a book, simply adjusting condition details and comments as necessary.
Sometimes then, the book you receive might have a different cover than the one you see in the listing.
Let me know if you are trying to find a particular edition or cover for your shelves and I can confirm which copy I currently have in stock.
Additionally, in the interest of saving time (which translates to keeping prices low), I sometimes reuse a listing for a new copy of a book, simply adjusting condition details and comments as necessary.
Sometimes then, the book you receive might have a different cover than the one you see in the listing.
Let me know if you are trying to find a particular edition or cover for your shelves and I can confirm which copy I currently have in stock.
Why is there sticker residue on my books?
You can blame thrift store for this one, and their inability to distinguish plastic toys from book covers. While I prefer to shop at thrift stores that don't plaster price tags on books, sometimes I find literary gems at less discerning shops.
When possible, I remove price stickers, but in order to maintain our low prices, I can't spent hours scraping off residue and sticker remnants.
What I can do is give you advice on how to best remove stickers at home!
There ae chemical sticker removing solutions available. I find them expensive and smelly, although sometimes the best option on delicate book surfaces.
What I use regularly is lemon essential oil. The oil dissolves the greasy sticky residue and makes it much easier to scrape off book covers. Lately, I've been using this one:
https://amzn.to/4hQWBhN
I drip the oil on and spread it around with Q-tips.
Be careful, because lemon oil can stain porous surfaces. I would never use it on a clothbound hardcover or a papery softcover.
Sometimes, the lemon oil isn't quite enough by itself, so I add a little bit of rubbing alcohol to help remove both oil and residue from the book's surface.
You pay also want to consider one of these implements - my nails thank me every day since I purchased my first Scotty Peeler.
The metal Scotty Peeler works the best, but it's terribly sharp, and I've cut myself more than once. Keep it far away from children:
https://amzn.to/4hRCOz3
I bought a set that included both metal and plastic peelers. The metal is better at sliding under stickers and scraping off residue, but it cat cut the surface of the book if not used perfectly. The plastic one is great for scraping up corners of stickers that will peel off ok once the edges have been lifted:
https://amzn.to/3E3DHGJ
***NOTE: The above are Amazon affiliate links. Since you will ask and I will recommend, I thought I might as well earn a tiny little bit if you guys decide to buy these products from Amazon.***
When possible, I remove price stickers, but in order to maintain our low prices, I can't spent hours scraping off residue and sticker remnants.
What I can do is give you advice on how to best remove stickers at home!
There ae chemical sticker removing solutions available. I find them expensive and smelly, although sometimes the best option on delicate book surfaces.
What I use regularly is lemon essential oil. The oil dissolves the greasy sticky residue and makes it much easier to scrape off book covers. Lately, I've been using this one:
https://amzn.to/4hQWBhN
I drip the oil on and spread it around with Q-tips.
Be careful, because lemon oil can stain porous surfaces. I would never use it on a clothbound hardcover or a papery softcover.
Sometimes, the lemon oil isn't quite enough by itself, so I add a little bit of rubbing alcohol to help remove both oil and residue from the book's surface.
You pay also want to consider one of these implements - my nails thank me every day since I purchased my first Scotty Peeler.
The metal Scotty Peeler works the best, but it's terribly sharp, and I've cut myself more than once. Keep it far away from children:
https://amzn.to/4hRCOz3
I bought a set that included both metal and plastic peelers. The metal is better at sliding under stickers and scraping off residue, but it cat cut the surface of the book if not used perfectly. The plastic one is great for scraping up corners of stickers that will peel off ok once the edges have been lifted:
https://amzn.to/3E3DHGJ
***NOTE: The above are Amazon affiliate links. Since you will ask and I will recommend, I thought I might as well earn a tiny little bit if you guys decide to buy these products from Amazon.***
I received a book that has some damage. Can I return it or get a refund?
Once a book leaves our hands, it’s yours for keeps. Our prices are refreshingly affordable because these are used books, not fresh-off-the-press editions. We carefully examine each one several times before listing it and make sure to note any obvious or significant flaws in the description.
Most of our books are in very good condition and should enjoy a long life on your shelves. That said, gently used books often come with a bit of character—scuffed covers, creased corners, or the occasional nameplate or inscription from a previous owner. You might also encounter a stray underline, a dog-eared page, or a slightly warped cover. Dust jackets and extras like CDs sometimes don’t survive the thrifting journey. Rest assured, though—none of these minor quirks should get in the way of your reading experience.
However, if we miss something major—like missing pages or significant damage to the binding—we’re truly sorry. Please reach out so we can make it right.
Most of our books are in very good condition and should enjoy a long life on your shelves. That said, gently used books often come with a bit of character—scuffed covers, creased corners, or the occasional nameplate or inscription from a previous owner. You might also encounter a stray underline, a dog-eared page, or a slightly warped cover. Dust jackets and extras like CDs sometimes don’t survive the thrifting journey. Rest assured, though—none of these minor quirks should get in the way of your reading experience.
However, if we miss something major—like missing pages or significant damage to the binding—we’re truly sorry. Please reach out so we can make it right.
Where do you find your books?
That, my dears, is a trade secret, but I will tell you that our overflowing bookshelves are the result of hours and hours and hours of hunting and reading and researching.
Do you ship to other countries?
Unfortunately, at this point we only ship within Canada.
