Comments on: How I’m now getting books, CDs, and DVDs without paying for them

By: jane

jane — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 17:33:19 +0000

Adding one more pro-library comment…out where I am (southeastern New England), the little local libs now own big (expensive) databases that give you access (and help you access) tons of information. The other freebie is the use of books/cds/dvds you don’t WANT to own, just use. Like a children’s book that gives you quick and easy how-to (with pictures), but you don’t really need it after that.

By: Barb

Barb — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 14:39:05 +0000

I’ll third or fourth the library. I do not only read mainstream stuff. In fact, I’ll add that if and when one moves, the library system should be one of the top three or four things in the evaluation, especially for frugal and/or retired people. My library itself is not huge, but it membership allows me access to the two towns near by-I simply , reserve online and then go in and pick up.

It seems to me that if you swap for items then you still have to make and effort to get them out of your house again!

My method is to go online to amazon.com, look at all the pre-orders, and then reserve them before they are released at the library.

By: frugalscholar

frugalscholar — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 12:46:13 +0000

paperbackswap.com is connected to swapadvd and swapacd. Credits can be used at all sites (though the dvds require more credits). You are not getting books for “free” since you do have to pay postage.

People sell credits on the swap sites for little more than the postage–in some cases, less.

Also-realize that these sites are patrolled by dealers, so I would check the value of whatever you plan to list. Your valuable textbook or whatever is likely not going to a needy student, but to someone who will sell it.

By: starshard0

starshard0 — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 09:06:39 +0000

I’m really interested in freecycle and paperback swap, though I haven’t had any problems with the library. Then again I’m not a heavy media user.

By: et

et — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 00:51:10 +0000

The library! No need to own it all.

By: shailesh kumar

shailesh kumar — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:27:14 +0000

You can also check out http://www.lendbee.com wherein you can share your games/dvds and books and form groups and invite friends.
You can also use the site to have a personal listing of items you have ( more like a ledger ) for all your DVDs and books…

shailesh

By: escapee

escapee — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 19:05:31 +0000

Interlibrary loan is also what I use. I am almost always able to find what I want- plus it’s 100% free where I live. AND you can put your preferred book/CD on hold online and they notify you via email when your selection has arrived at the library. It’s just so convenient that I don’t even consider swapping, and donate my old stuff to the library (the point being that I want them to continue this great service).

By: Shanti @ Antishay

Shanti @ Antishay — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 02:31:54 +0000

I love SwapTree! My favorite is that with them you can print postage… and you can swap books for DVDs or CDs for books, whatever. I LOVE that versatility that paperbackswap doesn’t give… I’m happy SwapTree came about

By: Steve Austin

Steve Austin — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 14:31:18 +0000

For a heavy media user, local library quality should be an important criterion for retirement location. Interlibrary loan (a library borrowing on your behalf, outside its metropolitan or regional network) is a useful program. Some libraries do it for free; some charge a small per-loan fee — highest I’ve seen is $3.

The best part of library borrowing is that you don’t worry about storage of your media, other than those few items you happen to have checked out at any one time. A scanner is also useful, for capturing any critical pages or chapters of the rare books you borrow.

By: Nigel

Nigel — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 04:47:19 +0000

I second the recommendation for the public library. It seems to be FAR simpler and better than any of the choices you list in the post. Even if you live in a small town, your local library most likely belongs to a regional network, and you can request items from any of the member libraries which may include some large city libraries. You can browse the catalog, place hold requests and renew items online. The size of your local library is of no concern. You only need to go to the library to get items that are waiting for you to pick up, and to return them. I live in a medium-sized town, and I find that I can find almost anything I want (except new releases in the last 1-2 months) in our library catalog, and that the system works amazingly well.

By: Jacob

Jacob — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 21:12:05 +0000

@kevin – I find the library (our local one to be somewhat short on DVDs and especially CDs. I think it depends on the things, one likes to read, watch, listen too and also the size of the town its located in. Libraries generally have all the mainstream stuff.

By: kevin

kevin — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 21:04:01 +0000

What about the local public library? They have all the same stuff that you mention here…books, CDs, DVDs.