It pays to be vigilant

Some lucky collector just picked up what appears to be nearly new unread copies of the 5 volume EP Les Miserables and Count of Monte Cristo for $540 each through best offer, significantly below (1/3rd as I recall) the seller’s original listing price.

If you are looking for a particular EP title place a save on the search so that when it is listed you have an opportunity to bid on it first; eBay will email you when a new listing is posted. Sometimes the item is underpriced and you may be surprised what the seller will accept if you make an offer (I have bid 50% of list a number of times and won the item).

good advice

>1 HugoDumas: I have done the same a few times. It never hurts to inquire if an eBay seller will consider a lower price. It really depends upon whether they want to unload the book quickly or whether they are able and willing to wait for the price they want (or need!). Having sold a couple of volumes myself on eBay, it makes a seller much more receptive to an offer if the initial buyer’s offer is not a ridiculous low-ball price.

I’m among the stupid that never bought the 5 vol Les Mis set and have been looking for a reasonably priced set, since the set sold out. I did buy the 5 vol Count set.

So I have that going for me

>4 GOBOGIE: highly unlikely you will get the glorious 5 volume Les Miserables at $600 or less again. However, if you want it, the current 2 volume edition at $336 is exactly the same including all illustrations though slightly smaller in size (I suspect this is only reduced margin size). I would grab that set before it is gone.

>5 HugoDumas: this is the 3rd time I'm seeing the 5set going for $600 or less within the last 2 years, so not too often but it does happen ;)

Readers today prefer classics like James Bond and Harry Potter to Victor Hugo and William Shakespeare.

>7 jroger1: I admit I too would love to have that beautiful Folio Society set of Janes Bond with commissioned art, even though it is not in leather.

>8 HugoDumas:
I picked them up one at a time as they were published so they didn’t hurt so much, and I have them shelved next to my EP Perry Mason and Mike Hammer sets — kind of out of the way so nobody will notice them.

Now that’s real literature!

>9 jroger1: 🤣

>9 jroger1: good for you. A beautiful book to add to this collection is the Franklin Library Maltese Falcon which comes in leather (with ribbon) and the almost indistinguishable hardcover faux leather (without ribbon).