Today, I was pleasantly surprised to see a paperback copy of Professor Challenger in Space, a book I self-published years ago, going for $321.73 here on Amazon! How pleasing for my vanity that someone thought it was worth that much, even if they were, sadly, quite mistaken.
But what's this? The third in that series, Rolnikov, Mad Knight of Uttar Pradesh, also on sale, from the same vendor, for the same price! To say that was a surprise would be an understatement, given that I never actually wrote the book - it is a bibliographic ghost, registered with the ISBN Agency, but never published.
So two things are clear. I need to write that book, else it'll haunt me for the rest of my life. Secondly, Mygrandmasgoodies is listing books for sale that he or she doesn't actually possess.
I confess, I was half-tempted to order it. I bet it would have been by far the best of my novels.
By the way, Professor Challenger in Space is available on Kindle for much less than $321.73 - $1.39 in the US, and 86p in the UK. Still overpriced, though!
I like the fact that the condition note reads, "Very nice Copy - almost no wear".
ReplyDeleteThe same company seem to have many hundreds of other (less prestigious) titles at a very similar price.
Blackwells have previously taken my money for several books that they claimed to have in stock, being the only UK bookseller charging a reasonable amount for specific out of print titles. After a week or so they refunded me when they realised they couldn't find the books. But if they ever did have them in stock, why would they be charging £15 when the average market price is £150? Clearly they don't have a functioning stock control system, but is there some advantage in them doing this? Is it just too much effort for them to stock-take properly? As an Amazon bookseller for Oxfam, I do spend quite a bit of time scrutinising the prices of books online, but I have to confess that in this case I don't get it.
I just found this blog after googling 'mygrandmasgoodies' after making a similar discovery. My grandfather self-published (like with photo copies and a cerlox binding) a history book. Amazon is selling it for $300+.
ReplyDeleteThere actually is a photo of the book like it's sitting in a box somewhere? Did you ever figure out what their scam is?
Cheers!
No, but I can tell you it's one of the more popular search terms on here, so I reckon they're up to it a lot.
ReplyDeleteI'd guess they're just listing everything they can, then if they actually get an order they try and source a cheap copy, and pocket the difference.
I just came across this post. I work for Baylor University Libraries and have ordered from this "mygrandmasgoodies" in the past through our account with Amazon. First try was ok.. thought the book was pricey, but couldn't find it elsewhere. Second try I never got the book & had to get Amazon to intervene & get us our money back. Another person in the department ordered from there & she had a whole mess on her hands as well. Just today I have been trying to find a book & guess what.. they are the only ones who have it! We originally had it on order with Yankee Book Peddler for $14.. grandmas goodies is asking $355!!!! I think not! Stay away!!
ReplyDeleteSounds like I was right to be suspicious! Thanks for letting other people know.
DeleteThis same thing happened to me recently. I have a feeling that this person, who is definitely not an innocent old woman, is using the money to finance the purchase of other books. Rather than accessing savings or credit like a normal business owner, this person is maintaining his or her free cash flow at the expense of unsuspecting customers who are told to wait up to over a month to receive a book they don't possess. I'd like to punch this person directly in their stupid mouth to be completely honest.
ReplyDeleteIt's just not on.
Deletemygrandmasgoodies is a scammer.
ReplyDeleteI am having the same experience right now. Bought book from him/her, was never delivered and now trying to get money back, which is far from small amount. Definitely business to stay away from!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to have found this posting as I have a similar story. In 1980 my co-author and I submitted a manuscript for publication. The book was never published, although we had been given an advance and there was a full page promo for it in the publisher's spring catalog. Three years ago we were shocked to see it listed by mygrandmasgoodies for $300. Our attorney bought it but never received it and had to fight for a refund. This spring it was re-listed ("a very nice copy") for $345. I love that the price had gone up! Inquiries to "grandma" went unanswered, but we feared that there may be a mockup, advance copy, or draft floating around. This posting and the subsequent comments have allowed us to put our fears to rest. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteIt's unbelievable! Thank you for posting here about it.
DeleteSimilar bad experience with mygrandmasgoodies. The book was not received in the estimated time. After futher delays and being told to wait longer they agreed to refund.the money. After further delays in waiting for the refund and follow up emails to mygrandmasgoodies a claim was made on Amazon who then informed me it was too late to make a claim. Further emails to mygrandmasgoodies have been ignored .
ReplyDeleteMail fraud ! ?
John Australia
I ordered a rare book from them. They claimed it was sent USPS media mail. Never arrived. Never got the credit. Total frauds.
ReplyDeleteThanks for pointing this out Stephen. Good to see my experience was not unique.
ReplyDelete