This is where you will find information on our grading scale for the condition of the books, and what overstock books really mean and what to expect from those books.
Condition Grading Scale: Like New, Very Good, Good, Acceptable
This is going to give you a sneak-peek into how we determine the condition of our books; it's important to use that we grade our books carefully, and disclose honestly. There are books for every reader, in varying conditions, and we want to connect those books with readers who don't mind some wear and tear or an overstock book, or even books that don't have any markings or wear at all. Ultimately, these books are still curated intentionally because of their content, not based on how they look.
New: these are books fresh from the publisher or big stores (like Wal-Mart, Target, etc.) that are unread, and still look new. They may contain a remainder mark, but if they don’t look new or sustained damage they will not be included in this category. These are books that were never owned/read by anyone, and sourced from publisher and retail surplus.
Like New: these books look new, they are free from spine creasing, page yellowing, or damage to the pages themselves. All in all, these books show no visible wear, they simply appear like new. These are books that essentially look new, we have simply acquired them from one of our many channels through which we find books, and we get to pass these savings on to you! These books have technically had an owner, but show no signs of wear.
Very Good: these books are often well-cared for copies that show minor wear, but are fully intact and readable, and all pages are present. These books might show faint shelf wear on the corners or edges (including potential yellowing of the pages), potentially a lean or minor creasing to the spine, a small bend or crease on the front or back cover. However, these books won't include highlighting or writing on more than a handful of pages, any worn, loose, or missing pages, a cracked or separating spine, or significant cover damage.
Good: these books may show visible signs of use, potentially markings, highlighting, may show some spine creasing, or even possibly a "from the library of" stamp. The text stays fully legible and readable, all pages are present, maybe with some yellowing of the pages, or some slight wear on the edges or pages. These books won’t include torn or missing pages, text completely covered or unreadable, or a cover that’s detached or separation from the binding.
Acceptable: books in this category are likely to be clearly used, with markings, stains, bent corners, edges, or covers, and potentially include worn spines, but the text is fully readable and there are no pages missing. These books won’t include missing or torn pages, a cover or spine that’s detached, text that is obscured to the point of being unreadable.
Used copies are ones that have been previously owned and read, and may appear in varying conditions. Overstock copies are new, unsold publisher and store surplus that we’re able to offer below retail.
Disclaimer: Overstock copies may carry a small remainder mark on the outside edge (typically, but not always) on the bottom or top of the book, per standard publisher practice; this is cosmetic and doesn't affect the condition grade. Dust jacket presence isn’t tied to condition, and may or may not be present, unless explicitly stated.