How to Order an Out-of-Print Book

Publishers declare a book "out of print" when they decide not to print any more copies. Eventually, only used copies of a book are available. Finding a copy can be time-consuming, and handing over your credit card to unfamiliar booksellers a bit daunting, but the Impermanence Spiritual Bookstore and Amazon.com make it as easy and safe as ordering any other book.

• As you fill out your order form, add the out-of-print book to your Shopping Cart, and proceed through the order form.

• Please use a credit card for orders containing out-of-print books. We have found that the out-of-print market is too volatile to allow for the extra time required to process a check payment.

• Our buyers contact a vast network of suppliers to find the least expensive copy in good condition on the market at that time. You'll receive an update on the search within two weeks--either a price quote or a notice that we haven't had any luck but will keep your request on order until you choose to cancel.

• We will notify you by e-mail to get your approval of the price. Each out-of-print book is a unique item and prices vary considerably for the same title depending upon the book's condition and the supplier's judgment of its value. (At this point, the book is still with the supplier.)

• Once we receive your approval of the price, we obtain the book and ship it to you. As with all orders, we never charge you until the time of shipment, so you will pay nothing unless you approve the price and we ship the book--typically 2-3 weeks after approval.

• All books are subject to prior sale. A quick response from you is the best way to secure the book, but some books fly off used bookstores' shelves faster than they can report them as sold.

• Out-of-print books are each shipped separately. Since out-of-print orders proceed on unpredictable timelines, most books are shipped separately. If two books in the same order happen to be ready to ship on the same day, they will go together.

Information for Collectors

• Our out-of-print search is not edition-specific. If you are interested in a paperback edition, and we are only able to locate a hardcover edition, we will give you the option of making the hardcover purchase. Our goal is to find the most reasonably priced copy of that title on the market.

• Multivolume sets are difficult to find. If you are unsure whether a price we've quoted is for a complete or partial set, please respond to the price quote with an inquiry. We'll be happy to research your questions.

• We guarantee each out-of-print book we locate will be in good condition or better. "Good condition" refers to a previously read book that shows some signs of wear and may have minor flaws, but has all pages and leaves present.
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