Bookshop.org, the ethical alternative to Amazon, has launched a buy-back scheme for used books called Bookloop. This scheme allows customers to trade in their books for credit to use on the website. The used books will not be sold on Bookshop.org, but will be traded on other online marketplaces by Zeercle, with royalties going to authors through a shared fund with the Society of Authors and the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society.
Readers must donate at least £5 worth of books to participate in the scheme, with valuations showing varying prices for different titles. Bookshop.org’s business model focuses on supporting independent bookshops by allowing them to create virtual shopfronts on the website and receive full profits from sales. The goal of Bookloop is to support a positive reading culture while including independent bookshops in the process.
However, some secondhand booksellers are skeptical about how many books will actually be sold through the scheme. Patrick Kelly, owner of Bookmongers in Brixton, believes that most secondhand books are not worth purchasing and should be recycled instead. Despite this, Bookshop.org trusts Zeercle to handle the distribution of used books in an environmentally responsible way.
Overall, Bookloop aims to support a positive reading culture while providing a sustainable way for readers to trade in their used books for credit. With a focus on supporting independent bookshops and authors, the scheme offers a unique alternative to traditional book sales platforms.
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