Frequently Asked Questions
Received by Emily!
Below are just some of the many questions we are asked. As you can see not all are related to the bookstore. If you have a question
just write to me. Who knows it may end up here on the list.
Just click on the question to go to the answer.
Answers
Do you have books only for students?
We have books for everyone! Used and new in all categories; besides all
fine arts, social sciences, philosophy, religion, language, etc, we have
a large selection of general fiction, bestsellers, biographies, classics,
modern literature, mysteries, adventure, thrillers, food and wine, humour
and lots more.
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How does the trading system work?
If you are a student, click here.
Otherwise, click here.
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Do you take credit cards and travellers’
checks?
Yes, all major cards. Yes, all major travellers’ checks.
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Do you carry books by Italian writers?
We have an ample selection of Italian writers in translation: classics,
modern literature, poetry, plays, criticism, etc.
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Do you have books in languages
other than English?
No.
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Are you part of a franchise?
No. We are proud to be among the last surviving independent bookshops!
We do not plan on opening more shops of our own, and are happy to be an
important enterprise inside a small physical space. We’ve already
got plenty of work to do!
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How much will my book cost?
Although most of our bibliographic sources are current, publishers do
change prices without notice. So we can't guarantee the price quoted for
the book you ordered. We give you the closest possible estimate.
Since most of the English books sold on the European continent are imported
from North America or the UK, fluctuating exchange rates contribute to
this situation. Ever more frequently American and British books are being
marked also with a price in Euro, which is based on the conversion rate
to the American dollar and the British pound, but does not include expenses
such as shipping abroad and international banking costs. These costs will
be added to calculate our final price in the shop.
There is no additional supplement to be paid for special
orders. The price of the book is calculated as if it were to be sold
from the shelf.
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What is an ISBN?
ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number. It is the 13-digit
(formerly 10-digit) number printed on the back cover, and normally also on the copyright page,
and it identifies the exact publication you have in your hand. Every book
published has its own ISBN. Every edition of the same book has its own
number. If there is a hardback and a paperback edition, each has its own
ISBN.
Having the ISBN of the books you want to order makes things easier,
but it is not imperative. In doing the bibliographic research we check
the ISBN you give us in any case, because the book may have a different
one for the European market, or may have been substituted by the publisher
with another one.
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How long will it take to get my
book?
From abroad, primarily from UK and USA, we receive books which are readily
available in anywhere between 3 and 10 days. This time period can increase
1 to 2 weeks for temporarily out-of-stock books. Over the years we have
developed solid relationships with publishers and their distributions,
wholesalers, and shippers. We expect tip-top service from them, so that
we can in turn consign orders with speed. We do not make false promises
on arrival dates, but base them on average delivery times we have recorded
in 25 years of experience.
Any number of problems can arise in the shipping business, so these time
estimates given above obviously do not include truck strikes, earthquakes,
and other shipping catastrophes!
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What may affect the resale value/buy
back status of my books?
• The bookshop already has a sufficient quantity of your book.
• Your book is in bad condition, or the accessory items, i.e.
CD’s, tapes, study guides, workbooks, are missing.
• Professor has discontinued use of the book or has NOT notified
us that your book will be adopted again for the following semester.
• Professor has notified us that the book WILL be reused, and
the bookshop needs additional quantities.
• A new updated version of your book has been released, and your
book has little or no market value.
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Where is the nearest bus stop to
the shop?
- #1,#6,#7,#10,#11,#17 (eastbound and westbound), get off in Via Martelli.
- #14,#23 (westbound) get off in Via Martelli.
- #14,#23 (eastbound) get off in Piazza del Duomo.
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If I can’t get credit for
my book and just leave it in the shop, what is done with it?
We either recycle it or donate it to a local charity.
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Do you mail books abroad?
Yes, for clients who visit the shop and who would like us to ship the
books they have purchased in our shop.
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What does the “r” mean after
the street number in an address?
There are two sets of street numbers, black (or blue) and red. The black numbers
are residences, the red are for commercial businesses.
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Can we enter the shop barefoot, or
bare-chested?
Please do not. We find this behavior lacking in respect for others. Save
it for the beach.
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Can we enter the shop while eating
and/or drinking?
Please do not. It can damage the books.
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Is it appropriate to drink on the
street in Italy?
No. Most Italians consider drinking alcoholic beverages in the street
as crude behaviour.
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Do you have a bathroom in the
shop?
Yes, and you are free to use it whenever necessary. But please remember
to shut the door on the way out. As is the case with many Italian doors,
it does NOT close automatically, and needs a little shove. May I take here the opportunity to suggest that
those who come from countries where all the doors close automatically
should be more attentive and thoughtful when abroad.
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Do you buy the books for the shop from
Amazon.com or other online vendors?
Notice this comes after the bathroom question J. No. Online vendors are
our competitors. We buy our books directly from the publishers and distributors,
and have been doing so long before the birth of the Internet, as wonderful
as it is.
There are advantages in purchasing your books at the Paperback Exchange.
Often you will spend less not only because of our promotion prices but
also because you will save on shipping. And our feedback is personal and
therefore FAR superior J. Support your local bookshops!
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