Is anyone a Book Club member? The ones where you pay 20 cents a book..what's your opinion?

The book clubs, like Doubleday, where you get 6 for 20 cents a piece then commit to buying 4 books in 2 years? I have heard the books are different quality than those at the store, not sure if that is true though. If you are a member can you tell if you like it or would never do it again? I'd appreciate any feedback about these clubs.

Is anyone a Book Club member? The ones where you pay 20 cents a book..what's your opinion?
Book of the Month Club is the worst for shipping and handling. They charge you a fortune and will break up your shipments so you get double whammied. The last time I did it, my enrollment package shipping was about $22.00. Considering they can be shipped media mail, that's ridiculous. It also did not make the books 20 cents each.





For some other clubs, it is not as bad and occasionally I get sucked in, but I do it only for books I want to read, but not necessarily keep, because the quality is not as good. They are "book club" editions, which are slightly smaller sized and are glued instead of bound, which makes them much cheaper to make, and pages will fall out after time, so if you care about keeping your books, don't do it. Also, except for the new books they use to suck you in, their selection isn't always the greatest.





They also require you to respond to the mailers even if you don't want to order, or they will send you the featured selection. If you open it, you are stuck with it, or have to pay to mail it back. If you don't open it, you can refuse it and the post office will send it back without charging you, but the club doesn't like this.





If you do it, plan to use the special discounts they give you at the time of sign up to reduce your commitment. And then buy all books you need to fulfill your commitment at once and cancel immediately after doing so. There is no benefit to staying in the club. The savings are not good enough. You can get a better deal through amazon or overstock, with free or low shipping. And then you get first quality books.





Just to let you know, even if you cancel, most of them will now send you the flyers anyway to get you to order again. You just don't have to send back the reply forms anymore.





I'd say, order the books you really want from amazon or overstock, and get the rest from the library.
Reply:I am a member of literary guild and crossings as well as the children's book of the month club. All the books I have received have been a very good quality. They are usually stamped as a "book club edition" and often hardcover. I have not been disappointed by any of them.
Reply:I wouldn't join again. It seems like it will be cost efficient, but the shipping is high. I like to buy books I want to read, not just ones on the list.





I've had much more fun (and saved money)using paperbackswap.com. Basically, you list ten books you have that you're willing to part with. If someone requests one of your book, you pay the shipping and mail it (usually under $2). You can request a book that you want and pay nothing. You get a credit each time you mail a book and one credit will get you a book you want.
Reply:They are a scam. You have to buy a certain number of books in a certain time, and they really ding you for shipping and handling as well. They are NOT the same quality as books from a regular store. Use the library!
Reply:I am a member of double day. I haven't had any problems from them. To avoid shipping fees just order when they have free shipping or 1.99 shipping. If you are truely a bookworm you will have no problem fulfilling your commitment to 4 books in 2 years. They always have special where you buy one get one 50% off or buy 2 get one a 1.99. I have never had a problem with them. Also if you get a book you didn't order like those featured selections then don't open it and just return to sender they will credit your account with no questions. (they did for me anyway). If you are an online member basically click do not send on your main selections and you won't have a problem with getting unwanted books. I have had no problems. I go to barnes %26amp; noble sometimes but if you can get a better deal on line then why not. I got 7 books for half the price i would have at barnes %26amp; noble. So just compare before you buy and you will be fine.
Reply:i was once a member. you end up paying so much in shipping that you might as well go to the store and buy the books.


i ended up buying books i didn't want just to fulfill the membership! and you are right, the books are a always different in some way than the books you would purchase at the store. paper quality............size, etc.


i would never join one again, and i wouldn't recommend it to you either.


good luck, hope this helps.
Reply:I have been in a number of clubs like this. Once you enter, they send you an order list every month or so. The books will be expensive, especially compared to online sellers, and will be on a opt-out basis--if you don't send back the "no books this time" form, they'll send you the featured selection and you're stuck with it.
Reply:I just joined the Literary Guild and I think it was 6 books for .99 and then I have to buy 3 books within 2 years. I haven't received my books yet but their prices seem reasonable.