Amazon used book sellers.

[steve jordan]

I’m not sure this is the correct location, but will throw it out there anyway. I’ve been looking around for a particular, long out of print book and a few months ago found about six used from Amazon. Just to bookmark it I placed it in the cart. Was just going back this AM to look around and found that book had risen in price from $49, to (standby!) $694!!! What is going on? What kind of pirates are out there? All six had exact same prices, where a few months ago they varied a bit. This book cannot be that popular, as it’s not necessarily a common topic, and in an odd scale.

[Shortliner2001]

Not particularly unusual - some book dealers seem to think that an out-of-print book os AUTOMATICALLY valuable - my guess is it will still be available in as years time - may be worth looking on www.railpub,com - Paul is one of the Good Guys

[MGWSY]

I had the same issue with and out of print book called Intermodel Modelers Guide Vol 2 http://www.amazon.com/Intermodal-Mod.../dp/0965536521 . The prices were high as you stated so I dug a little on Ebay and ended up buying a brand new copy for $6 BIN, lol. So now I have a "backup" copy as the original got a little water damaged.

[cuyama]

Originally Posted by steve jordan

Was just going back this AM to look around and found that book had risen in price from $49, to (standby!) $694!!! What is going on? What kind of pirates are out there? All six had exact same prices, where a few months ago they varied a bit. This book cannot be that popular, as it’s not necessarily a common topic, and in an odd scale.

What's happened is that many of these larger sellers use automated robots to scan other prices on Amazon and then adjust their own. When two or more of these robots start "gaming" each other, the prices rise ridiculously. Eventually a human seems to notice and the prices come back down. Railpub is an excellent suggestion.

[steve jordan]

Thanks to all that replied, and yes, it looks like a greed robot got a hold of this one... I mean, just because I guess I expressed some interest, the prices sky rocket. No way am I going to pay those prices, they can all go pound sand. I may find a copy at the NG convention next month! I’ll check out Paul.