Posted By:
barrysloateCorey- the book trade can be particularly galling.
There is a major rare book company that advertises nearly every Sunday in the New Times Times Book Review section. They always have an offering of several dozen rare books, all with very flowery descriptions. Recently they had a 1911 Spalding's America's National Game. As many know this is a book that is fairly easily found in our hobby, and a nice copy is typically $300-400. Their asking price was $2800.
Now I don't mind marking something up aggressively, especially if you have well heeled clients. But do others agree with me that there is something unseemly about gouging unsuspecting customers to that degree?
And if you had a copy to sell them, I've been told they might pay you $400 for it on a good day. It's a free market and you may ask what you please, but there is a point where I feel ethical considerations come into play.
Edited to add Joseph, I know the story and Corey's customer bought it.