But, eld, the info on this website is a bit vague and evasive, don't you think? It seems to be a for-profit business so "donations" really aren't donations and as such wouldn't be tax deductible. Why give saleable goods to a for-profit company to sell?

I found a comment that says a percentage of sales is given to charity. One tenth of one percent is "a percentage"- is that what it is, or more or less? Why don't they say more? If they give unsaleable books to a library to sell, maybe that's their donation to charity? It would be nice if they were a bit more forthcoming and transparent.

These thoughts came to me and I share them not to be a balloon popper or horse's back side but just to offer a different view. It may be a business that preys on people's good intentions to feel good without themselves needing to really do good.

How about neighboring communities' libraries having a used bookshop or sale? How about Sal Army or Goodwill or other thrift shops? Senior center? Hospitals sometimes provide a selection of books to patients.

At least if you gave them to a for-profit organization they would be recycled rather than thrown away.

I was able to locate some difficult to find, but required (out of print) books for a course I was taking at Better World Books. They were extremely reasonable and prompt. That is the extent of my knowledge about them. If the need arises, I'd deal with them again.

Elmer, not sure what you mean by vague. They explain who they are and what they do in detail. It's not a nonprofit but they do raise money for literacy.

I know this is just me but, I never put in tax deductions for donations of books, clothing etc. I give it away to give it away! Also, I do enough "good" things, I really don't count donating as one of them. My attitude is if I can no longer use it, if you can great, here you go!

Socks, I did check neighboring communities and this is the only thing and it's one town over.

There can be something said for all organizations that collect clothing etc. Is your donation actually being sold or does someone take it and keep it for themselves? Are your clothes actually being sold as clothing, or are they being sold to other places to be used for rags?

So, if someone is smart enough to put a bin to collect old books and make money, plus donate some of the proceeds, I'm good.

Compare them to Newman's Own products. Newman's labels say "100% of profits to charity". It's owned by a charitable foundation whose annual tax returns with details of activity are available on their website for anyone to see.

If the deposit barrels said "Put your unwanted books here so we can sell them and make money", what would the public's reaction be? Almost every for-profit company gives money to charity, and all publicly held ones do for sure, but that's never a leading feature of their public persona. Does Ford Motor Co.'s site say "buy our cars so we can support the Detroit area Boys and Girls Club"? No, of course not. I think they're being intentionally misleading. My impression is that the "good" this operation does is much less than they allude to. I could be wrong.

Saving books from being "thrown away"? Not hardly. Books are mostly paper and paper is perhaps the most commonly and inexpensively recycled material there is. Give them to your local recycling processor, curbside or other places for such purposes, and be sure the material will be reused in a manner that's kind to the environment.

My library is so stuffed with used books that they aren't accepting them anymore.

My public library does not want donated books, but their used bookstore where I volunteer does. I would say half or less of the people donating ask for a receipt. It's only worth it if donating a very large number of books or books of a collectible or high value nature. Most fiction in the store sells for $.25 to $3, sometimes $5 for the more current ones.

I love, love, love Better World Books, and have dealt with them for several years! They recently sent me the wrong book...I emailed them and had a response within an hour. They apologized and told me to keep the book as a gift; the correct book came the following day.

For the record, for every book they sell, they donate a book to someone in need. They have given very generously to those less fortunate.

Elmer J Fudd has a valid point (and opinion).

I do have a suggestion of what to do with excess books, provided those are appropriate reading material for young students.. Likely, there are schools in outlying areas that could use these. These would be schools in low tax districts. Schools in metropolitan districts usually have a book budget and have no need of someone's cast off, but small schools in low tax base districts may have use of these. Contact the office of your County Superintendent of Schools to see if they know of needy schools that may appreciate free books. If you live in a 'rich' county, you may need to contact a different county. Maybe Reservation schools could use these.

Jem, good thought, but my books are random adult books, some on finance, not really for young students.

Since these are adult level books, some dealing with finance, maybe you could start a "Little Library". [A box of books on a post convenient to walkers. A user takes a book and replaces it with another book or returns the book.]

I've been using Better World Books for years and they are a reputable source, regardless of what has been said earlier in this topic. BTW, I began shopping at BWB because my public library recommended it. In case anyone is interested in knowing more about this website, you can read their About Us info here.

Thanks, Tulsa. I started this thread just to share info. Funny how these things have a way of running away from themselves.

I occasionally buy from Better World, but I wouldn't donate to them. As a bookseller on Amazon and eBay, I find them annoying. They're a busy bunch, with employees constantly undercutting other sellers. There's nothing really wrong with that, of course; it's just my own personal irritant.

As for donating, I give to the Salvation Army and the animal shelter thrift shop.

I just dropped off the books. I liked the ease of pulling up and and just dropping them in the bin.

When convenient, there is a place upstate that has a thrift store to raise money for animals.

Thanks, eld. It's a good topic.

I have a visceral reaction to learning that a for profit company is built on donations, often with the donors believing that they are giving to a not for profit. So I easily dismissed this organization as one I couldn't support, but after looking at their website and seeing what groups they support (even tho they don't list their actual $ donation amount, or value of books donated they do list the total given since their inception), it looks like I could find value in giving unwanted books to them. I figure if public libraries are comfortable donating to them, that's another plus on my balance sheet.

Thanks for posting this; I learned something valuable today!