General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Do you use Amazon to purchase products [View all]And there is always Hamilton Books for new, remaindered books: http://www.hamiltonbook.com/
(Remaindered books as those that didn't sell as new editions. They can be years old but I've always received shipments from Hamilton in great shape).
I'm not into 1st editions - I want beat up books to carry around and read. And since I like decades old science fiction and mysteries, few are out as ebooks (for those who think ebooks are the ultimate way to read). I used to find a lot of these at the local used book stores, but the best one closed and the other one mostly has romance drek. The one that closed probably did so mostly because the owner was ready to retire as much as business decreasing.
ThirftBooks let me shop for editions that match the old ones I have in my collection already. For instance, I was filling out my C. J. Cherryh collection. Some of her series were not complete because life interrupted and I missed getting some titles. Now most of her trilogies have been combined and re-issued in single volumes. But I had the original versions with two of the three titles and not the third and wanted the third to match. ThriftBooks had them - in the same slightly battered condition as my old ones!
I'll have to take a look at Powells. And I'll recommend Chessler Books to an acquaintance - her daughter leads climbing trips. She was doing it in China but she was not able to renew her visa. Now she's leading climbing trips in Australia. I will NOT tell my husband about Chessler - he loves maps and would spend all our money on maps!