Book condition Second-hand book condition

Second-hand books

As well as a detailed description of their condition, used books are assigned one of several set categories. This enables you to filter the result of any search and can also help to decide whether to make a purchase or not. If something is not clear or you simply wish for more information, please get in touch.

The standard book conditions are, in descending order of quality:

Almost as new
Cover may have minor scuff marks, but is clean and unmarked. Binding is good, pages are clean; this is almost the quality of a new book.

Very good
Minor scuff marks may exist, with possible wear to corners or edges. Pages are clean unless otherwise noted, for example with an owner signature. Foxing will be noted, if present (foxing may show as spots or browning - it is an unfortunate feature found in older paper and card). Take note of the 'detailed description' under 'product details'. Descriptions are given separately for books and dustjackets, if present. Overall, 'very good' indicates a book of higher than average quality that will be a pleasure to read.

Good
Defects are more prevalent than those designated as 'very good'; the detailed description will reveal more information. In general, these books are less well cared for or show significant signs of having been read and used. They are priced accordingly.

Reading copy
Very poor quality. Defects are significant, for example binding is poor, pages are loose or other problems noted under the detailed description, such as physical damage. These books are made available for readers who only wish to have access to the text, not to sit the book proudly on a shelf alongside other volumes. The book is priced accordingly.

In all cases the cover image, unless specifically noted in the detailed description, may not be of the actual book; it represents the edition only. Additional factors to quality, such as scarcity and presence of added historical interest (a signed copy or annotations by a caver using, say, a guidebook) will also be taken into account when setting a price. These always include postage, which is increasingly high so please bear this in mind.

Ordering for destinations outside the UK

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

 

Orders outside the UK

 

Although Wild Places used to offer ordering options for worldwide destinations, changes to taxation in the EU and USA (and potentially elsewhere) have curtailed these.

 

We regret that increasing costs and difficulties with posting goods to destinations outside the UK mean that we have removed the option to order from non-UK countries from the product pages. However, if you wish to purchase any item and no option shows for your delivery destination, please ask and we will quote for the additional postage.

EU and USA customers please read the separate notes below.

 

We also have an increasing number of orders placed for delivery overseas, even though the page indicates that only UK postage is included, whereupon we have to refund the order. The card companies levy a charge for our taking the order, and again on refunding.l In future, when we refund such orders that have ignored the 'UK only' postage, we will deduct these amounts from the refund.

Further explanatory notes are given below, especially concerning EU and USA deliveries (but see the additional note that follows).

 

EU customers

 

Following Brexit, in 2021 new customs documentation came into force and the EU removed exemptions for tax and customs duty on low value items posted from the UK to the EU (this came fully into effect in 2026, when a customs surcharge to all low value orders was added, based on per item not per package). VAT at your EU country’s current rate plus a post office handling charge is now applied on delivery.

 

In 2025 the required documentation added an Entry Summary Declaration / Safety and Security Declaration, requiring a risk analysis and contact details of an EU-based agent – while the former is easy (do not drop book on foot, beware of paper cuts) the latter is simply too expensive to comply with. In short, we are no longer able to post goods to the EU.

In addition, the requirement (and costs) for a 'local agent' based within the EU now makes it impossible to complete the paperwork to deliver products to a business within the EU or Northern Ireland; business-to-business deliveries are now outside our ability to undertake, a substantial loss to Wild Places.

 

Nevertheless, and bearing in mind the additional VAT and handling charges (which, to be clear, Wild Places is unable to cover; individuals will have to pay these on delivery), if you still wish to make a purchase please contact us for the latest information and options in this area of constant change. Currently, EU customers are unable to register on our site, to avoid anyone paying for a delivery by mistake at UK prices. Please contact us for any further information.

 

USA customers

 

In May 2025 President Trump cancelled tariff exemptions for small parcels entering the USA, meaning that an additional tax became required. Wild Places has been left with no option other than ceasing to post goods to the USA. It is not currently possible for US customers to register on our site, to avoid problems with ordering items with UK-only postage and having to refund these. If the situation changes in future, the following notes will apply, but currently we do not despatch to the USA. If this resumes and you still wish to make a purchase and accept any charge upon delivery (or to have a quote for prepaid taxes on despatch, likely to exceed £20 to cover the additional paperwork charges that the courier makes without taking into account the additional carriage charges), please contact us.

Additional note

Although we no longer despatch to the EU or USA, for the reasons given above, for any items that are really desirable within these regions, we can suggest an alternative. 

A number of companies in the UK (and overseas) have made arrangements to ship goods and take care of the paperwork and taxes on behalf of individuals. While being clear that Wild Places has no association with any such company, an example is Forward2me: 

https://www.forward2me.com

Creating an account is free, after which you can specify the destination country. In principle, you purchase your books and we despatch these to a UK address (forward2me or any other) and they ship this onwards, using your account, your payment and your supplied details. All such arrangements are under your control and you simply use their address with your account details for our delivery information. It is an option to consider, alongside the possible postage to someone you already know in the UK who will post items on for you.

Other international customers

 

The restrictions on posting to the EU and USA do not necessarily apply to other international destinations. However, if any customs or tax is applicable in your country, you are responsible for this on delivery (Wild Places cannot advise on local charges or laws).

 

International postage charges from the UK have increased enormously in recent years and this is a continuing trend. Please ask and we will quote on an individual basis for non-EU and non-US destinations and, where possible, combine books to obtain the best rate possible. To arrive at this price we take off the (otherwise included) UK postage charge then add the international postage charge at cost.

Definitions

 

The timing of placing goods on sale and their definition has a bearing on which of these we are permitted to post to some destinations. To satisfy any enquiry, please note that all new products on this website were placed on the market before 13 December 2024. Our second-hand books are considered to be collectable items and exempt from the latest EU legislation relating to documentation.

 

Delivery

 

Please see our FAQs relating to deliveries, and the Delivery page linked from the bottom of each item’s page, before placing your order if time is important.