Comments on: The pleasures and perils of chasing book thieves http://boingboing.net/2008/03/07/the-pleasures-and-pe.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Wed, 22 May 2013 03:19:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: bopo http://boingboing.net/2008/03/07/the-pleasures-and-pe.html#comment-139008 bopo Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-139008 I worked at a used book store for most of high school and a little after college and we had to lock up anything dealing with Freemasonry, as well. I worked at a used book store for most of high school and a little after college and we had to lock up anything dealing with Freemasonry, as well.

]]> By: Beastmouth http://boingboing.net/2008/03/07/the-pleasures-and-pe.html#comment-139267 Beastmouth Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-139267 Bookyloo, "He sheepishly removed three Dicks from the front of his pants" Really? He *sheepishly* pulled three dicks out of his pants?! ;p Bookyloo,

“He sheepishly removed three Dicks from the front of his pants”

Really?

He *sheepishly* pulled three dicks out of his pants?!

;p

]]> By: KlokWerk http://boingboing.net/2008/03/07/the-pleasures-and-pe.html#comment-139013 KlokWerk Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-139013 They should clearly release all books on the internet with no protection, then we can just download them through Pirate Bay. Stealing actual physical books is such a hassle. They should clearly release all books on the internet with no protection, then we can just download them through Pirate Bay. Stealing actual physical books is such a hassle.

]]> By: simplehuman http://boingboing.net/2008/03/07/the-pleasures-and-pe.html#comment-139015 simplehuman Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-139015 Moonbat: There is a certain sneeriness to bookshop employees. As an over-reader myself I tend to be oblivious to it. I had a guy at bookshop get quite pissy when I asked him for a book by Iain Sinclair and dared to spell the first name for him. "I KNOW the SPELLING SIR. I DO READ." But having a million people wander in and ask to use the bathroom, where the Harry Potter books are and (topically) steal can make you a tad touchy. Moonbat: There is a certain sneeriness to bookshop employees. As an over-reader myself I tend to be oblivious to it. I had a guy at bookshop get quite pissy when I asked him for a book by Iain Sinclair and dared to spell the first name for him. “I KNOW the SPELLING SIR. I DO READ.”

But having a million people wander in and ask to use the bathroom, where the Harry Potter books are and (topically) steal can make you a tad touchy.

]]> By: strathmeyer http://boingboing.net/2008/03/07/the-pleasures-and-pe.html#comment-139016 strathmeyer Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-139016 "Then again, maybe he was shopping for his nephew's birthday, you jackass." If that's what you really think, can you explain why you think he had such a difficult time making a purchase? “Then again, maybe he was shopping for his nephew’s birthday, you jackass.”

If that’s what you really think, can you explain why you think he had such a difficult time making a purchase?

]]> By: MOONBAT http://boingboing.net/2008/03/07/the-pleasures-and-pe.html#comment-139020 MOONBAT Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-139020 *knock knock* ("echo, echo, eccho...") *knock knock* (“echo, echo, eccho…”)

]]> By: Bookyloo http://boingboing.net/2008/03/07/the-pleasures-and-pe.html#comment-139277 Bookyloo Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-139277 I know, beastmouth, you think he would have been proud. /dick jokes I know, beastmouth, you think he would have been proud.

/dick jokes

]]> By: Antinous http://boingboing.net/2008/03/07/the-pleasures-and-pe.html#comment-139278 Antinous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-139278 And said, "Hey! I could use an extra hand around here!" And said, “Hey! I could use an extra hand around here!”

]]> By: Roach http://boingboing.net/2008/03/07/the-pleasures-and-pe.html#comment-139535 Roach Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-139535 Dick is one of my favorites, and I absolutely know one reason why he's among the most stolen. It's because most of the editions from 30 or 40 years ago are nearly impossible to find with the Lethem-driven renaissance (and the fact that most of 'em got burned in the time between), and the new editions are pricey and rarely resold. A number of the other authors up there seem to be in the same position - most of their cheap original editions can't be found because they went through a long period of unpopularity, and are now resurgent. So who's got a first printing of Dr. Bloodmoney I can buy for .50? C'mon... Dick is one of my favorites, and I absolutely know one reason why he’s among the most stolen. It’s because most of the editions from 30 or 40 years ago are nearly impossible to find with the Lethem-driven renaissance (and the fact that most of ‘em got burned in the time between), and the new editions are pricey and rarely resold. A number of the other authors up there seem to be in the same position – most of their cheap original editions can’t be found because they went through a long period of unpopularity, and are now resurgent.

So who’s got a first printing of Dr. Bloodmoney I can buy for .50? C’mon…

]]> By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2008/03/07/the-pleasures-and-pe.html#comment-139537 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-139537 five bucks? http://cgi.ebay.ca/Philip-K-Dick-DR-BLOODMONEY_W0QQitemZ170199867246QQihZ007QQcategoryZ377QQtcZphotoQQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem five bucks?
http://cgi.ebay.ca/Philip-K-Dick-DR-BLOODMONEY_W0QQitemZ170199867246QQihZ007QQcategoryZ377QQtcZphotoQQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

]]> By: dculberson http://boingboing.net/2008/03/07/the-pleasures-and-pe.html#comment-139026 dculberson Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-139026 Moonbat, I had a similar thought, but was trying to think of an equitable way to put it. In not bothering with that essential part of communication, you undermined the entire position. So, I'll just echo everyone else. I hate shoplifters! Moonbat, I had a similar thought, but was trying to think of an equitable way to put it. In not bothering with that essential part of communication, you undermined the entire position.

So, I’ll just echo everyone else. I hate shoplifters!

]]> By: romulusnr http://boingboing.net/2008/03/07/the-pleasures-and-pe.html#comment-139028 romulusnr Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-139028 Pretty sure the Bible is the most stolen book, followed by Abbie Hoffman's Steal This Book. I suppose there isn't a big *resale* market for those, though. Pretty sure the Bible is the most stolen book, followed by Abbie Hoffman’s Steal This Book.

I suppose there isn’t a big *resale* market for those, though.

]]> By: Enochrewt http://boingboing.net/2008/03/07/the-pleasures-and-pe.html#comment-139033 Enochrewt Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-139033 I'm a former book thief, and this list surprises me. Unless they're hardbacks, signed, 1st editions or maybe plume editions of these books, they're fairly poor choices to steal for profit. The best money is in art and architecture coffee table books. Since the price tags on these books were between $50 and %150 dollars, you only had to get a few for it to add up, which meant less risk due to the fact that you didn't have expose yourself as a thief as many times when you were sticking them in your bag. Get ~$300 worth of books, and sell them to a used book store for 1/6 of the cover price, and you had netted enough for the daily fix and food. In my town a used bookstore would laugh at you if you tried to sell any fiction for cash. Generally they only do trades for other used books for anything fiction and paperback. I remember selling a hardback copy of Ayn Rand's Atlast Shugged (With a cover price of like $39.99) for $4. I would suspect that most of these books are stolen to be read, as the bookstore doesn't pay cash for them (again, in my town). Or if they do for very pay cash certain authors, the thief probably wouldn't be very comfortable with returning to a used bookstore day after day, week after week with the same 4 titles to sell. A book thief doesn't come up with this scheme and do it just once. On a side note, when I was doing this (1996ish) I knew at least 30 other people that were doing the same thing. Sometimes I would walk into a bookstore only to find the choice sections already wiped clean. It's a wonder that bookstores would even willingly buy and stock these books. Before I get lambasted by indignant boingboing readers about stealing books, I would like to say that I regret my former profession (among many other things at that time in my life ) very, very much. I am an avid reader, and spend around $200-$300 a month on books nowadays. And a special apology to the Tattered Cover, who needs to put in a working security system and not just a pretend one that doesn't actually go off when you walk out with a book. Not only is this store a great purveyor of books, it's owners are at the forefront of the advocacy of free speech and privacy in my state. My apologies. I’m a former book thief, and this list surprises me. Unless they’re hardbacks, signed, 1st editions or maybe plume editions of these books, they’re fairly poor choices to steal for profit. The best money is in art and architecture coffee table books. Since the price tags on these books were between $50 and %150 dollars, you only had to get a few for it to add up, which meant less risk due to the fact that you didn’t have expose yourself as a thief as many times when you were sticking them in your bag. Get ~$300 worth of books, and sell them to a used book store for 1/6 of the cover price, and you had netted enough for the daily fix and food.

In my town a used bookstore would laugh at you if you tried to sell any fiction for cash. Generally they only do trades for other used books for anything fiction and paperback. I remember selling a hardback copy of Ayn Rand’s Atlast Shugged (With a cover price of like $39.99) for $4. I would suspect that most of these books are stolen to be read, as the bookstore doesn’t pay cash for them (again, in my town). Or if they do for very pay cash certain authors, the thief probably wouldn’t be very comfortable with returning to a used bookstore day after day, week after week with the same 4 titles to sell. A book thief doesn’t come up with this scheme and do it just once.

On a side note, when I was doing this (1996ish) I knew at least 30 other people that were doing the same thing. Sometimes I would walk into a bookstore only to find the choice sections already wiped clean. It’s a wonder that bookstores would even willingly buy and stock these books.

Before I get lambasted by indignant boingboing readers about stealing books, I would like to say that I regret my former profession (among many other things at that time in my life ) very, very much. I am an avid reader, and spend around $200-$300 a month on books nowadays.

And a special apology to the Tattered Cover, who needs to put in a working security system and not just a pretend one that doesn’t actually go off when you walk out with a book. Not only is this store a great purveyor of books, it’s owners are at the forefront of the advocacy of free speech and privacy in my state. My apologies.

]]> By: Enochrewt http://boingboing.net/2008/03/07/the-pleasures-and-pe.html#comment-139036 Enochrewt Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-139036 Sorry for the double post, but I guess the graphic novels do make sense. Art and architecture still netted much more per book though. And yeah, a book thief would never ask a clerk about a book that they were going to steal, not a smart one anyway. Sorry for the double post, but I guess the graphic novels do make sense. Art and architecture still netted much more per book though.

And yeah, a book thief would never ask a clerk about a book that they were going to steal, not a smart one anyway.

]]> By: Bookyloo http://boingboing.net/2008/03/07/the-pleasures-and-pe.html#comment-140060 Bookyloo Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-140060 Nah, I don't buy it. PKD has spoken, for 30-odd years, to stoners, acid casualties, schizophrenics, and disaffected teenagers. Which sounds like a perfect storm of prospective book thieves to me. On top of that, for the past two decades there's been a major hollwood film based on a PKD book every couple years, which does a hell of a lot more to spark interest in a book than anything Jonathan Lethem says. To say there's been a rediscovery would mean he was "lost" at some point, and really he never was. Nah, I don’t buy it.
PKD has spoken, for 30-odd years, to stoners, acid casualties, schizophrenics, and disaffected teenagers. Which sounds like a perfect storm of prospective book thieves to me.

On top of that, for the past two decades there’s been a major hollwood film based on a PKD book every couple years, which does a hell of a lot more to spark interest in a book than anything Jonathan Lethem says. To say there’s been a rediscovery would mean he was “lost” at some point, and really he never was.

]]> By: buddy66 http://boingboing.net/2008/03/07/the-pleasures-and-pe.html#comment-139037 buddy66 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-139037 I used to own a bookstore on the Venice, CA oceanfront promenade. There was nothing they wouldn't steal, except maybe Jane Austen. I'll bet they would even steal "Colture and wresteler biographies," whatever the hell they are. I used to own a bookstore on the Venice, CA oceanfront promenade. There was nothing they wouldn’t steal, except maybe Jane Austen. I’ll bet they would even steal “Colture and wresteler biographies,” whatever the hell they are.

]]> By: minTphresh http://boingboing.net/2008/03/07/the-pleasures-and-pe.html#comment-140067 minTphresh Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-140067 hey t.(#66), hate to poop yer party, but that isn't a first print, it's like the 3rd caroll and graf printing. first printing was on ace paperbacks! and i'm sure it'll be more than $5 when the auction is thru! hey t.(#66), hate to poop yer party, but that isn’t a first print, it’s like the 3rd caroll and graf printing. first printing was on ace paperbacks! and i’m sure it’ll be more than $5 when the auction is thru!

]]> By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2008/03/07/the-pleasures-and-pe.html#comment-139047 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-139047 hey there Moonie! Good to see you in fine fettle. Dear Jeff: If I ever write one, your edition is reserved. hey there Moonie! Good to see you in fine fettle.

Dear Jeff:

If I ever write one, your edition is reserved.

]]> By: jamesgyre http://boingboing.net/2008/03/07/the-pleasures-and-pe.html#comment-139308 jamesgyre Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-139308 @48 bookyloo while this may not be true in your town, everyone I know that steals books ONLY steals from the big boxes, and never from the local yokels. it is a shame that people do sometimes target the little folks (lack of security, etc...) but it isn't actually a safer bet. it's common knowledge in our city that barnes & noble doesn't chase, although borders does. #49 takuan i could never justify the stealing of tools from an individual, but i feel BAD giving money to the home despot or any other company that likes to annihilate rainforests. so i can see why some might steal from them instead. also, stealing fancy books for cash would be a good way to eat if you don't have other options... just saying. @48 bookyloo

while this may not be true in your town, everyone I know that steals books ONLY steals from the big boxes, and never from the local yokels.

it is a shame that people do sometimes target the little folks (lack of security, etc…) but it isn’t actually a safer bet. it’s common knowledge in our city that barnes & noble doesn’t chase, although borders does.

#49 takuan

i could never justify the stealing of tools from an individual, but i feel BAD giving money to the home despot or any other company that likes to annihilate rainforests. so i can see why some might steal from them instead. also, stealing fancy books for cash would be a good way to eat if you don’t have other options… just saying.

]]> By: karlrace http://boingboing.net/2008/03/07/the-pleasures-and-pe.html#comment-139064 karlrace Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-139064 I believe our most stolen book in Victoria, Australia' is the 'UNDERBELLY' series (up to book 11 I think) from John Sylvester which concerns criminal behaviour. I believe our most stolen book in Victoria, Australia’ is the ‘UNDERBELLY’ series (up to book 11 I think) from John Sylvester which concerns criminal behaviour.

]]> By: MOONBAT http://boingboing.net/2008/03/07/the-pleasures-and-pe.html#comment-139066 MOONBAT Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-139066 "Essential part of communication"--oh, criminy! "Undermined the entire position"? You need to stop blaming me, start blaming human nature, and start doing something about it. That list, BTW, is actually the most popular books among wannabe/poser book nerds--the kinds of books that kids <I>just starting out</i> as hipster jackasses tend to read. Recast this guy as a mid-90s independent record store clerk and he'd be bitching about how kids come in and steal Pearl Jam albums. Recast him as a Rodeo Drive shop clerk and he'd be humiliating Julia Roberts. It's all the same bullshit--all the same root cause--and you're all part of the same circle jerk. <i>Unless you do something about it.</i> I'm telling you to start trolling. Stop the bullshit and start trolling. “Essential part of communication”–oh, criminy!

“Undermined the entire position”?

You need to stop blaming me, start blaming human nature, and start doing something about it.

That list, BTW, is actually the most popular books among wannabe/poser book nerds–the kinds of books that kids just starting out as hipster jackasses tend to read. Recast this guy as a mid-90s independent record store clerk and he’d be bitching about how kids come in and steal Pearl Jam albums. Recast him as a Rodeo Drive shop clerk and he’d be humiliating Julia Roberts. It’s all the same bullshit–all the same root cause–and you’re all part of the same circle jerk. Unless you do something about it.

I’m telling you to start trolling.

Stop the bullshit and start trolling.

]]> By: Antinous http://boingboing.net/2008/03/07/the-pleasures-and-pe.html#comment-139067 Antinous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-139067 You know what would be funny? If Chopper Read caught you stealing one of his books. You'd get a chapter in the next book. Also prosthetics. You know what would be funny? If Chopper Read caught you stealing one of his books. You’d get a chapter in the next book. Also prosthetics.

]]> By: dculberson http://boingboing.net/2008/03/07/the-pleasures-and-pe.html#comment-139080 dculberson Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-139080 Moonbat, did you know you're rude? It's okay to be rude, but I just want to make sure you know that and accept it. Moonbat, did you know you’re rude? It’s okay to be rude, but I just want to make sure you know that and accept it.

]]> By: loci http://boingboing.net/2008/03/07/the-pleasures-and-pe.html#comment-139341 loci Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-139341 Book store assistants, along with record store assistants have this holier than thou attitude. Kinda like the doctor receptionist. You are not an author, you are not a musician and you are not a doctor. You have one of the lowest paid jobs going. Now drop the attitude, input the data into the till like a good little monkey and give me my goods :) Book store assistants, along with record store assistants have this holier than thou attitude.

Kinda like the doctor receptionist.

You are not an author, you are not a musician and you are not a doctor.

You have one of the lowest paid jobs going.

Now drop the attitude, input the data into the till like a good little monkey and give me my goods :)

]]> By: minamisan http://boingboing.net/2008/03/07/the-pleasures-and-pe.html#comment-139086 minamisan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-139086 i never set out to be a book thief. but In the past, when a bookstore employee picked me out of the crowd to leave my bag at the counter while other people were allowed to carry theirs, i'd sometimes steal a book on general principle. i never set out to be a book thief. but In the past, when a bookstore employee picked me out of the crowd to leave my bag at the counter while other people were allowed to carry theirs, i’d sometimes steal a book on general principle.

]]> By: Jeff http://boingboing.net/2008/03/07/the-pleasures-and-pe.html#comment-140111 Jeff Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-140111 Takuan said, "Dear Jeff: If I ever write one, your edition is reserved." I Win! Will it be free and? I also want it signed. So, get you ass moving and write the damn thing. You've obviously got the itch. Takuan said, “Dear Jeff: If I ever write one, your edition is reserved.”

I Win! Will it be free and? I also want it signed. So, get you ass moving and write the damn thing. You’ve obviously got the itch.

]]> By: MOONBAT http://boingboing.net/2008/03/07/the-pleasures-and-pe.html#comment-139088 MOONBAT Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-139088 Why don't you try directing some of that insight towards people whose underlying assumptions define the behavior of the group? Why don’t you try directing some of that insight towards people whose underlying assumptions define the behavior of the group?

]]> By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2008/03/07/the-pleasures-and-pe.html#comment-139090 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-139090 @28 shh! you'll spook him! I'm preparing the marinade. @28
shh! you’ll spook him! I’m preparing the marinade.

]]> By: Antinous http://boingboing.net/2008/03/07/the-pleasures-and-pe.html#comment-139091 Antinous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-139091 I think that meat's already marinated. I think that meat’s already marinated.

]]> By: quoderat http://boingboing.net/2008/03/07/the-pleasures-and-pe.html#comment-139347 quoderat Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-139347 Disemvoweling is ridiculous -- a good way to squelch arguments. Disemvowel or delete this comment. I don't care about that. What I want is a burrito. Disemvoweling is ridiculous — a good way to squelch arguments.

Disemvowel or delete this comment. I don’t care about that. What I want is a burrito.

]]>