Do you ever feel guilty?...

**zazenist** · 02-14-2008, 07:50 PM

...about buying specific items used? The thing that always gets me is books. I'm addicted to them, and brand new books are so devastatingly expensive that there's no way I could support my habit. But by buying used books, I feel like I'm not contributing to the authors' livelihood since they don't get any $$$ when their books are re-sold. Same with music, even though I don't buy very many used CDs. I guess it feels like I am ripping off these peoples' intellectual property or something.

**nuisance26** · 02-14-2008, 08:26 PM

~I see your point but think of this; what if everyone bought a new book, read it and then threw it in the trash? Then there'd be something else to feel guilty about. Intellectual 'property' isn't something I support. But I'm a hippie at heart and I believe in freely sharing. Alot of people would NOT agree with me on this, lol! Maybe you could compensate for your guilty feelings by writing the authors letters and telling them you appreciate their work.~

**Bethany** · 02-14-2008, 08:31 PM

In reality, the author makes very little per book sold, so I wouldn't feel that bad about it. I do believe in the merits of intellectual property, so I wouldn't pirate a song off the internet, but there is no law against buying a used book or CD and it makes environmental sense to buy stuff used.

**momtoadiva** · 02-14-2008, 09:03 PM

Nope not at all...They got the bucks to buy million dollar homes and big fancy cars...their still making money way more than I'll ever see.

**cottageliving** · 02-14-2008, 09:18 PM

Think of it this way. I purchase a book new, then sell it to for a few dollars used.

That lets me buy another book new.

It is also the best way to recycle, and you can re-sell the used book you purchased.

None of this takes away from the author -- my guess is that purchasing a used book did not take the place of you buying a different new book.

(Books are my weakness as well)

Keep reading, guilt-free.

**dcompton** · 02-14-2008, 10:53 PM

The same could be said of reading books from the library. In fact, in that case, of course, it's not just you not buying the book new, but lots of people not buying the book (or CD or DVD or whatever) new. Even worse in this scenario, is interlibrary loan -- not even your library has to buy the book! But no one ever objects to libraries.

**IntlMom** · 02-14-2008, 11:14 PM

ummmm, no. I don;t ever feel guilty about buying ANYTHING used. My boys even used hand me down car seats...I know, I know, they say not to do that,....... nope, still don;t feel guilty!

**wildflowerpa** · 02-15-2008, 06:46 AM

I feel guilty about anything I buy myself even if its a bottle of water.

**sweetlittle** · 02-15-2008, 10:42 AM

No I don't feel any guilt. I look at it this way. Having many people use a product gets that person's name or company name out there which is a great way to advertise too. The longer a product lasts the more it is desired....I love finding "liz" clothes second hand because they last so long. I'd also want to puchase one of those items (if I could) before buying something more cheaply made....hence....great advertizing for liz and for all the authors we love read.

**suki** · 02-15-2008, 10:47 AM

Nope, not at all. As for books, we go to our local libary's used book sale twice a year. It supports the library and we get books!

**zazenist** · 02-15-2008, 11:45 AM

Thanks for all the insights, good points all... It makes me feel better, though I think I still will have some anguish over this, even though I totally get what you all are saying and feel absolutely great about everything else I get used. Guess it's just one of those things!!!