Collecting Folio Society books

Simply put, some of the most beautiful books you can find anywhere. The Folio Society is a British publisher of lovely illustrated books; while their books will cost more than your typical hardcover, they'll also last longer and have more aesthetic appeal. Folio Society books come in a distinctive slipcase that helps to protect each book from damage.

When buying Folio Society books, you have two options.
1. You can join the Folio Society and buy your books directly from them, either online at their website or via snail mail.
or
2. You can find used Folio Society books via eBay or used booksellers online.

Below, I'll discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each method.

In order to buy books directly from the Folio Society, you will need to join the Society. The Society will offer you a set of books for an unbeatable price - for instance, the US Folio Society site is currently offering a set of the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, a close to $200 value, for $9.95. Shipping and handling is free, even if you live outside of the UK. They ship the books to you, you evaluate them for up to 10 days; if you're not completely satisfied, you send them back and pay nothing.

If you are satisfied and want to keep the books, you must purchase 4 full-price books from the Folio Society's catalog; after purchasing these 4 books, you will be a full member of the Folio Society for the following year. The Folio Society's books range in price from around $30 to over $100; you also pay $4.75 per book in shipping and handling. So your minimum investment for joining the society would be about $140.

1. Free offer set - You get the free books discussed above. You also receive free books every year when you renew; better yet, the Society tailors your renewal offers based on the books you've previously purchased. Even if you're not interested in any of the offers available, you can always resell it on eBay - check out what's selling before you buy.

2. Exclusive Sales - You get exclusive access to Folio Society sales. These are constantly ongoing, so you're likely to find something that appeals to you during the year. These prices can often provide substantial savings, even over what you would pay used. For instance, during one sale I purchased Alexandre Dumas's Twenty Years After for $25, including shipping and handling. It would have been difficult to find that book used, and I likely would have paid double the price, plus shipping and handling.

3. Access to All Books - You have guaranteed access to all the books the Society publishes. While some books regularly show up on eBay and other sites used, some rarely do, and are priced accordingly. You may have a hard time purchasing the books you want if you aren't a member of the Society. This is particularly true if you don't live in the UK.

4. Mint Condition Books - Your books are guaranteed to be in new (mint) condition; Folio Society customer service is great and includes a replacement or refund if you're at all unsatisfied with the condition in which your books arrive.

1. Price - in many cases, the price you will pay buying from the Folio Society will be higher than that if you bought on eBay or used book sites.

2. Constant Temptation - Trust me, when those colorful Folio Society brochures show up on the doorstep, their lure is very hard to resist! My budget has suffered :)

1. Lower Price - Purchasing the books used (even if they are in new condition) is often much cheaper than purchasing via the Society.

2. Possibly, Lower Shipping - Depending on what part of the world you live in and on whether you purchase locally, you may pay significantly less for shipping and handling.

1. Lower Availability - There is no guarantee that you will be able to find the books you want to purchase.

2. Books in Used Condition - Unless it is described as "still in shrink-wrap", the book is not in perfect, fresh-off-the-press condition. Maybe this matters to you, maybe it doesn't, but it's something to keep in mind.