FrugalReader

New Member Top 10 FAQ

All FAQs

FrugalReader is as easy as 1, 2, 3!

Step 1: List Your Books

Enter the ISBN (10 or 13 digit number on the cover) of each book that you own and want to trade with another member. We call this "listing" your books. As soon as you list a book, it becomes available for other members to request. List at least 9 books when you join and you'll get 2 FREE credits to use to request books from other members. Typically 1 credit is needed to request a paperback book and 2 for a hardcover.

Step 2: Request Books from Other Members

Browse by subject or search by title, author or ISBN for a book you want to read and then request it. You will receive an email notification when the owner mails the book to you. When you receive the book, mark it received and the owner gets credit for shipping the book. You may re-list the book on FrugalReader or keep it.

Step 3: Ship Your Books to Other Members

You will receive an email notification when another member requests one of your listed books. Mail the book to the requesting member using low Media Mail postage rates (only $2.13 for most books) and mark the book shipped. When the requesting member marks it received, your account is credited. Use your credits to request more books.

And no fees, period!

Signup NOW!

Limited Time Offer!

Sign up for a FREE Standard account which includes 2 FREE credits (list 9 books when you join) you can use to request 2 books. We will upgrade your account to Premium for FREE as soon as 2 of your listed books are requested, you mail them, and they are marked received by the requesting member.

Why Premium?

1. Members with a Premium account can request books within the first 48 hours of being listed

2. Members with a Premium account can create custom trade groups.

3. Members with a Premium account can limit requests for listed books to specific members, trade groups, or other Premium members.

4. Members with a Premium account can assign a "sell" credit value to listed books.

5. Members with a Premium account can assign a "buy" credit value to wish list books.

6. Members with a Premium account can have wish list books automatically requested when they become available.

7. Members with a Premium account can limit searches to books listed by members of a trade group, or listed by other members with a Premium account.

8. Members with a Premium account get a discounted rate when purchasing credits.

9. Members with a Premium account get priority customer service.

General FAQ

Can I join FrugalReader.com if I live outside the United States?

FrugalReader.com is available to those with an address in one of the 50 United States, District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands. APO/FPO addresses are also acceptable.

I’m having trouble accessing the FR website. What should I do?

Go to www.FrugalReader.com and press Ctrl-F5. Also delete your browser's cookies and temporary Internet files. If you're using Internet Explorer you'll find these under Tools, Internet Options. If that doesn’t work, type ipconfig /flushdns at the Command Prompt and press Enter.

How do the Google ads and Amazon links help FR?

FR gets a small amount for each click of an ad link served to our site by Google. FR also gets a small portion of every Amazon purchase that originated from a Buy Now button, Amazon search box (see Home page) or this Amazon link. FR benefits regardless of what you buy at Amazon. Just start your online shopping trip with a click of an FR Amazon link and you will help us support and build a better FR!

I want to spread the good word about FR. Can I print an FR bookmark?

Absolutely! Below are the results of the FR bookmark contest. Choose from many unique bookmarks made by FR members.

1st place: guhinp for guhinp.jpg

2nd place: mganow for mganow 1.jpg (3rd from the left)

Honorable mention for Best FrugalReader Tie-in: burnum for burnum.jpg

Honorable mention for Best Youth Oriented: judithkaye2006 for judithkaye2006.jpg

Remaining entries: angayle36.jpg, animama30.jpg, cherokeanika.jpg, dallascboyfan 1.jpg, dallascboyfan 2.jpg, dallascboyfan 3.jpg, KarmaRockOne 1.jpg, KarmaRockOne 2.jpg, lday22.jpg, ldoveyitsme.jpg, Lisalucky.jpg, loftedahl.jpg, logcbnlvr.jpg, mamakane.jpg, mganow 2.jpg, mpeterson.jpg, rbritton.jpg, roxs12001 1, roxs12001 2, rsmith.jpg, wylchild.jpg.

After clicking the link you can print the bookmark via your browser. Note that your browser may not be able to display it as nicely as it will appear when printed. Right-click the link to save the .jpg file to your local hard drive.

Here are links to a few flavors our logo if you want to perfect your bookmark or make a new one:

FR Logo Transparent BG.png, FR Logo White BG.png, FR Logo White BG Without Books.png

Home Page FAQ

How can I make FR my Home page?

There’s no better place on the web to call home than FrugalReader.com. If you use Internet Explorer, select Tools, Internet Options and enter http://www.FrugalReader.com in the Home page address box.

Often when I click the home page Featured Author book link there are no available copies. Why?

We always pick a book written by the featured author that has at least one copy available for request at the time it’s initially featured. However, due to the visibility that the FR home page provides, one or more copies of the book are often quickly requested.

How can I sign up to receive the FR newsletter?

After you login, click the Newsletter link at the top right of the page. The Frugal Reader is the best source for information about connecting with other avid readers and getting the books you love to read. The next edition is coming soon, so sign up now!

Top Books/Traders FAQ

Where can I find information about the most popular books and traders?

Click the Top Books/Traders link on the My Home page to view the 25 most traded books and the 25 members with the best Shipping Records.

Buy Credits FAQ

There are some great books available on FR but I don’t have any credits. Can I purchase credits?

Yes, buying credits gets you the books you want (for as little as $2.99 a book!) while at the same time helping other members of the FR Family earn credit. Click the Buy Credits link on the My Home page and use your Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express credit card or PayPal account to make a secure purchase.

Why should I buy FR credits to get the books I want instead of purchasing them online or at my local bookstore?

Buying FR credits saves you money! Since one credit can be used to request most books listed on FR, you can buy a book for as little as $2.99. And shipping is always FREE. You simply can’t beat the low cost, high quality and incredible convenience of FrugalReader.com. Click Buy Credits now and you’ll soon be enjoying your next “must read” book for less than it might cost you to buy a gallon of gas.

Can I purchase credits without using a credit card or PayPal account?

Absolutely. Click the Buy Credits link and then enter the number of credits you want to purchase to determine the total cost. Write your check or money order for the amount to “Frugal Concepts” and mail to the following address.

Frugal Concepts

2020 Fieldstone Parkway

Suite 900 #233

Franklin, TN 37069

Wish List FAQ

How do I add a book to my Wish List?

Using the Books page, uncheck the Available Copies box and browse or search for a desired book. If you’re searching for a specific book and can’t find it, check the Unlisted Books box and search by title, author or ISBN. Then click the Wish List button to add the desired book to your Wish List.

What happens when one of my Wish List books is listed by another member?

If you are next in queue for a book when it’s listed, an email notification will be sent to you if you set Available Action to “Notify”, or the book will be automatically requested for you if you set Available Action to “Request”. Note that the Notify option does not reserve the book for you, so to ensure you’ll get a Wish List book when it becomes available for you, use the Request option, select “Request first available” and confirm that you have enough available credits. You may also want to consider entering a Buy Value that exceeds the Buy Value of other members who have the same book on their Wish List.

What’s the difference between Wish List options “Request first available” and “Request in order”?

These options apply only to Wish List books for which you set Available Action to “Request”. If you select “Request first available”, then when any one of your Wish List books with Available Action set to “Request” is listed and you’re next in queue for it, the book will be automatically requested for you. If you select “Request in order”, the only book that will be automatically requested for you (when it’s listed and you’re next in queue) is your highest priority Wish List book that has Available Action set to “Request”.

What is the purpose of the Wish List Edition column?

Edition means the same title and author but a different binding or abridgement of the book. “ISBN” edition means that a book with an identical ISBN as your Wish List book must be listed for you to be notified or for the book to be automatically requested for you. “Hardcover Editions” means that the ISBN may be different but the binding must be hardcover. The same goes for other bindings as well. “All Editions” means that you are willing to accept any binding or abridgement, including audio CD and cassette formats.

What’s the purpose of Wish List Priority and what do the up/down arrows have to do with it?

The Priority column on the Wish List page is used only for books in which Available Action is set to “Request” and then only if you select the “Request in order” request method. In that case, books with Available Action set to “Request” will be requested in priority order. You will be notified if you’re next in queue for a listed book in which Available Action is set to “Notify” regardless of the priority order or request method. The up arrow moves a Wish List book up one position in priority and the down arrow does the opposite, moving a book down in priority.

What is the Wish List Buy Value and how does it work?

Members with a Premium account can set a custom “buy” credit value for each Wish List book. The Buy Value applies only to Wish List books for which Available Action is set to “Request”. The Wish List queue for each book is First In, First Out (FIFO), with the exception that a higher Buy Value overrides the date/time added to the Wish List. So you can move yourself up the Wish List queue for a given book by specifying a higher Buy Value than other members. For example, assume there are 10 members in queue for a book each with a Buy Value of 1 credit. You then add the book to your Wish List with a Buy Value of 2 credits and set Available Action to “Request”. When the book is listed it will be automatically requested for you.

I received an email notification that one of my Wish List books is available for request. However, the Buy Value of my Wish List entry is less than the credit value of the listed book. Why did I receive the notification?

The notification email is sent regardless of the Buy Value because it cannot be changed when Available Action is set to Notify. If the Buy Value could be changed when Available Action is set to Notify, it could be set to a very high number to move the Wish List entry to the top of the queue. Then when a matching book is listed for a lower credit value it could be requested for the lower listed credit value instead of the higher Buy Value.

Why is there a green flag next to some of my Wish List titles?

The green flag icon indicates that a book matching your Wish List entry is available for you to request. Click the title to view the available copies and request one. If you no longer need the book, remove the entry from your Wish List by clicking the delete icon (large “X”).

There is green flag next to one of my Wish List titles. Why didn’t I receive an email notification that the book was available?

The member first in queue for the title has not yet requested the book and so it is available for you and other members to request. If you want to ensure you’ll get a particular book when it’s listed and becomes available for you, set Available Action to “Request”, select the “Request first available” option, and confirm that you have enough available credits. You may also want to consider entering a Buy Value that exceeds the Buy Value of other members who have that title on their Wish List.

I previously added a title to my Wish List with Edition set to All Editions, Available Action set to Request, and a Buy Value of 1. I just reviewed my Wish List and noticed that the green available flag is displayed for this title. Why wasn’t the book automatically requested for me?

One possibility is another member was ahead of you in the Wish List queue for that title when the book was listed, but the member had Available Action set to Notify and has not yet requested the book. Another possibility is the book was listed with a Sell Value of 2 (or more) credits. The Buy Value is the maximum credit you'll pay for the book and so you were skipped because you have a Buy Value (1) less than the Sell Value (2) of the listed book.

How can I see the Wish List books of other members?

There are too many Wish List books to see them all at once, but you can view the top 25 wishes by clicking the Top Wishes link on the My Home page. You can also browse for Wish List books by subject, or search for them by title, author, etc. On the Books page check the Wish List Books box and uncheck the Available Copies box. Then click a subject, or enter search parameters and click Search. Click a Details button to see the list of members with the respective title on their Wish List.

How can I stop receiving wish list notification emails?

For each entry on the My Wish List page you select an Available Action of Request, Notify or None. Select None and you will not be notified if a book matching the entry becomes available for you to request.

How can I track my TBR (To Be Read) books on FR?

Browse or search for the books you want to read via the Books page. Click the orange Wish List button for each book to add it to your wish list. If you’re not ready to request the book, select None for Available Action. When you’re ready to request it, change Available Action to Notify or Request.

Requested Books FAQ

I got an email suggesting that I mark a book received that I requested, but the book hasn’t arrived yet. What should I do?

You received a courtesy reminder email. Mark the book received only after you receive it. If you do not receive it within 21 days, the request will automatically be cancelled and your credit will be restored. If you receive the book after the request was cancelled, click the Cancelled Requests link to mark it received.

I received a book that was listed in Good condition, but in my option it is in Poor condition. What should I do?

Contact the member who shipped you the book and try to work out a mutually agreeable solution. You may both want to refer to the book condition definitions. If you cannot agree how to resolve the issue, then send us a note via the Customer Service page.

I requested a book and now I don’t want it. What can I do?

Be certain that you want a book before requesting it. If you feel that you must cancel a request, you’ll need to ask the shipping member to give permission to Customer Service to cancel the request. The shipper’s permission is necessary because the member may have already packaged, applied postage or even shipped the book.

I received a book that was not the title I requested. What should I do?

Contact the shipping member and try to work out an amicable solution. If you need assistance or cannot reach agreement, contact Customer Service.

I received a requested book but there’s no Receive link. How can I mark it received?

The shipping member did not mark it shipped. Send the shipping member a Private Message or email asking that it be marked shipped. If the book isn’t marked shipped within 8 days, the request will automatically be cancelled and you can then mark it received via the My Home page Cancelled Requests link.

Cancelled Requests FAQ

What is the Cancelled Requests section on the My Home page?

The Received Books section displays only books that you received. So the Cancelled Requests section displays books that you requested but were cancelled because they were not shipped, or they were shipped but you did not receive them.

I received a book after the request was cancelled. What should I do?

Click the Cancelled Requests link on the My Home page and then the respective Receive link. If you previously rated the shipper, the rating will be deleted so you can rate the shipper again. The ability to mark a book received after the request was cancelled accommodates postal delays and distant shipments. It’s particularly helpful for our Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico members!

Listing Books FAQ

How do I use the Lookup Books button on the List Books page?

Enter the ISBN and condition for each book that you’re listing and click the Lookup Books button. The title, binding/format and default credit value will be displayed for each book. Once you verify the information, click the List Books button.

How can I re-list a book that I received from another member?

Click the Received Books link on the My Home page and then click the re-list icon (circular arrow) for the book you want to list.

How can I list a book for a specific member to request?

Whether you are in a book ring or just want to share a book with one of your FR buddies, if you have a Premium account it’s easy to target a specific member for one of your listed books. From the My Home page click List Books, or Listed Books and the edit icon (paper & pencil). Then select Nickname for the Limit Type, click the magnifying glass icon and select the member’s nickname. Finish by listing the book or saving your changes. Only the selected member will be able to request the book from you.

Why doesn’t FR recognize the ISBN when I try to list my book?

First check to make sure you entered the ISBN accurately. If the ISBN is correct but not recognized by FR, then do a title search on Amazon.com and if you find an identical book (same title, author and binding/format) use its ISBN and enter the actual ISBN in the Condition Note field.

Can I add notes about the condition of a book when listing it?

Yes. When listing or re-listing a book, enter brief comments about the condition in the Condition Note field. “Smoky book”, “Torn cover”, “Former library book” and “Autographed copy” are examples of what you might enter in the Condition Note field.

I listed a paperback book that shows hardcover in FR. How can I change the format (binding)?

If the FR database has an inaccurate book attribute, enter the correct information in the Condition Note field when listing the book. If the book is already listed, click the Listed Books link on the My Home page and then the respective edit icon (paper & pencil). Since FR gets its bibliographic data from Amazon.com, you can fix the problem by submitting a request directly to Amazon to update the product information. Near the bottom of each book page on Amazon.com you'll find shaded blue Feedback box with an "update product info" link inside.

I searched for one of my listed books and it’s not available for request. Why?

Your listed books are available for other members to request, but of course they are not available for you to request. On the Books page, uncheck the Available Copies box and search for one of your listed books and click the Details button. For your copy you’ll notice the message * You own this book.

I received an audio CD book that didn’t have a label. Is it acceptable to trade such audio books?

The FR Membership Agreement prohibits using FR to make unlawful content available and so only legal copies of audio CD (and cassette) books are allowed. Note that Audible.com allows a purchased audio book to be legally burnt to CD once and not copied. Thus it is acceptable to trade audio books legally created via Audible.com.

Can I list an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC)?

If you own the book and there are no restrictions on transferring ownership, then you may list the book. Indicate that it is an ARC in the Condition Note field.

Will I get extra credit for listing a popular book?

There are several advantages to listing your barely used bestselling books.

1. Popular books are likely to be quickly requested, helping you earn credit to request more books.

2. You can set a custom “sell” credit value (Premium account needed) for your bestseller and earn more than the default credit amount.

3. You receive one additional FREE Bonus Credit if your listed book has an Amazon Sales Rank between 1 and 250 at the time it is requested.

How can I remove one of my listed books?

Click the Listed Books link on the My Home page and then click the delete icon (large “X”) to the right of the book you want to remove. If you want to list the book again after removing it, click the Removed Books link and the re-list icon (circular arrow).

What is the definition of book conditions New, Very Good, Good, Fair and Poor?

Click the “?” next to the Condition field on the List Books page to view the condition definitions. Here they are too:

New: Book has never been used.

Very Good: Book is used, but in exceptional condition.

Good: Book is in overall good condition with no highlights or markings.

Fair: Book may have notes, highlighting, markings or other blemishes but is in useable condition.

Poor: Book is in poor condition but is not missing any pages and is still readable.

Note that books with the cover removed, or other pages missing, or that are otherwise unreadable are not to be listed.

What’s the best way to bring attention to my listed books so they get requested?

Here are some proven techniques to get your listed books noticed and requested!

1. List as many books as you can and add a Condition Note when applicable. It’s especially helpful to list books that are in demand because they are popular or hard to find.

2. Promote your books in the Wheel & Deal forum and perhaps offer specials (2 for 1, etc.).

3. Join a Trade Group (invented by FR!) by sending a Private Message to its owner. Also see the Trade Groups forum.

4. Actively participate in all the FR Forums so other members get to know you and want to request your books.

5. Rate and review each book you have read, whether you currently have it listed or not.

I listed a book and it immediately appeared in my Books To Ship section instead of Listed Books. Why?

The member first in the Wish List queue for the book had Available Action set to Request and so it was automatically requested when you listed it.

I want to list more books on FR but I don’t have any more. Where can I get more books to list?

You may be surprised at how many books family, friends and neighbors have lying around the house that they would be happy to pass on if they knew the books would be read. Sharing is what FR is all about, so ask and you shall receive! Other book sources include yard/garage sales, local library book giveaways and sales, and used book or outlet stores.

I just finished reading a bestselling book. Why should I list it on FR instead of selling it?

Here are 3 good reasons to list bestselling books on FR.

1. You can set a custom “sell” credit value when listing the book (if you have a Premium account).

2. If the book has an Amazon Sales Rank between 1 and 250 when it’s requested, you’ll receive one additional free bonus credit.

3. You want to share the enjoyment of reading the book with other members of the FR Family!

I need a temporary break from shipping books but I want to continue to participate in the FR Forums and send Private Messages to my buddies. Do I have to remove all my listed books?

With one click you can make all your listed books unavailable for request. Uncheck the “Books available for request?” box on the Listed Books page and all your listed books will immediately be unavailable for request. Check the box and your listed books will be available for request again. You can also use this feature to make your books unavailable for request while you are on a vacation.

What can I do if I have a nice hardcover copy of a current bestseller that I feel is worth more than 2 credits, the default credit value for hardcover books?

If you have a Premium account you can select a “sell” credit value when you list the book. If you listed the book already, use the edit icon (paper & pencil) on the Listed Books page to change the credit value.

I have a lot of listed books and because they aren’t sorted by title I have to review the entire list to determine whether or not I have a particular book listed. Can I sort my listed books by title?

By default your listed books are displayed in the order that you listed them. Click the Title column heading on the Listed Books page to sort your listed books by title. In general, all FR tables can be sorted by any column heading that is underlined.

I’d rather not spend extra money for delivery confirmation. How can I make sure my listed books are requested by members who will mark them received?

If you have a Premium account you can limit requests for your listed books to members with a minimum Request Record. For example, enter a Min Req Record of 90% for a listed book and a member with a 3 / 5 Request Record cannot request it, but a member with a 9 / 10 Request Record can.

What is Credit Value on the List Books page and how does it work?

Members with a Premium account may set a custom “sell” credit value when listing a book. This feature allows you to offer a book for more or less than the default credit amount depending upon the value and condition of the book. For example, if you’re listing a popular paperback book that’s in very good condition and there are no other copies of it available on FR, you may choose to list it for 2 credits instead of the 1 credit default value for paperback books.

Shipping Books FAQ

I received a Request to Ship email and mailed the book yet the request was cancelled 5 days later. Why?

The request was cancelled because you didn’t mark the book shipped. When you receive a Request to Ship email, mail the book within 4 days and mark it shipped by clicking the Ship link on the Books To Ship page.

What is the purpose of the Shipper Rating and Requester Rating?

The requester rates the shipper based on whether the book was shipped, how quickly the book was shipped, how well the book was packaged, and whether the condition of the book matched the listed condition. The shipper rates the requester mostly based on whether the book is marked received in a timely manner but may also include other situational factors such as the requester’s flexibility in allowing the owner to delay shipment due to illness, for example. These ratings are one of several indicators that help you assess with whom you want to trade books.

When I ship a book what should I include so the requester knows it came from me?

Print a copy of the Request to Ship email and put it inside the book. This will also help remind the requester to mark the book received.

A book that I requested was delivered to me with postage due. What should I do?

You have two options. You may pay the postage due, accept the book, and mark it received in FR. Alternatively, you may choose to not pay the postage due, refuse the book, and not mark it received. In either case, inform the shipping member via Private Message or email.

I mailed a requested book and marked it shipped about two weeks ago but it still hasn’t been marked received. What should I do?

You may want to send the member a Private Message or email. If the book is not marked received within 21 days, the request will be automatically cancelled and since you shipped the book your account will be credited.

I wasn’t able to ship a requested book within 4 days and the requesting member cancelled it. If the member still wants the book, can I mail it and get credit?

Yes! First confirm that the requesting member still wants the book, and then mail it. The member will need to click the Cancelled Requests link and then the Receive link to mark it received.

How is my Shipping Record determined?

Your Shipping Record (Received / Requested) is the number of books that were received out of the total requested from you. For example, a 19 / 20 Shipping Record means that of the 20 books requested from you, 19 were marked received by the requester. The Shipping Record includes only shipments to members with an active account.

I received an email notification that the request for a book I mailed was cancelled. What does that mean?

Requests for shipped books that are not received within 21 days are automatically cancelled. When the request is cancelled, the credit is restored to the requester’s account because the book was not received. And the shipper’s account is credited since the book was shipped. If the book is received after cancellation, the requester should locate it in the Cancelled Requests section and mark it received.

I couldn't locate a requested book and so cancelled the request. Since then I found the book, so can I mail it to the requester?

Verify via Private Message or email that the requester still wants the book. If so, mail it and the requester can mark it received via the Cancelled Requests link.

How will I know when another member requests a book from me?

When another member requests one of your listed books, a Request To Ship email is sent to you. After you mail the book, mark it shipped via the Ship link in the Books To Ship section. On the 4th day after the request was made, a reminder email is sent if you haven't marked the book shipped. If you don't mark it shipped within 4 full days, the requester may cancel the request. The request will be automatically cancelled if you don't mark the book shipped within 8 days.

What is the Cancelled Shipments section on the My Home page?

The Cancelled Shipments section displays books that were requested from you that were cancelled because you did not ship them, or you shipped them but they were not received. If a book that you shipped is received by the requester after the request was cancelled, the requester can mark it received by clicking the Cancelled Requests link and then the respective Receive link.

Why is my Shipping Record 0 / 0 after I mailed 3 books?

The Shipping Record includes only completed transactions - those that have been received or cancelled. Pending requests are excluded. The Shipping Record also excludes cancelled requests from members whose account is suspended, locked or deleted.

I received a request for one of my books from a member that has an address with the state AE. Is that valid?

Yes, AE is a valid state abbreviation. It is one of the military (armed forces) “state” abbreviations along with AA and AP. See the Official USPS Abbreviations for details.

After I marked a book shipped I lost my printout of the shipping label. Where can I get the shipping address of the requester?

Click the Shipped Books link on the My Home page and mouse over the nickname of the requester and the street address will display.

What can I do to make sure that the books I ship via US Postal Service Media Mail are delivered as quickly as possible?

Print and use the FR shipping label for best results when shipping via Media Mail. On the Books To Ship page click the Ship link and then the Print Label link. The printout includes the USPS barcode used to scan the package for faster and more accurate processing and delivery. The label also has the required “Media Mail” prominently printed on it.

How can I electronically purchase and print USPS Media Mail postage and Delivery Confirmation?

The free USPS Shipping Assistant allows you to print a shipping label with optional Delivery Confirmation. You will need to purchase the postage and DC fee (low $.18 electronic rate) separately, and then apply it to the package. PayPal provides the ability to purchase and print postage with DC (same low electronic rate) and does not charge a service fee. Stamps.com is a fee-based service through which postage and DC can be purchased and printed.