I very nearly bid for an ex-library academic textbook on ebay for £250 (including postage from the US and VAT). The book's out of print and I really won't find it cheaper. I've already had it out on interlibrary loan and read as much of the 1600 pages as I could but I'd like to have my own copy to sit next to me, I can't guarantee that I'll read it all again, but would probably dip into it.
Just wanted to know if anyone else would even contemplate this...
(and can I get it on ILL an indefinite number of times or just once? I'm not talking about renewal, separate requests)

That is quite an extreme thing to do. but I just splashed out on a WW2 RAF watch that cost me £200, and now I cant get any money out of the bank. It depends on whether you think buying the book will make you happier!

hmm, its a little crazy...I guess I would rather spend money on beautiful things, but if its going to make your life easier, then maybe its worth it!

If you really want it and think you will use it then I don't think you are crazy. Crazy is such a subjective term anyway!

As for ILL I am not sure about repeat requests, I don't think so but then you have made a good case for requesting again. I would ask your library I think.

I think books are beauiful things. You will keep it forever. Go for it!

I dread to think the amount I've spent on books - though most of mine are around £10 a time so it doesnt seem such a big deal. It's ust too, too easy to press that 'purchase' button on amazon.

If you'll use it why not (take it you can't persuade your library/department to buy it? ). You can always sell it on when you've completed your PhD if you want. Unless it is a choice between being able to eat and getting this book that is...

I've bought a couple of text books at around £120 each, so if you are crazy, then I am too!

I have heard that you can only request books on ILL once, because of copyright restrictions...that might only apply at my university though, perhaps yours has a different policy.

Sue I agree with Piglet that books are precious things. I have filled my spare bedroom wall to wall with my collection which dates back to me being a kid. I have never been able to let go of certain books, and there is something nice and comforting about having them around.
I recently read my old copy of To Kill a Mocking Bird which I had 17 years ago when I did my GCSE's and it had really hilarious notes in the margin and I had tipexed my name and I LOVE Jim Morrison, on the inside cover!!!

Some people are like this about Vinyl or clothes or shoes & I think the book is worth, as much as you are willing to pay for it.You cant really measure this by anyone elses standards but your own.

Well, I bought it, no regrets so far (apart from a slight panic that it might be sitting in our uni second hand bookshop, will check later!). I think the replies were a resounding 'no', I'm not crazy, so thanks, that's what I wanted to hear.

Pea, you're right, I can't imagine selling it once I've finished my PhD even if I know I'll never use it again (unless I'm starving like aliby said). We had to give our annotated GCSE/A-level books back to the school which I found really quite tough to do

Do any of you know if I absolutely have to pay VAT on the books? I've bought a few things from ebay.com before - the ones that came in envelopes (lower value stuff) were tax-free, but I had a biggish parcel (higher value) that came through customs which I had to pay 17.5% on. Does the choice of shipping method make a difference?

(oh, and I had my suspicions about re-requests from the British Library)

Good on you, sue. I love books - even nerdy, uni-related ones. I want a job so I can buy all the books I see in bookshops and think "wish I could buy this".

I long for a house with a library - walls of floor to ceiling shelves full of all the books I love, and a big comfy chair to sit in while I read them. My partner sees himself in a similar picture, but in his imagination, he wears a smoking jacket and slippers!

Well done, sue!

aww thanks. Just spotted that it was actually you who said 'you'll keep it forever', not Pea. Hopefully it'll be here before Christmas.

My books arrived yesterday! They're lovely, no extra customs/VAT charges either...Happy Christmas

Knowledge is power.

Just bought a 20-part encyclopedia with the entire world knowledge (not PhD related) for £400 two weeks ago. Maybe I'm crazy, too.

My watch arrived a couple of days ago. Its all packed up in Christmas paper so I cant open it til Christmas day!