FAQs

Some of your books have black/red dots or stripe marks?

Yes, these are called “Remainder Books”. When stores return books to a publisher for a refund, the publisher mark the books. This lets the publisher know the book can no longer be refunded (for a second time) when they pass on the stock to shops like Quixotic Books. Marking books in this way is becoming less common though, and you will find many of our books haven’t been visually ‘remaindered’.

Are you a second-hand or used bookstore?

Not really. Remainder Books are technically Used books in the industry, but they have not been read or handled to a degree that make them second-hand. We receive many books in their original packaging as brand new.

Do you buy second-hand books?

No, we do not. However, know there are other local options to support:

  • Nicholson’s Bookshop on 144 Charles St, Launceston

  • Ezy Read Bookshop on 114 Hobart Rd, Kings Meadows

  • For Tasmaniana, I recommend contacting Just Tassie Books on 132, Cnr The Esplanade &, High St, Campbell Town

You can also donate books to the Friends of the Library at Launceston Library 71 Civic Square

I’m after a particular book, do you have … ?

Probably not on the shelves as we specialize in books hard-to-find in Australia. We can still order books for you and prefer to source second-hand in Very Good condition.

We offer a Book Finder service for tracking down a hard-to-find title. To use this service, please fill out our Book Finder form.

Do you do sell online?

Yes, on our website’s online catalog and on eBay.

How do you source your books?

I (Toby) peruse around 280,000 titles from oversea suppliers and compare them against the Australian market. Often, I look at books that are expensive to get here due to postage or simply not present in Australia, or are just very interesting.

How do you price your books?

Most of our books arrive with USD, CAD or UK pricing. I insert a bookplate into the front cover with our AUD price, rounded to the nearest ten ($10, $20, $30, etc).

I try to be accurate and fair, but feel free to let me know if a price seems a bit off.

What’s with the bookplates?

Our way of pricing Quixotic Books. We’re not fond of awful gooey stickers. The bookplate is your own ex-librīs (translated as: “From the books of”). Write a name on the ex-librīs and contribute to the book’s provenance.