Fafner's 遁世居

網路時代來臨後，我有了向國外網購書籍、CD、DVD的經驗。以書本來說，最早當然是從 Amazon.com 開始，它規模大、效率高，貨品種類多樣，且操作介面友善、搜尋快速，難怪一直是網路購書業的龍頭老大。

但後來，隨著興趣越來越小眾，想找的書，「絕版」的機率也越來越高，而 Amazon.com 的二手書市集，並不接受來自台灣的信用卡，因此，我只得轉向另一家以販售二手書為主的網站：Alibris.com。Alibris.com 為我開啟了另一個新世界，慢慢地，我停止了向「阿媽爽」下訂，轉向「阿里不理事」。

「阿里不理事」的優點是書多、便宜，缺點是速度慢。在這裡下訂，要有兩個月後才收到書的心理準備。有時，明明網站上寫著「二日內寄出」，但等了一個月，才收到已經寄出的通知信，再等上一個月，書才寄到。可能因為我都是選擇最便宜的寄件方式吧！

「阿里不理事」的海外運費，是按件計。我剛開始在那買書時，最便宜的國際運費是一件7.45美元，你一次買兩本，就是7.45x2，三本就x3，依此類推。所以在這裡買書，不需有多本平攤運費的考量，看到喜歡的書就立即下單。「阿里不理事」不定期會有折價券（coupon），我用最多的，是單件折1美元的coupon，如同上面所說，一次買多運費也不會比較省，因此就算我一次要買好幾本，我也都分開結帳，每筆都用上1美元折價券（有時還有2美元的咧！），這樣鑽鑽制度上的小漏洞，也為我省了不少小錢呢。

大約是一年半以前，國際運費大調漲，「阿里不理事」的國際運費也跟著加倍跳升，現在最便宜的國際郵資大約是15美元，換句話說，每一本書的基本消費就是台幣500元，這麼一調漲，讓我在這個網站買書的意願大幅降低，訂單數目也銳減，變成久久才買一次。

前一陣子，發現另一個二手書網站：Better World Books。大致看了一下，這個網站的書籍來源，有一大部分是圖書館，所以其書況比較普通，不像「阿里不理事」，往往可以撿到幾乎是全新的退書。它對我最大的吸引力，是其國際運費，號稱只要3.97美元，這麼便宜的運費，不知是如何辦到的？

但是，從我開始想試著在 Better World Books 買書，到兩天前正式下單，中間竟隔了好幾個月。這是怎麼一回事呢？原因在於，Better World Books 上架銷售的書，種類和數量並不是很多，想要買的書都沒在賣，自然無法下訂。而這第一次買書的經驗，將是我日後會不會成為此網站常客的重要依據。

講了那麼多廢話，會讓我想要在部落格介紹這個網站的原因，在於我今天收到了一封他們寄來的E-mail。這應該是一封告知我書已寄出的通知信函，但他們把這種本該很制式、很樣板的官樣宣示，變成是一封以第一人稱自述的擬人化問候信件，相當有創意。由於我還沒有收到書，所以還不能真心推薦這個購書網站，但這封幽默逗趣的通知信，讓我對這個網站充滿了好奇與期待。

以下是我收到的「私人」信：

Hello Ship, 

(Your book(s) asked to write you a personal note - it seemed unusual, but who are we to say no?) 

Holy canasta! It's me... it's me! I can't believe it is actually me! You could have picked any of over 2 million books but you picked me! I've got to get packed! How is the weather where you live? Will I need a dust jacket? I can't believe I'm leaving Mishawaka, Indiana already - the friendly people, the Hummer plant, the Linebacker Lounge - so many memories. I don't have much time to say goodbye to everyone, but it's time to see the world! 

I can't wait to meet you! You sound like such a well read person. Although, I have to say, it sure has taken you a while! I don't mean to sound ungrateful, but how would you like to spend five months sandwiched between Jane Eyre (drama queen)and Fundamentals of Thermodynamics (pyromaniac)? At least Jane was an upgrade from that stupid book on brewing beer. How many times did the ol' brewmaster have one too many and topple off our shelf at 2am? 

I know the trip to meet you will be long and fraught with peril, but after the close calls I've had, I'm ready for anything (besides, some of my best friends are suspense novels). Just five months ago, I thought I was a goner. My owner was moving and couldn't take me with her. I was sure I was landfill bait until I ended up in a Better World Books book drive bin. Thanks to your socially conscious book shopping, I've found a new home. Even better, your book buying dollars are helping kids read from Brazil to Botswana. 

But hey, enough about me, I've been asked to brief you on a few things:  

You chose International shipping.

We shipped it via Brokers Worldwide who will then hand it off to your local postal service. Delivery time for shipments is usually 7-14 business days, but some may take a bit longer depending on destination.  

If you have any questions or concerns, please email my friends in Customer Care at help@betterworld.com. If you could please include your order number (xxxxxxx) that would be very helpful.  

Eagerly awaiting our meeting,   

On Sunset Boulevard: The Life and Times of Billy Wilder

（上面的「署名」，是我這次購買的書名）