----------------------------Original message----------------------------
Although I have not had a professional, institutional experience dealing
with Amazon.com in my work at the University of Connecticut's, I thought
my personal experience with the company might be of interest to others
on the list.  I avidly collect certain types of books on wedding
history, especially as the wedding is depicted in art history.  Since
this is quite an esoteric subject, for the past five years, I searched
with many private booksellers throughout the US to find several o.p.
titles.  I never had any luck.  Unfortunately, most booksellers that I
dealt with face-to-face were not very interested in my small order
and/or collecting interests.  So I decided to try Amazon.com, filled out
an electronic o.p. "wish list," and let them search for me.   I did not
feel that their prices were unreasonable, and staff there were very
accommodating to my specific requests for "mint condition only"
materials.  In fact, prior to purchasing any o.p. books from Amazon.com,
I had the right to reject any which I felt were out of my price range
and/or did not meet my book condition standards.

Certainly I am not advocating the abandonment of the traditional
bookseller.  Even though I found the technology behind Amazon.com's
operation appealing in terms of user convenience, I agree with John
Rutter of Ars Libri that it cannot yet replace the knowledge of
specialist booksellers.  But, if you are a small-time collector like me,
I wouldn't rule out companies like Amazon.com or other Web book dealers
for that hard-to-find treasure on your wish list.

Heidi N. Abbey
University of Connecticut
Art & Design Library
&
M.L.S. Graduate Student
University at Albany-SUNY