Shelfy 101
New to Shelfy? Start here for the basics on buying, selling, condition guidelines, shipping, reviews, and more.
Buying and Selling with Shelfy
Buying on Shelfy
Find the one that got away.
Browse special editions from collectors across Canada - book-box favourites, sprayed edge stunners, and more.
With Shelfy, you know exactly what you’re getting, with condition guidelines clearly and concisely described.
When you find the one, purchase it securely through Shelfy. Your order and messages stay together in one place.
Start browsing
Selling with Shelfy
Your shelf is full. We get it.
With Shelfy, you create your listing, add clear photos, describe the condition honestly and set your price.
No membership fees. No listing fees. You only pay Shelfy when your book sells.
Once another collector claims it, package it carefully, ship it out and keep the order updated so they know their newest shelf resident is on the way.
Create a ListingThe Shelfy Condition Scale
Condition matters when you collect pretty books. The Shelfy Condition Scale gives sellers a clear, consistent way to assess and describe their books so buyers know what to expect. The Shelfy Conditon Scale levels are explained below.
New Sealed
Scale Grade 1 Still in its original publisher or retailer wrapping and never opened. Any visible flaws should still be disclosed and photographs included.
New Unsealed
Scale Grade 2 Opened or removed from its original wrapping, but unread and essentially untouched.
Like New
Scale Grade 3 Exceptionally clean with little to no evidence of handling or reading. At most, a very minor imperfection.
Excellent
Scale Grade 4 A beautiful collector copy with minor visible flaws, such as a small corner bump or light rubbing.
Very Good
Scale Grade 5 Noticeable wear or imperfections, but still an attractive and well-kept collector copy.
Reader Copy
Scale Grade 6 Clearly shows wear or cosmetic damage but remains structurally sound and perfectly usable. Best for someone who wants the edition and isn't worried about collector-level condition.
Inspecting your Book
Before you List your Book
Before choosing a condition, check the whole book, not just the cover. Use the checklist below to give each area a quick once-over and make sure the condition you choose reflects the book as a whole.
Dust jacket - tears, creases, scratches, rubbing, worn edges or foil loss
Corners & boards - bumps, dents, scratches, scuffs or warping
Spine & binding - crushing, leaning, cracks or loose pages
Sprayed/stencilled edges - scratches, chips, fading, marks or dents
Pages & endpapers - bends, tears, stains, writing or printing flaws
Signature & tip-ins - creases, damage or missing signature pages
Extras - overlays, art prints, bookmarks, author letters or anything else originally included
✦ The Shelfy Rule - when in doubt, choose the lower condition. Describe any flaws clearly, and include pictures.