[jmedefind]

When I worked at a bookstore we would ship boxes full of un-sold books back to the publishers every month (Mostly consisting of cheap Romance novels). I imagine having to track and handle all of that to be a major cost to publishers.

[mcguire]

Boxes of unsold books? Not just the covers?

Publishers don't want paperbacks back, they just want proof that the book didn't sell. That was always just the front cover. You may have shipped the books to someone who did the stripping, but I very much doubt the publisher ever saw the text block.

[pyoung]

I believe I re-call an internet comment (most likely on HN) about how some publishers would instruct bookstores to shred the unsold copies. Apparently it was cheaper than shipping them back and trying to re-sell them somewhere else.

[mhd]

Isn't this why you get the warning in every paperback book about covers being ripped off?

[gknoy]

Is there any way to find out when they're going to do this, so I can offer to buy a few? :D

[mcguire]

According to the agreements (that used to be) in place between publishers, distributors, and booksellers, that would be a very serious no-no.