The emergence of the company Better World Books and their recent $4.5 million in funding have proved a shift in the tides of the book industry. The for-profit used bookseller donates an average of 10% of what it makes to its non-profit literacy partners, including Books for Africa, Room to Read, World Fund, and National Center for Family Literacy. The company calls themselves a “self-sustaining, for-profit social venture,” combining business strategy with philanthropy work.

Some support the company’s efforts, praising their socially conscious use of profits. Others are more skeptical, questioning the motives and transparency of such a company. Some ask, how can a for-profit company base itself on non-profit concept and survive? Others question specifics, like the unsettling difference between the company’s book condition descriptions and their pricing method. One skeptic quoted two books with similar condition details having over a $100 difference in price. If a company like Better World Books can succeed, consumers may find themselves not looking for the booksellers with the lowest prices, but for the companies that donate the most.

Is this just another marketing ploy from a used bookstore? Where did they get their funding from? We will just have to wait and see if the concept catches on.

Would you be more willing to buy a book from a company who promised to set aside part of your payment for charity?