Over recent months I've had quite a few emails from people asking about building up your library. Having gone to the trouble of producing a reply, I'm posting my thoughts here so that others can add their wisdom too.
By the way, if you're a relative newcomer to Logos, don't forget that many of us with relatively large libraries have been building up our resources for years. I've calculated what I've spent on Logos over the years, and I could buy a small car with that amount - but spread out over more than ten years, it is not not too much per year.
My 'strategy' is basically:
- Buy as much as I can on pre-pub. All my major commentary sets were bought on prepub. If I'm not sure about a pre-pub, I sign up anyway. I can always cancel when they let me know it's going to press, without penalty.
- Very occasionally you can get really good deals on Community Pricing as well.
- I invested quite heavily when the US dollar was weak in 2008 (I'm in the UK). That effectively discounted Logos products by 25% for me.
- I upgraded my base package when significant discounts were available. I went from Silver to Gold when 3.0 came out ($700), and then from Gold to Portfolio ($775) when 4.0 came out. Total upgrade price $1,475; current price difference between Silver and Portfolio is $3,300; a saving of over $1,800.
- I use student discounts (usually 25%) when I need something I've missed on pre-pub. (I'm a part-time PhD student.)
- I keep an eye on Logos discounters (which protocol forbids me from naming here).
- I telephone sales if I'm really desperate and ask for a discount. I often get one!
- Here in the UK, purchases of this nature are tax-deductible for pastors. That effectively gives me a discount of 28% on every purchase.
- When books become available on Logos that you already have in print, consider selling off your print copies. I've sold probably 200 volumes this way (usually on Amazon).
Perhaps others could add their own tips, and may be even create a Wiki page.
