Genuine SBN needs to be ISBN?
I have a 1984 book to list with a GENUINE barcode number on its inside cover - it says: SBN 85037 885 0.
But not recognized or accepted for listing on Amazon.
It is not listed on any branch, but annuals in this series of other early 1980s years ARE listed and searchable.
If it’s not in the Amazon database, nor GS1 database, I guess there’s nothing I can do to list it?
Or does Amazon make any exception on request, and can help manually on proof that it’s a genuine barcode?
(I have tried to adjust this number into 10 and 13 digit ISBN formats, 0850378550 and 9780850378550, 978-085037-855-0, but nothing doing).
Is there any way to standardly supplement an SBN to turn it into an equivalent ISBN?
Which numbers should then be added to it?
(There was a time when you could just add a zero or 1 at the beginning).
Sorry if this issue has already been solved somewhere else, can’t find a solution.
Thanks for any help.
21 replies
Seller_mBENc0rmDmw5W
Usually adding a zero at the front does the trick.
I assume the book is not listed in Amazon’s catalogue (and that you have searched Amazon by the book title)
Have you tried bookfinder ?
Seller_HbtEgJLFVZHWb
Yes, I’ve tried everything…But thanks for prompt reply + the Bookfinder tip, I’d never used this site before and although I haven’t found this particular book, I’ve bookmarked it for future use, seems handy…
Seller_mxez2L8QjE6WW
You can try COPAC, WorldCat or ISBNplus to see if you can track down an ISBN for the book (although annuals can be difficult). Sometimes it is as simple as a printer error.
Could try adding 1 at the beginning instead of 0, or changing the final 0 to X.
Generally speaking SBNs were only used in the late 1960s / early 1970s. 1984 seems very late to have an SBN, which makes the printer error likely.
Seller_IotgWgSZV4UrT
Sounds like it may have been some sort of anniversary reprint, perhaps included as some sort of extra in a pack, or a freebie with a game, gift at a convention etc.
I’ve never seen one for an annual but I have seen it for a comic (I thought I had a valuable first print), so it may happen for annuals too.
I’ve had problems with old SBN numbers on books, looks like you’ve already tried everything I would have.
Seller_64jziShTiTjOq
An SBN should have 9 digits. When the system became international, instead of just UK/US, they became 10 digit numbers, with an initial 0 or 1 for English-speaking countries, 2 for French-speaking, 3 for German etc. Most 9-digit SBNs can be made into 10-digit ISBNs by adding 0, as the initial 1 did not generally come into use until some time after ISBNs were in use, so all older books would have a 0. It’s rather complicated to explain why!
You can’t just convert a 9- or 10- digit ISBN to a 13-digit one by sticking 978 in front, as the last digit in either format is an arithmetical check digit, which is meant to eliminate transcription errors - putting 85307 instead of 85037 for example. Again it’s rather complex but the check digit is calculated in a completely different way for 9/10 and 13, so the check digit will almost always be different for the same root number. I have done the arithmetical check on your SBN and, with an initial 0, it is a valid number. The corresponding ISBN-13 is 9780850378856 but that still doesn’t show up on Amazon. Sorry!
Seller_HbtEgJLFVZHWb
WOW! Absolutely amazing. Thank you so much!
And thanks for your proposal of a spreadsheet, but yes, it’s a bit awkward to make my email address public on Amazon etc, and also I think I’ll be able to do it for myself now.
This is amazingly helpful, thanks for typing all this!..
