Say, for example, you wanted to get a book valued. Can you take it to any type of rare books shop. The only ones in York seem to be full of elite old stuff, you know, leather-bound centuries-old types. Will they look at modern books too or would that be a waste of time? I don't want to get laughed at.

Also, how much do they try and rip you off in valuations? So, if they say "I could pay £250", how do I know if that's a good or bad price? I don't get how I can know this. They can say whatever they like and I'm not going to know any better. Do they do that? Or are they generally honest? And do they give you the price that they'd pay you for it, or what it's actually worth? I don't want to get taken advantage of here.

Also, do you think value would go up with publicity? So, for example, say I had a rare Harry Potter book, would it sell for more if I sold it when the next film was out - or does that kind of thing not make a difference?

Anyone, any kind of advice on this kind of subject? I get the feeling trying to get as much money as possible for something is hard when you don't have a clue what something's worth or what you're doing....