How My Bookshelf Went from Zero to Chaos 📚
Here’s a fun fact about moving to a new country: you don’t realize how empty your home feels until you stare at a completely naked bookshelf. That was me when I moved from London to Germany.
I had my skincare, my coffee machine, and even a questionable number of scented candles. But books? Zero.
As someone who used to have a cozy little home library, this felt deeply unsettling. But I had a problem:
📉 English books in Germany are ridiculously expensive.
📉 Amazon is overpriced, especially for older titles.
📉 My budget was already bleeding from moving costs.
I started searching for second-hand book options and stumbled upon Medimops.de—Germany’s biggest online used bookstore. Suddenly, I was buying books for €2–€5 each instead of €15+.
At first, it was just a couple of books to fill the shelves. Then… well, let’s just say Medimops turned me into a full-blown book hoarder.
Here’s what happened when I went on a Medimops shopping spree—the wins, the fails, and what I learned along the way.
What Is Medimops? And Why Is Everyone Talking About It?
Medimops is Germany’s largest second-hand online bookstore, offering over 4 million books at insanely low prices. Think of it as a thrift store for book lovers, but way more organized.
Fast Facts About Medimops
📖 Massive selection – Over 4 million books (including thousands of English titles).
📖 Budget-friendly – Prices start from €1.79 (I’ve spent more on coffee).
📖 Graded conditions – Books are categorized from “Like New” to “Acceptable” condition.
📖 Fast shipping – Within Germany & Europe.
📖 Also sells – CDs, DVDs, video games & vinyl records.
The Story Behind Medimops
Founded in 2006 in Germany, Medimops started as a small online store reselling used books, CDs, and DVDs. Over time, it grew into a major player in Europe’s second-hand book market.
So yeah, Medimops isn’t just some random online bookstore—it’s a huge operation that saves millions of books from landfills every year.
📌 Bonus: Every purchase helps reduce book waste. Medimops has saved over 300 million books from being discarded since launch.
🔍 Reddit Insight:
“Medimops is basically Germany’s version of ThriftBooks. I’ve found some insane deals—got a hardcover Harry Potter book for €3!”
Reddit Thread
Medimops at a Glance: The Good, The Bad & The Bargains
Before we dive into my personal book haul, let’s break down why people love Medimops—and where it falls short.
✅ Why People Love Medimops
✔️ Dirt-cheap prices – New books cost €15–€20+, but here? €2–€5.
✔️ Huge selection – Over 4 million books, including rare and out-of-print titles.
✔️ English books in Germany! – If you live here, you know how rare this is.
✔️ Good condition (mostly) – Many books look almost new.
✔️ Eco-friendly – Buying used = less waste.
❌ Common Complaints
⚠️ Condition can be a gamble – Some books arrive pristine, others look like they survived a flood.
⚠️ Limited stock for new releases – Don’t expect fresh bestsellers.
⚠️ Shipping isn’t free unless you spend €15+ – Buying just one book? Not worth it.
🔍 Reddit Insight:
“Medimops is great if you don’t mind surprises. I’ve had books arrive in perfect condition… and one that had someone’s shopping list written on the last page.”
Reddit Thread
My Medimops Haul: What I Got & What Went Wrong
I gave myself a €40 budget, thinking I’d get maybe 5 books. Instead? I got 14.
Here’s what I bought and how it turned out:
The Wins: Books That Looked Brand New
📖 The Night Circus – €3.99 (literally perfect)
📖 Sapiens – €4.79 (tiny crease, otherwise mint)
📖 Where the Crawdads Sing – €2.99 (no complaints!)
📖 Daisy Jones & The Six – €3.49 (practically untouched)
These books were a STEAL. If I’d bought them new, I’d have spent €100+.
📸 Instagram Inspiration:
The Fails: What I Wasn’t Ready For
And then… there was Pride & Prejudice.
I got a €1.99 copy, expecting a cute vintage edition. Instead, I got:
❌ A missing cover
❌ Random words highlighted in neon yellow
❌ The last 4 pages torn out
🔍 Reddit Insight:
“Medimops is 90% amazing, 10% a total gamble. One book I ordered looked like it had been through a flood… another had actual doodles in the margins.”
Reddit Thread
Lesson learned: ALWAYS check the condition descriptions.
Medimops vs. Amazon vs. Rebuy vs. eBay: Who Wins?
If you’re in Germany, these are your main options for English books:
| Platform | Best for | Price Range | Condition Quality |
| Medimops | Budget finds, rare books | €1.79–€7 | Mostly good (but a gamble) |
| Amazon (New) | New releases, Kindle | €10–€20+ | Perfect, but $$$ |
| Rebuy | Tech + books in one | €3–€10 | More predictable than Medimops |
| eBay | Collectibles, auctions | €1–€100+ | Wildly unpredictable |
🏆 Best for budget? Medimops
🏆 Best for new books? Amazon
🏆 Best for rare editions? eBay
Final Verdict: Is Medimops Worth It?
If you live in Germany and love books, Medimops is a goldmine. BUT:
✅ Stick to “Very Good” or “Like New” conditions.
✅ Buy in bulk (to get free shipping).
✅ Expect a few weird surprises (mystery stains, highlighted passages).
📌 Would I recommend it? 100% YES.
Now, excuse me while I figure out where to put the 20+ books I just “accidentally” bought.
Have you tried Medimops? Found a weird second-hand book? Let’s chat in the comments!
