How to save on purchasing a 2017 NEC

[tom baker]

For the last couple of code cycles, I have sold my old code book to Amazon.com. Typically I will get about $40, the longer you wait, the less demand. They give you a store credit, but hey there is always something to buy at Amazon. There are restrictions, no writing, no tabs find out more at
https://www.amazon.com/gp/tradein/checkout/select-condition/ref=sr_1_ti2_1?ie=UTF8&asin=1455906727
Seems like Amazon pays the return shipping. I sold a handbook for $100.

 

[480sparky]

Donate it to an apprentice who is still on the old Code, and deduct the entire cost as a charitable tax write-off.

 

[MNSparky]

Huh, good idea. I can't seem to let go of my old code books for some reason though. I feel the need to hang onto them like I'll need them someday... I also have a bucket of broken screwdrivers... :huh: Maybe I have a problem...

I've never owned a handbook and only glanced at one a couple times. Are they worth the extra money? I'm thinking about getting one this cycle. I allowed myself to "splurge" on tabs for my book last cycle and they were worth it! I'll be getting them again!:thumbsup:

 

[kwired]

Donate it to an apprentice who is still on the old Code, and deduct the entire cost as a charitable tax write-off.

I'm certainly not an accountant, but if you wrote it off when you purchased it I don't think you could write it off again when you get rid of it. Selling it however is income.

Now if you declared it a fixed depreciable (is that a word?) asset at the time of purchase you should only be able to write off the depreciated value if you get rid of with no reimbursement.

Just my $.02 if it is even worth that.

 

[iwire]

Get rid of old code books? Nope, don't know why but they are staying with me.

 

[K8MHZ]

Get rid of old code books? Nope, don't know why but they are staying with me.

Same here.

But then, I don't throw any books out, especially reference books. Because of the type of research I occasionally do (truthfully, hardly ever, but....) I don't throw out phone books. I have phone books and city directories going back to the 70's.

I have automotive repair manuals that go back to the 60's.

I have all the books from my apprenticeship, too.

Books don't take up much room, have very valuable information, and last forever. One hymn book I have is dated 1847 or so.

Our trade sometimes poses the question, 'Was it legal when it was installed?', and having old code books to consult usually comes up with an answer, as opposed to an opinion.

 

[qcroanoke]

Get rid of old code books? Nope, don't know why but they are staying with me.

We keep ours too.
We ship to a lot of different states and it seems very few are on the same year code cycle.

 

[infinity]

Get rid of old code books? Nope, don't know why but they are staying with me.

Me too, I not only keep them I buy the ones that I'm missing. I think that at last count I had about 75% of all the published versions.

 

[tom baker]

I always buy two code books at home, one for the desk and one for my class supplies that goes with me when I teach
At work, one for the truck and one for the desk, although I now have an I-Pad with the NEC. Used to just have a clipboard, now I have both!

 

[ggunn]

I've never owned a handbook and only glanced at one a couple times. Are they worth the extra money? I'm thinking about getting one this cycle. I allowed myself to "splurge" on tabs for my book last cycle and they were worth it! I'll be getting them again!:thumbsup:

The first codebook I bought was a handbook, but I didn't find it to be worth the extra money, but YMMV. Nowadays, if I read something in the NEC that I don't understand I'll just come start a fight on the Mike Holt forum.

That first handbook I bought I got spiral bound, which seemed like a good idea. It wasn't; it bound up when I turned pages and the pages tore out very easily.

 

[MNSparky]

The first codebook I bought was a handbook, but I didn't find it to be worth the extra money, but YMMV. Nowadays, if I read something in the NEC that I don't understand I'll just come start a fight on the Mike Holt forum.

That first handbook I bought I got spiral bound, which seemed like a good idea. It wasn't; it bound up when I turned pages and the pages tore out very easily.

Sounds good, thanks for the input. I too bought a spiral bound one once. It worked great as long as you kept in in mint condition. I made the mistake of piling several books on top of it shortly after I got which distorted the spirals. Not so user friendly after that, even after spending a bunch of time to straighten out the spirals... :rant::rant:

 

[infinity]

Sounds good, thanks for the input. I too bought a spiral bound one once. It worked great as long as you kept in in mint condition. I made the mistake of piling several books on top of it shortly after I got which distorted the spirals. Not so user friendly after that, even after spending a bunch of time to straighten out the spirals... :rant::rant:

I find that the spiral bound are great for test taking because they lay flat and stay open to the page you want. For everyday use they're not so good for the reasons that you've mentioned.

 

[Hertz Hound]

When will the 2017 App be available? I tried a live chat with NFPA online, but the woman had no idea what I was talking about. She kept trying to tell me I was referring to the PDF.

Has anyone tried it. I was hoping it would be out soon, before I have to buy one for the code update. I am not even sure if it would be alowed for the class or if you have to have the hard copy? I hate to buy it twice, but maybe it is better that I do. It is nice to always have the old hard copy around.

If I wait till 2020 I can probably pick one up cheap. :lol:

 

[cowboyjwc]

If you ever go into something like home inspections or any kind of forensic work, having your old code books can come in quite handy. You are only need what was required at the time the house was built, other than of course upgrades or additions. In the office here, because we are required to, we have a copy of every code book since we incorporated in 1969.

 

[ggunn]

When will the 2017 App be available? I tried a live chat with NFPA online, but the woman had no idea what I was talking about. She kept trying to tell me I was referring to the PDF.

Amazon has it.

You said App, not NEC. Never mind.

 

[kwired]

When will the 2017 App be available? I tried a live chat with NFPA online, but the woman had no idea what I was talking about. She kept trying to tell me I was referring to the PDF.

Has anyone tried it. I was hoping it would be out soon, before I have to buy one for the code update. I am not even sure if it would be alowed for the class or if you have to have the hard copy? I hate to buy it twice, but maybe it is better that I do. It is nice to always have the old hard copy around.

If I wait till 2020 I can probably pick one up cheap. :lol:

Go here and check out the "E-book". That is probably what you are looking for.

 

[Hertz Hound]

I had the handbook when it was a software program. Folio View I think. That was nice. Hyper linked and searchable. Then they went to the online version. Probably made more money with the NEC plus online.

Never tried the ebook. How is it?

I was talking about the App at the App Store. Only the 2014 is available

 

[jaggedben]

Get rid of old code books? Nope, don't know why but they are staying with me.

:thumbsup: How else are you going to answer all of those questions on the forum that go: "When did such and such first appear in the code?" :lol:

 

[kwired]

I had the handbook when it was a software program. Folio View I think. That was nice. Hyper linked and searchable. Then they went to the online version. Probably made more money with the NEC plus online.

Never tried the ebook. How is it?

I was talking about the App at the App Store. Only the 2014 is available

Look harder in the page I put a link to. I have the 2014 E book, though there are some things that could be improved I like it better then a PDF file. It is similar to use as the Folio View from prior years, but is online - so if you have no internet it don't work. It is hosted on "Inkling", but what little I have read so far on the 2017 I think that has changed. With Inkling all you need is user name and password and you have access from any browser or smart phone via Inkling app.

The page I provided a link to has both app store and google play links on that page, - so I'm sure it will work on smart phones.

Click on NFPA ebooks and PDF's tab on the lower right portion of the page for more information.

 

[scootk70]

SA

SA

Screwdrivers Anonymous is a start ;>}

Huh, good idea. I can't seem to let go of my old code books for some reason though. I feel the need to hang onto them like I'll need them someday... I also have a bucket of broken screwdrivers... :huh: Maybe I have a problem...

I've never owned a handbook and only glanced at one a couple times. Are they worth the extra money? I'm thinking about getting one this cycle. I allowed myself to "splurge" on tabs for my book last cycle and they were worth it! I'll be getting them again!:thumbsup: