Question about buying used

[Blessedwithseven]

Hi,

I am hoping to be able to buy used as money is tight, I may end up buying new and just do a unit at a time but...have a question, if I get a 2006, 2008 or 2010 edition/copyright of TOG Year 1. If I can later afford a DE edition can I just make notes on my older version, have there been significant changes over the years? I know I can't resell DE so...I thought I could get it later if I wanted an updated version and just make notes on my older copies.

Or...am I missing something major?

Kim

[7fromheaven]

Hi Kim -

I'll answer this the best I can...I did choose to buy a used print (2008) edition because I was able to get many of the extras as well, and the price worked for my family. It is my understanding that you can upgrade to DE at anytime as long as you have the Loom CD to send in, and understand that your print copy is no longer able to be sold. The FAQ page on the TOG website gives the details. It is relatively inexpensive. I do not believe there are major changes between the Year 1 redesigned editions at this time (mostly OOP books), however, I do know a large change is planned for Year 1 for 2012. I would think those of us owning the older versions could still upgrade to DE, but we will most likely see large differences between our print copies and the DE. Hope that helps a little .

Blessings -
Lynn

[Blessedwithseven]

Ok..the used copy I am looking at does come w/ the Loom CD, feel like I am speaking a foreign LA, I still have no idea what all this stuff means..ha!

I just don't want to be "out of luck" especially since there is a large change planned. I could get the first two units new and look for the books used. Geesh, not sure what to do.

I will check out the FAQ page, thank you!!!

[7fromheaven]

Hi again - I thought maybe it would be helpful for you to read the November Newsletter (in the "General News" category of this Forum - link: http://www.tapestryofgrace.com/forum...ber-Newsletter ) for more specifics in the changes coming to Year 1. It is mostly going to be in the style of the program, not so much the content - and the upgrade to DE option will be available. I love the way TOG is set up, but of course I've only used Year 1 and it sounds like Years 2 - 4 have been made even more user friendly! And - if you haven't watched Marcia's video "Weekly Planning with Tapestry" - that could be very helpful too. I know where you are at - all the researching and reading about TOG can be a lot of information, but I can say that it is written so wonderfully that you can easily customize it to work with your family. You don't have to do everything, and after a few weeks you will start to feel comfortable with what works best for your family. There is a lot of freedom for you to play around with it! If it is an option for you to use your library, I would highly recommend that. It can save you a lot in terms of books. It's easy to plan which books you will need ahead of time.

Blessings -
Lynn

[Marcia]

Hi,

I am hoping to be able to buy used as money is tight, I may end up buying new and just do a unit at a time but...have a question, if I get a 2006, 2008 or 2010 edition/copyright of TOG Year 1. If I can later afford a DE edition can I just make notes on my older version, have there been significant changes over the years? I know I can't resell DE so...I thought I could get it later if I wanted an updated version and just make notes on my older copies.

Or...am I missing something major?

Kim

Kim,

You did not list how many kids you have, but if you have no aversion to using a digital product and printing only NEEDED pages, I would suggest that you look hard at buying DE new. You get all the joys of searching, free updates, and minimal storage space. You get a complete copy. You get no wear and tear. And, usually, it's going to be your cheapest option, 'cause paper copies necessarily cost more. Using DE is a VERY frugal option, as long as you don't mind using it partially onscreen. Also, buying it one unit at a time is not prohibitive--it's just a $10 difference from buying the whole year-plan new in DE ($170).

[Blessedwithseven]

Hi Marcia,

I just tried to call TOG as I am still not sure what to do. I like the idea of DE but do not like having stuff on the computer, I like having printed copies in hand. I would not mind having DE as long as it was not my main source to look through, if that makes sense. Also..our printer for colored paper is expensive, I do have a brother printer, which I love, but it is black and white.

I have 7 children, 5 would be doing TOG eventually, my youngest is just 3.

I am still trying to understand...I know major changes are coming for Year 1 so I am trying to find the best option, I can get a complete year 1 w/ loom for $150 used, 2010. Can I upgrade to DE if I am not the original owner and then not re sale my printed copy or am I not understanding this.

I would love to do DE, as far as price, but we one computer for several kids, we do math on the computer, and I am not fond of "reading" things on the computer, unless it is brief, like on here or the forums?

I hope this makes sense. I am not trying to get around the "rules" just trying to understand what is "okay" to do and what isn't

Kim (homeschooling mom of 7)

P.S. This year I have wanted to quit, literrally, I have been very discouraged trying to figure out how to do everything with everyone. I am also, unfortunatley, not a very organized person in some areas...I think a lot of it has been there is just too much out there to pick from, too many different ages etc...

So..I am looking forward to a fresh start with TOG!

[Marcia]

Hey, Kim

I'm glad that God has encouraged you though TOG. It's always so great to hear, since it's the reason we do what we do!

If you are more comfortable with print, there is no reason to reference the upcoming changes to Year 1, particularly. The books within a year-plan are self-consistent. If you purchase them (either new or used) or borrow them from the library or (for grammar-stage kids, mostly) substitute others from the Alternates list or from your local library--which may have books we never saw or considered--you'll do fine. IF books listed in your copy have gone so out of print that you can't find them, then you can always use our Book Updates Charts (available equally to all TOG holders, just call LP w/proof of ownership for a limited license to view/print them) to freshen up individual books and the associated worksheets or discussions with them. If you prefer paper, and paper is cheaper for you, then I'd go for it and leave the DE upgrade idea for the future, after you've used TOG for awhile.

As to that feeling that we all have that the latest is greatest (meaning the updates to Y1) really, in this case, they ARE an improvement BUT people have been successfully using Year 1 as it is for years. All we are really doing is smoothing the format and making discussion outlines a bit more user-friendly than they were. We're not rushing the process, and it is NOT a big deal. The only concern that I'd have for you is if you were going to co-op with someone who was going to have the newer, updated copy because there ARE significant changes to the discussion questions and discussion outlines such that page #s have changed. A group would ALL need to have the same copy, but this is ALWAYS true for TOG, and in most curriculum-based groups.

HTH!

PS: When you *upgrade* to DE, you can NOT re-sell the printed copy. You can buy DE at full price and resell your printed copy if you wish.

[Blessedwithseven]

Thank you...that was helpful!

Just to clarify, I so need to do this..ha! Okay, if I were to buy a used 2010 print copy, then upgrade to the DE by sending in the Loom (I have already verified that the lady I "might" be purchasing from did buy new from you), I would be able to upgrade to the DE for $35, agreeing NOT to sell my printed copy, then I would have any updates and the "revamped" version of Year 1 when it is ready. So...I could have my print copy, mark it up all I want and print out any pages that might be upgraded, discussion questions or whatever to use w/ my 2010 print copy? I do not do a Coop so that is not an issue for me, would just be for my family.

I could then also purchase the Digital Maps, Lapbooks, whatever else I want to go w/ it and printed student pages etc....

Sorry...sometimes it takes a few times for me to get it cemented in my mind. I don't want to buy used and make a terrible mistake, realizing it is going to cost more later....but...it is a significant discount and if I buy used I would be able to get the entire year 4 vs only being able to get 1 or 2 units new.

Oh..gosh, 1 or 2 units new might just be easier in the long run. See..now you know how my mind works..ha!

Thanks again,

Kim

P.S. Just to let you know, I would be able to get the entire Year 1 (2010 edition) w/ Loom and Writing Aids for $180. So...I know this is about half price.

I also would have NO PROBELM not re-selling!

[Marcia]

So...I could have my print copy, mark it up all I want and print out any pages that might be upgraded, discussion questions or whatever to use w/ my 2010 print copy?

Yes and no... be careful. You COULD have your print copy, mark it up all you wanted, and then print out DIFFERING pages that ARE upgraded, which will have DIFFERING discussion question that would then NOT go with your 2010 printed copy.

Please note the differences between what you said and what I said, going phrase by phrase. Does that make sense?

In some week-plans the differences are slight, but in some week-plans (such as Weeks 5-6 of Year 1) there was a complete reorganization of the material. Also, the Literature worksheets are going to be changed pretty substantially.

BUT, that said, you could use both. They would differ, and you'd need to pick and choose from them both as you saw fit. This is fine, but it might be easier to just go with the used copy AS IS. This year's copy would be in DE only, and you'd need to print from it to use it. So, perhaps we're back to you buying DE new? (REALLY not pressing it; just trying to serve you!) I really think that the EASIEST course for you is to choose BETWEEN the current and the new, and go with one of them. I fear that, as a new user and with that many kids you might be more stressed than you need to be trying to make old and new stitch together...?

[Blessedwithseven]

I see...yes, that makes sense. If Year 1 is going to be significantly revamped, I would want it, but...I also want to start now. I understood that the Year 1 and the changes to it will not be ready for some time yet? We start our "years" in February or so....and go year round. So...I do want to get started now regardless.

So...I could use year 1, 2010, get the upgraded DE and when the changes are made...by that time, I could just print from the DE. If there were entire sections different I could print it out. Then...when ready to go back to year 1 w/ my younger ones I could either print from the DE or order the printed version if I didn't want to print it all out myself.

If I do this..buying used and upgrading to I miss out on being able to use the website etc..because that is important to me, to be able to go and look at changes etc..

That would make a difference in my decision also!

Thank you for walking through this with me, I greatly, greatly appreciate it.

Kim