|
We all have extra books cluttering up space in our homes. Books that we've read once, and never want to pick up again, books we've been intending to read but there's always something better to do, and books that were given as gifts but we have no motivation to crack open. Why not make a little bit of cash from these space-wasters? Here are a few options for re-selling your used books.
Online
Selling your items on-line brings potential buyers to you quickly and easily. You have a better chance of selling your books if you can post pictures showing that they are in good condition. If you your buyer is from out of your area, be prepared to mail the items in a timely manner. The post office offers a Media Mail rate for printed or recorded material that is used by most online sellers.
Craigslist allows you to put up a free posting in your city or area advertising your items for sale. Post the title of the book or books in the title of the posting, so that searchers can spot the item they need quickly. Ads are only posted in the most recent order, but those looking for specific items (like a commonly used college textbook) can search the website for keywords in all posts like titles and authors, so make sure your ad contains these details.
Half.com (Ebay's non-auction site) and Amazon.com both offer the opportunity to sell used items online. If you are selling old textbooks, make sure you list them by their ISBNs so that buyers know they are purchasing the correct edition. Selling your textbooks online will get you a better price than your university bookstore usually offers.
If instead of downsizing your bookshelves you'd like to trade in for new reading material, check out paperbackswap.com. This website lets you list the books you have available for trade, and once another member requests your book, you earn credit to request a book of your own from the paperbackswap.com database.
Used-Book Stores
Retailers such as Half-Price Books, as well as any independent used book store will buy your used books. You usually have the option to sell them for cash, but most stores will give you more for your items if you choose to sell them for store credit.
Most buyers for used-book stores have a good idea of what they're looking for, and they will be selective about what they buy. If you end up with a few left-overs that you can't unload either online or at your local book store, consider donating them to Goodwill, Salvation Army, or another non-profit retailer. Your local public library may take them as donations for a book sale.
There, even if an item seems to hold no more value as a story, it can be picked up for about a dollar and used in a craft or decorating project.
|
