Have you ever considered trying to sell used books for extra cash? I know; at first thought you probably think that there isn’t a lot of money to be made by selling books. Before you dismiss this idea, though, stop and take a stock of just how many used books are hanging around at your house. You may decide that this idea deserves a little more consideration.
I have to admit that I love to read. I read anything I can get my hands on. Before I had a family and worried about my finances, I was addicted to books the way that other women are addicted to shoes. Unfortunately, I read very fast, too, so I was left with a mound of books that I had already read. That’s where the idea of selling them came into play.
One of the quickest and easiest ways to sell used books is to use eBay. Selling books on eBay couldn’t be simpler. Many times you don’t even have to write a detailed description about the book. You can use eBay’s book template, enter the book’s ISBN number, and you’re ready to go.
Because eBay is so well-known, almost every book I’ve ever listed there has sold. I didn’t always get a great price for the books, but they always sell. The only downside to using eBay to clear out a stack of old books is the listing fee. Take care to price your books high enough to recoup the fees that eBay is going to charge you.
If the listing fee at eBay has totally turned you off to the idea of becoming an eBay seller, you can also sell used books on Amazon. You will still be charged a transaction fee, but you won’t be charged until your book sells. Amazon also has a template that makes setting your book up for sales super-easy.
Finally, if you have a specialized book or an assortment of books to sell you could always list them on Craig’s list. Craig’s list is free, so you can list as many items as you want. You may find your sales more manageable, however, if you create larger groupings. For instance if you have a box of Disney books that your kids have outgrown, you could list the box as one item.
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{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
I have had more luck with Amazon than eBay, because it is mostly a bookstore. People go there for books and pay a higher price. But you have to hold on to the books until they sell, instead of getting rid of them right when the auction is up like on eBay.
there is NOT a lot of money in books especially ONLINE…everyone is selling them and their price is now trivial…less than a few dollars for most books. I have been doing it 35 years and ’selling books for quick cash’ is a huge urban rumor.
As a book lover, I have found the easiest way to sell books is via http://www.abundatrade.com. They offer the highest value for book online. It is quick and easy to put the books together and ship them. You can get cash or trade for merchandise.
I also find that local bookstores and thrift shops can also be good places to sell used books. Here in Austin, Texas, I sell my books to a place called Half Price Books, a store that specializes in buying and selling used books. Depending on the type of book (hard cover or paperback) and the desireability of the book (bestsellers and popular texts are worth more), I usually make enough money to make it worth my while. I also feel like I’m contributing to my community by passing along books I’ve enjoyed to others.
Boy, was this a money maker for me. First, I realized what a ripoff it was selling my wife’s used textbooks back to the campus bookstore.
Much more profits available at Amazon, and also Bookbyte, and I think another one is called Blue Rectangle.
Regular used books can be a gold mine too! If you have a “library” at home, and you’re not really attached to the books, take a few minutes, type in all the ISBNs on Amazon, see if anything you have is worth any money!
You’d be surprised.
Selling books on Half and Amazon gets me more money, but have also been a hassle. Checking my emails and then going to the post office and waiting in line… sometimes I just don’t have the time. Then the questions customers or prospective customers ask can be downright stupid.
I’ve actually sold some of my books to online buyback sites, a couple mentioned already. I particularly like MyBookBuyer.com especially since they use UPS instead of the post office. I get my checks within ten days.
Not as much money as Half, but free of all the hassles and headaches. I’d recommend http://www.mybookbuyer.com
I used a spreadsheet like this one to help me price my product on Amazon and use a vlookup function in an upload file for Amazon inventory.
I disagree that ebay is the easiest, I prefer amazon over ebay. When I want to sell books I first check half.com and then amazon.com, both are simple to sell on the only problem is you have to wait forever on some titles because no on is buying them.
Yet another book buyback website.
I recommend BookJingle.com. I have had great success with them and they paid within 48 hours of receiving my books.
I am a single mother in Cleveland, and a women told me that she earns an extra 2,000.00 per month selling used books on half.com and amazon I tried it and it worked. I did pretty good