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I had a stack of old books sitting on my Billy bookcase for years. Some were personal finance classics I swore I’d read again. Others were random finds from garage sales. They looked nice lined up as decor. But the reality is that all of them were just gathering dust and taking up space.
I started buying books on skincare. I picked up things from experts that I never knew before, and those lessons have completely changed how I take care of my skin. But as someone who loves to learn new things and is mindful of my finances, it feels like every book is a tiny investment. And with the way prices are skyrocketing these days, every penny counts.
That’s why a lot of book lovers turn to used books. It just makes sense. You save some money and can put it toward something else. And before you throw your old books out, stop for a second. It’s wasteful, and you might be giving away cash you didn’t know you had.
Your old novels, textbooks, and all those books in between can give you some cashback. Here’s a pro tip: sell those textbooks soon! They’re like bread – they get stale, especially when there’s a fresh edition every year. The fresher they are, the more dough you can get.
And don’t worry, there’s a whole community of bibliophiles, both online and offline, just waiting to discover what you have to offer.
Curious about where to start? Scroll down. I’ve jotted down some of the best spots to sell your books and a few tips to get the most bang for your book. Whether it’s through a screen or a stroll down the street, you’ve got options.
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Best Places to Buy Books Online
These days, selling used books is a lot easier than it was back then. You don’t need to personally go into a used bookstore to haggle or host a garage sale in your neighborhood. You still can, but if you’re lazy like me, you’ll want to post it online.
Nowadays, it’s all streamlined. Snap a photo of your books, visit an online platform, set up your sale post, and then wait. Before you know it, another book lover is on the other end, cash in hand, eager to get into your old favorites.
1. BookScouter
BookScouter has a straightforward process for selling books. After you have entered the book’s International Standard Book Number (ISBN) on the site, the platform will provide you with the lists of vendors willing to buy the book and the corresponding price they offer. As such, the more in-demand items you sell, the more cash you can make.
Are you a student who wants to sell your old books to buy new ones for the next school term? You are in luck. BookScouter is more focused on textbooks; thus, more students are selling and buying old books on the platform. But if you’ve got other genres, say fiction books by Colleen Hoover, you can still make use of the platform, as there may be vendors looking for them on the site.
BookScouter is a favorite website for students who want to save money for a textbook that can cost $300, only to be used once. Anyone pursuing a graduate degree, say a law student, can buy hardcovers and paperbacks at an affordable price.
Pro: There’s a solid chance you’ll bump into, like, 30 or maybe even more keen-as-mustard vendors on the lookout for your books. And the more of these keen beans there are, the faster you can wave goodbye to your books and hello to the cash you’re dreaming of.
Con: Be prepared for some buyers to lowball you, or even, believe it or not, offer a grand total of $0.00 for a book that isn’t exactly flying off the shelves. While selling books at BookScouter is easy and fast, you might not get the best price possible. If this is the case, it’s best to sell your books on other platforms.
2. Amazon
Are there any items that Amazon doesn’t sell these days? From rare finds to the latest releases, Amazon seems to have it all. But since our topic is about flipping old books for cash, let’s focus on how you can sell used books on Amazon.
There are two ways to be a used bookseller on this platform. The first option is to trade in your book for Amazon credit – the process is similar to BookScouter.
Enter the book’s ISBN code (usually at the back of the book cover), check for available offers, fill out some necessary details, and then use the supplied shipping label of the platform to send it in.
This option is not recommended if you want to use the cash you get from selling books outside of Amazon. While Amazon credits offer higher prices than one could get by selling their books for cash, the company wants to keep your money to use on the site.
The second option is to sell your books for cash by creating a seller account and making your book listings. You can make as many listings as you want, no one will judge you. The process may take time, but the best part is that you can set your desired price.
Any book and genre can be sold at Amazon. However, the best-selling books are self-help, religious texts, business-centric books, and trusty textbooks.
Pro: Amazon has many selling plans and programs that are profitable for you. For instance, you can avail of the FBA Grade and Resell, where if the used book is returned to Amazon, you can relist and sell it instead of paying the company to return or destroy the item. This program makes reselling books easier for you.
Con: Unless you’re selling your used books for a good price, Amazon may not be worth it as the cost of selling second-hand books may be costly and not worth it if the goal is making extra cash in college or adulting money.
3. AbeBooks
Anyone who loves reading various books or getting paid to read books must have tried selling their book collections at AbeBooks. AbeBooks is where you can sell books of any genre, rare, vintage, collectible, and first editions.
Found Stephen King books in a thrift store, or does your grandmother own a bookshelf with Toni Morrison’s collection? Congratulations, you have just found the perfect place to sell them.
AbeBooks is a less popular book-selling site as compared to other platforms on this list. But you will be surprised at how popular it is for people who know them (particularly hardcore book lovers and vintage collectors).
AbeBooks earned a reputation as a site for rare and antique pieces. So, if you have fiction books published many decades ago, look no further.
However, this platform is not ideal for those with a “burn and churn” style of selling books. Books here don’t sell quickly so it is not the best place if you want to make money today. Regardless, this is a fantastic platform for sellers who wish to earn more for their rare book items.
Pro: AbeBooks may have a limited target audience, but these people are willing to pay more for a rare book – the best spot where big money sales can be made.
Con: If you sell fewer than 500 books, you are required to pay a monthly subscription fee worth $17. On top of this, you are to pay an 8% commission for every sale made.
4. Etsy
Decluttr used to be a good place to offload books, but the app has been shut down. Don’t worry, there are other platforms like Etsy that you can use.
I know Etsy is widely known for handcrafted products like original paintings, personalized jewelry, and accessories. But did you know that many buyers are also interested in vintage items on the platform, such as vintage furniture, jackets, and books? That’s right, old books! You can open an Etsy store to sell vintage books and comics!
However, it’s important to note that it’s not just any books. Etsy only allows vintage books. So any books that were published 20 years ago will be accepted.
Keep in mind that Etsy charges fees. It costs 20 cents to list an item, and they take 6.5% of the sale price when your book sells.
Pro: Etsy is a large marketplace and has millions of buyers who love vintage and unique finds, including books.
Con: Only books that are 20 years old or more qualify, which limits what you can list compared to other platforms.
5. eBay
You can sell almost anything on both Amazon and eBay. But unlike Amazon, eBay is more affordable for sellers as only 9.15% is reduced from your profit margin, while the former is around 15% per item.
If you’re not yet on the ball to sell some things you have to make money, now is the time to give this website a try. As cliché as it may sound, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, which is particularly true with eBay.
Selling books on eBay might not make you a millionaire, but it has its own charm, much like a neighborhood garage sale. It’s not just about the cash; it’s the joy of seeing your beloved books find new readers. eBay is a magnet for those scouting for discounted used books for school or leisure may check this platform from time to time.
My tip? Sell as many books as you can sell. You may want to ask for some books your friends don’t need anymore, or anyone from the family might want to give away books for extra space. Instead of giving them away, try to list them all for sale on this site.
The best part? You can list your first 50 items for free! Niche books are also attractive to potential bidders, and many people look for review books like SATs, LSATs, etc., and other college textbooks.
Pro: eBay got cheaper commission rates for sellers. If your books are in demand and out of print, you can earn a good chunk of money on this platform.
Con: Unless you have many books to sell, eBay will not make your wallet bulky selling books alone. There are sellers who price super low, so there’s a bit of a tug-of-war to stand out without underselling yourself.
Best Places to Buy Used Books Near You
Feeling like your online book listings are moving slower than a snail’s pace? Need cash pronto? Before you get impatient, try some other places where you may sell your books and earn money as quickly as a flash.
6. Used Book Stores
Are you very excited about the potential profit you might get from flipping or selling used books? If you want speedy transactions, sell them in used bookstores near you. Going there and offering your books may require time and effort, but it can solve your problems immediately when you need instant money badly.
For those who don’t want to waste their time and save their money on gas, you can call your local bookstores ahead and find out the store requirements for trade-ins.
Nothing beats the smell and feel of an actual book, huh? Pure heaven! And trust me, there’s a whole tribe of folks who feel the same. That’s why many local bookstores are often on the hunt for well-loved reads to pass on to fellow bibliophiles.
Pro: Did you know that selling books within your area keeps the revenue in your town? You will not only earn instant profit, but you can also help the community raise revenue!
Con: Many used bookstore owners may haggle prices as the books they are about to buy from you are also being sold to other people.
7. Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace is one of my favorite places to buy used books, so you can bet it’s the place for you to sell your used books and reach buyers like me who enjoy collecting books.
It’s a great spot to list your books for people near your area or within your city, which I, as a buyer, like because I enjoy manga, artbooks, and collectibles from Japan. These can be costly to ship, not to mention taxes and import fees!
I know you might be thinking you don’t want people on your friends list seeing what you’re selling, or maybe you don’t care. Either way, for those who are sensitive, you can turn off notifications and hide listings from people on your friends list.
You can choose to meet up close to where you live or ask buyers to come to your doorstep for pick-up. You could even provide shipping options at the buyer’s expense, which is pretty common these days.
If you list an entire Game of Thrones or The Lord of the Rings collection, local fans or book collectors will swing by in a heartbeat (like me), unwilling to let such literary wonders slip through their fingers. True story—that’s exactly what I did with a stack of comics and manga.
Since buying books in bulk is heavy, you (and the buyer) can also save on shipping fees, as your customers will likely live nearby or be willing to pick up the items themselves.
Pro: Unlike other online platforms where you are required to pay subscription and listing fees, Facebook Marketplace is an exception. You don’t have to pay fees to create an account or maintain your books on the site. You can list books as many as you want; you are your own boss.
Con: There are a lot of Facebook marketplace users who might not take your side hustle seriously. Some may ask a few questions about the item but aren’t genuinely interested in buying from you.
Read more: The best things to sell on Facebook Marketplace
8. Garage Sales
If you want to declutter your used books for money, holding a good, classic garage sale is the simplest way. Selling your books this way is less costly (or doesn’t cost you a penny at all). Like selling your books at local bookstores, this tactic instantly promises profit.
You might only make a few dollar bills this way, but if you have 80 books that you price at $1 to $2, you could load another $80 to $160 in your pocket (and, of course, clutter-free shelves!). On top of that, this is the best way to earn more income because you are free to dispose of other things for money, like selling used furniture, toys, and other household items.
Living in a vibrant neighborhood boosts your chances of making money. The presence of constant foot traffic sets the stage for profitable opportunities. Used books, in particular, have a special charm for both potential local buyers and even casual garage sale browsers. Their broad appeal, offering various knowledge and entertainment, makes them an attractive choice among the items on display.
Before the sale, clean your books and make sure they don’t smell like mildew. Organize them by genre (separate encyclopedias, children’s books, textbooks, etc.) and prepare a nice garage sale presentation with signs to help your books sell fast.
Pro: Selling books at a garage sale is a great side hustle from home. You are making money in front of your home, and it could be a great opportunity to bond with family and neighbors.
Con: A garage sale requires a lot of work. Before the event, you may need to prepare signage, place ads, and wake up early to set everything up.
Tips for Selling Your Used Books
Parting with books that have been with you for years can be such sweet sorrow. But nothing is sweeter than knowing that you can make money doing so. Now that you know the best places to sell them, let’s find out some hacks to make sure they will indeed sell.
1. Treat Them Like Royalty, Always
The condition of your book will determine its value. Whether it’s that textbook you never really loved or a first edition of a beloved J.K. Rowling gem, give them the respect they deserve. Some platforms, like Amazon or Decluttr, can be super picky. So, if they say ‘no’ to a battered copy, don’t expect a return ticket for your book.
2. Do Your Homework on Pricing
Unless you’re good at book appraisal, it’s essential to take a minute to scope out what your titles are going for online. Trust me, you don’t want to facepalm later, realizing you sold a goldmine for chump change. Don’t sell your books at expensive prices either; the competition for used books can be high, and some people are willing to sell the same book at a more affordable price.
3. Decide where to sell them
Consider your needs, time, and convenience before deciding the best place to sell used books. You can choose online, yard sale, or local bookstores near you.
FAQs
What is the best way to sell used books?
It depends on your preferences and the time you can spend selling them. If you have the time and patience to wait for your first sale, listing your book items online is the best way. They have a wider audience that will buy your item at your desired price.
If you hate cutting back your profit from subscription, listing, and commission fees, opting for the old-school way of selling any item is your best bet. Not to mention, you’re getting quick liquid cash when you need it the most when you sell books through yard sales or local bookstores near you.
Where Can I Sell My Books for the Most Money?
In my view, you’ll find the best opportunities to sell books for higher prices in places where buyers are actively seeking rare, vintage, and antique pieces – platforms like AbeBooks, for instance. These individuals are passionate collectors willing to engage in competitive pricing for one-of-a-kind items. Nonetheless, you can still generate income by selling popular books in demand, regardless of the platform.
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