When you’re trying to find new ways to make extra money, reselling things you already own is a great way to do so. Books are a great example. If you know the “right” places to sell used books, you can make hundreds per month depending on the type of books you’re selling. These places to sell books are all great for those who want to start reselling used books!
My family has always been avid readers. Steve, Laura and I can all devour a good book in just a few hours. Emma reads a bit slower, choosing to really take the time and savor each book.
Because we read so much, we tend to have a lot of used books in good condition lying around at times. To keep the clutter to a minimum and to keep our out of pocket costs down, we put a very simple rule in place.
In order to buy new books , we must sell some old books. The extra cash from those unwanted books is then used to purchase any new titles we want. It keeps me from going broke ya’ll.
What Types of Books Can I Sell?
When it comes to selling books, almost any kind of book can be sold provided it is not in poor condition. Books such as children’s books, antique books, graphic novels, non-fiction books, collectible books and college textbooks all do very well in the used markets. Even old textbooks that may no longer be valid can fetch a great price if they are sold in the best place for that type of book.
Some types of books such as fiction books will get a better price if they are sold as a large lot of books rather than individually. This is of course, based on your location and where you are selling. In the United States, fiction books sell better as lots.
What Type of Books Sell Best?
Obviously, books that are in high demand or a buyer who is looking for a particular book or particular title will bring in more money than others. Books that have been mass printed, as most fiction books have, are typically in lower demand. This is why those types of books sell better as large boxes of books in one lot.
Is There a Market for Selling Old Books?
As long as people love to read, there will always be a market for old books. While certain places to sell books online will be more geared toward newer books, old books have their place as well.
These are the types of books that you find in your Grandpa’s attic. They are usually highly collectible and in some cases, rare. Surprisingly, some of these books will have a much higher value than you might expect.
The Condition of Your Book Matters
While the books you’re selling do not need to be in pristine condition, their condition does matter. The reasoning is simple; the more damaged a book is, the less you are going to receive for it.
If the book is in less than new condition, be sure to check for:
- Water damage
- Missing dust jacket
- Ripped or torn pages
- Missing pages
- Stained Pages
- The front and back cover for shelf wear or other damage
Where Can I Sell Used Books for Cash?
As with selling anything, there are places to sell that will be better suited for some one type of book. Some will be suitable for all types. As you’re going through this list or places you can sell used books, keep what you will be selling in mind.
Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace can be the best place to list your books if you have large lots or collectible/antiques. As with selling anything online, be sure you are clear about the price and the condition of the books you’re selling. If it is an antique or collectible book, you may also want to consider adding the information from the copyright page to your listing as well.
Ebay
For those looking for an auction set up, Ebay is still king. Like Facebook, Ebay works best for large lots or antique/collectible books. The easiest way to sell anything on Ebay is to ensure that you include any and all information from the front and back of the book as well as photos of every angle possible.
Half Price Books
If you are fine with receiving store credit for your books, Half Priced Books is a great place to sell them. They do tend to only give a little money for most mass market paperbacks, but if you’re not after cash, it is a quick and easy way to get rid of them. However, you find some other ways to make extra money with your books and earn some cash. For example, giving them in rent for money or just selling through a platform like we mentioned above. But previous example is an especially good option if you’re selling a large book collection as opposed to one or two individual books.
Amazon
Did you know you can sell your books on Amazon? With an Amazon seller account, you can technically sell anything that is allowed on Amazon, but books can do especially well. Children’s books that are in excellent condition are especially good sellers.
If you are a student, there is even more good news. College students can also make good money selling their textbooks to Amazon versus the college bookstore through the Amazon Trade-In program. This program allows you to search for the books ISBN number and to trade it in for free Amazon gift cards.
Selling textbooks online or any book on Amazon does often have a fee with it if you’re selling as an Amazon seller. It is one of the simplest ways to sell old books or to sell used books. All you have to do is look up the book ISBN. Amazon will then give you a valuation on what they are willing to pay for the editions you have on hand.
Yard Sale
If you are planning a yard sale anytime soon, your books may do very well at it. Books at yard sales tend to do best when grouped with a deal. For instance, you could sell all paperbacks at 4 for $1.00. When priced individually, people do not realize the deal they are getting. Grouping them helps them to see that.
For more yard sale success tips, check out my article here.
Book Scouter
BookScouter is another easy place to sell used books. In fact, its actually one of the simplest processes on this list. Enter the book title or its ISBN number and you’re off and running. To get started, visit the BookScouter website.
Craigslist
Like a lot of other things, selling on Craigslist is always an option. However, for Craigslist, it is best to sell your books in large lots. You will also want to ensure you take all precautions to maintain your safety when delivering your books. This includes never taking electronic payment for a CL item and meeting only in a public spot with lots of people around.
Decluttr
Decluttr is a fantastic site for anyone looking to clear out things. Not only can you sell used books on Declutter, but they also take phones, tablets and other tech/electronics. It’s a great way to put those things to use instead of letting them sit in a drawer somewhere. To get started, visit the Decluttr website.
Homeschool Sales
Homeschool parents typically love having a bookshelf full for their kids to read. This can include both fiction and non-fiction. They also want to homeschool on a budget and buying their books used is a great way for them to save money on homeschooling. Because of this, homeschool sales are an excellent way to sell books you no longer want. You can find these sales locally or online in groups specifically dedicated to homeschooling items.
Consignment Sales
Just like consignment sales and stores are a great place to sell clothes and household items, they can also work very well for the books you no longer want. Typically the best way to make the most money from your books at a consignment sale is to group your books together in a large lot. However, if you have collectible or antique books, those usually will sell better on their own.
Antique Shops
Speaking of antique or collectible books, like I mentioned above, unless you are 100% sure what the value is, your best bet is to take it to an antique shop. This will allow you to have the value assessed by someone who probably has a better idea of what the book is worth than you do. In most cases, the antique dealer will be willing to buy the book on the spot.
Your local book store
Buying locally is never a bad thing and selling to those local businesses often helps to keep them afloat. If you have a local bookseller, pop in there with your unwanted books. Chances are they will offer store credit for your inventory, but some may offer cash. Either way you end up making a profit off of something that was just taking up shelf space while supporting your local economy.
