selling books online?

[soulsinging]

I did a search but couldn't find anything on point really. I was wondering if people around here have ever sold books online? I have a large stack of things I want to get rid of, but was planning on just taking them to the local used book shop. I know I kind of get ripped off there (I expect to get no more than $30 for 20+ books, if that), but I always felt like selling them online would be no better. I always see books going for pennies there on the amazon marketplace...

So has anybody sold stuff online? Do you get more than you would if you took it to a local exchange? Is it a hassle to deal with payment and shipping?

 

[Rodders]

You could experiment with ebay?

 

[dask]

I'm sure it's profitable. I've seen reports on news shows where people make a very good living going to yard sales then selling what they find online. If I knew how to do such stuff that'd be a great way to make a living. Maybe when I retire I'll give it a whirl.

 

[BookStop]

I used to sometimes sell my books online when I had my own used bookstore, but the only books that will pull more than perhaps a buck or 2 are mint condition, fairly new, or collectable. When you are talking 20+ books, I don't see there being any more of a profit in it for you once you inverst in wrappiing paper and shipping and you go to the trouble of hauling yourself out to ship(although the buyer would pay for shipping, but not your time)

 

[soulsinging]

I used to sometimes sell my books online when I had my own used bookstore, but the only books that will pull more than perhaps a buck or 2 are mint condition, fairly new, or collectable. When you are talking 20+ books, I don't see there being any more of a profit in it for you once you inverst in wrappiing paper and shipping and you go to the trouble of hauling yourself out to ship(although the buyer would pay for shipping, but not your time)

My time comes pretty cheap these days since I parted with my job (hated being a corporate lawyer), so that's not an issue. All of my books are pretty much in perfect condition... people often ask if I've actually read anything on my shelf since they look to be in perfect condition.

 

[BookStop]

Well, in that case, SS, you can certainly try and if you're not in any hurry for the cash, I don't see what it would hurt. Ebay was a really easy way to list books and you can check to see what other people are listing thier same titles for to give you an idea of what's possible to get for them. If you're stateside, media mail should be available for super cheao for multiple books, and if just one paperbook, it used to cost 2 first class stamps I think, but this was years ago so better check.

Good luck

 

[Snowdog]

I used to sell on eBay and on my own website. A rule of thumb was that an in print good-condition secondhand paperback was worth 10% of the cover price. But that has changed. The competition on eBay and Amazon has been taken over by huge mass sellers who, as you've noticed, often sell new books for a penny and make a small profit on shipping costs.

Having said that, oop books and older editions can still sell well and people do still make a living finding and selling collectable books.

Amazon marketplace is certainly an option, because there are no listing costs involved, so there's nothing to lose by trying your luck. I wouldn't bother listing anything someone else was selling for a penny though. All depends on the book.