Best way to sell used books

[3angelsmom]

Hi all,
It's spring cleaning time and I'm just wondering if anyone has a good source for selling used books? I'm not looking to try to make a regular income out of this, but rather get rid of a few boxes I have now and as I acquire books in the future.

What's the most profitable way? Do you prefer Amazon, ebay, or another website? Or just donate and take the tax deduction? I thought Swagbucks used to have a way to earn SB by sending them your books, but I haven't been on that site in months and can't find any reference to it. I'm looking to sell fiction/non-fiction from current popular authors, not textooks or anything ancient and valuable
Thanks!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

With so many books available through online sources, it wouldn't be worth your time to try and sell these types of books. You might as well donate them somewhere or use a book trading site.

 

[Colleen27]

I don't think there is a good way any more. The internet has made used books so readily available that they have virtually no value. Your best bet, since it sounds like you're a reader, is to find a local used book store with a good exchange-credit program.

 

[taaren]

As a librarian, many people come in to donate books to their local library. In the last few systems I've worked in, and probably yours as well, you can donate it to the local Friends of the Library nonprofit group, and get a gift receipt that you can use to take a tax deduction for the value of the books donated. Sometimes they'll fill in the amount, sometimes you will.

 

[Pigeon]

We donate to the library and take the tax deduction.

 

[tvguy]

We have had good luck selling books at half.com

It's a good site to match the books you have with books other people are looking for.

Not going to get much for the books, but more than the tax write off would add up to.

 

[Janepod]

Depends on the books. Mass market stuff (Grisham, etc.) won't get you anything. But if you have more-esoteric stuff, you can do well. I sell a lot of military history, small presses (Arkham House for example), box sets, art books, coffee table books, vintage cookbooks, etc. on eBay and do decently. I don't bother with anything under $10 or so - mostly books in the $20-$30 range. Good luck.

 

[traces7]

I recently took 2 small boxes of books to Half Price Books and got $10, not too bad, I was just happy to get rid of them. I've sold there a couple times, once I got $15 for 1 small box (must have had a book worth more in that box!) I've had luck at rummage sales selling them also, but with Half Price Books I got rid of all of them at once, usually at rummage sales I have a lot leftover.

 

[*JoGo*]

I've taken books to a used bookstore, put them in yard sales, taken them to flea markets. It's not worth hauling them around. Now, I give some to friends and the rest to the Goodwill. I buy the majority of my books from the Goodwill anyway. I buy less than 5 books brand new a year now, the Goodwills around here have a good selection. I'm able to buy a lot more books and don't feel bad when I drop them off since I paid less than $1 on them!

 

[Tinkerbell1013]

I've sold several times to Half Price Books. They're easy to deal with, will buy anything, and have been friendly. My last haul (books & CDs) brought $100, though usually it's 10-20. This time was more because of a large cd collection.

 

[richmond282]

Do you have a local used book store that buys back books? That's where I take mine. It's not tons of money or anything, but it is way easier than selling them online and having to ship it all out.

 

[ssawka]

I agree with PPs, just donate them to your local library. The libraries near us have book sales where they sell donated books.

 

[3angelsmom]

Wow thanks for all the great ideas. I had never heard of Half Price books and unfortunately there are none near me. Guess I will try half.com or a used book store, knowing I won't get much. If not, off to the library they go!