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Original poster

Selling paperback books

12 replies

Jabbie2 · 29/10/2011 14:31

Hi, I'm new here so not sure if I'm in the right section even (apologies) .I have been having a massive clear out and have a small black bag full of kids paperback books that I would like to try and shift but for some money if I can.I didn't want to do a car boot and know that I have sort of missed the boat on them but also around here they are really expensive(I think) to do (approx 10-12 quid) and the stuff I have, I don't think I would make that back.I have been doing the cash4clothes type thing and have got a bit back for the clothes/bags/shoes I have shifted and I have found one that takes cuddly toys so am going there on Monday.

I know about Fatbrain but they don't want any of the books I have.I have tried greenmetropolis in the past but books just sit there for ever.I wouldn't mind getting 10p or 20p on each book as they are a bit tatty, read, but creased and well thumbed.There is a 2nd hand bookstall at our local market and I spoke to her and she was a bit huffy as in if it isn't mint I'm not interested which I can understand.

I don't want to just give them to charity as our local shops are refusing books as they have so many and I worry about what happens to the ones they don't sell.If I were to put an advert in the local paper I would have to pay wouldn't I? I suppose I could advertise more cheaply in local newsagents but I really do want to try and get rid of them quickly.

I have tried googling online and found a cash4books which I got all excited about until I discovered it was an American site.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

OP posts:
belledechocchipcookie · 29/10/2011 14:35

Have you tried Amazon? You can type in the name of the book and it will tell you what the book's worth now. They will buy the book from you as well.

Original poster
Jabbie2 · 29/10/2011 14:47

O'h o.k I didn't know that.They are very tatty though, you know creased covers and turned back pages sort of car boot quality but there are some better quality ones.Might be worth looking into, thanks.

OP posts:
belledechocchipcookie · 29/10/2011 14:49

Go through them and see if there are any first editions, these are generally worth more then others, especially if the author is well known. Smile

virgiltracey · 29/10/2011 14:51

If they are tatty they are unlikely to be worth much. Wait until free listing and put them on ebay and see what happens.

Or suggest a book sale at school?

catsareevil · 29/10/2011 15:01

Do you work in a large workplace? Where I am people put up posters on noticeboards if they are trying to sell things, we also have a staff website where you can advertise. It means that you dont have any charges or postage costs.

Or you could try selling them all together on gumtree?

Original poster
Jabbie2 · 29/10/2011 15:15

Gumtree might be an option, thank you.

I quickly looked into putting an advert in my local paper, not sure though.I don't have a fixed place of work unfortunately as I'm a supply teacher.Might look into those notice boards they have in the supermarket that might work, thank you everyone.

OP posts:
notcitrus · 29/10/2011 15:23

If they are out of print or 1970s/80s editions (eg Enid Blyton), then selling them by series on Ebay could get you about a quid each, or much more if they're obscure - just make sure your postage covers costs.
Look at 'completed listings' to get an idea of what they're worth.

FWIW I got rid of most of my Famous Fives in groups of 6 or so by cover and made £30, plus £12 for the Secret Seven, and £3 for a few Trebizon books.

Recent car boot I went to no-one could give most stuff away! I struggled to spend a tenner!!

kalidasa · 29/10/2011 15:28

I regularly sell books on Amazon but most of the time there's no point with paperback fiction (because there's always someone selling it for a penny + postage). Textbooks and quite specialised non-fiction sell well though and you can get good prices.

For children's books I'd check you haven't got anything unusual (using Amazon to test prices) or a complete run of a series. But assuming not, could you do a little stall outside your house one Saturday? Someone close to me does that quite regularly, mostly books (plus a few toys and things) and I quite often pick some up. If there are lots of families around you would probably shift the books if you priced them realistically (say 20p-£1 depending on size/condition) and you wouldn't incur any advertising or entrance costs as you would with a car boot sale or a small ad.

Original poster
Jabbie2 · 29/10/2011 15:42

Just looked on Gumtree and someone is selling their Goosebump books (they have a whole series) for 70 quid!!! Crikey, won't be raining on their parade with my piddling books LOL.Mine aren't anywhere near that condition, mostly bought in charity shops/car boots etc so recycled.

I like the idea of a table outside the house but we wouldn't get enough foot traffic plus my 12 yr old DD would find it minging and very cheap.

OP posts:
Original poster
Jabbie2 · 29/10/2011 15:44

I have looked on Amazon and there are a lot of the books I have and priced as Kalidasa has said.

OP posts:
nickelbabe · 29/10/2011 15:47

I'd be more inclined to put them on ebay rather than amazon, if you're getting rid of your own books, because ebay's commission is a lot lower, and you can set a realistic postage price.
do them as sets (maybe by age or subject) if you can.

Original poster
Jabbie2 · 29/10/2011 18:22

Thanks nickelbabe, I'm an ebay virgin, never sold anything on there but I suppose I could try.

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