Some savvy students have even found ways to make profits when reselling their textbooks. If you are looking for places to sell your textbooks, this article contains a list of places you could carry out such sales.
Keeping textbooks you no longer have a need for only takes up space in your home and causes clutter. So far as you are sure you no longer have a need for certain textbooks, your best option is to sell them off.
You may be wondering why you should even sell your textbooks in the first place, right? Well, if you have some books that you treasure and that will be valuable to your education in the future, then sure, you may want to hold on to them.
However, when you’re paying so much for textbooks, you want to get as much money back for them as possible. Thus, the reason you should know the best places to sell textbooks.
You could also give them away if you wish, but selling them puts some extra cash in your pocket. From this article, you will find the best places you can sell your textbooks both online and offline.
Table of contents
Why should I sell my textbooks?
Books take up space and they gather dust easily. You may be wondering why you should even sell your textbooks in the first place, right? By selling out your old books, you give others who have a need for them the chance to learn.
Well, if you have some books that you treasure and that will be valuable to your education in the future, then sure, you may want to hold on to them.
The truth is that holding onto textbooks after a course is over is the same as throwing away the value of those books as professors routinely change the textbooks used every semester.
How do I sell my textbooks I no longer have need for?
With textbooks you no longer have a need for, there are several platforms on which you could sell them.
To avoid clutter and having things you do not need in your space, you could try out platforms such as Amazon, Campusbooks, Half price books, Chegg books, eBay, etc.
The criteria to sell on these sites are not the same. You should verify so as to know which serves best.
The following are ways to resell your textbooks:
A. Sell Used Textbooks to The College Bookstore
Most college bookstores will buy back used textbooks, especially if professors plan to use the same text next semester.
If you do not have the time and patience it requires to sell directly to a student who needs your textbooks, going to your local bookstore is your best option. You are paid immediately, and you don’t have to wait.
However, selling your textbooks to a bookstore would earn you any profit.
B. Sell Used Books Directly to Students
Some of your junior colleague’s underclassmen will need to get the same textbooks you bought last semester. You can sell your books directly to these students.
Are used textbooks worth much?
Though not as much as brand new books, books you have used could bring in a good amount for you.
If the books you plan on selling are usually used by professors every semester, you will quickly find buyers even on campus. The price you will sell will not be as much as a new book from the bookstore.
When I sell my textbooks, how much will I get in return?
If the book you are selling is very much in demand, you will be able to sell it at a good price and quickly, too. The price might differ based on the condition of your book and also the site you are selling on. There is no single quote for a particular book as it won’t be the same price everywhere.
15 best places to sell your textbooks in 2023 |Online and Offline
Instead of walking down to your school bookstore, you might want to check these other places to sell books as well as textbooks to get more money.
If you’re ready to get the most for your textbooks, you’ll definitely want to check out the list below. Below, you will find some of the best places you could sell your textbooks:
#1. Bookstores
You could check for bookstores within your neighborhood. Some of them buy used textbooks to sell to other students.
If you do not have the time and patience it requires to sell directly to a student who needs your textbooks, going to your local bookstore is your best option. You are paid immediately and you don’t have to wait.
You could call books stores within your vicinity and ask if they buy used books. Some but pay in cash or they might give you store credit to use whenever you want.
#2. Campus books
CampusBooks operates a lot like Bookscouter. It gives you the opportunity to compare buy-back amounts of books, and you get to see where you will get the most money from. You get a free shipping label to ship your books to their buyers. Most buyback companies offer payments in cash, check Paypal, etc.
#3. Chegg Books
On cheggs, you can sell any type of book. Here is one of the best places to sell your books online. You need to enter the ISBN of your book, after which you will be shown the best price for that book. After you have seen the price, you will print out your free shipping label and ship your books to GoTextBooks. You are paid when the books get to them.
#4. Half Price books
Half price books is a brand that has been waxing strong since the 1970s. The company is one of the largest bookstores selling movies, textbooks, collectibles, and also music. Selling with them is very easy. You take your books to a HalfPrice bookstore close to you, and you are given cash in return.
It is the demand and supply of the books you want to sell that determine if they will buy your used books. They will offer you money when they have seen the books and accepted them into their collection.
#5. Decluttr
Decluttr is your go-to place to sell items such as lego, DVDs, tech, Video games, Cds, and also books. You need to type the ISBN number of your books to be able to sell them. After typing the number, they will give you the selling price for your books, now, it is up to you to accept the offer.
If you do, you can send the books to them for free. Upon receiving your package, they will pay you through Paypal, direct deposit, or check.
#6. ValoreBooks
ValoreBooks evaluate your books to make sure they are in good condition and if they are, you can sell at a good price without much hassle. You have to type in your textbook’s ISBNs to get the best offers. Then you print out the prepaid shipping label and send you them.
This platform has a minimum of 15 dollars in order, so you have to sell many textbooks. With this method, you can sell all your books at once. If your books are in a bad shape, you get a lower price for them.
#7. Amazon
This is the world’s largest e-commerce platform. You can buy and sell different items here and such items include books. You are required to go to their trade-in store and click on the Kindle E-Readers. Next, you input the name of the book or the ISBN number.
When you have uploaded the name of the book or the ISBN number, Amazon will ask about the condition of your book. You should answer, honestly. If you try to lie about the state of the books, when you ship it to them and they find that your books are not in good condition, they won’t take it. Amazon pays through gift cards.
#8. Facebook Marketplace
With a social app like Facebook, there are different means through which you can sell your books. One such way is Marketplace. When you list your textbooks on Marketplace, they are visible to anyone who is on Marketplace, in Feeds, and searches also.
Once you are on Facebook, you click on Marketplace in the left menu. You will click on “sell something ‘, then you click “item for sale,” and you proceed to enter all details of the item. You are able to upload up to 10 photos of the item you are selling to give potential customers a clear view of what they are purchasing.
When a buyer sees and wants what you are selling, they will leave you a message, and from then you all can negotiate. Once you have reached an agreement, you can set a meeting place to exchange parcels and payments. For safety’s sake, choose to meet at a place you are comfortable with. As much as you want to sell your textbooks, you must be cautious.
#9. OfferUp
Offerup allows you to sell anything online and locally. You have to pay a service fee of 12.99% for the items you ship. Offerup has an app for both android and apple users. The app uses your location to connect you to local customers. You get to communicate with potential buyers directly. With this app, there are fewer chances of fraud.
#10. Students2Students
The mode of operation of Students2Students is totally different as it allows you to sell to actual students near you. You list your textbooks on the platform and wait for students to indicate interest. When they do, you set a meeting place to exchange books and the payments.
This option is good if you wish to sell to students near you. You only wait for a student to show interest, you don’t have to wait for shipping or pay any shipping fee.
#11. eBay
To sell here, you have to set up an account and enter your PayPal information. Though some people consider this method of selling on eBay as outdated, it is an effective way to sell your books online.
Like most sites, you have to upload the ISBN number of your books. You will state the condition of the books, your selling price, and also the shipping fee.
The more details your items have, the higher your chances of selling because people like to know about what they are buying. There is a comment section that you could use to add information about your books.
There is an auction fee associated with each sale, and you can have this automatically deducted from your account.
#12. Craig list
To sell things locally, Craiglist remains one of the best places. On this online platform, you are allowed to list the items you want to sell for free. You will have to wait as sales do not happen instantly. When you have uploaded the books, you will wait for local buyers to sell them before you are paid.
You have to choose a place to meet when anyone shows an interest in your items. It is advisable you choose a public place and also receive a cash payment.
#13. Cash4Books
This forum is similar to others that require you to type in the ISBN number of your book. Then you get an offer that you accept or decline. On the other hand, If you accept the offer, then you can ship your books for free. On Cash4Books, it is not possible to sell antique books. If you have antique books for sale, you should look up other platforms.
#14. BookByte
This is a good place to sell the old books you no longer need. You have to upload the ISBN number of the books, then you wait for an offer. If you accept the offer, you have to ship the books within seven days, or the offer becomes invalid. Once they receive the parcel, you get paid through check or PayPal.
#15. BooksRun
BooksRun is another wonderful platform that will buy your textbooks. They have an apple and Android app that allows you to scan the barcode of your books, so you don’t have to type in the ISBNs number.
When you have scanned the barcode, you get an offer, and you ship your books for free, with a prepaid shipping label. You get paid within four days via Paypal or check.
Conclusion
You have different options if you want to sell your old textbooks. It is up to you to pick where works best for you. You could try out different platforms so you can know which helps you sell your books easily and faster. By trying out different platforms, you get to know where offers the best deal for your books.
You should try as much as possible to ensure that your books are in perfect condition, it helps you sell quickly. When you buy new books, you should take extra care of them, so that wear and tear do not come to them. By selling out your old books, you give others who have a need for them the chance to learn.
You could sell your old textbooks on campus by putting up a notice or asking around, though this might be consuming. As the semester is ending, you could inform friends to help you tell other people that you want to sell your textbooks. Or you could just list them on some of the sites above.
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