Advice on Books

Updated on September 20, 2009
K.R. asks from North Richland Hills, TX
9 answers

I have about 400 books that would be great for a teacher. I took these into my shop thinking they would sell and have also posted them on Craigslist. When I took them to Half Price Books they offered $5, about 390 of these books are hardback and all are in great condition. Does anyone have any suggestions on where else to sell them online?

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M.G.

answers from Dallas on

Maybe ebay? Yeah, I know, half price book pays you nothing! Otherwise, you can always donate them and get a tax write off. Good luck.

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G.G.

answers from Dallas on

I have 2 ideas, neither of them tested by me, but maybe one will appeal to you.

1~You could email teachers in your district (or drop off flyers at the schools) tellihg them you're having a "teacher sale." Set it for a Saturday and let them come look.

2~You could check out this website - TeachersPayTeachers.com - where Scholastic takes a cut of your profit to connect you (the seller) with teachers (the buyers).

Good luck, and let me know what works for you! I have 41 boxes of teaching stuff in my attic that I need to sell soon!

1 mom found this helpful
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J.H.

answers from Dallas on

I think Half Price Books is a rip off when they buy your books..now to buy books FROM them, that's a different story :-) I had three boxes of books, all great for a teacher, since I used to be one, and I listed them on half.com. It takes some time to list them, but I've sold a ton of them, and for good prices. It's great, I think!

1 mom found this helpful
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N.

answers from Dallas on

I've sold books to half price books, craig's list, on ebay and at garage sales. When you tried to sell to half price books, did you take them in all at once, or did you take in only several at a time? I ask because I've had better luck with getting more money when I divide them up into about a bag full or box full at a time and take them to different locations over time. So, for instance, when I took in 50 books, I was offered $15. When I took in 25 books at one store, they gave me $13 and I took 25 books to another store they gave me $12. So, instead of $15, I got $25. Of course, it depends on the books that you take as newer more popular books are worth more, but in general, I find that method seems to bring in a little more money. I also always take back the books that they say are worth nothing to them and either give them to someone I know or freecycle them just so I know they actually went to someone for free.

Good question though. I too would love to know if there are other options. I'll watch for responses to your post to see what suggestions you get.

Good luck!

Blessings,
N.

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N.M.

answers from Dallas on

You might check out swaptree.com, if you're at all interested in getting something besides cash for them. My husband and I trade books and DVDs on there all the time, and the only thing you pay is shipping on what you send out. I've never traded kids' books, but I know that other people do, and I'd think the hardback ones, especially, would be worth some good trades. We have hundreds of movies we never ended up watching, and I've gotten rid of lots of them in exchange for books I wanted (I got the entire Harry Potter collection - most in hardback and unread - for about $15, which was the total cost of the movies I shipped out). Maybe you could trade them for movies or video games, and those would sell better through your resell business ...?

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L.S.

answers from Dallas on

How much are you asking for the books?

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K.E.

answers from Dallas on

If you love to read and want to trade them for books you do want for you or your children, I would recommend Paperback Swap. Love the website. It is easy to use, and they usually have a pretty good selection of books to choose from. Even though it is a paperback site, they accept books of any kind.

If you just want to sale them, I would try half.com (the ebay site).

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M.H.

answers from Dallas on

I would be interested in purchasing the collection for my classroom. Please message me with your asking price.

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C.E.

answers from Dallas on

I know you can buy used books on Amazon, so you might check into becoming a seller on that site.

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