posted on October 6, 2000 10:28:14 AM
Hi! I'm an ebay bookseller and am always
looking for book sources. Here's what I've tried and other ideas I haven't tried yet. I'd love to hear what other booksellers have tried and any new ideas for finding books.
1. Thrift stores
This has been my primary book source. We
a Goodwill that has a large quantity of
books. They charge $1.50 for hardcovers
and $0.75 for softcovers. We also have
a warehouse Goodwill store where all books
are only $0.10. Of course, they have
usually been picked through. I have
found some good ones there though. Salvation Army seems to be hit or miss
books, generally, of lesser quality than
the Goodwill.
2. Rummage sales
These tend to be very hit or miss.
Sometimes it seems like alot of driving
for very little return. Ocasionally,
I have hit the jackpot though.
3. Estate sales
Some of the books seem a bit overpriced,
particularly if sponsored by one of these
estate sale managing firms. I probably
have not spent enough time visiting estate
sales though. It seems like they could
potentially be a good source. How about
other people's experiences?
4. Used bookstores
We have a used book store called Half
Price Books in our area. I've bought
a few of their clearance books and have
sold them for a profit on Ebay. I'm
still a little hesitant to buy books
from used bookstores for resale since
I figure they know the value. Any
thoughts?
5. Library sales
Will be going to my first one this
weekend. No prior experience here.
6. Advertising for books
I'd like to try placing an ad to
buy books in one of the Pennysaver
newspapers. I just wonder if it
would be a lot of footwork for little
return. Any thoughts?
7. Buying from remainder houses
I've found a few online sources that
sell remainders and overstocks. I
wonder if there would be a market for
these books since they probably didn't
sell well the first time.
8. Retail stores
I've heard of people actually buying
books from retail bookstores and
reselling them for a profit. Seems
a bit risky to me unless you know
the market extremely well.
posted on October 6, 2000 10:37:55 AM
I had a lot of misses until I realized that classic books of various versions always seem to sell. Many of the people that bought books from me buy every "sleeping beaty" or "Heidi" or "Babar" they can find that they don't already have. It's easy for them to do a search on too.
I bought a set of 40 Korean fairy tale books, in great condition at a thrift store. I made great money off them and sold all but about 8 that I couldn't figure out what they were.
Library books are almost always stamped and marked on and you have to know what to buy.
Auction prices have gone sky high here in Ohio, on everything...including books. But now and then people are there to buy other things and books are a bargain.
Garage sales seem to be the place I find the best, though...and often in excellent condition and very good prices. Too bad it's getting cold here.
Tag sales are good sometimes, people are looking at other things and not books.
I've had good luck with concert programs and playbills over books. Paper items sell well.
thanks for sharing your ideas! In my experience, library sales are awesome. Most library sales should include a lot of non-library books. Ours' gets donations by truckload every week. I don't avoid ex-library either. There are so many gems that people will pay nice money for. I also put a lot on half.com. I just make sure I describe condition well.
Thrifts are so-so. I try to find out when books are on sale and go then. Sometimes I find stock there but usually I take the books to the used bookstores in my locality and build store credit. I then use the credit to select nicer books to sell on ebay. This works very well.
The only times I've paid "real" money for books (meaning more than 50 cents to a dollar), it hasn't worked out.
posted on October 6, 2000 11:08:56 AM
I just came back from a rummage sale that has great books. (and a lot of other great stuff, too). Last year I got an autographed PD James book, this year a set of old Ellery Queen hardcovers.
People come from all over to go to this sale! Its in NJ and I saw licence plates from VA and MD next to my car.
But my real bargains come from garage sales. I went to one last weekend that had paperbacks 5/$1, hardcovers 3/$1.....and I spent $20! Three of the books I got are leather bound oversized historical books.
Also I like to go to the library and AAUW book sales on the last day, when you can get a bag for $5. You don't get the Hot selling items, but you can find some interesting things for very little. Last one I went to I picked up a stack of sheet music and some books in french. Not sure how they will sell, but it costs me very little to find out.
I also am using Half.com for the appropriate books. I pick up any kids books that have won awards (Newbery, Caldecot) and put on half.com
posted on October 6, 2000 11:26:31 AM
Library book sales have always been my favorite but they are few and far between (Goodwill/Salvation Army Thrift are my weekly trips)lately. Unfortunately there is a library here in our little town where they *had* wonderful book sales. Then one of the librarians decided he wanted a "store". The first week of every month he hangs up the misleading "Library Book Sale This Week!" sign out front. You go inside and they direct you upstairs to a room that is now a store where all the books have been looked up on the net and priced high. Also they dont have the wonderful rows of paperbacks for 10 cents like they used too or the old teen books like Nancy Drew I used to find. Really makes me miss the good old days!
posted on October 6, 2000 01:30:32 PM
My best source is garage sales.
Estate Sales do usually price higher, but will sometimes cut the prices on what's left the last afternoon.
One thing that has worked for me several times with excellent results: If there are no books, or few books, at an otherwise great garage sale, let the person know that what you are REALLY interested in is books. I have been amazed how often I've been invited into the house to look through the bookshelves! They won't want to sell everything, but often they do want to sell some books but just did not get them out and on display for the sale.
posted on October 6, 2000 06:00:48 PM
Just a few more thoughts -
I hit the local thrift stores weekly - I have found some good bargains - mostly a profit of $1 to $3 a book - but it adds up. I have also found a couple of collectibles - one I picked up for $0.35 just sold for $33, three others that I paid a quarter for are up over $9 with time left on the ticker.
We have lots of 'antique' malls in my area - I think of them more as flea markets. I have bought several books there. Old paperbacks for a nickel or a dime that bring me a minimum of $2 each. I also buy ones that just are just interesting to me - I bought one book in German (a 1912 reader) for a quarter and sold for $3. Not great, but it all adds up.
As far as UBS, I'm not sure that they do know the value of their books. I just picked up 5 books at the one closest to me. Two of them are going for 4-5 times the purchase price - the other three went for double. I'm going back tomorrow to pick up another copy of one that is going good for me right now.
I love the library sales! They have tons of donated books that are not ex-lib and usually in mint shape!
posted on October 6, 2000 06:36:57 PM
keziak - I don't usually pay over a dollar each for hardcovers, and .50 for paperbacks.
If I am buying more than a few, I count them and make an offer that's maybe 20 - 25% less.
It just depends on the quality, and the circumstances. The last time someone invited me in to look over their books, they seemed to be thinking "in the neighborhood" of a dollar each, and there were quite a few that I wanted, so I did not try to get them for less.
I'd just about stopped buying paperbacks, except for very good quality, large-size ones; then I started listing on Half.com and am having to re-think that.
I find that the paperbacks people want .50 - 1.00 for are often the ones I wouldn't take if they gave them to me, and the unusual stuff that I want they will sell for a dime.
posted on October 6, 2000 09:55:58 PM
We go to thrift stores. We have a deal worked out with each of them. One sell's to us at .10 each. The other sells for $1.00 a box. The third gives us a 50% discount for volume purchases. We have over $2000.00 in inventory on half.com. We also go to the estate sales and I have done well and have seen books that sold for alot more than I could ever hope to get.
NOW for the biggie. Mini Warehouse Auctions. I know of several people who go to these and resale. How do you think professional yard sellers get their items. Books are usually bulky and heavy and not very desirable. I normally spend between $2.00 and $5.00 a box. I have went as high as $10.00 for educational books. They sell for between $10.00 and $40.00 on half.com and have alot of interested customers. We are selling about $400.00 a month on half.com and another $300.00 a month on ebay and yahoo. Even though I know many sellers get items a Mini Warehouse Auctions I have NEVER seen a post of anyone using them.
posted on October 6, 2000 11:28:23 PM
I've found my best sellers at the Salvation Army and at the flea markets/garage sales. My record is still $450 for a book I bought (and almost didn't, if it weren't for a strong gut feeling) for only a nickel!
Wow, $1,500 for a book out of a recycle bin? What was it?
posted on October 7, 2000 07:01:47 AM
Hello: Do any of you ever have book fairs in your area? We have one every spring in our area, the money goes to the local philharmonic, books are donated. I have found several gems there. I once found a Hemingway first edition, afew Steinbeck, and many old poetry books. The only thing is the people who work there tend to put new books on the tables and leave the older ones in boxes underneath, so I spend the whole time crawling around on my hands and knees. (But its also a good thing because most people wont do this and I get great finds) I just wish I could find more of these book fairs! I just keep scouring the local coming events in the paper.
We also have an event spring and fall where everyone can put almost anything they want to get rid out on the curb, us garbage pickers go around and get what we can find (sometimes you can find some really nice books, antiques, etc) and at the end of the week the garbage men take whats left! Hows that for recycling? I dont know if they do this in the states, I am in Canada.
posted on October 7, 2000 02:19:28 PM
Ahhh, another bookseller, my day just got better. Remember when people really read books, not just the pop 10, there were used book stores everywhere. I have read so many books that my wife and I opened a store with just what I saved over the years. Unfortunatly, the store didn't get to live more than 3 years. But what I found out was that I loved to sell books to people who loved to read. Best advice here is to not care what the book is worth, start them low and let them go, books need a home, not a box. And you will sell alot of books.
Good luck!
posted on October 7, 2000 03:12:18 PM
short of giving away trade secrets, what basic rules of thumb do you look for to list books?; i am new at this book business and i am not sure that i want to continue the book thang as it looks like being quartered to death by ebay for a 3.00 book...is that the way it is; a game of multiples??
posted on October 7, 2000 03:31:11 PM
My take is that the best books come in the oddest places. One of my favorite finds were two bags of old army manuals at a thrift shop. Ran me about eight bucks and netted well over $50...one brought $28!
posted on October 7, 2000 06:26:12 PM
Booktrader - You're a man after my own heart.....The reason that I started selling books online was so that they didn't get taken to the dumpster. I have well over a thousand books and hubby said enough is enough....That I had to part with some before I could bring any more home....Tried the garage sale. Could not give them away. Then I turned to online sales - I was surprised (and delighted) that someone would actually pay me for the books!
So now, some of my old books get new homes...I've become a bargain book hunter and I get new ones! And everyone is happy! (cept hubby cuz I buy as many new ones as I sell<grin>!
Jane
[ edited by jmjones6061 on Oct 7, 2000 09:22 PM ]
posted on October 7, 2000 07:54:28 PM
undercovers: My fundamental rule of thumb is: 80% of books (as with everything) is junk. That includes pop medicine from 3 years ago, most fiction (esp. paperbacks), and just all the general, nondescript junky books cluttering up most thrift shops.
But..in the remaining 20% there is plenty of pocket money to be made!
The challenge? Figure out what people want to read, and what they will pay for. Start with one or two categories and look things up in eBay a LOT. Think of the hobbies and interests and passions that drive many people, such as their pets, their cars, handiwork, collectibles, you name it.
I try to look for things that are special because they are attractive but not cheap, timeless but not dated, in-depth in a subject but not a boring tome.
Half.com is another great resource. If the books are listed there for pennies or there are 300 copies, it's not going to be a winner on ebay.
posted on October 7, 2000 08:13:08 PM
That 80% estimate seems a little low.
My local library always has a shelf of books for sale which includes more donations than exlib. The turnover seems pretty rapid and I often find decent books there (.75 hb, .25 pb, unless o/w marked).
posted on October 7, 2000 09:02:43 PM
I've sold all types of items on ebay but started selling with books. I've had the best experiences selling the books. Everyone paid and on time. It's nickel and dime for the books I have but it's been a very positive experience. My only problem is I buy books to sell but then end up not willing to give them up.
posted on October 7, 2000 09:14:13 PM
keziak, any old Narcotics Anonymous book or Alcoholics Anonymous book (1st or 2nd editions) bring in big bucks. Even with the later editons of the AA 'blue books'.
I went to our city library's annual book sale today, and came out with a whole box of great books. Amadika, I have the same problem with you. Out of all the books I bought today to sell on eBay...I don't think I can part with half of them! The whole evening just about was spent going through them all--what fun! Think I'll head back out tomorrow.
I don't have that profit margin on every book, and at times I think I would do better to do less volume and focus on books that bring in a better return. But the trick is...this is so unpredictable! I am frequently surprised when people pay $10 or more for something I would have cheerfully taken $3.50 for.
My 80% "rule" takes into account ALL the books one might run into at various places such as yardsales, booksales or thrifts. At any given location, such as a library "sale" shelf, could be that a lot more of them would be worth buying and trying to sell. I was just getting at how easy it is to make a mistake because so many books have little or no value. I personally learned this from trying to sell book club Grishams and the like.
posted on October 8, 2000 06:33:14 AM
keziak, Bill, and all others - This is a great thread! Thanks to everyone and please keep it going . . .
I've also been thinking that I should be a lot more selective, and buy only those books that I feel will bring around ten dollars or more . . . but it is hard (for me anyway) to pass up any good book, AND it is so unpredictable.
I've been very surprised by what I've gotten for some little paperback things like camera manuals, and car-related stuff. And I recently sold a vintage (1959) Robert Ruark paperback for over twenty dollars.
I also have the problem of taking forever to go through the books and list them - start reading one, and the time I should have spent writing the description is spent reading!
Of course, the love of books is the real reason I'm doing this . . .
It seems to me that there are fewer NPB's with book buyers; can't IMAGINE the nightmares some sellers go through in selling in other categories.
CHARLIEGIRL - I'll use you as inspiration! I need to spend more time listing on Half.com.
posted on October 8, 2000 08:29:52 AM
kudzurose, yes I agree about this selling of books being a labor of love. Who else would spend all the time to either read the books, or type out all the descriptions in the TOS...
posted on October 8, 2000 02:45:49 PM
Most of my books come from our Public Library. People dump them there by the truckload. The library sells the newest and best for "skyhigh prices" of $1.00 to $2.50. All the rest and most interesting they give away. They practically beg you to cart them away. The paperbacks are all and always free. A "Dancer of Gor" PB brought $35 last week. You just never know what's gonna "hit". POGO-$32.00. HOBBIT-$42.00. I have to check everyday, though. The library is happy to see the excess go out the door and I always drop all my spare change, and even paper $$ sometimes in their donation box.
posted on October 8, 2000 03:57:45 PM
And don't rule out the so-called "professionals." I bought a book this summer at an antique show that was priced at $10. I was hesitant to buy it because I figured the dealer already had it priced as high as he figured it would sell, but since it was a subject I was interested in anyway, I decided to take a chance. I sold it the other day for $43--so don't assume the antique dealers know everything!
!