Slog
News & ArtsWednesday, March 11, 2009
Books Books for Cash
Posted by Paul Constant on Wed, Mar 11, 2009 at 11:19 AM
On yesterday's Reading Tonight, there was a very important comment that I missed until just now. Here it is:
Paul:
Off topic but, as Book Master and a buy-local proponent, where do you recommend I sell my used books?
Half Price books vs. Third Place vs. Bailey Coy vs. Twice Sold Tales?Posted by hairyson on March 10, 2009 at 12:57 PM
That's a fine question, hairyson. Unfortunately, I only ever sell my books for store credit, and I assume you want to sell your books for cash. I've never had a really bad experience or felt ripped-off selling my books for credit at any used bookstore in Seattle, but since just about every bookstore pays more for credit, I'm not really sure who the best cash buyers are.
This is all conjecture, but I've heard from friends and booksellers that Half Price Books is where you take the stuff that other people won't take, because they buy a lot of stuff but they're on the lower end of the pay scale. I've heard that Spine & Crown pays well, but they're obviously selective since they have such a small space to work with. If you're selling in bulk—as in, you've got a library of books to sell—one of the local online retailers like Pistil Books might be a good way to go.
If anyone has any suggestions for good places to sell books for cash, I hope you'll help hairyson out by posting in the comments. And if any used bookstore wants to notify the public that they're especially interested in buying for cash right now, send me an e-mail, please. (Also, hairyson: It's always a good idea to call and confirm the bookstore is buying for cash before you lug your books all the way down there. Some of them only pay cash on appointment.)
2
University Bookstore buys used books - not just the ones they can use, they buy for Powell's, too. They pay cash.
4
The conjecture about Half Price Books is accurate - they'll take all kinds of things that other bookstores won't, but pay almost offensively little
5
Avoid Half Price Books.
They pay about 10% of what they will sell it for (as Paul mentioned, this is on the lower end of the pay scale).
Also, HPB tosses lots of "unwanted" books into the dumpster and then purposedly waters them down or tears them up so that people can't dumpster dive the books.
They pay about 10% of what they will sell it for (as Paul mentioned, this is on the lower end of the pay scale).
Also, HPB tosses lots of "unwanted" books into the dumpster and then purposedly waters them down or tears them up so that people can't dumpster dive the books.
6
Also, for general suggestions, hairyson needs to consider:
- is getting any cash asap more important than getting a decent amount by shopping around?
- are you mainly selling a specific type of book? some stores specialize in certain genres and thus may pay more.
- do you expect the store to take all your stuff? if so, are you okay if they dumpster unwanted books? if not, will you take the rest to goodwill, etc.?
- have you already gone through your sell pile to see if any are worth a lot?
- if there are gems you're unknowingly getting rid of, will the store tell you (and pay appropriately) or will they simply give you $2 and then sell it on abe for $1000?
- is getting any cash asap more important than getting a decent amount by shopping around?
- are you mainly selling a specific type of book? some stores specialize in certain genres and thus may pay more.
- do you expect the store to take all your stuff? if so, are you okay if they dumpster unwanted books? if not, will you take the rest to goodwill, etc.?
- have you already gone through your sell pile to see if any are worth a lot?
- if there are gems you're unknowingly getting rid of, will the store tell you (and pay appropriately) or will they simply give you $2 and then sell it on abe for $1000?
7
Yeah, you should take books to HPB *after* you've already had your collection picked through by other bookstores. The pennies on the dollar they'll give you is cheaper than a dump run.
Otherwise, any of the other vendors are similar. If you live on the hill, why not give everyone's favorite insane cat lady a shot at Twice Sold Tales?
Otherwise, any of the other vendors are similar. If you live on the hill, why not give everyone's favorite insane cat lady a shot at Twice Sold Tales?
8
If you want to make some money: sell them online. If you want to get rid of some clutter in your life: go to Half Price Books.
I sold several stacks of books at HPB and got $160-ish for them. I could have made much more selling online, but I didn't want to do the work.
HPB also waters those books down because (in Capital Hill, at least) people like to set that dumpster on fire a couple times a year.
I sold several stacks of books at HPB and got $160-ish for them. I could have made much more selling online, but I didn't want to do the work.
HPB also waters those books down because (in Capital Hill, at least) people like to set that dumpster on fire a couple times a year.
9
My experience trying to sell on Amazon was really frustrating. The big volume sellers have bots that automatically drop their price to a penny lower than yours, so they'll never sell.
10
Oh, and to clarify my "shopping around" comment:
Don't be an ass and take your boxes to a bunch of places and then get all huffy and puffy when they offer you pittance for your dozens of romance novels (or whatever you may have). If you're really worried about fair prices, look up the market prices on amazon or somewhere. But realize that all stores are different in terms of what they carry, what they happen to have overstock of that week, what stuff they're looking to add to their stock, etc.
Too many people take a few boxes to a place, have the worker spend time pricing it all, get offered like $10, get offended, and then go elsewhere thinking they'll get $100 at another place. Be realistic.
Don't be an ass and take your boxes to a bunch of places and then get all huffy and puffy when they offer you pittance for your dozens of romance novels (or whatever you may have). If you're really worried about fair prices, look up the market prices on amazon or somewhere. But realize that all stores are different in terms of what they carry, what they happen to have overstock of that week, what stuff they're looking to add to their stock, etc.
Too many people take a few boxes to a place, have the worker spend time pricing it all, get offered like $10, get offended, and then go elsewhere thinking they'll get $100 at another place. Be realistic.
11
I sell mine at Epilogue Books in Ballard. As far as I know, they still give the option of cash or store credit.
12
I stopped selling and put whatever I'm done with on paperbackswap.com. I have to pay shipping for what others order, but then I order other books for free.
But for cash? I have no idea.
But for cash? I have no idea.
13
Fnarf, that's not entirely true. Buyers (on amazon) don't always take just price into account. Sometimes they look at the seller's feedback rating. Sometimes they look at the location of the book (they may want to order one that's physically closer) and price isn't important. Sometimes the larger seller with a cheaper price won't ship internationally. And so on.
14
My Twice Told Tales story:
I took a box of books there several years ago. I really didn't care what they paid me for the books. I just wanted to get rid of them. They are picky -- they did not buy several from the box -- but they did research one of the books (a museum publication on a photographer) and ended up paying me $75 just for that ONE book. They were so ethical, as I would have been happy with $3.
Love them.
I took a box of books there several years ago. I really didn't care what they paid me for the books. I just wanted to get rid of them. They are picky -- they did not buy several from the box -- but they did research one of the books (a museum publication on a photographer) and ended up paying me $75 just for that ONE book. They were so ethical, as I would have been happy with $3.
Love them.
15
Magus is my favourite. I don't know about prices, but I like to support the place.
Agree completely about Half Price Books.
And if you live in NYC, donate your books to the awesome HousingWorks Bookstore supporting low-income housing and services for people living with HIV! (Just a public service announcement)
Agree completely about Half Price Books.
And if you live in NYC, donate your books to the awesome HousingWorks Bookstore supporting low-income housing and services for people living with HIV! (Just a public service announcement)
16
This is all very useful information, and stinkbug, especially, has probably made the day for quite a few used booksellers.
It's always a good idea to look up what you have to get a rough idea of what you're selling, but I don't know of a bookstore in town that would take advantage of you if you had a book that was worth a lot. The worst-case scenario is that the buyers would be completely ignorant of a book's value and so neither one of you would get any money.
It's always a good idea to look up what you have to get a rough idea of what you're selling, but I don't know of a bookstore in town that would take advantage of you if you had a book that was worth a lot. The worst-case scenario is that the buyers would be completely ignorant of a book's value and so neither one of you would get any money.
17
@13, that's true. But, since I was just starting out, I didn't have any feedback rating, and I was going up against guys with a hundred thousand.
A big factor for me as a used buyer on Amazon is whether they have other titles I want, since shipping one book or record is expensive but combining on many gets pretty cheap quickly. That's one thing I wish the online sites made easier; I can find out if a seller who has book X also has books Y and Z, but I can't easily find a seller who has X, Y and Z, if you see the difference.
That's one of the nice things about physical stores: you can browse, and you don't have to visit ten shops to buy ten items.
A big factor for me as a used buyer on Amazon is whether they have other titles I want, since shipping one book or record is expensive but combining on many gets pretty cheap quickly. That's one thing I wish the online sites made easier; I can find out if a seller who has book X also has books Y and Z, but I can't easily find a seller who has X, Y and Z, if you see the difference.
That's one of the nice things about physical stores: you can browse, and you don't have to visit ten shops to buy ten items.
18
@16, that's true of ordinary books, but if you really do have a $1,000 volume, you have an obligation to know what you've got, and the bookstore is breaking no moral rule if they give you a few bucks for it. Booksellers have to make real scores once in a while, and knowledge (of what sells for a grand) is a valuable commodity, or should be.
19
Booksellers have to make real scores once in a while
They do. They make massive scores from thrift stores, library sales, and other venues. But those types of transactions/finds are different than the relationship between them and a seller/customer.
They do. They make massive scores from thrift stores, library sales, and other venues. But those types of transactions/finds are different than the relationship between them and a seller/customer.
22
Also, don't be that guy at the used bookstore thinking that EVERYTHING he has is worth something. Those people are terrible.
But if you do have a few books that are notable, a good tip is to mark them with a post it. It is really helpful to the buyer, and you will not be driving them insane by hovering. There is no quicker way to get a buyer's ire than to hover and offer commentary on every. single. book. But they love it if they know which books they should offer extra attention to (first editions, signed copies, etc...)
(I'm not in Seattle, but work in a used bookstore.)
But if you do have a few books that are notable, a good tip is to mark them with a post it. It is really helpful to the buyer, and you will not be driving them insane by hovering. There is no quicker way to get a buyer's ire than to hover and offer commentary on every. single. book. But they love it if they know which books they should offer extra attention to (first editions, signed copies, etc...)
(I'm not in Seattle, but work in a used bookstore.)
23
Thanks Paul and everyone.
I didn't mean that I won't take credit. Do you have different advice, Paul, if sellers want store credit? Or do you simply sell at bookstores you like to buy from?
Comments seem to indicate that you may get more cash or credit if you take the time to sell your cleaner, better books, but if you're just looking to unload, HPB does take them all.
I've only sold at HPB, UBookstore and Third Place, and I think only Third Place offered me credit.
HPB is nice for getting rid of boxes of books: I unloaded my academic texts and unwanted paperbacks. The prices didn't seem great, but I figured that's just how it goes.
HPB says they'll give away (or donate or something) the books of so little value they won't pay you for them - I've always assumed that's a good thing. But maybe they're being moisturized in the dumpsters.
The two other options I've used (besides selling at other local bookshops) are to give books to Value Village and to the Seattle Library's foundation (or fundraising arm, whatever it's called).
Fnarf suggested Powells, which I've never tried. I guess I should also try Bailey Coy and Elliot Bay for credit if I have any decent books to sell. Selling on Amazon seems like more of a hassle than I want.
One more question for Slog:
Where do you like to donate clothes (and sometimes other stuff that you don't want to give away on Craigslist)? Pros and cons of Value Village vs. Goodwill?
Thanks for being there for me, Slog. You stay classy.
I didn't mean that I won't take credit. Do you have different advice, Paul, if sellers want store credit? Or do you simply sell at bookstores you like to buy from?
Comments seem to indicate that you may get more cash or credit if you take the time to sell your cleaner, better books, but if you're just looking to unload, HPB does take them all.
I've only sold at HPB, UBookstore and Third Place, and I think only Third Place offered me credit.
HPB is nice for getting rid of boxes of books: I unloaded my academic texts and unwanted paperbacks. The prices didn't seem great, but I figured that's just how it goes.
HPB says they'll give away (or donate or something) the books of so little value they won't pay you for them - I've always assumed that's a good thing. But maybe they're being moisturized in the dumpsters.
The two other options I've used (besides selling at other local bookshops) are to give books to Value Village and to the Seattle Library's foundation (or fundraising arm, whatever it's called).
Fnarf suggested Powells, which I've never tried. I guess I should also try Bailey Coy and Elliot Bay for credit if I have any decent books to sell. Selling on Amazon seems like more of a hassle than I want.
One more question for Slog:
Where do you like to donate clothes (and sometimes other stuff that you don't want to give away on Craigslist)? Pros and cons of Value Village vs. Goodwill?
Thanks for being there for me, Slog. You stay classy.
24
@23:
Value Village is a for-profit enterprise, where a (small?) percentage of the profits go to charities. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savers. You can find cool stuff there, sure, but if you are donating, I believe the donation would do more good at Goodwill.
Value Village is a for-profit enterprise, where a (small?) percentage of the profits go to charities. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savers. You can find cool stuff there, sure, but if you are donating, I believe the donation would do more good at Goodwill.
25
Another vote for Epilogue Books in Ballard. Very nice store, very fair prices. They won't take hard-used volumes, though, for the most part.
26
If you have enough tax deductions, your best bet might be donating the books. You'll get whatever your tax percentage is of the price the books are going for online. Plus one trip and no argument.
27
@ 22 - I buy for a store in town. Do not ever put post-its in books. It's insulting. You think we should just tabulate what the post-its say and give you 30%? We are not robots.
28
@27, I believe @22 meant that the post-its are to identify notable books, versus just a box full of generic books. Obviously, too many post-its would defeat the purpose, but this seems helpful so the buyer can easily find the good stuff. I don't think 22 suggested writing prices anywhere.
29
I've had fun with a few books at www.bookcrossing.com
fun to leave books around the city for folks to pick for free and read.
of course selling books is good... I head to Elliott Bay Book Compaany in Pioneer Square. I just want to see the good independant stores remain around town!
fun to leave books around the city for folks to pick for free and read.
of course selling books is good... I head to Elliott Bay Book Compaany in Pioneer Square. I just want to see the good independant stores remain around town!
30
I know several employees at Half Price Books and I want to set the record straight on how they buy books.
They DON'T have a blanket policy or percentage they pay for each book. Each employee is trained over a month or so to evaluate books as they come in and pick up on the valuable ones. The fact that they will take pretty much everything is what leads people to believe that they pay less than other stores in the area. If you bring them crap then they're going to pay crap, and unless you bring them really great stuff they're kind of limited to selling the book at HALF PRICE (hence the name). They price things based on what their value to the store will be, and that takes into account more than just the price you see it for on the shelf. I do agree that for a lot of things you might get a little more at other stores (especially for movies and cds, hit gruv up first) but HPB actually tracks how well books sell in the store you're trying to sell to so they have numbers to back up their decision and really, the cost/benefit of getting a couple bucks more for your "good" books before taking your rejects to HPB versus taking a hit on your "good" books and selling all your books in one spot seems to even things out a bit.
A couple of other interesting things to note:
When you see them "throwing away books" in the back a) they are actually recycling them b) they are "destroying them" by ripping them up or whatever so that druggies don't come in and try to scheme them into buying their own trash and c) HPB has a very robust donation network, especially the capitol hill one so if they're throwing something away it's because NO ONE needs it.
Half Price Books, again, especially Capitol Hill, is a company that is very involved in it's communities. The Capitol Hill store, besides being one of the best in the company and one of the better bookstores in the area, has in-store events, donation drives and sponsors a lot of needy area programs. The company also treats its employees really well, pay is.....well....pay is retail level pay but they have free full benefits. The only reason I bring this up is that I know it's a chain and a fairly big one at that and chains aren't necessarily popular around here but this one is a progressive company all about treating employees right and being involved in the community.
Anyway, like I said, you probably will get a buck or two more from other stores but also understand that it's a novelty for a store to make you an offer for everything you bring in no matter how shitty it is, which saves you time and gas/shoe wear and tear (but take your media to gruv/everyday first).
More...
They DON'T have a blanket policy or percentage they pay for each book. Each employee is trained over a month or so to evaluate books as they come in and pick up on the valuable ones. The fact that they will take pretty much everything is what leads people to believe that they pay less than other stores in the area. If you bring them crap then they're going to pay crap, and unless you bring them really great stuff they're kind of limited to selling the book at HALF PRICE (hence the name). They price things based on what their value to the store will be, and that takes into account more than just the price you see it for on the shelf. I do agree that for a lot of things you might get a little more at other stores (especially for movies and cds, hit gruv up first) but HPB actually tracks how well books sell in the store you're trying to sell to so they have numbers to back up their decision and really, the cost/benefit of getting a couple bucks more for your "good" books before taking your rejects to HPB versus taking a hit on your "good" books and selling all your books in one spot seems to even things out a bit.
A couple of other interesting things to note:
When you see them "throwing away books" in the back a) they are actually recycling them b) they are "destroying them" by ripping them up or whatever so that druggies don't come in and try to scheme them into buying their own trash and c) HPB has a very robust donation network, especially the capitol hill one so if they're throwing something away it's because NO ONE needs it.
Half Price Books, again, especially Capitol Hill, is a company that is very involved in it's communities. The Capitol Hill store, besides being one of the best in the company and one of the better bookstores in the area, has in-store events, donation drives and sponsors a lot of needy area programs. The company also treats its employees really well, pay is.....well....pay is retail level pay but they have free full benefits. The only reason I bring this up is that I know it's a chain and a fairly big one at that and chains aren't necessarily popular around here but this one is a progressive company all about treating employees right and being involved in the community.
Anyway, like I said, you probably will get a buck or two more from other stores but also understand that it's a novelty for a store to make you an offer for everything you bring in no matter how shitty it is, which saves you time and gas/shoe wear and tear (but take your media to gruv/everyday first).
31
@28, I see your point. Still, if I as a book buyer don't know what is 'notable' or of interest, I shouldn't be a book buyer. It is a pet peeve of mine and others at our store. For us, the rule of thumb is 'No post-its'. Or else we will make fun of you. Sorry.
32
@31: Strangely enough, tab/u/lator, I have the funny feeling you make fun of *all* the sellers. And all the buyers. And your boss. And your landlord. And the mill pulping the paper for the books. And the bored barista serving your morning latte who's one of the five people on the planet with an even worse sense of customer service than *you* have, which is how you rationalize that you're not really so bad. Which works just fine if you're George Orwell writing "Keep the Aspidistra Flying."
But if not, then not.
But if not, then not.
33
I first check all of my books at www.sellbackyourbook.com, then I take the rest of the stuff into Half price books, or sell it on amazon.com. Sell Back Your Book is pretty good for textbooks and they pay alot, but for general fiction that my wife reads we can not really do good with it there or on amazon, but half price books will always take it. We sometimes donate our books to the local library if they are having a book sale coming up and they are seeking donations.
Robert
Robert
34
If you think you've got something special (in hardcover only, alas,) and want another data point in addition to alibris, abebooks, amazon, and ebay, try the Appraiser service here:
http://www.pbagalleries.com/bibliobot/
http://www.pbagalleries.com/bibliobot/
35
I sell my used books back to http://www.MyBookCart.com. They give me great prices for my books and shipping is free. They pay fast by check or PayPal.
36
I sell my books to http://www.MyBookCart.com. They offer free shipping and pay fast by check or PayPal.
37
For myself I don't particularly like the idea of selling my used books for credit. It then limits the options of where I can future book and then of course the price I pay. I would much prefer to sell my unwanted books for cash and then have the option to buy other 'used' books at a heavily discounted price from flea markets, used book stores or online used book merchants.
I have found this site very useful when selling my used book for cash online
http://sellbooksforcash.blogspot.com/
I have found this site very useful when selling my used book for cash online
http://sellbooksforcash.blogspot.com/
Advertisement
Most Commented on Slog
-
Hating People Doesn't Make Them Thinner by Jen Graves
-
Los Angeles Gay Bar Bans Bachelorette Parties Until Marriage Equality Is Attained by David Schmader
-
Fill in the Blank by Grant Brissey
-
This Reminds Me of the Great Calculator Scare of the Late '70s/Early '80s by David Schmader
-
Idiot Tries to Defend Bigoted Anti-Gay-Marriage Preacher on Anderson Cooper by Paul Constant
-
SL Letter of the Day: Putting It In by Dan Savage
-
Six Moms with Too Much Time on Their Hands and a Shitty Website Decide to Fight Gay Superheroes by Paul Constant
-
Why Mayor McGinn's Wife Canceled Her Family's Seattle Times Subscription by Eli Sanders
-
What the Hell Is Wrong With Seattle's Pride Parade? by Dominic Holden
-
Meet the UW "Swagga Suit" by David Schmader
RSS
Facebook
Twitter
Comments (37) RSS