Expensive books - where to sell them?

Newbie2saving

Hi all,

I've been having a clear out before we move and I've got a lot of expensive books (selling new ~£50 each). Where is the best place to list them? They are in a very specific field so not sure if ebay is the right place?

Thanks for any advice.

soolin

Where did you see them selling 2nd hand at that price, can you not sell them in the same place as well?

Newbie2saving

soolin wrote: »

Where did you see them selling 2nd hand at that price, can you not sell them in the same place as well?

I have only really seen them from new, on amazon and ebay. I am new to ebay and only just in process of selling a few things for first time. I was worried that if it is something very specific the 7day auction time may not cover enough time for someone to see them, ie may be better nearer to term starting time in Sept.

[Deleted User]

I generally sell books on Amazon - it's also the first place I look when I need to buy new books (either new or second hand)

However if they are very subject specific, for example uni course books - I would probably more inclined to advertise them at one of the Uni department, or if not academic related then I would probably try and target a special interest group (local groups, nature, walking, astronomy, cooking, new mums groups, whatever the books are aboutetc etc)

Newbie2saving

Thanks for that, I will look into how Amazon works then with regards to selling (fees, postage etc). May be the best bet.

soolin

A book costing £50 is not necessariily worth anything 2nd hand so it pays to have a good look at what others sell for in the same condition.

As suggested above, check out Amazon as a start, find your exact book using the ISBN and then check the 2nd hand value from market place sellers. Amazon fees are incredibly high, but it gives you an idea of whether the book is worth listing at all.

I sell on Amazon, although the market for books died for me last Autumn, and have in the past sold £50 books for a few pence, but have also sold £12 books for £90+ just because they were no longer in print and someone wanted it badly enough to pay my price.

Newbie2saving

Good advice, thank you. I've entered my books into the search on Amazon and all are around the ~£30 - £50 mark still 2nd hand (never really taken any notice of the used section before). I've also been reading Amazon's t&c's and the charges are high! However even if I can sell one or two it will be better than them sitting in the wardrobe gathering dust!

soolin

Newbie2saving wrote: »

Good advice, thank you. I've entered my books into the search on Amazon and all are around the ~£30 - £50 mark still 2nd hand (never really taken any notice of the used section before). I've also been reading Amazon's t&c's and the charges are high! However even if I can sell one or two it will be better than them sitting in the wardrobe gathering dust!

Absolutely.

Check out the ranking as well on the product page as it shows you how often these books actually sell. Anything above a million suggests you will have to hang on to them for a year or so, but if you are lucky and get a rankign in 4 figures ti means they sell very well.

You do need a credit card to sell on Amazon, but it is very easy and you don't pay to list so you can keep them nice and tidy on your book shelves until they sell.

some more tips here, mainly on the first post or two

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2171713

Newbie2saving

Brilliant, thanks again. Will have a look at the ranking section. I may hold onto these then and spend a full day listing all my books so I have them somewhere nice and handy once I move, hate them to be boxed up and sold and couldn't find them!!!

soolin

In case you don't want to plough through all that as a simple guide if you sell a book on Amazon at £20 you will actually get £18 net out of which you have to pay your postage and packing.

A £30 book will net you £26.27.

ali-t

If you wanted to put them on ebay you could do a 30 day listing and a buy it now price so if anyone wanted the book quickly they could BIN or bidders could bit if they have an interest.