Cheapest way to post books?

DeadTomorrow

Feels like a silly question but is there a cheaper way of sending books to people regularly? Most books seem to fall into the small parcel category at £3.70 for first class, £3.20 for second class. I want to sell my books after I've read them and I was wondering if there is a cheaper way of sending them? Say, about 10 a month.

soolin

For single books it is unlikely you will do much better than RM, MYhermes can sometimes be a few pence cheaper for under 1kg so it is worth looking at them. 

jon81uk

Check to see if they are slim enough to count as large letter once packed. Otherwise it will be small parcel.
This is one reason why second hand books don't have as much value, cheaper to buy a new one including postage from Amazon.

soolin

jon81uk said:

Check to see if they are slim enough to count as large letter once packed. Otherwise it will be small parcel.
This is one reason why second hand books don't have as much value, cheaper to buy a new one including postage from Amazon.

Very true, I mainly use my kindle now but still seem somehow to buy a lot of books both for me and my OH. Even a modern paperback in the charts is easily picked up for 2 for £7.50 or £8 in any supermarket, but to buy second hand on eBay or Amazon more likely to cost me nearer £5 per book and even then the seller is making pennies on the sale. 

Another thing to look for is if a book is just slightly too large for a large letter - try MyHermes as their postable size is a fraction larger . 

 

[Deleted User]

Strand enough my grandad often gets me to find him second hand copies of books online. Just recently he wanted 8 all which are approx 500-600 pages, mainly paperback, one I managed to find hardback. From Amazon and eBay. I paid no more than £3.28 for a book so they are out there cheaply. All free postage and thought to myself it’s going to cost them more in postage. 

gentlepurr

Not ideal if you're selling, but sending a paperback to a friend, i opened it out and sent it flat, went through as a large letter that way x

soolin

gentlepurr said:

Not ideal if you're selling, but sending a paperback to a friend, i opened it out and sent it flat, went through as a large letter that way x

I had a book delivered like that from Amazon once, and I was not happy as it damages the spine. I was able to open a return as Amazon agreed it was received in a damaged condition and not ‘very good’ condition as per the listing and the seller ended up refunding me and allowing me to keep the book. 

forgotmyname

Had to return a few books to Amazon. First one arrived looking like someone took a small point axe

to the cover. Thought was this a used item but no it should have been brand new, returned that and

the 2nd one arrived with similar damage to the spine and not trivial damage either.

Although one book seller sent me a book I had not ordered. Tried contacting them and they said I should

file a return, I said how can I file a return for something not purchased. No open orders or items not received

just some random book turned up and not a cheap book either.