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How To Sell Textbooks

Earn Money Selling Old College Textbooks in 2024

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Students’ school books are among the most costly short-term necessities that they should pay for on a regular basis while in college. In reality, undergraduate students enrolled full-time at a 4-year institution in the 2021 academic year spent an average of $1,240 on textbooks and college supplies, according to the College Board. 

When you’re through with your textbooks, you can always sell them. However, the location in which you sell them will decide your return. Here’s where you may list your textbooks for sale, as well as some pointers on how to make the most for your money when selling.

Textbooks Can Be Sold in Three Places

best place to sell textbooks

There are a variety of options for reselling old textbooks but bear in mind that you will not get the full amount you paid for them when you sell them back. It’s possible that each source has a different definition of what a book is worth, so you’ll want to look into many choices before choosing one.

1. The Bookstore at Your College

sell textbooks in collage bookstore
Image Credit: by DONT SELL MY ARTWORK AS IS from Pixabay

If you purchased your books on campus, the most convenient option would be to return them to the location where they were purchased. If the book is accepted by the bookstore, you will get the payment immediately.

However, there is a potential that a newer version of your book has been released, which implies that the resale price of your textbook will be much reduced. In addition, as compared to other shops, college bookshops often provide one of the lowest buy-back sums available. To put it another way, you could earn money quickly, but it might not be that much.

2. On the Internet

Sell old textbook in the internet
Image Credit: by Joseph Mucira from Pixabay

The number of websites where you may sell your textbooks is a countless number. It’s possible that if your book is in great demand, you’ll get a good price for it when you sell it.

Nonetheless, if there isn’t enough demand for your textbook, or if you priced it too expensive, it might take weeks or months to resell your publication. Please keep in mind that many prospective purchasers are more eager to purchase closer to the start of the school year, so the timing of your sale might have an influence on the amount of cash you receive in return.

Related Content: Proven Ways to Earn Money Online

3. Sell Textbooks to Fellow Students

If you know of students who are about to take the same course as the one you just finished, you may sell your used textbooks to them at a cheaper price than the one the campus shop is charging them. The chances are good that you may still make more money than you would by reselling it to the bookstore, and the buyer will also benefit from the lower cost of purchasing it.

You may, however, need to look into alternative reselling possibilities if you don’t know any new students who are due to enroll in that specific course, or if you don’t have a decent means of getting the word out about your books for sale.

Where Can You Sell Your Textbooks on the Internet?

There are a plethora of options for selling your textbooks on the internet. When selecting a website, make certain that it has been well vetted. Check to see how much the corporation retains from each sale. Also, determine if you may include the cost of shipping in the overall price or whether you must charge for it separately.

1. Amazon is number one on the list.

sell college textbooks on amazon

Amazon is one of the biggest e-retailers in the world, so it should come as no surprise that they are successful at reselling college textbooks. You’ll be asked a few questions about the condition of your book before putting it on the market. To mail your book, you’ll need an Amazon account, an Amazon Marketplace individual seller account, and the goods listed below. If your book is successful in selling, you will be compensated in the form of an Amazon gift card.

2. BookDeal is a search engine for books.

sell textbooks on bookdeal.com

BookDeal is a book buyback site, and a marketplace that collects various book vendors to show you how much you can possibly sell your textbooks via different buyers. According to our analysis, BookDeal is a solid choice among the others and offers competitive prices. So if you have your books in hand, just go over to BookDeal and sell your textbooks right away.

3. GoTextbooks is a search engine for textbooks.

When you sell your books directly to GoTextbooks, you’ll enter the book’s International Standard Book Number (ISBN), get an estimate of how much money you’ll receive in return, ship your books for free, and then receive payment in cash. You have the option of receiving a cheque in the mail or having your money sent directly to your PayPal account.

4. eBay

sell textbooks on ebay

Because eBay is a bidding website, you have the option of selling your textbooks to the highest bidder or selling them at a predetermined price. It is possible that auctioning off your book may result in a bigger reward if it is in high demand. However, if you put it up for auction and there isn’t much interest, you may find yourself in a financial bind. You’ll still be responsible for the cost of packing materials and delivery.

5. Craigslist

sell textbooks on Craiglist

To match up possible buyers in your area if you want to keep your sale local, you may utilize Craigslist to find buyers in your area. Despite the fact that other community sale websites have sprung up over the years, Craigslist remains a viable online choice for selling old textbooks. Remember that, like with any transaction in which you are meeting an unknown individual, it is best to meet in an open area where you may be accompanied by a friend and receive payment in cash.

6. Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace has also grown in popularity as a platform to sell items to others. With millions of individuals in your neighborhood, you may discover that you have a broader reach than you thought. However, bear in mind that this marketplace offers a wide variety of items and your post may get lost in the mix if you don’t pay attention.


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