Selling books online without using auction sites?

JamesEightBitStar · Post by **JamesEightBitStar** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 5:55 pm

So, in my highschool days I collected books, lots. Basically my mindset was "This sounds interesting, I think I may read this."

Years later, I have a lot of books, 99% of which I have no intention of ever reading. And I want them GONE.

I would sell them on Ebay, but see my Father totally controls that and he won't take the time out to upgrade us to a seller's account. My dad's good at pretending to be useful while avoiding doing anything that actually needs to be done.

There is a used bookstore near here, but with them its trade for store-credit only. I don't want store credit. I want to DOWNSIZE my collection, not replace it!

I had this same issue with video games, and discovered a forum where all I had to do was post a "for sale" topic. I was wondering if anyone here knows a similar place for books?

No, most of my collection is NOT fantasy--never cared for the genre. Science Fiction, some mystery, a few political thrillers, and maybe a few fantasy volumes.

Thanks in advance.

Mordenkainen · Post by **Mordenkainen** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:39 pm

Have you tried Amazon?
I've sold a lot of books through them with no trouble.

blackprinceofmuncie · Post by **blackprinceofmuncie** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 9:41 am

I would also recommend Amazon. It's a lot less hassle to use than eBay and you don't have to worry about selling something for less than you want. Just pick a price that you think is fair (or one that you think will produce quick sales if that's what you want). The cut Amazon takes is a little larger than eBay, but still (IMO) fair and you don't have to pay it up front, only if you sell the item.

thedungeondelver · Post by **thedungeondelver** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 11:34 am

Seconding (thirding?) Amazon. It's a fine way to get rid of old books!

Glgnfz · Post by **Glgnfz** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 1:25 am

you could ask mike if he's happy with the sales of his online-store for d&d-stuff and books...

http://www.mikesmagicalmenagerie.com/theshop.htm

Le Noir Faineant · Post by **Le Noir Faineant** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 4:09 am

Glgnfz wrote:you could ask mike if he's happy with the sales of his online-store for d&d-stuff and books...

http://www.mikesmagicalmenagerie.com/theshop.htm

My suggestion as well.

Glgnfz · Post by **Glgnfz** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 7:04 am

the problem is - i have no idea if he has EVER sold a book, but it seems to work with rpg-stuff.

Papasloth · Post by **Papasloth** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 1:53 pm

I'm relatively happy with the way the website business is going, but I can't recommend it for a one-time book sale. I've had success selling RPG items, but Glgnfz is right - I've never sold a regular book. I think the internet is great if you've got a specific target audience and a way to reach them. And yes I use this forum and others as a way to do just that. But if you have a general collection that has wide appeal, but not a rabid customer base, then I think Amazon may be the best route. I've no idea how long it takes to sell there or what percentage they take, but I know that you do sell at a fixed price (one of the main reasons I opened my own site) and you don't have to constantly list and re-list items if they don't sell immediately (oddly enough another big reason why I created my own site.) I'd be happy to try to answer more specific questions if you've got any.

Good luck!