Knowing what kind of books to buy and what kinds to avoid is important. Dead inventory, even if you are culling regularly, is a drain on your time and resources. Even if you use a scanner, knowing where to focus your attention is a way better use of your time than randomly scanning every book that happens to be in front of you. It’s just part of the learning curve of becoming a bookseller.
The mentality of booksellers can get a little warped. Because the vast majority of booksellers are now online booksellers, they base their prices on what current market value of book is. I say this is “warped” because there isn’t recognition of what it is that consumer wants. Competition drives prices way below what customers are willing to pay, and as a result, booksellers end up selling books at prices that, to the consumer, are huge bargains.
Now we could talk all day about market forces and the definition of “value”, but the bottom line is that this devalueing of books means that the majority of online sellers will not want to consider buying those books for resale.
But after whole “blame game” there are books that generally stay away from. They are:
- Most mass market paperbacks/pocket books (you might do ok if you get them really cheap at a bag sale)
- Encyclopedias
- Most American English dictionaries (Webster’s et al)
- Condensed/Readers Digests
- Most recent fiction – trade hardcovers
- Most paperback children’s books
- Textbooks more than 3-4 yrs old
- Vast majority of books published from 1940’s-1980’s (even the 90’s to some degree)
That being said, there are always exceptions to the rule. Within the mass quantities of books I just warned you off of, there are hidden gems that you can make money on. Among older books for instance, you can always find your Steinbecks and Hemmingways that you’ll definitely be able to sell.
If you’ve got a little bit of knowledge and keen eye, you can always make money.
Of course you can always specialize in something, modern first editions for example, but if you are like most online sellers starting out, you’re probably selling different kinds of books that have ISBNs (post 1970’s). If that’s you, I would recommend you stick to the guidelines above until your develop an eye for diamonds in the rough.
Once you have a little experience under your belt though, don’t be afraid to start branching out.
I have sold 1st prinitings of Clive Cussler books, books listed on Amazon for a penny, for $10-25.
I’ve alseo Sold 1st printings of Steven King books, Christine, Carrie, etc., in for around the same price range of $15-25.
Just be aware that with a little experience, you can make money in segments others might avoid.
Tags: used books
We all wish for abundance and when it arrives some wish it gone. I am happy the consumers get great bargains, I am also a consumer and I love the fantastic bargains I get. If you truly think this abundance is bad then you should buy all these worthless books and burn them. Me, i will just keep on buying them and after I read them -resell them. There is within abundance the inclusion of those previously shut out. Book collectors are now the trailer home divas with their harlequin romances lined up. Great iunsulation too! The era of the ultra rich, ivory tower academic collectors has room for the illiterates doesn’t it? I have heard they are snobbish.
Nice content indeed! i will visit as often as i can.
cheers
Love the blog! Found it on Yahoo I have bookmarked it thank you for the tips.