Booksellers - how does a collector get rid of hardcover books?
I am a seller of glass products… we are retiring and downsizing our home … I have thousands of paperbacks and 200 or so hardcover books from 1970’s to when I switched to my first nook reader in 2009… I have NO interest in selling one by one on Amazon… so how do I sell them off?
Booksellers - how does a collector get rid of hardcover books?
I am a seller of glass products… we are retiring and downsizing our home … I have thousands of paperbacks and 200 or so hardcover books from 1970’s to when I switched to my first nook reader in 2009… I have NO interest in selling one by one on Amazon… so how do I sell them off?
34 replies
Seller_OMYQjr7q0xJX1
Sometimes record store reps make house calls to look at large collections. Call around and see if a local bookstore does this. They might give you a quote including pickup on the spot. That combined with what @Seller_rPhBMkxOAsL3I suggested: Go through and select what you want to deal with personally due to value.
Seller_s7F7fMBDtix0d
I have sold a few books in my time. I agree with one poster to look them up on Amazon and list the better ones. The others if you can set up a bookcase (or just shallow boxes with the titles facing up) and put an ad on Facebook you will sell a lot. You might also run into someone like me who also has a flea market booth. The mass market paperbacks that go for a penny on Amazon are actually good sellers at $1 or so in my booth.
Seller_pv1wH9VIHo8QW
sell them to a bookstore, or a dealer. what are their subject and what state are you in?
Seller_ZV7aQ9u7WCSN7
friends of the (your city here) Library
Seller_t2lLypAc29zEw
Ask your local libraries. All the books we sell are from donations and the money we make goes directly to programs at our non-profit library. We also have multiple organizations that want small quantities of the books we don't list.
I would also suggest not to cull your books (except for the ones you want to keep).
Seller_Riuc7FnuYOdFz
The paperbacks (if they're fiction) likely have no real value. Recycle them. The hardcovers are case-by-case. If fiction, they're probably mostly worthless. Donate to Goodwill.
Seller_nRFmxiQg4EGrw
That can depend. If they are SciFi, or some limited other genres, and are early printings, they can have a lot of value just for the cover. I have several in my private collection that would cost you $100+ to buy, and many more that would bring $30-60 (but at least for now, not selling those).
But if romance, then recycle bin for sure.
And frankly, most hardbacks have little to no value. If I do a cleanout and find 10-15% of the books are worth selling, I consider that a good cleanout. 5% is not uncommon.
Seller_EGAYxdv2MmpO0
Take pictures, put them on Facebook marketplace for your dream price. See what offers come in.
Also, lower your expectations.
Seller_ToPPYvOWlyp9j
I'll be Devil's Advocate: re: selling your thousands of paperbacks. Much could be applied to selling collectible HB's , too (though AMZ may no longer be the best place to sell rare titles.)
We sell many vintage MASS MARKET paperbacks-mainly genre (sci-fi/ mystery). Today, we sold a fiction MASS MARKET, a tie-in to a popular1960's TV series for upper 2 figures. That's unusual. I was told not to fool with used PB's as a newbie bookseller-but for us, it's a good side-specialty.
Condition and how to describe is VERY important. You'll need to learn AMZ'S media ranking system. In my opinion, sellers need detailed CONDITION NOTES, particularly on rare/author signed titles -have to learn a whole new skill set/vocabulary. Select a dealer whose listings you wish to emulate.
Is it worth your time and effort? Only you can say. There's a lot more to bookselling than you may think!!
GOOD LUCK!!.
Seller_pIgfDPtFZIVuK
When I was moving our business with books included I donated them at a roadside Kiosk intended for books donations. I dumped a lot of books all new.
Seller_JvMfshcjhaD8J
In my travels, I find that Hospital waiting rooms often have bookcases of donated books. Have also seen "book sheds" where you can deposit books. The Salvation Army and other thrift shops will take books in good condition. Doctor's offices also have book sections. If you are in a well-traveled location, boxes or tables of books will be gone in no time! Best wishes for a successful re-location of your thousands!