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Where Should I Sell My College Textbooks?
- Thread starter bobber205
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i've been asking that question too. i have been trying to get rid of some of my books for almost 3 years with little luck. i still have most of my college books, and i'm looking for an easy way to do this, so i can be rid of at least most of the books before the end of the calendar year i hope.
Your best bet, if you're still on campus, might be to try and sell them to someone who will be taking the class next semester. Hang up some signs if there are bulletin boards listing the books you have and the classes they go with.
If you're not on campus, or don't want to try to sell them locally, I'd try half.com.
Or, see if you can unload them at a local used bookstore. Some places will take textbooks, others won't.
If you're not on campus, or don't want to try to sell them locally, I'd try half.com.
Or, see if you can unload them at a local used bookstore. Some places will take textbooks, others won't.
Some campus bookstores also buy back the books if they need them, usually you can get the best prices right before the next term begins. Don't know how the prices compare with trying to sell them yourself, but eliminates the hassle of shipping them, etc.
My school completely rips you off on buybacks. You buy a brand new $85 book and keep it pristine for the entire semester. You go to sell it, they give you $5, and then sell it for $70.
Almost every school bookstore will do that... Why? Colleges are businesses, too.
I usually sell back to my college bookstore, I don't mind too much 'cause then I don't hafta deal w/ shipping and random fees and flaky buyers, plus, I feel good about supporting the bookstore.
My school completely rips you off on buybacks. You buy a brand new $85 book and keep it pristine for the entire semester. You go to sell it, they give you $5, and then sell it for $70.
that was one of the first things i learned about college.
I used to stand in the aisle where the book was, wait for someone to look at the book I was selling, and tell them I have a used copy I'd sell them for $5-10 less than the "used" price in the bookstore. Then proceed outside for the transaction. Don't get caught, though..
When I got to buy textbooks online, I use www.bigwords.com to search for the books I need because it pulls up books for sale on several sites i.e. amazon, half.com, barnes and noble, text exchange, etc. I'm not sure if you post it on bigwords that it will automatically post it on all the other sites but it's worth a shot.
My school completely rips you off on buybacks. You buy a brand new $85 book and keep it pristine for the entire semester. You go to sell it, they give you $5, and then sell it for $70.
Yeah, that's pretty much standard. That's why I recommend trying to sell it directly to someone taking the class. You sell it for $40, and you both get a better deal than the bookstore.
You're not going to have any luck now, then. Textbooks are revised every 3 to 4 years. Your books are all obsolete.
I know there are a lot of student book swap groups on Facebook
but if you can avoid the book store, do so. They rip you off like nothing! bleh.
but if you can avoid the book store, do so. They rip you off like nothing! bleh.
Here is a list of sites where you can sell books or list the ones that you have for free - http://thebucklist.blogspot.com/2011/02/10-places-to-sell-books-online.html Check some of them out, hopefully you can get your textbooks sold on some of them! Good luck!
My school completely rips you off on buybacks. You buy a brand new $85 book and keep it pristine for the entire semester. You go to sell it, they give you $5, and then sell it for $70.
Yup. Bought a textbook (used) for $100 once - buy back when I was done with it was $10. Sold it privately for $100 (through the bookstore's online classifieds, no less).
To be fair, usually when this happens it's because the bookstores buy textbooks at the market price (i.e., they could buy them from another bookstore for $10), but that doesn't explain how they can justify turning around and selling it for 10x what they paid for it...
What a zombie thread!
But I've discovered in the meantime that www.chegg.com is awesome! (rent-books site)
But I've discovered in the meantime that www.chegg.com is awesome! (rent-books site)
What a zombie thread!
But I've discovered in the meantime that www.chegg.com is awesome! (rent-books site)
I've been using Chegg as well for the past few years. I've also sold back a few random books. Books that are a few years old wont' fetch any money, but it seems nice for them to take them off my hands.
Chegg all the way. You will not be disappointed.
I've used Abebooks several times and always seem to get great (well, in comparison to Chegg and other websites) prices and quick payment. They are always my first choice, with Chegg a close 2nd.
I've done the same thing. Never been caught though, why do you make it seem like such a bad thing?
sell books online
Selling your books back online is the only way to go. The college bookstores and brick and mortar are a complete waste of time with their low ball prices. What they count on is that you won't have the patience or desire to take the time to price your books online to get more value. You can easily enter the ISBN# of the books you have to sell www.sellusedbooks.com to get a free quote which almost always be more than what you'd get at your bookstore. Another thing to be aware of is that the college bookstores will actually try to take advantage of you and offer less during the peak buyback season because they know most people don't research the current prices and will accept their initial offer. Don't let them get away with these shady tactics. It pays to be smart
Selling your books back online is the only way to go. The college bookstores and brick and mortar are a complete waste of time with their low ball prices. What they count on is that you won't have the patience or desire to take the time to price your books online to get more value. You can easily enter the ISBN# of the books you have to sell www.sellusedbooks.com to get a free quote which almost always be more than what you'd get at your bookstore. Another thing to be aware of is that the college bookstores will actually try to take advantage of you and offer less during the peak buyback season because they know most people don't research the current prices and will accept their initial offer. Don't let them get away with these shady tactics. It pays to be smart
What site is good?
I have a few textbooks that I know I won't need again. So what's a good site to sell them on?
Are ebay and amazon viable places?
There are websites where you can uy and sell textbooks and even swap them with other students who would need them. You don't have to buy textbooks especially if the budget is tight when there are other options around.
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My school completely rips you off on buybacks. You buy a brand new $85 book and keep it pristine for the entire semester. You go to sell it, they give you $5, and then sell it for $70.
it actually happens that's why swapping is sometimes encouraged.