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| Tuesday, May 15, 2007 |
| eBay Update |
I mentioned in the post Spring Clean-up that I recently sold some books on eBay. A reader requested an update, so here it is:
5 boxes containing 50 books
56.97 Total payments received
-16.85 shipping
-3.25 PayPal fees
-1.96 eBay Final Value Fees
-1.80 eBay Insertion Fees
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33.11 Total Profit $0.66 per book
Selling books on eBay is not a huge money maker for me. But I love to read and purchase a lot of books. Periodically I fill some bookshelves and that is my cue to get rid of them. I can't donate them to my local charities (they don't take paperback books). My local library also discourages paperback donations (each branch seems to have their own capacity for accepting book donations - so you should call your local branch to find out what their policy is). I have tried selling books at yard sales in the past and find it difficult to get more than $0.25 per book and frequently a large box of books gets only a few sales and then I am lugging the large box back indoors with just a few coins jingling in my pocket.
Given all that information above, yes, I find selling on eBay to be worth it. This past round of selling cleared 50 books from my house. Some boxes sold for much more than others, but the per book profit came to $0.66 each. If I can beat $0.50 per book I am happy. Only having to list, monitor, and then ship for five auctions makes my life easier. If I was willing to individually list all 50 books I probably would have made more, but doubtful all 50 would have sold. Also, the work involved in monitoring 50 auctions (ensuring payment, addressing envelopes, heading to post office - etc.) would take too much time for me. So I compromise on profit to make things a bit easier on myself.
To see how I have done on other eBay auctions click on the below label to find other book selling posts.Labels: Making Money |
| posted by Boston Gal @ 9:48 AM *
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| 13 Comments: |
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I often sell my old books through second-hand bookstores. They don't pay much though.
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I used to sell books on ebay just to get them out of my house. Now I use paperbackswap.com. You can trade books with people and all you pay is postage. I have given away a lot of books this way (even some old college stuff I thought that no one would want). If you want I can give you a referral.
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I recently discovered your blog and have been enjoying reading it - thanks!
One place you can donate books(including paperbacks) in Boston is Mass General Hospital -- they have an amazing program where volunteers go around the wards with carts full of books to offer to the patients. In order to reduce the spread of infection, patients keep the books rather than returning them. Needless to say, there is a steady demand.
For more information, call 617-726-8540. (The program is managed by the volunteer dept., which I believe is about to move, so I don't want to give out the address.)
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rich minx - yes, the second-hand book thing does not work well for me. Kind of like the yard sale experience. I lug a box to the second-hand store, they cherry pick just a few books and offer very little money for it and once again I am lugging (a slightly lighter) box home.
divinemsn - I looked into paperbackswap.com. I like the idea of the service, and may try them eventually. My concern is I will be running to the post office to mail off books of mine people request willy-nilly. Years ago I sold a lot of books successfully on half.com. The profit per book was much better than bulk selling on eBay - but I found the unpredictability of having to run to the post office troublesome.
Anonymous,
I will need to look into the Mass General Hospital donation angle. If they will take a whole box of books that would be perfect. If they also give out a donation slip/receipt then I am sold!
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I just started using paperbackswap.com and the nice thing is they have a wrapper that also tells you how much postage will cost - so if you have stamps at home, you can just put them on and drop them off at a mailbox drop.
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If you're just selling light books, the you can always print media mail postage via PayPal (https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_ship-now) and drop the books in the mailbox--no trip to the post office! I just put all of mine on Amazon and Half.com.
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Anonymous & BostonGal-
I keep stamps in two common denominations at home so when I get a book request I wrap the book up and stick a stamp on it. My post office also has a 24 hour kiosk which I can use anytime.
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Bronx Chica...thanks for letting me know the update. I want to sell some items on ebay but have been scared to do it. Also wondering if it is worth it.
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There's a site called textbooksrus.com pays for books (not just texts). It prices books by ISBN, provides a free shipping label, and then sends a check. I have no affiliation with the site, but I'm thinking of trying it. I've used half.com to sell books, but hate waiting until someone decides (or not) to buy them.
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I've used lots of book sell back sites in the past and I really like textbooksrus.com They do take a little while to pay (you can ship for free using their mailing label) but it's worth the wait for the check.
Other suggestions: bigwords.com for an overall view of what your book could be worth. This is mostly for textbooks.
I've also sold lots on half.com I like the way the site is set up.
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Hi, Jane Dough,
First of all - thanks for a great site. I read it regularly. On this post, though, I was wondering why you don't take advantage of your local library? Many of the Boston area libraries are linked (I think it's through the Minuteman consortium), and so many books are available there. It's been a great way that I have cut down on my spending, and one that I think many Americans have forgotten about. Even if a book is "only a few dollars," free is better!
Keep up the great work!
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Hi HLMP,
Thanks for visiting my blog! I love the library. I really do. The problem I have is finding the time to visit it. Then when I do get there finding the books I am most interested in reading are all out - so my name goes on a waiting list. Then when the book is finally available for me to check-out I have to remember to return it.
I work full time, I am busy, and it is just much more convienant for me to go out and buy the books I want (or better yet have them delivered to my front door).
Using the free resource of the library is great and I commend everyone who does it. For me, it does not work as well.
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You can often buy second hand books very cheaply on eBay. Also if you want to sell whole bunch of books, rather than have the hassle of selling them individually you could sell them in one job lot on ebay. They have a wholesale section on the site.
Also if you love reading and read a hell of a lot of books you could even buy a job lot from ebay for very little at all. Also sites like www.gkj-books.co.uk have job lots for sale.
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I often sell my old books through second-hand bookstores. They don't pay much though.