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Hard to sell books online

[Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 55
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in Advice #1
I have books for sale on several sites,
I get no replies from free sites, Vivastreet, Gumtree or Preloved
It would be good if people picked up the books
On Ebay,. the postage and fees get in the way
How much would you pay for how to photo book worth £25?
I have charged £10 or £15
It could be 10 for the book and £5 postage
Large DK history book worth £30, £15 or £20
This is too large to post

Comments

  • GogfumbleGogfumble Posts: 22,155
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    #2
    The trouble is with selling books online is that the ones that are wanted (university text books etc) are all so heavy that it costs more to post them than what you can sell the book for. And if you don't offer some sort of postage service you are severely limiting your potential customers to those that live near you.

    You also have to consider what sites are selling them for new. For example, a google search of "DK History Book" bought this up: http://www.play.com/Books/Books/4-/11114731/The-History-Book/Product.html?_%24ja=tsid:11518|cc:|prd:11114731|cat:Books+%3E+Children%27s

    Now, I don't know if that is the same as the one you are selling but it is only £11.49 new.
  • The GeekThe Geek Posts: 2,698
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    #3
    Windy! Not seen you around for a bit!

    I would try Amazon Marketplace. It's where I sell my books.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 423
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    #4
    I'd go for Amazon too but they limit the max postage so it's hard to sell..Think ebay limit it too now?
    I have a stack of big thick books I'd love to cash in but I've found it costing me double or triple to post ..not worth the hassle!
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 55
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    #5
    It is the definitive visual guide brown/orange cover
  • embyemby Posts: 7,837
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    #6
    Have you tried CEX? It's similar to musicmagpie in that they offer small amounts of cash for you to 'get rid' of books you have laying around. I haven't used it myself yet but when I get the time to sort out my bookshelves i'll give it a shot.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 3,631
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    #7
    Windy64 wrote: »
    I have books for sale on several sites,
    I get no replies from free sites, Vivastreet, Gumtree or Preloved
    It would be good if people picked up the books
    On Ebay,. the postage and fees get in the way
    How much would you pay for how to photo book worth £25?
    I have charged £10 or £15
    It could be 10 for the book and £5 postage
    Large DK history book worth £30, £15 or £20
    This is too large to post
    I'm an avid book reader, but I can't stand the thought of second-hand books. Any that I've come across have always been greatly reduced in price. Don't forget, places like Amazon are often selling brand new copies for around half of the RRP or less - with free delivery. You may need to lower your prices.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 621
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    #8
    I've got all mine (37 of them!) listed on sellstudentstuff.com, some for as little as £1. I don't suppose I'll sell them all on there but they're free to list, so I figured why not? The site charges you a listing-fee once the book is sold, but till then, they can stay on the site forever.
  • GogfumbleGogfumble Posts: 22,155
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    #9
    Windy64 wrote: »
    It is the definitive visual guide brown/orange cover

    Which is £22.99 new with free postage on Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/History-Definitive-Visual-Civilization-Present/dp/1405318090

    If you factor in, say someone buying the book for £10 and £5 for delivery, thats £15. That for me isn't a big enough discount for buying a 2nd hand book. I'd just buy the new one.
  • HypnodiscHypnodisc Posts: 22,728
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    #10
    All the book stores in my town sell very cheaply. eBay sellers cannot compete. Certainly not with Non-Fiction anyway.

    I picked up an AA full size 2010 atlas for £1.99 in there the other day, and I've had some cracking specialist computer books for under a fiver too.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 1,466
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    #11
    If you fail to sell, your local Oxfam book shop will take them.
  • UltraVioletUltraViolet Posts: 7,673
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    #12
    Free advertising in papers? car boot sale? charity shop if you don't mind not getting money for them?
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