The semester is over and you’re left with a stack of unwanted books. Selling them could equal more space on your bookshelf and more cash in your wallet. There are many online options to choose from with different sell back policies. Knowing what to expect can yield a better experience.
Books must be in acceptable condition
Just because you bought it with coffee stains and dog-eared pages does not mean bookstores will take it back this way. Read the bookseller’s terms very carefully before attempting to resale an undesirable book. Books get routinely rejected for excessive highlighting, crumpled pages or ripped covers. If you mail in rejected books you may have to pay for return shipping to get them back or
Books may ship media mail
Before you celebrate free shipping, read the fine print. Some booksellers may provide free shipping via media mail, which may take up to 8 business days for delivery. While this rate saves money, it adds days to the processing time for the bookseller, delaying your payment. Consider upgrading to faster shipping if waiting up to 21 days for payment seems unsettling.
Accompanying materials may be required
Textbooks sold with peripherals such as online access codes and pull-out review cards may not be accepted for sell back without them. Yes, that means that even though you rarely cracked your textbook open but had to sign up for an online portal as a class requirement, you may be out of luck. Some books can still be sold without accompanying materials–for a reduced buyback price.
Book prices change regularly
Textbook retailers base their prices on a variety of factors, including existing inventories and projected textbook orders. Shopping around and locking in the best price quotes, is essential to getting the most money for your textbooks. Waiting too long to act on special deals could backfire. It may be best to sell textbooks back to multiple retailers, instead of relying on one.
There may be selling restrictions
Price quotes may be time sensitive and require textbooks to be postmarked prior to a specific date to lock in offered amounts. Some buyers restrict the number of books you can sell within a timeframe or during a unique transaction. You may have to complete special applications to become a bulk seller if you plan to sell loads of books. Additionally, loose leaf, custom and outdated textbook editions may not make the cut.
