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The Best Way to Sell College Books
by Philip J. Carlson
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Overview
Let's face it, college textbooks are expensive. When you are need a little extra cash, selling them is always an option. Before you sell, you should consider whether or not your books are a needed reference for the future. Then, once you have made that decision, how do you go about the getting the most for your textbooks?
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Electronic Methods
Get rid of old books on the Internet. Undoubtedly you will find many places to sell and buy books online. Some find that eBay is their best option. A small fee and the ability to put your product in front of a lot of people sounds good. Yet, most people that shop eBay are looking for a deal, so keep in mind that although you paid a substantial amount for the book, you may have to settle for somewhere around a quarter of that price. That is, of course, if the book is in demand. There are a host of other websites such as Amazon and Textbooks.com. Electronic methods have the advantage of requiring less work from you and giving a decent return.
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Physical Methods
Sell the book back to the university bookstore. This is a surefire way to get rid of the book, however, you will probably sacrifice the majority of the cost that you originally paid. Some people are willing to settle for this method just to make a quick $20. Another option to consider is putting up fliers. If your book is for an upper level class, it probably doesn't have mass appeal (like biology 101 would). Consider putting up a flier in your major department (or whichever department the book would be used in) or around a few public bulletin boards. This process takes more time but could be more lucrative for you in the end. Also, it is wise to always tell your friends and coworkers that you have some textbooks to sell. Word of mouth is always a great tactic to employ. A dorm room is a great way for lots of people to spread the word about who has which books. Put a flier on your door if people walk by it a lot. Consider placing an ad in the campus newspaper about books for sale. This may be the most costly solution but the reward could be worth it. All in all, these methods will require you to make a flier and/or at least walk around campus. Always keep in mind that your book is used no matter how lightly you used it. Never ask full price for your book and make people think they are getting a deal. You will probably have better results (that is, more money for you) if you handle the deal personally and don't just sell your book back to the bookstore. Physical methods usually mean more hassle but more cash in your hand.
