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How to Make Money Online Selling Used Books

Find Used Books to Resell Online

Find used books to resell online to make a profit.  High-value rare books are hard to find, but with some treasure hunting you can learn what to look for while you are shopping.  Books are valuable based on many factor, but the most important are scarcity, age, condition and author.

With the Internet and online auction sites, it's becoming harder to make a profit buying and selling books.  Unlike most collectibles, there isn't a set value to most books.  Books are worth what someone is willing to pay at the time.  The condition of the book greatly affects its value.  Torn or missing pages can be the difference between several hundred dollars and the recycling bin.  


Used Book Stores


Most used bookstore owners are familiar with the value of books and price accordingly.  Since the owner will be relying on the Internet for pricing guides, he will most likely be pricing high.  It can be more difficult to find used books to sell and make a profit, but you may find some treasures buried in the store.  Don't hesitate to ask the store owner for advice if you are looking for certain types of books.  If you buy in bulk, he may give a discount that would help you make a bigger profit.  If you are selling online, you have the advantage of selling to a global market, not just residents of that city, and you may be able to yield a higher selling price.   


Thrift Stores


Often, people donate boxes of books without trying to learn the value of the books.  Thrift storeowners and employees are not trained to know what books are worth a lot of money.  Most thrift stores have hundreds or thousands of books, but it can be worth it to look through their shelves.  If you know what to look for and what titles are popular, you may find a rare gem hiding among the donated books.


Garage Sales


Most people will not know the value of a rare book before putting it out for sale.  To get the best deals, look for estate sales which are more likely to have older merchandise for sale.  Don't be afraid to ask the seller if he has more books available.  Often times, the seller hasn't had enough time to bring out all items for sale.  


Online Auctions


You can also find good deals on books to resell by buying them from an online auction.  Some books may not be listed properly, but you can recognize a valuable book by its picture or description.  Auctions that end at odd times can sell for a lower price than they normally would because their target market is asleep.