eBay

keziak · ‎04-25-2020

I sell books and have recently been looking on Facebook for books to flip. I am astounded by the prices there. Almost everything is way overpriced if you use ebay closed listings as any guide. Maybe that's not a great guide. But I think it tells you something.

Many people are trying to recoup what they paid for expensive professional exam books (or homeschool). The people I've approached have said they are asking for less than new as if that had anything to do with the resale market. One informed me that the local bookstore offered more than I did. Um, the store that is closed and not buying anything? Maybe they can just hang onto the books until the store reopens but I guarantee you that place pays pennies on the dollar. I'm offering more than I really should to try to get inventory.

fern*wood · ‎04-25-2020

When I source for my items, I get frustrated by the prices too, but I have to step back and realize not everyone wants to sell to someone that plans to flip the items. I have to remember to respect that, since I like to get top dollar too whenever I can. I usually give them my number to call me if they change their mind---sometimes they do.

keziak · ‎04-25-2020

@fern*wood wrote:
When I source for my items, I get frustrated by the prices too, but I have to step back and realize not everyone wants to sell to someone that plans to flip the items. I have to remember to respect that, since I like to get top dollar too whenever I can. I usually give them my number to call me if they change their mind---sometimes they do.

That's pretty much what I said, wish them the best of luck but keep me in mind. I can easily see that many people want some extra cash right now, but asking for prices so high they get nothing.....doesn't make much sense. But as a FB newbie I have no idea, maybe people get those prices all day.

But I've listed a number of things such as Civil War books for quite low money and only sold 2 cookbooks so far. I"m only doing it to try to get a little more for them than the library will get selling them in the shop (they are closed now), it's not very lucrative for me as their online seller .

membersinceaug2001 · ‎04-25-2020

Have you ever checked the Goodwill Books site just in case some good ones slipped through?

luckythewinner · ‎04-25-2020

@keziak wrote:
One informed me that the local bookstore offered more than I did. Um, the store that is closed and not buying anything? Maybe they can just hang onto the books until the store reopens but I guarantee you that place pays pennies on the dollar

So you saying she seller a liar?

vintage-car-magazines · ‎04-25-2020

Maybe overpriced to you but people can ask what they want. If buyer and seller are far apart on price, that's ok. No harm, no foul.

upgradedendmills · ‎04-25-2020

There are tons of book lots listed as "vintage book lot" right at prices (including shipping) of $2-$3 per book. Consider helping your fellow sellers by buying where you sell. Over the years, I have developed a large list of reliable sellers for items I sell right here on eBay. Could also run a wanted ad on CL or contact dealers who would normally be running estate sales to see if they have an overload in storage. Might even be able to work a consignment arrangement if investment is a concern. Lots of supply sources, just have to think outside your normal comfort zone a bit.

bar-29368 · ‎04-25-2020

I've always noticed with books (dvds too) that if I'm wanting to sell some the prices I can ask are low, but when it's something I want to buy, then there's nothing low priced available.

Must be Murphy's Law.

upgradedendmills · ‎04-25-2020

This is probably a great time to buy books in large lots and sell them as individual books. I'm lucky, I bought a few thousand a few years ago 10 or 20 at a time. Sometime a couple of hundred at a time when the price was right. Sold off the cream quickly and have very little invested in what I still have. I have never taken the time to bother with buying books one or two at a time or worry how much I might make on any one book. Done very well with it.

bar-29368 · ‎04-25-2020

If I'm looking for a book (or dvd) online it's one I want for myself, not for resale = )

femmefan1946 · ‎04-25-2020

book lots listed as "vintage book lot" right at prices (including shipping) of $2-$3 per book.

That's high for sight unseen books.

My usual buy price is 75c-$1.00 Canadian, with our loonie currently valued at 71c US.

Even at that price, I choose titles carefully.

Books are slow sellers, so they are going to hang around a while.

I purchased 300 vintage SF/F titles in 2014 for $100 Cdn and just put one of the few left in the mail last week. It's taken nearly six years.

(The books had each been bagged and sealed, so they are easy to spot on my shelves.)

It's not unusual to sell a book I've had in stock for five years or more.

moondogblues · ‎04-26-2020

When I sold here I sold VERY high end signed first edition horror/sci fi/fantasy...think one of the 300 STAND in the coffin box. Never did sell it but came close a couple of times. I ended up regretting some of the ones I did sell, though I made a profit. Right now, looking at the ones I have left...all 4000 books, I am glad. They are my babies, along with the hundreds of 33's and 45's I have, and countless pieces of sheet music and art...but I digress.

Someday all these are going to be wanted again. I say that with certainty. My Grandmother had a Tiffany lamp, she kept it in the attic. This was 50 years ago when I spotted it, and I asked her why don't you bring it down? She said, it's old and outdated and when they fell out of favor people threw them in the trash. I could have fainted. At least she didn't throw it in the trash...!

upgradedendmills · ‎04-26-2020

Years ago, when I was actively buying books, I bought them by the bag at a local Salvation Army store for $6. Never concerned myself with value because there would always be a couple in every bag that I wanted to read myself. I sold or gave away most of the rest. At that time it fit well with my time and resources.

With what I learned from doing that, I started buying mostly on eBay for resale. Now, I buy fairly large lots of two different kinds of books that are steady sellers and net me $3-$4 each when they sell. They are easy to list because I have so many of the same title, know what they bring, and can be shipped 1st Class. Just my way of selling books.

keziak · ‎04-26-2020

@luckythewinner wrote:
@keziak wrote:
One informed me that the local bookstore offered more than I did. Um, the store that is closed and not buying anything? Maybe they can just hang onto the books until the store reopens but I guarantee you that place pays pennies on the dollar
So you saying she seller a liar?

No, unrealistically optimistic.

keziak · ‎04-26-2020

@upgradedendmills wrote:
This is probably a great time to buy books in large lots and sell them as individual books. I'm lucky, I bought a few thousand a few years ago 10 or 20 at a time. Sometime a couple of hundred at a time when the price was right. Sold off the cream quickly and have very little invested in what I still have. I have never taken the time to bother with buying books one or two at a time or worry how much I might make on any one book. Done very well with it.

I found an offer for 500 books - for free - and had an extended email conversation with the seller. He actually offered to bring me the books! Over 1.5 hours away. He came across as a very kind older gentleman, possibly a little lonely. But his wife said no way because of covid and ended up giving the books to someone who picked up. The gentleman was very apologetic to me but I said that's OK, thanks so much.

I'm k eeping my eyes peeled for a deal like that closer to home!