Guide to buying and selling used books

1. Buying and Selling
Used Books
Series (Edition 1)
©2010 All Rights Reserved

2. Buying and Selling Used
Books
All buyers and sellers of used books can and should get a fair deal.
By Team @ www.PopAbooK.com
©2010 All Rights Reserved

3. Introduction
We have been buying and selling used books for more than
four years. It took us sometime to learn and be good at it.
This book is meant to be a guide to buy and sell used books
[does not include rare books, old books and out of print books]
and get a fair deal. It is no rocket science, it is very simple and
you will be able to determine the fair value for any used book.
It always hard to buy or sell a used book at a book store as
the store seems to have an fair advantage. The store knows the
demand supply of the book and also knows the fair value for the
book. If we know this information we can negotiate a fair deal
even with the toughest dealers.
When we started we had very interesting experiences, do
share your experiences we love to hear them. Write to us @
praveen@PopAbooK.com.
Lets now jump and learn about buying and selling used books
books.
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4. Table of Contents
Chapter 1. Current Used books market as it is!
Chapter 2. What is the fair value of a used book?
Chapter 3. Online or Brick Mortar Store!
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5. Chapter 1
Used books market as it is!
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6. That is what you see when you go to used
book store. Up to 25% discount on new
books and up to 35% on used books. Buy
back facility, get up to 60% on used books.
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7. The fact is the shop rarely buys a used book at
60%. It is a ploy to not only attract book sellers but
also to convince potential book buyers that used
books cannot be sold at less than 60% as they are
buying at 60%. It is an amazing tactic to attract
sellers and then sell at a higher price to buyers. Its
just a single line that works for both sellers and
buyers. Our experience shows that on average we
sold at 35-55% and bought at 60
55% 60-80% (assuming
the book is in good condition).
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8. Chapter 2
What is the fair value of a Used book?
The fair value of a used book depends on
following factors
1. Category of the book
2. Condition of the book
3. Demand and Supply of the book
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9. Book Categories and fair values of used books
1.Text books/Science Technology Technical books
They have highest re-sale value if the book is prescribed by
sale
college/university. On average the book can sold/bought at 6060-70%,
75% if its almost like a new [some
metimes even new books are not in this
condition].
2. Non-Fiction
They are second to text books and on average the book can be
sold/bought at 50-60%. Very few used book shops deal with non
60%. non-fiction
used books.
3. Fiction
They have the least re-sale value and on average the book can be
sale
sold/bought at 45-55%. Very few used book shops dealing with non
55%. non-
fiction used books.
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10. Condition of used book as per IOBA definition
Independent Online Bookseller Association (IOBA) defines following book
conditions
AS NEW; FINE; MINT: Without faults or defects. [Very rare
:
sometimes even new books are not in this condition]
NEAR FINE: a book approaching FINE (or AS NEW or MINT) but
:
with a couple of very minor defects or faults, which must be noted.
VERY GOOD: A book showing some signs of wear. Any defects or
:
faults must be noted.
GOOD: The average used book that is totally complete (as issued)
:
and intact. Any defects must be noted.
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11. FAIR: A worn book that has complete text pages (including
:
those with maps or plates) but may lack endpapers, half
half-title
page, etc. Any defects or faults must be noted.
POOR or READING COPY: A book that is sufficiently worn that
:
its only merit is the complete text, which must be legible. Any
missing maps or plates must be noted. May be soiled, scuffed,
stained, or spotted, and may have loose joints, hinges, pages,
etc.
A book that is either ‘AS NEW’ or ‘NEAR FINE’ deserves 5
5-10%
premium over the average.
A book that is either ‘VERY GOOD’ or ‘GOOD’ would not call for a
premium or discount to the average.
A book that is either ‘FAIR’ or ‘POOR’ would have to be
discounted by 10-20% from the average.
20%
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12. Demand and Supply of the Book
It is hard to know the demand for a used book, one can
assume that if the new book is in demand then an appropriately
priced used book will also be in demand. Check the best sellers list
and that will be good indication of books in demand. This is an
issue with brick and mortar used book stores, whereas in an online
bookstore its easy to know the demand and supply for the book
and price the book accordingly. In an online bookstore you will be
able to see how other sellers are pricing the book.
Even if you are not sure about the demand and supply the first
two factors can be used to arrive at a fair value. Using the first
factor [category of the book] you can determine the average price
of the book. Then you have to add/discount from the average value
based on the condition of the book as explained above to reach the
fair value of the used book.
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13. Chapter 3
Online or Brick Mortar Store!
Both have their advantages. You can sell a book in a
used book store and get money immediately even
though it is 20-35%[shop’s margin] lower than fair
35%[shop’s
value. You can sell online and get 10
10-15%[commision
to online store] lower than fair value, you will get
more money but you have to wait for a buyer. Another
advantage of selling online is that you will know the
exactly what other sellers are asking for the book and
price the book accordingly.
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14. As there are very few used book stores for fiction and non
non-
fiction books online is the best option for selling them.
You can buy a used book from a used book store verify the
book condition before you buy. You can buy the used book online,
here you will be sure that you won’t be over paying as you can
verify what other sellers are asking for the book.
As there are very few used book stores for fiction and non
non-
fiction books online is the best option for buying them.
Happy buying and selling used books.
Wish you all the best.
www.PopAbooK.com is an online book store. We offer up to 30%
discount on new books. You can also buy and sell used books
online at www.PopAbooK.com
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