Many options are available for students looking to sell their used textbooks
The end of the year is an exciting and stressful time for students, as it means winter break is right around the corner. Although the end of the semester causes enthusiasm, it also can incite frustration for many students, especially when they realize they will not receive the amount of money they had hoped for their used textbooks from the campus bookstore. Buying these textbooks probably drained their account significantly at the beginning of the semester.
For students who have been using the campus bookstore to sell books here are a few options you have that may help you get more money for your textbooks.
Abebooks.com
A website that is a bit more straightforward than most, Abebooks.com asks for the International Standard Book Number (ISBN) and gives you a quote depending on the condition of the book.
That quote is then available for the first four weeks of the six weeks you have to send them your book. Once you send them your book, it takes about one to two weeks to receive your money via check or PayPal. When the book reaches their warehouse, it will not be sent back to you, so you’d better be sure you want to sell it.
Admissions office
A lot of times, you can go to the admissions office and get the rosters for a certain professor’s classes, or you could just ask the professor yourself if you’re on good terms with them. You can contact members of the class and see if they would be willing to buy your books for a fair price that’s cheaper than the bookstore. So you save them some money and get a little extra money in your pocket.
Bookbyte.com
Bookbyte is a website that allows you to buy or rent your books for a low price while also giving you the opportunity to sell your books to themm or put them up for sale on their market place. The prices you are quoted are significantly higher than you would expect.
“I just sold an ancient French textbook copyright 2004 for $35,” said ARC student Shelly McKinnon through a comment on the website.
LocalTextbook.com
LocalTextbook.com is the Craigslist of books. You put your books on this site for what you believe is a fair price and someone can send you a message asking to buy them. You go and meet – in a public place, of course – and exchange the book for the cash.
The website’s slogan reads, “No shipping. No bookstore. No bull.”
Before heading to the bookstore this semester with all your used books, feel free to do a little research online and in your area to get the best prices for them.
