I've accumulated a small mountain of textbooks over the years and I'm thinking of selling them to earn some extra cash. What's the best place or method to sell these? Hoping for platforms that would offer the maximum return and are also reliable.
There are several reliable platforms you could consider for selling your used textbooks and each has its pros and cons. Here are a few options:
Amazon: Amazon is one of the largest online marketplaces, and it's a good place to start. You can list your textbooks as a 3rd party seller and set your own prices. Just keep in mind Amazon takes a commission on each sale.
Chegg: Famous for its online study aids, Chegg also offers a textbook buyback program. You can enter the ISBN of the book you want to sell, and they will give you a quote. If you agree to the price, they will send you a free shipping label.
eBay: Another strong marketplace is eBay. It may take a bit longer to find a buyer given the auction format, but it allows you to set a reserve price ensuring you won't undersell your books.
Bookscouter: This platform is neat because it compares offers from various buyback sites. By entering the ISBN of your textbook, you can see the best price offered across multiple sites and choose the one you prefer.
Facebook Marketplace or College Groups: Depending on your college or university, there may be Facebook groups dedicated to buying and selling textbooks. This way of selling could avoid shipping costs and fees from online platforms, but it might take more time to find interested buyers.
Before selling your textbooks, remember to review the condition of your books and set a fair price accordingly. Also, check the edition of your textbook, since the newest editions tend to sell better. Good luck!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.