How should I sell these leather bound(?) classics?

DeptofMeteors · Post by **DeptofMeteors** » 01 Sep 2010, 16:54

My uncle was part of a book club, and accumulated about 3 dozen classics. Knowing him, I doubt this leather would be imitation. These classics are things like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Of Mice and Men, Moby Dick, and a pile I've never heard of. Should I try to sell them all together, individually, or in lots? I was thinking of Kijiji (sorry, it won't let me post the address), Craig's List, or eBay. How would they do on each of these?

Ducky · Post by **Ducky** » 01 Sep 2010, 18:24

How much are you planning on selling them for?

I'd say selling them by themselves would be the best. We used to sell books through Amazon as a business and bunched books don't sell well because they're usually seen as books that don't sell well, and are sold for something like $25 for 50, etc.

I'd stay away from Craiglist - people only go there for good deals on cruddy furniture.

Amazon will do well, but if they're high-end possibly collector books, you may want to take them to a used bookstore, or a professional.

DeptofMeteors · Post by **DeptofMeteors** » 03 Sep 2010, 08:06

I'm planning on selling them for whatever I can get. How much do you think that would be?

Ok, selling them individually. In what information are buyers interested? Is it enough just to list the title, that it's leather bound, and in mint condition?

How should they be shipped? I'm most interested in what sort of packaging is both economical and sufficient. I'm also wondering about insurance or if other services should be used.

Ok, no craigslist. EBay is known for selling crap, so closing bids tend to go accordingly. On eBay your "reputation" means everything. I don't have any on Amazon. How much will that mean?

Would they want a picture?

How do I know if they are "collector" books?

Ducky · Post by **Ducky** » 03 Sep 2010, 11:13

I couldn't possibly tell you how much to sell them for without seeing the condition they were in. There's way too many variables.

The books we sell on Amazon we're meticulous about. In the description we don't put "ZOMG SO MANY BOOKS GREAT DEALS BUY BUY!!!" We list the condition of the cover, the spine, the pages and the text in the book. We note any writing, scuffs, and markings. Each description for each book is rather wordy and comprehensive - but we do it that was because it's the right way to do it. We pretty much strive to be the kind of company we wold want to be a customer of.

A book should always be wrapped carefully, and sent in either a bubble mailer, or with bubble-wrap around it. We wrap all of our books in brown postal-grade paper that's durable and safe, then we put in a custom invoice, free bookmark, and postcard with our website on it.

Then we put it into a bubble mailer, and print out the postage on an adhesive sticker, so that there's no mix-ups caused by bad handwriting, etc. We order most of our mailing supplies in bulk, but you can find these things cheap if you look around.

Granted, what we use to mail the books isn't the most economical, if we only cared about the bottom line, we'd just shove the book in an envelope and send it off. In our minds though we're not just selling books, we're delivering stories to people to enrich their lives. (Sounds corny, but we really feel this way!)

Oh, and delivering confirmation is a MUST. Got to protect yourself.

It'll be a lot easier to sell something on Amazon with no rating than it would on Ebay. Also keep in mind that Ebay is more like an online garage sale where people who are professionals camp out - trying to find something far under-priced that they can turn around and sell for a higher price. I would still recommend Amazon.

Always, Always, Always include a picture. Hell, make it two. Of each.

As for their inherent worth, you'll have to find an appraiser you can show them too. Stay away from online ones, and never send it out to someone who promises to 'look it over and send it back.' You'll never see them again.

Any more questions? I'm happy to help answer them!

DeptofMeteors · Post by **DeptofMeteors** » 03 Sep 2010, 14:17

Wow! Sounds like an awful lot more trouble than it's worth for a guy who isn't even a book dilettante. I think I might just go local.

I visited a dealer today, who looked at one book, and said if I had another 34 like that one he'd give me 300CAD for them. The are in mint condition, my uncle wasn't a smoker--the only drawback is that he said the print was inferior.

Since I can prove their condition to a local guy before any money changes hands, I'm sure I can get a better deal for them here than on-line. Thanks for all your help

Ducky · Post by **Ducky** » 03 Sep 2010, 14:25

Sure man, Good luck!

WordSharp.net · Post by **WordSharp.net** » 16 Oct 2010, 16:35

Did you sell any of the books yet? You could go to a local used book dealer. They'll give you a percentage of the value. If they're good, they'll take them all.

Marty

DeptofMeteors · Post by **DeptofMeteors** » 16 Oct 2010, 22:56

I haven't sold them yet. I took a sample around to be appraised, and only one guy was willing to buy them. He said if they are all in as good condition, he'd give me 300CAD/35books. Another dealer said that's a fair deal, so searching around probably wouldn't do me any good.

WordSharp.net · Post by **WordSharp.net** » 17 Oct 2010, 08:37

DeptofMeteors wrote:I haven't sold them yet. I took a sample around to be appraised, and only one guy was willing to buy them. He said if they are all in as good condition, he'd give me 300CAD/35books. Another dealer said that's a fair deal, so searching around probably wouldn't do me any good.

I think that's a good deal too. go for it