Are you a student with a pile of books that you no longer need or an author with excess inventory of your new publication? Selling your books in bulk can be an effective way to declutter your space and make some extra money very quickly.
In this article, we will go over how to sell books, as well as textbooks in bulk, whether you are a student or an author.
How To Sell Books In Bulk (for students or just people with bunch of books)
If you have lots of books laying around and you want to sell them in bulk, here are some steps you can take:
Sort your books: Sort your books into categories such as textbooks, novels, non-fiction, etc. This will help you identify potential buyers for each category of books.
Sell textbooks online first: If you have used college textbooks, you may get instant quotes for them online and sell them in bulk. Just go to BookDeal.com, hit “Bulk Enter” and write ISBN codes which you will find on the back of your textbooks.
Or you can also search for textbook offers one by one on the below form and get instant quotes!
Revise your collection of books and scope out potential buyers: After organizing your book collection, look for possible bulk buyers who might be interested in your books. These could include local bookshops, online retailers, educational institutions, libraries, or even book clubs.
Get in touch with potential buyers: Drop a line to the prospective buyers with a list of the books you’re offering and inquire if they’re open to purchasing them in bulk. Be ready to haggle over prices and the number of books to be sold.
Spread the word about your book collection: To cast a wider net, think about promoting your books on online platforms like Amazon, eBay, or Facebook Marketplace. Doing so will help you reach more potential buyers and boost your chances of selling your books in bulk.
Donating as an alternative: If you’re struggling to sell your books in bulk, why not donate them to a nearby library or charity organization? This way, you’ll clear out some space while lending a helping hand to those who might not have easy access to books.
Best Websites to Sell Books and Textbooks in Bulk
Sell Textbooks in Bulk on BookDeal
BookDeal is an excellent online platform for selling textbooks in bulk. We offer a quick and easy way for students and educators to get rid of their used textbooks and make some money in the process.
Our platform accepts textbooks from various subjects, including science, business, math, and humanities, among others.
To start selling textbooks on BookDeal enter the ISBN (10-13 digits on the back of your book) on the form below:
Or, you can go to the home page and add them in bulk.
Sell Books in Bulk on Amazon
Amazon is a popular online marketplace that allows individuals and businesses to sell products, including books, in bulk.
To sell books in bulk on Amazon, you need to create a seller account and list your books. Amazon offers two selling plans: the Individual plan, which is suitable for sellers who want to sell fewer than 40 items per month, and the Professional plan, which is suitable for sellers who want to sell more than 40 items per month.
Once your books are listed, Amazon will notify you when a buyer places an order.
Selling books in bulk on Amazon can be profitable, as the platform has a large customer base and offers competitive prices. However, it requires more effort than selling on BookDeal, as you need to handle shipping and customer service.
Sell Books in Bulk on eBay
eBay is a popular online marketplace that allows individuals and businesses to sell products, including books, in bulk. It offers a user-friendly platform for selling both new and used books, making it an excellent choice for sellers.
To sell books in bulk on eBay, you need to create a seller account and list your books. You can either sell your books a lot or offer them as individual listings. eBay offers various shipping and payment options, making it easy to manage your sales.
Sell Books in Bulk on AbeBooks
AbeBooks is an online marketplace that specializes in rare, used, and out-of-print books. It offers a platform for selling books in bulk, making it a great choice for booksellers and collectors.
To sell books in bulk on AbeBooks, you need to create a seller account and list your books. The platform offers various shipping and payment options, making it easy to manage your sales.
Additionally, AbeBooks offers a seller support team to help you with any questions or concerns.
Selling books in bulk on AbeBooks can be profitable, as the platform has a dedicated customer base of book collectors and enthusiasts.
Ingram Content Group
Ingram stands as the world’s largest book distributor, catering to over 39,000 clients, including retailers, libraries, schools, and online retailers across more than 200 countries.
Authors can team up with Ingram to distribute their books in bulk via multiple channels, such as print-on-demand, e-book distribution, and wholesale distribution. Additionally, Ingram offers marketing and promotional services to help authors get their books noticed.
Baker & Taylor
As a prominent distributor of books, videos, and music, Baker & Taylor serves libraries, retailers, and educational institutions. By partnering with Baker & Taylor, authors can sell their books in bulk to libraries and schools through the company’s distribution channels. They also provide marketing and promotional support for authors.
BookBaby
BookBaby is a self-publishing platform that extends distribution services to authors, helping them sell their books in bulk to retailers and libraries. With a partnership with Ingram, BookBaby distributes books and also enables authors to sell via their online store. The platform offers various services, including book formatting, cover design, and marketing.
IndieBound
IndieBound is a network of independent bookstores that provides book distribution services to authors. By joining forces with IndieBound, authors can sell their books in bulk to indie bookstores nationwide. The community also offers marketing and promotional assistance for authors.
OverDrive
Catering to libraries, schools, and retailers, OverDrive is a digital content distribution platform. Authors can collaborate with OverDrive to sell e-books and audiobooks in bulk to libraries and educational institutions. OverDrive also lends marketing and promotional support to authors.
What Are Some Other Options?
If you search for alternatives to big distributors, try some of the methods below to find massive orders for the books you want to sell.
Large Corporations
At trade shows and events, big corporations often hand out freebies like mugs and pens. Authors can persuade these corporations to give away their books or sell paperbacks in bulk at discounted prices.
Employers
Companies sometimes provide books to customers and employees as motivational or training resources, as long as the content is relevant to their work.
Non-Profits
Authors can co-brand their books with non-profits to sell paperbacks in bulk. This way, the non-profit can add its logo to the cover, and its corporate sponsors can buy and distribute copies to members and partners.
Specialty Retailers
Gas stations, coffee shops, and gift shops are examples of specialty retailers that can sell authors’ books or offer them as giveaways with purchases.
Large Retailers
Big retailers can provide authors’ books as gifts with purchase. For instance, if an author has written a wellness book, they can approach a local pharmacy to feature their book in-store.
Universities
College professors often choose required texts for their courses. Authors can sell these prescribed textbooks to students at a discount. While selling used books is relatively easy, it’s essential to know the right approach.
Various channels can be utilized to sell books in bulk, but authors should be aware of the best time to sell college textbooks. The price depends on the timing of the sale.
Students typically need textbooks at the beginning of the semester rather than the end, and the value of books decreases, especially during the summer.
Final Thoughts
If you want to sell books in bulk, you have several options. Fortunately, this guide has given you a step in the right direction.
That said, if you want to sell textbooks in bulk online, go to BookDeal.com. If you want to sell some random books, head over to Amazon or AbeBooks. If you’re an author, consider advertising your book and discussing your options with the publishers mentioned above.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What’s the best platform for selling books and textbooks in bulk?
There are several online platforms available for selling books and textbooks in bulk, including BookDeal, Amazon, eBay, and AbeBooks. Each platform has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it’s best to research and compare each one before deciding which is best for you.
How do I determine the value of my books?
The value of your books depends on various factors, such as the condition, edition, and demand. You can use online tools such as BookScouter or AbeBooks’ book appraisal service to get an estimate of your books’ value.
How do I pack and ship my books when selling in bulk?
When selling books in bulk, it’s important to pack them properly to avoid damage during shipping. Use sturdy boxes and packaging materials, and consider adding padding or wrapping each book individually. You can use shipping services such as USPS, FedEx, or UPS to send your books.