I Listed My Used Books for Sale—Here’s What Sold and How Much I Actually Made
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Confession: I have books everywhere around the house. Bookshelves are not big enough to hold them all, so I’ve placed them wherever I can find room. I even have some hidden inside distant kitchen cabinets I can barely reach. Under the couch and beneath the bed have also become favorite storage places for my books.
But I live with another person—my husband—who would love to have some space for his tools and all the things he never uses but still wants to keep, and because I apparently supposed to share our space—which wasn’t specifically written into the marriage contract, but common sense tells me I should—I decided to let go of some of my beautiful best friends. Meaning, of course, my books.
But I’m also a businesswoman, and I’d heard that you can make money selling used books. So I decided to try it.
In this post, I’m going to tell you exactly what I did, how much you can earn, and even where you can find books to sell if you don’t already have as many as I do.
Inside this article:
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Why Are Used Books in Demand?
Money! We all know brand-new books can be expensive. If you love reading and, like me, you’re a fast reader, your constant craving for books may come into conflict with your bank account. Used books give us the chance to enjoy them without breaking the bank. If the book is new or used is irrelevant. What matters is the information inside it.
What if the book has a minor scratch?
Uh, does it really matter? The book’s value is still the same. The important thing is that when you read a book, instead of storing it under your bed because you’ve run out of space, you sell it. This gives another person the opportunity to buy it at a reduced price and enjoy it as much as you did. So, selling used books is in fact, a very progressive idea.
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How Much Can You Make Selling Used Books?
It depends on many factors. Let’s say that if you are totally dedicated to selling books online, you will not become rich, but you will make money. It all depends on how many books you have, your dedication, the types of books you sell, and their condition.
If you have collectibles, special editions, or books that are difficult to find, those could sell for more money. The money will add up, and you will have to decide whether you want to invest it in finding more books to sell or simply sell your entire collection.
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Where Can You Sell Your Used Books?
There are several places where you can sell your used books, but online marketplaces are usually the best option because they allow you to reach a much larger audience. Some popular choices include Amazon, eBay, Facebook Marketplace, AbeBooks, and PangoBooks. My favorite so far is PangoBooks.
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How to Sell Your Used Books on PangoBooks
Easier than peeling a mandarin.
PangoBooks, in my opinion, is the best platform to sell and buy used books. Think of it as Poshmark, but for all the books taking over your shelves, closets, and apparently every space under your bed.
You can open a small bookstore from home, list all your books you’ve already read, and make extra cash while clearing some space at home.
You don’t have books to read? On Pangobooks, you can also buy used books from other readers for much less than you would typically pay at a bookstore.
Ready to see what PangoBooks is all about? Browse used books here, open your own little bookstore, or simply look around and see how it works. If you decide to buy, use code MIDLIFEACCENT26 to get $5 off your first purchase of $10 or more.
Ambassador disclosure: I may receive PangoBucks when a new customer completes a purchase using my link or code, at no additional cost to you.
How to List a Book on PangoBooks
1. Download the app and create an account.
2. Scan the ISBN on the back of the book, and PangoBooks finds most of the book’s information for you. Technology doing something useful for a change.
3. Take clear pictures of the front, back, spine, and any damage the book may have. Be honest about its condition. If the book has writing, highlighting, folded pages, or a small scratch, mention it. People will still buy used books, but they want to know exactly what they are buying.
4. Write a short description, add the price, and publish the listing. Before deciding on a price, look for the same book on PangoBooks and see how much other sellers are asking for it.
5. When someone buys your book, PangoBooks provides a prepaid USPS shipping label. The buyer normally pays for shipping, so you only need to pack the book, attach the label, and take it to the post office. Then you wait for your money and say goodbye to another book—which, for me, is still the most difficult part.
How to Sell Used Books on Amazon
The biggest advantage is obvious: millions of people already shop on Amazon. The disadvantage is that selling on Amazon is not as simple as selling on PangoBooks.
First, you need to create an Amazon Seller account. If you are selling only a few books, you can choose the Individual plan, which charges $0.99 for each book sold, plus other selling fees. If you plan to sell many books, Amazon also has a Professional plan with a monthly fee.
To list a book, search for its ISBN and find the correct edition. Then add your price, choose the condition, and describe any damage. Be honest. “Like new” should look almost new—not like a book that survived three children, a bathtub, and one hungry dog.
You can ship the book yourself when it sells, or use Fulfillment by Amazon, which means sending your books to Amazon and paying them to store and ship everything for you. For someone selling a personal collection, shipping the books yourself may be the simpler place to start.
Amazon can give your books a much larger audience, but you need to pay attention to the fees. A book may sell for a good price and still leave you wondering where half the money went.
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Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
How to Make Money Recommending Books Through Bookshop.org
If you want to avoid the hassle of shipping books—or you simply don’t have time for that—but you love books and enjoy connecting with people, one brilliant idea is recommending books through Bookshop.org.
Here, you won’t be selling your old books or hunting for used books at your local thrift store. Go to Bookshop.org and you will find an extensive selection of new books that you can recommend to your audience, family, friends, or book club.
You can apply to become a Bookshop.org affiliate, create your own profile, and make lists of books you recommend. You can share your affiliate links on your website, social media, newsletter, or anywhere you talk about books. When someone uses your link to buy a book, you earn a commission from the sale.
Bookshop.org takes care of the inventory, packing, shipping, customer service, and returns. You recommend the books, and they do the heavy work. No boxes taking over your living room, no tape stuck to your fingers, and no emergency trips to the post office five minutes before closing.
You won’t be selling your personal book collection, but you can still make money from your love of books while supporting independent bookstores. For a book lover with an audience—or even a very persuasive group of friends—that sounds like a good deal.
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Affiliate disclosure: I may earn a commission if you purchase through my Bookshop.org link, at no additional cost to you.
What I Wish I Knew Before I Started Selling Books Online
First, listing a book doesn’t mean it will sell immediately. Some books sell fast, while others sit there for months waiting for their person. Books are patient. I am not.
Check how much other sellers are asking before choosing your price. Be honest about the condition and take pictures of every scratch, folded page, or written note. People don’t mind buying used books, but nobody likes surprises.
When you make a sale, send the buyer a quick message. PangoBooks already sends a confirmation, but buyers appreciate hearing from the actual person packing their book. It takes a few seconds, helps you get better reviews, and makes your shop look more trustworthy. Also, have envelopes, tape, and boxes ready. Otherwise, you’ll sell a $5 book and spend the rest of the afternoon looking for something to ship it in.
Is Selling Used Books Worth It?
Yes. You probably won’t become rich, but you will make some money, clear space in your home, and give your books another life.
Those books were collecting dust and paying no rent. Now they can bring fresh cash into your pocket. Even if you use the money to buy more books and recreate the original problem, I still call that progress.
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Important: This article reflects my personal experience and the prices, fees, policies, and results available when it was written. Platform rules and costs may change. This content is for general informational purposes only and is not financial, business, legal, or tax advice. Check the platform’s current terms and consult a qualified professional about your individual circumstances.
