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Last Updated on April 9, 2025 by Katie
Did you know the average American home contains over 100 books, many of which sit untouched for years? Your dusty bookshelf could be hiding hundreds of dollars in potential earnings. If this sounds like you, read on to find out the best places to sell old books for cash!
From rare first editions to last semester’s textbooks, there’s a buyer for nearly every book you own.
The used book market has evolved far beyond traditional bookstores, with online platforms making it easier than ever to turn your literary collection into cash.
Whether you’re downsizing your library or clearing out textbooks after graduation, understanding where to sell can make the difference between pocket change and significant profits.
Keep reading to learn about the best places to sell old books for cash.
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Sell Old Books for Cash: Benefits and Strategy
Looking to clear out your bookshelf while making some money?
By selling your old books, you can free up space in your home and put extra cash in your pocket.
Plus, you’ll help other readers access affordable books while supporting sustainable reading practices.
Different types of books command different prices in the market. Textbooks often sell well during school seasons, while rare editions appeal to collectors year-round.
Popular fiction titles typically move quickly but at lower prices.
Before you list any book for sale, make sure you check its condition carefully, including each page and be honest when you write a description for it.
If you don’t mention damage, this will only make a buyer angry and potentially get you bad reviews which will hamper future sales prospects.
Best Platforms to Sell Old Books for Cash
There’s something about decluttering that makes you feel lighter!
I’ve sold quite a few old books over the years, which felt great and gave me some extra cash which was needed at the time.
If you want to do the same, take a look at the following platforms to sell old books for cash.
1. BookScouter: Compare Prices Across Multiple Vendors
BookScouter helps you find the highest prices for your books by connecting you with over 30 vendors at once.
This platform stands out by giving you instant price comparisons and free shipping options for most sales.
Getting Started
Download their mobile app or head to their website, scan or enter your books’ ISBNs, and pick the best offer.
Once you accept an offer, you’ll receive free shipping labels to send your books. Most vendors pay through PayPal or check within 1-3 days after receiving your books.
Start selling on BookScouter today.
2. AbeBooks: A Haven for Rare Book Sellers
AbeBooks stands out as a top marketplace for selling rare and collectible books and is one of the best sites to sell old books for cash.
The platform connects sellers with serious collectors worldwide who seek unique, vintage, and first-edition titles.
Getting Started
Create a seller account, then list your special books with detailed descriptions covering edition details, condition notes, and any unique marks or signatures.
The platform lets you set prices based on market rates and book rarity.
Start selling on AbeBooks today.
3. Amazon: The World’s Largest Book Marketplace
Amazon offers a vast platform for selling both new and used books, reaching millions of potential buyers globally.
You can choose between two selling plans: individual ($0.99 per sale) or professional ($39.99 monthly).
For easier shipping, Amazon’s FBA service handles storage, packing, and delivery. Simply send your books to Amazon’s warehouse, and they manage the rest.
Textbooks often bring higher profits during school seasons, while popular fiction moves quickly at lower prices.
To Get Started
Sign up for a seller account, pick your plan, and create detailed listings with clear photos. Include exact condition details and edition information to build buyer trust.
Start selling on Amazon today.
4. eBay: A Flexible Platform for Book Sales
eBay’s vast marketplace gives book sellers two ways to list items: auction-style for rare finds and fixed-price listings for standard titles.
This flexibility makes it perfect for selling everything from paperbacks to valuable signed editions.
The platform connects sellers with book buyers worldwide, offering strong potential returns on first editions, autographed copies, and out-of-print titles.
Many collectors actively search eBay for specific books, increasing your chances of good sales.
To Get Started
Create an eBay account, photograph your books clearly, and write detailed descriptions.
Choose between starting an auction or setting a fixed price and make sure to specify shipping options and costs before confirming your listing.
Start selling books on eBay today.
5. Decluttr: Quick Sales for Books and Media
Decluttr makes selling books simple with their straightforward platform – just scan your books’ ISBNs through their app or type them on the website for instant price quotes.
The service accepts books alongside other items like phones and games, making it perfect for big cleanouts.
Getting Started
Download the Decluttr mobile app or head to the website.
Enter your books’ details, and take multiple photos from all different angles to show the books condition.
Once you get a sale, they’ll send you free shipping labels, and you’ll get paid through PayPal or direct deposit after they check your items.
Most sellers receive payment within 24 hours of Decluttr receiving their books.
Start selling on Decluttr today.
6. ThriftBooks: Popular Used Books Made Simple
ThriftBooks offers a user-friendly platform focused on used paperbacks and hardcovers.
The site connects sellers with an active community of book buyers seeking affordable reading material.
A few types of books that sell well on the platform include collectibles, biographies, fiction, children’s, educational and more.
To Get Started
Create an account and list your books with clear photos and accurate condition descriptions.
Price your items based on similar listings to stay competitive in the marketplace. Once a book sells, package it carefully and ship directly to the buyer.
ThriftBooks processes payments quickly after confirmed delivery. Regular sellers appreciate the straightforward listing process and reliable payment system.
Start selling on ThriftBooks today.
7. Chegg: A Gateway to Smart Textbook Sales
While Chegg started as a direct textbook marketplace, they now help sellers sell old books with GoTextBooks.
Their website provides useful tools to help students and educators find the highest-paying buyers for their course materials.
To Start Selling
To sell your old books for cash, visit their site and click on ”Start Selling”.
Enter the ISBNs of your books to get a quote for their value and ship your books to GoTextBooks for free.
Once your books are received and checked over, you’ll receive payment within 7-14 days.
The platform maintains partnerships with trusted buyers, helping you connect with legitimate purchasing options.
Start selling on Chegg today.
8. Alibris: A Marketplace for Book Collectors and Sellers
Alibris creates opportunities for independent sellers to reach book collectors and readers searching for specific titles.
The platform works particularly well for those selling rare books, first editions, and out-of-print materials.
Getting Started
Sign up through their seller portal and create detailed descriptions that highlight each book’s condition, unique features, and set competitive prices.
Their tools help you track inventory and manage sales efficiently and sellers can list multiple copies and editions while tapping into Alibris’s established reputation in the used book market.
The platform attracts serious book buyers willing to pay fair prices for quality books.
Start selling on Alibris today.
9. CashForYourBooks: Quick Bulk Sales for Used Books
Cash For Your Boos makes selling multiple books simple and profitable, with a focus on textbooks and academic titles.
Their platform processes large quantities efficiently, making it ideal for anyone clearing out a home library or managing estate sales.
To Start Selling
Visit Cash4YourBooks.net and click on ”Get a Quote”.
Next, you will be prompted to fill out a form and upload pictures of the book collection you want to sell.
The site calculates offers instantly based on current market demand and if you accept an offer, they will arrange to pick up your books.
The service pays through check or PayPal, letting you choose your preferred payment method.
Start selling on Cash4YourBooks today.
10. World of Books: General Books Welcome
World of Books buys a wide range of books in good condition, from modern fiction to academic texts.
The platform specializes in books that still hold reader appeal and market value, with a few popular book niches being fiction, non-fiction, rare books and children’s books.
To Sell Your Books
Head to their website or download their app, enter each book’s barcode or use their scanner tool.
The system shows current market prices based on demand and condition. Once you agree to their offer, list your books with clear photos and accurate descriptions.
After a sale, pack your books carefully and send them using their shipping system. World of Books typically processes payments within 5-7 business days of receiving your items.
Start selling on World of Books today.
11. Powell’s Books: Quality Literature and Academic Texts
Powell’s Books buys high-quality literature and academic books through their established purchasing program.
Their stores offer sellers a choice between cash payments or store credit, with store credit typically providing higher value.
To Start Selling
To sell your old books for cash, drop your books off at a Powell’s book store or sell them online.
If you choose online, you simply need to scan the book ISBNs and you’ll receive an instant quote.
Pack and ship your books to Powell’s, and once received, their team reviews each book’s condition and market value before making an offer.
Once they approve your books, you can pick between immediate cash payment or store credit for future purchases.
Start selling on Powell’s today.
12. Facebook Marketplace: Local Book Sales Made Easy
Facebook Marketplace is one of the best platforms to sell old books for cash to readers in your area.
By selling locally, you skip shipping fees and set your own prices and the platform works well for all types of books, from textbooks to paperbacks.
To Start Selling
Open Facebook and click the Marketplace icon. Create a listing with clear photos of your books and write honest descriptions of their condition.
Set fair prices based on the book’s value and local demand and when someone shows interest, plan to meet at a public spot like a coffee shop or library for the exchange.
Remember to check a buyer’s Facebook profile and communicate through Marketplace’s messaging system for added security.
Start selling books on Facebook Marketplace today.
13. Craigslist: Person-to-Person Book Sales
Craigslist serves as a straightforward platform for selling books locally without shipping costs.
The site works well for various book types, from recent bestsellers to vintage collections, with direct cash transactions.
To Sell on Craigslist
Post a clear ad in your local area’s books section and add multiple photos showing book conditions and any notable features.
Set your price and specify preferred meeting locations like coffee shops or libraries.
When buyers respond, communicate through Craigslist’s email system to arrange safe, public meetups for the exchange.
Start selling on Craigslist today.
14. BooksRun: Student-Friendly Textbook Sales
BooksRun offers a simple way to sell textbooks with its QR code-based shipping system.
The platform appeals to students looking to recoup money from their course materials at the end of each semester.
They make it easy by offering their own mobile app for scanning, free shipping and fast payment processes, so you get paid quickly.
To Get Started
Visit the Books Run website and download their mobile app.
Scan your book or enter the ISBNs of the books you want to sell to get a quote.
After accepting an offer, show the QR code to the mail carrier to get a shipping label.
Choose between PayPal or check payments, typically processed within a few business days after your books arrive.
Start selling your textbooks on BooksRun today.
15. Shopify: Build Your Own Book-Selling Business
Shopify provides a complete platform for creating a professional online bookstore.
The service works well for sellers ready to build a long-term book business with their own brand and customer base.
Amazon even started as a small website to sell old books for cash and grew into the massively profitable business it is today!
How to Get Started
First, sign up for a Shopify account and pick a store design that shows your books effectively.
Next, add your book listings with high-quality photos, detailed descriptions, and accurate pricing.
Finally, put Shopify’s marketing tools to work – from email campaigns to social media integration.
The platform handles payments, tracks inventory, and helps you stay connected with customers and you’ll get access to sales reports and shipping tools to keep your book business running smoothly.
Start your online bookstore with Shopify today.
Final Thoughts on Where to Sell Old Books for Cash
Selling your old books for cash doesn’t have to be a daunting task.
By choosing the right platform for your specific collection – whether it’s rare editions on AbeBooks, textbooks on BookScouter, or general reads on Amazon – you can maximize your returns while clearing valuable shelf space.
Remember to consider factors like shipping costs, platform fees, and payment methods when deciding where to sell.
Take time to properly assess your books’ conditions and research current market values before listing.
With the diverse range of selling options available today, there’s never been a better time to transform your unused books into extra cash while helping other readers discover their next favorite read!
Want more ideas for selling and decluttering?
Check out the 20 best sites to sell used clothes online.
