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!
Research potential buyers: Once you have sorted your books, research potential buyers who may be interested in purchasing books in bulk. This could include local bookstores, online retailers, schools, libraries, and book clubs.
Contact potential buyers: Reach out to potential buyers with a list of the books you have available and ask if they would be interested in purchasing them in bulk. Be prepared to negotiate on the price and the quantity of books being sold.
Advertise your books: Consider advertising your books on online marketplaces such as Amazon, eBay, or Facebook Marketplace. This will help you reach a wider audience and increase your chances of selling your books in bulk.
Consider donating: If you are unable to sell your books in bulk, consider donating them to a local library or charity. This will help you declutter your space while also helping others who may not have 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 is the largest book distributor in the world, serving over 39,000 retailers, libraries, schools, and online retailers in over 200 countries.
Authors can partner with Ingram to sell their books in bulk through their distribution channels, including print-on-demand services, e-book distribution, and wholesale distribution. Ingram also provides marketing and promotional services to help authors promote their books.
Baker & Taylor
Baker & Taylor is a leading distributor of books, videos, and music to libraries, retailers, and educational institutions. Authors can partner with Baker & Taylor to sell their books in bulk to libraries and educational institutions through their distribution channels. Baker & Taylor also provides marketing and promotional services to help authors promote their books.
BookBaby
BookBaby is a self-publishing platform that offers distribution services to help authors sell their books in bulk to retailers and libraries. BookBaby distributes books through its partnership with Ingram, and authors can also sell their books through BookBaby’s own online store. BookBaby provides a range of services, including book formatting, cover design, and marketing services.
IndieBound
IndieBound is a community of independent bookstores that offer book distribution services to authors. Authors can partner with IndieBound to sell their books in bulk to independent bookstores across the country. IndieBound also provides marketing and promotional services to help authors promote their books.
OverDrive
OverDrive is a digital content distribution platform that serves libraries, schools, and retailers. Authors can partner with OverDrive to sell their e-books and audiobooks in bulk to libraries and educational institutions. OverDrive also provides marketing and promotional services to help authors promote their books.
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
During trade shows and events, large corporations usually distribute freebies such as mugs, pens, etc. You can convince them to give away your book or sell paperback books in bulk at a discount.
Employers
Companies usually distribute books to their customers and employees as motivational or training materials. That is as long as the books you want to sell are relevant to their work.
Non-Profits
You can also co-brand your book with a non-profit to sell paperback books in bulk. If it is your book, the company can add its logo to your cover. Through that, its corporate sponsors can buy copies of your book to distribute to members and partners.
Specialty Retailers
Specialty retailers such as gas stations, coffee shops, or gift shops can sell your books or give them away with purchases.
Large Retailers
Large retailers can give away your books as a gift, but with a purchase. For example, if you authored a book on wellness, you can ask your local pharmacy if they would consider featuring your book in their store.
This process is particularly ideal if you wrote the book. If you want to sell books in bulk, you might want to try universities.
Universities
Usually, college professors select the required texts for their class’s curriculum. You can sell the prescribed textbooks to the students at a discount. Selling used books is easy, but you need little knowledge on how to proceed.
There are various channels through which you can sell them. You need to know when to sell college textbooks. And the amount you charge depends on when you put them on sale.
Lots of students will require textbooks at the beginning of the semester, not the end. And the value of your 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.