Most of the items at the core of your resale career will be quick and easy to sell. The key to making a profit is always to find items that will sell quickly and easily for a profit.
All the same, you may often come across items that aren’t so immediately profitable – but that doesn’t mean that they can’t be sold with enough time, patience and technique.
One hidden source of income is rare books. You won’t come across these very often, but when you do, it pays to know what to do with them. While most used books you find will be lucky to resell for a few cents, a few can be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
These include first editions, signed copies and other popular rare books. You’ll sometimes find these in the units of collectors, librarians or senior citizens who never realized what they had.
If you find some interesting-looking old books, here are a few signs that they might be worth something:
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The book is a first edition; the older the better.
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The book is in excellent condition, with minimal signs of wear.
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The book is from a very popular or famous author.
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The book is signed by the author.
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The book is an “advanced reading copy” of some very popular title.
The more of these factors that are true for your book, the better your odds that it will be worth something. Set aside any of these books that you might find, and take some time to research their value when you get a chance. Here are some resources:
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Check eBay to see whether the book has been listed recently or is currently selling.
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Use TerraPeak or Worthpoint to find older sales history for books not found on eBay
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Check Etsy to see whether they’re being sold as vintage books that way
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Do some basic searching to see if you can find out any details about the book’s rarity or value.
If none of that works, it might be worth stopping off at the library or a local used bookstore. Many cities have a rare books dealer who can provide you with more information about your find. They might even be able to point you toward an interested buyer or give other tips for selling.
Once you determine that your books might be worth something, your next task is finding buyers. As with other valuable collectibles, you might need to spend some time searching for the right customer.
If the local rare bookstore or dealer will buy the book, that’s one simple solution. You can also try your luck with eBay. If that doesn’t work, you might also have some good luck reaching out to people on book enthusiast forms or other locations where collectors congregate.
Selling rare books isn’t always easy, but it can be fun and profitable. The next time you find boxes filled with books in a storage unit, take a few minutes to look through them and see whether any appear to be valuable. Otherwise, you might be losing out on some serious cash.
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