Things You'll Need:
- Classified ads details (local sale)
- Online auction account (on-line sale)
- Clear photos of books
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Step 1
Sell used Catholic books locally at a garage sale or in a newspaper ad. Community bulletin board flyers are also an option.
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Step 2
Many cities require garage sale permits. Consider getting together with a friend or two and having one shared garage sale at the best location. Sharing the cost of the permit lowers the cost for everyone. This is especially good if you don't have a large inventory of used Catholic books to sell. When all of you contribute to the sale, more items available will help increase the number of people who stop to shop. Some cities allow garage sale signs and others do not. If signs are allowed, use them. Many newspapers offer free garage sale listings. Include your listing and get the word out.
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Step 3
Individual ads are inexpensive in many newspapers. List your books for sale in the classified section. State how many are available and what the price is for them. Don't forget to include a telephone number where prospective buyers can reach you.
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Step 4
Community bulletin boards are one way to advertise used books. Responses are slower and less in number. Posting a flyer or card won't cost you any money. It could take a long time to hear from an interested party. You might not get any responses at all.
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Step 1
Used books often sell well online. You can sell used Catholic books by listing them at an online auction and by listing them in online classified ads. If you have a large quantity of books, you can become an independent bookseller at one of the established bookseller sites.
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Step 2
For an auction listing, you will need an auction account. This is usually free and requires a simple registration. Auction items are sold by listings. In order to list your books, you will need at least one good clear photo.
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Step 3
Pack the books for shipping unless local pickup is the only option you'll offer. Weigh the packed books and provide this information in the shipping area of your auction listing. Measure all boxes and weigh them carefully. Both dimensions and weight can have a serious impact on shipping costs.
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Step 4
Books can be sold individually or in a batch. State in your listing exactly what you have to sell. The title, author and condition of each book must be provided. Note any markings, defects or damage. Many booksellers include the ISBN.
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Step 5
State what payment options you will accept and how quick you expect to be paid following a successful auction.
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Step 6
You choose when your auction listings appear. If your target audience is more likely to be online in evenings and on weekends, consider running your listing so that it ends on the weekend. Seven days is an average listing. Unless your used Catholic books are collectible, a three day listing isn't likely to be enough.
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Step 1
When you have a large quantity of used Catholic books, you can sell them in large quantities at auction or list them individually as an independent bookseller.
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Step 2
Independent bookseller options require fees. These can range from a few dollars a month to hundreds of dollars. You also pay the main seller a commission on each book sold. Commission is in addition to monthly fees. You provide a database listing of all of the books. Sometimes you must provide photos. Often they are provided for you. ISBN's are a must.
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Step 3
When you sell a book this way, you receive an email alerting you to ship the book to the customer. You are responsible for packing up any and all of the used Catholic books purchased and sending them in the mail. You will be reimbursed for at least a part of the shipping cost. You will be responsible for the actual packing and shipping so will need padded envelopes or boxes.
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Step 4
Priority Mail prepaid boxes are a good way to send several books to the same address. International shipping may or may not be required, depending upon which bookseller service you sign up with. You can use more than one service at a time but will have to pay fees to every service you use.
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Step 1
Pricing of your used books depends upon how you are selling them and what type of condition they are in. If you choose the garage sale method, you'll probably want to visit a few garage sales to see how other people are pricing used books. You don't want your prices to be so high that no-one buys the books. Nor do you want the prices to be too low, costing you money you should have received.
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Step 2
Pricing used books for online auction depends upon the condition of the books, how popular they are and how many are available. It's easy to browse the action sites and see what other people are charging and whether or not the books are selling. If you research price and realize certain books aren't selling at any price, don't waste time listing yours.
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Step 3
Pricing used books for selling via Internet bookseller organizations uses much the same method. Again, it's easy to browse the main sites and see how other sellers are pricing their used Catholic books. Notice how many editions of each title are available and if those titles are popular.
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Step 4
Some Internet bookseller organizations have set minimum pricing. This helps protect everyone. If you use one of these organizations, your books will never be priced lower than the accepted minimum. Some organizations allow what is called 'penny' sales. This means that books are sold for $ .01 and sellers try to make money off of the shipping charges.
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Step 1
When books sell and the payment is received, it's time to ship those books to their new homes. If you have already packed the books and have dimension and weight details, it's easy to take the package(s) to the local post office or go on-line and purchase postage.
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Step 2
For books paid for by check, consider waiting until the check clears before mailing or shipping the books. Ship as soon as payment clears or is received electronically. Include some sort of packing slip and thank you note. Consider paying a few cents extra for delivery confirmation. This is proof that delivery was made and serves as insurance if a buyer claims a package wasn't received.
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Step 3
Keep record of books sold and payments received in addition to proof of shipment or mailing.
