Everyone wants to strike it rich. In the back of your mind, every time you go to a garage sale or a thrift store, you wonder if you might find that first edition Huckleberry Finn that someone overlooked, or the Picasso that went missing in 1975. Rather than hoping for the million-dollar jackpot, think smaller and more sustainable. You might find books for a dime or a dollar that you could resell online for much more.
- Arm yourself. This is where that expensive data plan may come in handy. Take your smart phone with you on your scavenger hunts. If you come across a likely suspect, a quick search at eBay or biblio.com will tell you if it’s worth more than the sticker price you’re looking at. There are even more specialized tools you can buy if you really get into it.
- Know what to look for. Craig Stark is a full-time online bookseller. He operates mostly by instinct, and based on his articles, he seems to be a bit full of himself. However, some of his “flashpoints” may be helpful.
- Price your books appropriately. Base the price on the condition of the book and the price of other books available in the same condition. You can undercut it by a little if you want to unload the book, or you can set it higher and risk waiting.
- Maintain a great seller rating. Treat your customers like kings. That rating can make or break every sale.
For more hints and tips, check out this bookselling blog.
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