When shopping on Amazon.com, it's common to see links below the Amazon price to purchase used and new versions of the product from other sellers. This is called Amazon Marketplace, and nearly anyone can participate. Amazon requires an account login, some contact information, a valid US credit card and a bank account for depositing profits (the credit card and bank account information are secure).
Listing and Pricing Books for Sale
Listing a used book on Amazon is easy. Simply grab a book and enter the International Standard Book Number (ISBN), which can generally be found on the back cover the book, the inner fold of a book cover or the back of the title page. On an older book with a 9-digit SBN, add a zero to the start of the number. Using the ISBN ensures that the exact book, edition and binding match up with Amazon's description and reduce potential confusion or disputes with requestors.
Once a book listing is found, examine the prices for existing Marketplace listings. Books are listed by category – new, used or collectible. Within these categories books are indicated by condition as new, like new, very good, good or acceptable. Assess the category and condition of the book to be sold and compare to the current listings to establish a likely price.
To be worth listing, the likely price for most books (unless extremely light) should be at least $5. Below $5, Amazon's Marketplace fees take too high a percentage of the sale. If there are new copies of books for sale by Amazon that are eligible for their free shipping, it's also best to price used copies at least $4.50 less than the Amazon price, to make up for the $3.99 shipping cost for marketplace book orders.
Tips for Selling More Marketplace Books
Buyers will tend to pay slightly more for a book with very specific condition information. In addition to choosing the category and condition, list any details about the book – any wear, any dogeared pages, spine creases, writing, included media, etc. Be sure to check very carefully to ensure an accurate listing.
Most marketplace books ship standard via USPS media mail, a less expensive restricted rate only for books or specific types of audiovisual media. If books are light enough (usually around 7 oz or less) that it will be less expensive to send first class than media mail, list "free first class shipping upgrade" in the description. Likewise, if the book is heavy enough to make USPS priority mail less expensive than media mail, indicate free expedited shipping.
Purchase bubble mailers at office supply or paper supply stores (Kelly Paper offers great prices if there is one nearby). Well-packaged books look professional and help encourage good feedback from buyers. Marketplace buyers do notice feedback ratings when shopping.
Be sure to always ship books within two business days as the Marketplace contract states. It's a good idea to use delivery confirmation for high value items. Also be sure to mark books shipped the day they are sent. Once the books are marked sent, Amazon sends a notice to the buyer and within a few hours releases the funds to the seller's payment account. If there is a tracking number, for delivery confirmation or online shipping, that can be entered so the buyer can track the shipment.
Be sure to be up front with buyers about any problems with the order. Check the book condition against the description on the packing slip when preparing to package and ship. Alert the buyer to any discrepancies and adjust the price if appropriate (or offer to cancel the order if they prefer). Alert to buyer to any delays in shipping. Buyers rarely overreact to problems – quite the opposite, they appreciate the attention and honesty.
Selling books on Amazon Marketplace is a great way to earn some extra cash and clear off bookshelves as an added bonus. For books that are not saleable, consider other options for What to Do with Used Books, including Online Book Swapping.
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