8 Best Places to Sell Used Textbooks

Do you have old college textbooks? You can probably make some money off of them and help someone else avoid paying the full cost of a new textbook by selling your used textbooks. When I was in college, I used to buy used textbooks from online sites all the time. I don’t think I ever…

Do you have old college textbooks? You can probably make some money off of them and help someone else avoid paying the full cost of a new textbook selling your used textbooks.

When I was in college, I used to buy used textbooks from online sites all the time. I don’t think I ever bought a new textbook because they were always insanely expensive. I always resold the ones I bought because they always fetched such a high price with almost no effort (plus I had no use for them after the semester was over).

In this post I will share:

8 places to sell used textbooks
The BEST place to sell textbooks
How to get the best price when selling textbooks
Who pays the most for used textbooks?
If Amazon or Barnes & Noble buy used textbooks

How you can sell your used textbooks and earn extra income.

Where to Sell Used Textbooks for Cash

Here are the best places to sell used textbooks.

1. World of Books

World of Books is a popular online used book seller that buys back used textbooks. They give you an instant quote via barcode or ISBN (they even have apps where you can just scan the back of your textbook to get the price) and also give you a prepaid shipping label so you don’t have to pay for shipping.

Payment is usually received within a few days of arrival via PayPal, bank transfer or check.

World of Books also includes children’s books, non-fiction, fiction and more. buys other types of books as well.

Click here to find out how much you can sell your textbooks for on World of Books.

2. Your college bookstore

If you want to sell your textbooks quickly and you bought them recently, your college bookstore will buy them back for the next class of students (although if the professor decides to exchange books, your college bookstore may not accept them, so in that case you’ll try to sell them online).

This is usually the easiest, fastest, and most guaranteed way to get cash back on your textbooks, but it usually pays the least.

Note that some college bookstores don’t pay you real cash and instead offer store credit, which can be helpful if you’re still in college. However, if you are no longer in college, then only getting store credit is not a good option.

College bookstores take back books with minimal light wear, no torn papers, and clean covers. Current or widely used editions are usually the only types of books accepted by college bookstores.

3. BookScouter

Bookscouter.com is not a site where you can sell textbooks; Instead, it does all the heavy lifting for you by telling you which website will buy the textbook the most money. This website compares buyback offers from dozens of textbook buying websites, so you don’t have to check websites individually to see where you’ll get the most bang for your buck. BookScouter tells you instantly where the best deals are.

There’s no cost to use BookScouter, so you can compare and find the best prices for free. It even shows who paid the most after shipping is taken into account.

4. BooksRun

BooksRun is a popular textbook buyback and resale service where students can sell or buy/rent used textbooks. The site has been operating for several years, many users report good experiences, ease of use and fast delivery are among the best comments.

BooksRun not only buys college textbooks, but also other types of books like fiction.

5. Textbook Rush

TextbookRush is a popular online textbook buyback and resale website. It works the same way as other textbook buying websites where you enter the ISBN of your book and they quote you an instant price. TextbookRush gives you a prepaid shipping label so you can ship the book and eventually get paid via PayPal or check.

Condition is important, so books with lots of lightening, markings, or damage can be discounted or rejected altogether, so keep that in mind when selling your used textbooks.

6. Value

Valore is another online textbook buyback and selling platform. The platform is easy to use as you can simply enter the ISBN of your book to see if they have bought the book and for how much.

Valore also provides a shipping label, so you don’t have to pay for shipping. There are many payment options such as PayPal, check or store credit. Their buyback prices are quite competitive compared to other textbook buyback sites, so keep that in mind.

7. eCampus.com

eCampus.com is a popular textbook purchase site and is easy to use. You simply enter your book’s ISBN to get a free online quote, and if they buy your textbook, they’ll provide a free shipping label so you can mail it back to them.

Once they receive your textbook, you’ll get paid by check, direct deposit, PayPal, or store credit (which sometimes pays a little more).

8. Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace is one of the best places to sell used textbooks because you keep 100% of the money you make. You don’t have to ship anything or pay any hidden/extra fees, and if students are in your area, you can meet them right away to sell textbooks.

You’ll want to include high-quality, clear photos of your textbook’s cover, ISBN, and any damage to the book. Access codes, workbooks, etc. in your book. If there are any bonuses like this, be sure to include it.

You can also try selling your used textbooks in local college Facebook groups, textbook buy/sell groups, and student housing groups.

Please remember to choose a safe, public place to meet, such as inside a library or police station (some police stations even have a safe area for buying/selling dates).

a college bookstore where two people exchange books

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions about selling used textbooks.

Where is the best place to sell textbooks?

The best place to sell your used textbooks depends on what you are looking for. If you want the easiest option and you recently bought your book and know you need more for next semester, simply going to your college bookstore may be the best option. However, if you are no longer in college and your college bookstore doesn’t accept your book, or if you want to make a little more money, you can make a little more money by selling the textbook yourself.

How can I get the best price when selling my used textbook?

To get the best price when selling your used textbooks, compare prices on the most popular textbook buy/sell sites to see where you’ll get the biggest payout. BookScouter does a great job of doing this.

The best time to sell textbooks is before the semester starts because that’s when students buy textbooks. July, August, and December are the best months to sell used textbooks. I also recommend removing anything that doesn’t belong in the textbook, such as sticky notes or loose-leaf paper, and wipe down the cover to make it look as clean as possible.

Who Pays the Most for Used Textbooks?

Selling used textbooks on Facebook Marketplace in college towns is one of the most popular places to make good money for your old books.

Does Amazon buy back textbooks anymore?

Amazon’s textbook buyback program ended in 2020. It was a program where they bought textbooks and paid with Amazon gift cards. Now, if you want to sell your textbooks through Amazon, it’s a bit more complicated because you’ll need to create an Amazon seller account and list the textbook you’re using with an ISBN, condition, and submit it as well. Most people are probably better off using one of the actual textbook buying and selling sites. If you have a lot of used textbooks to sell, selling on Amazon can work for you. It really depends on how much effort you want to put into it.

Does Barnes & Noble buy back textbooks?

Barnes & Noble takes back textbooks, but only in certain cases and not all locations participate in this program. Their buyback program works by submitting your book’s ISBN online to receive a quote and then shipping it with a prepaid shipping label. Once Barnes & Noble receives and accepts your book, they pay you by check or PayPal. Whether or not they buy your book depends on book demand and book availability.

Where is the best place to sell used books for cash near me?

If you want to sell your used books for cash nearby, I usually recommend trying your local college bookstore or listing your books on Facebook.

What is the best place to sell used textbooks online?

The best place to sell a used textbook online depends on one main thing – how much time do you want to spend selling the book? If you have some time, listing the tutorial yourself will make you more money because you’re not sharing the sale with anyone else. However, if you want to make a quick buck without dealing with customers, it might be worth selling to a site like World of Books.