half.com question

PrincessPerky · #1 (**permalink**) 09-13-2005, 05:48 AM

how is the shipping price handle? is that in addition to the cost of the book or do you figure that into the cost when you list the price?

I have a coupld things I was going to just donate but if I can make a buck or two....

34saving · #2 (**permalink**) 09-13-2005, 07:09 AM

You get the cost of the book plus a set amount for shipping (don't remember the exact amounts, you'll have to check the site). Here's the way the (seller) pricing works: Price you set - 15% half comission + shipping reimbursement. If it will cost you more to ship the book than the shipping reimbursement (more than 2 pounds I think) you will have to figure that into the original price or you will lose money. I hope that makes sense, I don't think my brain is on yet

niki_the_tiger · #3 (**permalink**) 09-13-2005, 09:48 AM

I usually come out ahead on half.com. I like it much better than selling on amazon.com. I think there they charge you $1 or something right off the bat plus commission... most of my books sell for $0.75-$0.99... so it's not worth it.

But maybe I misunderstood how they do it?

PrincessPerky · #4 (**permalink**) 09-14-2005, 04:31 AM

Thanks,
new question, how long does it tend to take to sell a book?

I only have a couple, and they already have a copy of each on there. Would it be a waste to try and sell mine too?

34saving · #5 (**permalink**) 09-14-2005, 08:51 AM

It totally depends on the book. I've had ones on for years, I've had ones sell in a couple of hours. I'd try to make sure yours are the cheapest ones listed. That way they at least show up when people look.

DivaJen · #6 (**permalink**) 09-14-2005, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 34saving

It totally depends on the book. I've had ones on for years, I've had ones sell in a couple of hours. I'd try to make sure yours are the cheapest ones listed. That way they at least show up when people look.

Same here - some sell right away and others just sit there. I don't think I've ever listed a book that wasn't already for sale by others, so don't let that dissuade you.

kashi · #7 (**permalink**) 09-14-2005, 11:03 AM

I've had about 13 books on there since May. Two sold right away in May. I had a lull with no activity at all, and last week I suddenly sold two. Neither of them were the cheapest on the list, but they were both in perfect condition. You just don't know when people are going to want what you have!

cercis · #8 (**permalink**) 09-14-2005, 02:44 PM

Last time I looked about selling there were a bunch of church groups selling books. They were selling them for less than 50cents each - hardbacks. I gave up, I couldn't compete with that.

PrincessPerky · #9 (**permalink**) 09-15-2005, 04:19 AM

Hmm, can you take the books off the list after a couple months? I am anti clutter and this stuff would be out of my house to the good will in a short time if I didn't list it.

34saving · #10 (**permalink**) 09-15-2005, 07:06 AM

Yes. You can delist any item at any time.

Armywife · #11 (**permalink**) 09-15-2005, 05:12 PM

While yes you can delist.. how about a reduction in price? When I sold my college textbooks last week, I noticed that my books sold quicker when it was 10-20 bucks less than the lowest price given. I was still happy to sell them because these are books that would only collect dust in my basement!

PrincessPerky · #12 (**permalink**) 09-16-2005, 04:03 AM

I'm not talking college textbooks, just some miscelaneous fantasy and fiction that I don't really want to reread. So the price on there looks to be about a buck or 2, which is more than the Good will would give me, but not worth leaving in the house for more than a month (We are down to monthly or bi monthly trips to the good will)

Thanks for all the help.

One more question, how do you get paid? do I have to set up a paypal account for it?

Tree0164 · #13 (**permalink**) 09-16-2005, 05:42 AM

Most non fiction paperbacks are to sell on half.

I just decluttered some old college textbooks history texts and 12 years later got $12 to $15 bucks for each one.

mjrube94 · #14 (**permalink**) 09-16-2005, 10:11 AM

You may want to look at a paperback book swap. (I saw a URL floating around somewhere; I'll try to dig it up). That way, you get rid of your books and can replace them with ones you haven't yet read.

34saving · #15 (**permalink**) 09-16-2005, 10:38 AM

I get paid by direct deposit to my checking account. I think they also send checks, but not as often.

niki_the_tiger · #16 (**permalink**) 09-16-2005, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjrube94

You may want to look at a paperback book swap. (I saw a URL floating around somewhere; I'll try to dig it up). That way, you get rid of your books and can replace them with ones you haven't yet read.

Oh, I was wondering if something like that existed... I'd love to do that!

Tree0164 · #17 (**permalink**) 09-17-2005, 03:56 AM

http://www.bookswap.com

Tree0164 · #18 (**permalink**) 09-17-2005, 03:58 AM

http://www.paperbackswap.com/

niki_the_tiger · #19 (**permalink**) 09-17-2005, 06:09 AM

Awesome! As soon as I get home this afternoon, I will sign up for that! Has anyone here tried it and had success with it? I have wanted to find a second hand store to get books for cheap but have been unable to so far... paying $1.44 (shipping) isn't that bad for another book... still more than the $0.50-$1.00 I was hoping to pay, but much cheaper than the single place I found that still charged 1/2 price on books that were used (and most were not in great condition!).

Gailete · #20 (**permalink**) 09-17-2005, 03:59 PM

I use www.frugalreader.com to swap out my fiction paperbacks that I don't want to put up for sale. I have a minimum that I will sell a book for on line and they generally don't fall into that category. anyhow I've been able to pick up several books by my favorite authors that I've had trouble locating.

Gail