Finding bargain books at yard sales can be fun!

I love going to yard sales, flea markets, real life auctions, and thrift shops.  Books are one of my favorite items to look for, especially at yard sales.  Here are a few helpful tips....

1)  Browse the classifieds for yard sale ads.  Watch for ads listing books among the main items, or ads for moving sales, estate sales, church or organization fund raising sales, as these are most likely to have the best variety and quantity of books for sale.

2)  Take an empty box or a few extra grocery bags in the vehicle when going to yard sales.  This will help with keeping your finds together for unloading later.

3)  Once you locate the books at a sale, ask the owner the price for the books up front, if it is not already posted or marked clearly.  This helps you to know how much you would be spending as you browse and cuts down on "made up" prices after someone expresses an interest in a certain book, etc... I dislike when most items are unmarked at a sale and the seller asks an inflated price when you show interest in a particular item.  At yard sales, I expect the price to be low, not ebay prices, or comparable to what it would sell for at Barnes & Noble or Amazon.

4)  If there are lots of books at a sale and many that you are interested in, ask the seller if they would consider a cheaper price if you bought the books by the box full, or bought five or more, ten or more, etc...  Sometimes they are willing to make an even better price if you are going to take more books out of their way at once and they won't have to carry them back inside the house after the sale.  Yard sale pricing is unpredictable and varies greatly.  Even the location can play a part in how much is being asked for a book.  My personal preference is cheap, cheap, cheap!  I love finding good book in great condition for $1 or less, but have paid up to $5 for some.  I'm not afraid to pass on items if the price is too high for my intents and interests.

5)  Consider your intent when shopping for books.  Are you looking for your personal collection?  For re-sale?  To be read and then passed on?  I take these things into consideration when buying books at yard sales.  I may pay more for a book that I intend to add to my personal collection than for one I expressly intend to re-sell on ebay.  Sometimes you will find almost brand new books for a cheap price, so even gift-giving can be a factor!

6)  Book condition is important.  A book that has writing in it, underlining, torn jacket, missing jacket, staining, odors, etc... any damage at all, is worth less for re-sale purposes.  However, depending on subject matter, age of the book, etc... some with damage are still able to be sold.  Be cautious when buying damaged books.  On another note, with many of the new "altered" crafts or collage crafts that are popular today, the damaged books on specific topics or themes could be a great find.  Altering books is a wonderful way that books can be recycled into great memory albums or humorous pieces of table art.

 7)  Take a friend along!  Going to yard sales by yourself is fun, but going with a friend can be an adventure!  Share your passion for books and ebay.  It could be a fun and profitable experience for you both!

I've had lots of fun with books on ebay.  You never know when you are going to find that cheap bargain that turns out to be a popular collectible at auction!  This is true for a lot of items, not just books!  Good luck & happy ebaying!