My books
By Aniko Online
@anikoonline (3250)
Hungary
May 30, 2018 11:43pm CST
As I was at the bookfair on Sunday, I took some photos about my books. I sent the photos to a local second hand bookshop via e-mail. They replied me that they would buy my books.
Yesterday I had a program close to the bookshop, so I took more then 20 books into my rucksack and another back and I visited there.
Here comes the surprising part. They told me that they would buy 18 books. All of them was published in the last 10 years and was in very good condition. And they offered me a price. A price that was ridiculous. They wanted to pay me $7 for all the 18 books. I thanked them and I left the bookstore. Of course, I didn't sell them my books.
I know that second hand books are cheap, but they could sell some of the books for $7 or more. So they offer was not good for me.
But then I met with a friend. I still had my heavy bag and I told her to choose some books to ease the weight of my bag. I gave her two books as a gift. I was happier giving her the books as a gift as I would have been if I sold all for $7 to the bookshop.
21 people like this
19 responses
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
31 May 18
@anikoonline that was a sneaky trick. i would be happier gifting it, too, than be deceived like that.
3 people like this
@anikoonline (3250)
• Hungary
31 May 18
@hereandthere Yes, I was happy to gift the books. If I sold them for that price, I would have a bad taste in my mouth.
3 people like this
@anikoonline (3250)
• Hungary
31 May 18
Totally right. They would put the books on their shelves and they could sell it for a very good amount. I counted and I think that they could sell the 18 books for $100+.
4 people like this
@ridingbet (66854)
• Philippines
3 Jun 18
@anikoonline though some still prefer money because they want to buy what they need.
2 people like this
@anikoonline (3250)
• Hungary
2 Jun 18
I agree. I think it was the right thing to do.
2 people like this
@CookieMonster46 (13454)
• United States
1 Jun 18
I used to sell them but tend to donate. I know I won’t get a lot so I am not surprised with low prices. At a garage sale they go about 25 cents each.
2 people like this
@CookieMonster46 (13454)
• United States
4 Jun 18
@anikoonline I had to close my mind to it that I paid more than I get, I had tons at one time . I will never read them again.even if they sell one for 5 it gives some one a chance to read it that can’t pay full price.now I try for ebooks, I don’t have room for them.
1 person likes this
@anikoonline (3250)
• Hungary
2 Jun 18
I was surprised by the price, as I know they sell the books $5 (or more) each, they are more expensive then a garage sale.
2 people like this
@anikoonline (3250)
• Hungary
3 Jun 18
@CookieMonster46 Sure! I know that they want to get the maximum profit.
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (130218)
• Israel
31 May 18
@anikoonline
That is sad that they were not honest to tell you that in the e-mail so you would not have to lug all those books around.
2 people like this
@anikoonline (3250)
• Hungary
2 Jun 18
I was a bit angry as I planned my day to go there and take that heavy rucksack. I had some back pain the next day.
@Hannihar (130218)
• Israel
3 Jun 18
@anikoonline
I am not surprised with the heavy load you had to carry on your back.
1 person likes this
@anikoonline (3250)
• Hungary
3 Jun 18
@Hannihar Now the pain is gone, but it was a good experience to remember.
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
2 Jun 18
@anikoonline wow! that's great! that experience at the bookshop became a positive after all. congrats! do you mail them to they buyers? who shoulders the cost?
2 people like this
@anikoonline (3250)
• Hungary
2 Jun 18
Thank you! I took some photos and started to sell online. I ask $5 for a book and have already sold 5 this week.
2 people like this
@anikoonline (3250)
• Hungary
2 Jun 18
@hereandthere Yes, the bookshop experience has positive effects. I prefer meeting personally to give the books to the buyers. As I live in the capital, it is the easiest. But I've already sent a book to a girl that lives in 150 km from the capital. She was very nice, she offered that she will pay the shipping. But it depends on the situation, sometimes we split the shipping fee or I pay it.
2 people like this
@Jessabuma (31700)
• Baguio, Philippines
31 May 18
Ohh that's nice! Your friend must be very happy..
3 people like this
@anikoonline (3250)
• Hungary
31 May 18
Thank you! Yes, I was happy, too. My experience at the bookshop was so desperate that I needed to do something good to feel better.
1 person likes this
@Jessabuma (31700)
• Baguio, Philippines
31 May 18
@anikoonline hehehe!!! Nice. Be happy always
2 people like this
@sprite1950 (30452)
• Corsham, England
19 Jun 18
I can understand that especially as those two books went to a good home. You will have to see if you can get a better price somewhere else for the others.
1 person likes this
@anikoonline (3250)
• Hungary
19 Jun 18
I tried to sell them on facebook marketplace and I could collect some dollars there.
1 person likes this
@sprite1950 (30452)
• Corsham, England
20 Jun 18
@anikoonline Yes I sold a whole set of children's books on facebook.
1 person likes this
@anikoonline (3250)
• Hungary
23 Jun 18
@sprite1950 I am satisfied with selling on facebook, it seems to work well for me, too.
1 person likes this
@anikoonline (3250)
• Hungary
3 Jul 18
I agree with you. I am sure that she will read and hopefully enjoy the books.
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
28 Jun 18
@anikoonline The bookstore is just out for a profit for themselves.
1 person likes this
@anikoonline (3250)
• Hungary
27 Jun 18
Thanks for the comment. Yes, it is better to give away for free for someone that will appreciate it than 'selling' them to the bookstore.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
8 Jun 18
That is kind of you. You're right. The $7 price was insulting. It's nice you were able to give your friend a gift
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
10 Jun 18
@anikoonline Oh good, happy you were able to sell some of the rest of the books
1 person likes this
@anikoonline (3250)
• Hungary
9 Jun 18
Thanks for the comment! It was good to make my friend happy. And I've already sold some of the books during the week.
1 person likes this
@amitkokiladitya (171927)
• Agra, India
31 May 18
I wish you get a good deal in the future
1 person likes this
@amitkokiladitya (171927)
• Agra, India
4 Jun 18
@anikoonline is Facebook a good platform for selling them
1 person likes this
@anikoonline (3250)
• Hungary
5 Jun 18
@amitkokiladitya I think so. I have good experiences with selling on facebook. There are many facebook groups that are about selling and buying books. And it is not hard to find a buyer there.
1 person likes this
@anikoonline (3250)
• Hungary
2 Jun 18
Thank you! I started to sell them on facebook asking $5 for one book. I've already sold some books.
1 person likes this
@anikoonline (3250)
• Hungary
2 Jun 18
Thank you! I agree, a book is a very good gift. She is a very good friend, I am happy if I can give her a nice gift.
1 person likes this
@mlgen1037 (29886)
• Manila, Philippines
31 May 18
Oh wow! Those are cheap! Lucky you.
2 people like this
@quantum2020 (12041)
• Ciudad De Mexico, Mexico
3 Jun 18
I think you did right. Giving the books to someone who is going to have fun reading them is better than selling your books to someone who does not value them like they should
1 person likes this
@anikoonline (3250)
• Hungary
3 Jun 18
Thanks! I agree. It was the good decision.
1 person likes this
@silvermist (19702)
• India
31 May 18
The second hand books are cheap when they buy from us.But costs much when we buy them.You did right in not selling them for $7.
1 person likes this
@anikoonline (3250)
• Hungary
2 Jun 18
Yes, I know that they won't offer me a very good price, but I hoped that they would offer a fair price. I guess $2 for a book that they will sell $8-10 would be a fair price.
@anikoonline (3250)
• Hungary
31 May 18
I agree. I'd rather give it to anyone that want it for free than selling them for nothing when I know that they can make a good profit.