If you're like me, and addicted to reading, you may find your small NYC apt cluttered with stacks of books in windowsills, under the bed, and maybe even in the bathtub, or other unusual storage spaces, and you're not sure what to do with them once you've read them. Luckily the Cheap Chick has some ideas for your books that may even make you some bucks...
The Strand: In case you didn't know, the Strand will buy books from anyone, and is probably where you'll get the most bucks for your books, but be warned the guy behind the counter isn't known for his generosity; you may slap 20 books down on the counter and just get $18.
Cheap Chick Tips on Selling at the Strand: Do a search for the books you want to get rid of on http://www.strandbooks.com/ before you haul a bag of books to the store, if they have tons of your book in the store they may not even take it for free, or even if you beg. Also they have historically preferred non-fiction to fiction, though it seems these days that they are buying more fiction. Books should also be in good condition (hardcovers are best) and the newer the better. For more info on selling books at the Strand click here.
Book-Off: This is a little-known Japanese bookstore in midtown, (don't worry they have books in English), and will buy any type of book, and the condition doesn't have to be pristine.
Cheap Chick Tip on selling at Book-Off: They are probably the least generous in terms of pay-outs, but their $1 section of fiction and non-fiction is huge, and definitely worth a look when you're there. Here's a link to their book-buying guidelines.
Alabaster Books: If you strike out at the Strand, then you should head around the corner to this cozy store, where the books share the space with a charming cat. They'll buy most books in decent condition, but the money you'll get is somewhere bet. the Strand and Book-Off's rates (often 25 cents a book), but the $2 carts are definitely worth a look.
Craigslist: They list casual encounters, ride-shares, job ads, and have a large classified section, maybe you'll get lucky! Here you go: http://newyork.craigslist.org/bks/
Housing Works Bookstore: This is a non-profit organization that helps homeless New Yorkers with AIDS, but if you donate your books here, you'll get a tax-exemption form that may save you money later. They will take a variety of books, CD's, DVD's, and other items, but here are the guidelines on what they will not accept "books with markings, heavy wear, water damage, missing pages or covers, mildew, or strong odors. Cassettes, magazines (except for literary magazines), encyclopedias, or any dated material such as travel guides that are more than a year old." More HW donation info is here.
Book Swaps: If you have other book-minded friends, then pick a day and place (I'm partial to a weekend brunch/book swap myself) where you can bring all your books together and then take the books that your friends brought. You won't make any money, but it's a great way to get "new" books and get rid of the ones cluttering up your apartment.
Donations: Of course you can always donate your books to other charitable groups and thrift stores like the Salvation Army, and Goodwill and you may be able get a tax write-off for that too.
Stoop Sales: You can also sell your books on your stoop or at a neighborhood or other sale, but be careful you may need to get a special permit to sell things alfresco.
Does anyone else have any tips on selling or otherwise getting rid of books locally? Let us know!
What Have I Been Up To?
1 year ago
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1 comment:
i have noticed that every month or two, I buy a couple books at a place like borders or BN or amazon. I really want to read that book, and so I pay close to full price. I joined booksfree.com and i will be paying about $10/month for 2 books to come. for right now it works for me. they also accept books that way and will pay 75 cents for each book. problem is if they dont want it, you don't get it back.
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