At the end of the semester most students cannot wait to unload their textbooks and get some cash to spend on a summer vacation. However, there are a few common mistakes that students make each semester that costs them a sale or money.
First off, consider the condition of the book before attempting to sell it back. If the binder is damaged, there is excessive highlighting, or pages are missing, chances are another student would not purchase this used textbook. It may be best to just donate the textbook. If you are sending your textbook to an online book buyback, such as Amazon, be sure to read their terms and conditions on their definition of “good” condition. Each company will have its own rules and guidelines for acceptable return conditions. Many merchants will simply discard your textbook if it is too damaged.In turn, you will lose the money and also the textbook.
Secondly, now that you have investigated and determined the true condition of your textbook, be honest about it. If you are posting the textbook in an online auction, your bidders must trust that you are being truthful when you say “minimal” highlighting. Offer an accurate description, including any damage, highlighting, or underlining. Leave it up to the bidder to decide if the textbook is acceptable for their use. If you falsify the condition, the buyer will not hesitate to return the textbook and will most likely leave negative feedback.
Thirdly, do your best to include any supplemental materials that came with the textbook. Many companies will not buy back a textbook that is missing the supplemental materials. Be sure to read the website’s or company’s terms and conditions to determine their policy on supplemental materials. If you attempt to send a textbook to a buyback without the materials, the company may just discard the textbook and you will forfeit any type of reimbursement. Many of the textbooks that include supplemental materials are expensive and will yield a decent buyback amount, provided that you include the supplemental material.
Fourthly, take the time to properly package the textbook for shipping. Many students slide the textbook into a bubble mailer envelope and expect it to remain in the same condition. However, with little protection, the textbook may be damaged in transit. Instead, choose a box that is slightly larger than the textbook. Fill any open areas with bubble wrap or paper to prevent the textbook from sliding around. Shake the box to check if the textbook slides around. If so, add more packaging material. The more stable the textbook is, the better the chance of it making it to its destination in the same condition as when you packed it.Many merchants do not differentiate whether the textbook was originally damaged or damaged during shipping. They will simply discard of it.
Fifthly, be sure to mail the textbook as soon as possible. Many websites have strict deadlines after they have given an offer price. For example, Amazon requires that the textbook is postmarked within 7 days of the offer. If you wait several weeks, their offer price may change or they may refuse to accept the textbook. Also, if you are shipping the textbook to a bidder, note that they probably need the textbook ASAP.
Like most college students, you want to see a little return for the costly textbooks that you are required to purchase. Be sure to follow these rules to get the best possible price for your textbook. These common mistakes can cost you time and money.
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