bonatto
looking out
Hi all, over the years I've amassed a sizable collection of photo books which are all currently in the US. I'm considering selling them, but don't have the time to advertise everything individually. Has anyone had any experience with selling multiple books at once and could offer advice as to best course of action with respect to actually selling and eventually shipping? Everything is in the US right now, so presumably Media Mail if it's still offered?
Any advice appreciated as I'd like to get this done in the coming two weeks while I am visiting family.
Any advice appreciated as I'd like to get this done in the coming two weeks while I am visiting family.
gns
Well-known
To sell them as a lot, I'd imagine your customer will likely be a dealer, so you would only get a wholesale price for them.
Depending on what titles you have, you might talk to someone like Vincent Borrelli...
https://www.vincentborrelli.com/
Depending on what titles you have, you might talk to someone like Vincent Borrelli...
https://www.vincentborrelli.com/
JoeLopez
Well-known
Based on my experience, you may do better in one or multiple lots selling items like that. Depending on how much time you have, local craigslist type ads may be a first choice for a week or so. If not, ebay should work well. yes, Media mail via the US Post Office is still a great choice. You'd need packaging materials however.
Consider going USPS Priority as boxes, tape etc are all free of charge. You can pick them up at the post office or have them sent to your US address at no cost >> https://store.usps.com/store/browse...vIds=shipping-supplies:free-shipping-supplies
I've sold lots of books on craigslist... and have received way better prices than selling to a dealer or bookstore.
kiss-o-matic
Well-known
I think the easiest / first thing is to make a list of them, and the price you want -- make a classified here with one or two photos with most of them, and post them as a lot with individual prices (with their conditions).
You can get rid of many that way, without putting a lot of time into it.
Depending on how many you get rid of, explore selling them as a lot.
You can get rid of many that way, without putting a lot of time into it.
Depending on how many you get rid of, explore selling them as a lot.
rfaspen
[insert pithy phrase here]
Much like photo equipment that can be offered as a "collection" (body, lenses, strap, meter, case, etc.) it usually sells much faster as individual pieces. It usually nets a greater sum in the end as well. So, I'm often baffled by sellers who simply insist on selling a "kit" and refuse to break it up to individual items.
As a seller, offering individual items obviously means more time and hassle. The issue then becomes; is it worth it? I suspect in most cases it is well worth it. That's my opinion anyway. Really, it seems being flexible is the key.
I think the approach described by kiss-o-matic (post above) is the way to go.
As an example, locally there is a craigslist seller who refuses to break up a group of Nikon items. He/she has a few lenses, an N70 body, a flash and some other bits. He/she doesn't know what some of the items are (called the ring flash a light meter). About 2 years ago, they took all their stuff to the local camera store (it was still in business then) and got an estimate range for selling value (all the items combined, but not necessarily sold as a lot). Seller places ad asking the high end of the estimate range. Received many offers for individual items, but refused to break up the group. Over time, the seller has reduced the asking price, but it remains unsold (on craigslist for well over 2 years now). I once politely explained that they would have easily made more money than their current asking price if they had sold individual lenses back when they had higher value (it has been more than 2 years). OK, this was a long-winded example, but the moral of the story: don't be afraid to sell individual items. It is likely to be to your advantage.
https://corvallis.craigslist.org/pho/6178217574.html
As a seller, offering individual items obviously means more time and hassle. The issue then becomes; is it worth it? I suspect in most cases it is well worth it. That's my opinion anyway. Really, it seems being flexible is the key.
I think the approach described by kiss-o-matic (post above) is the way to go.
As an example, locally there is a craigslist seller who refuses to break up a group of Nikon items. He/she has a few lenses, an N70 body, a flash and some other bits. He/she doesn't know what some of the items are (called the ring flash a light meter). About 2 years ago, they took all their stuff to the local camera store (it was still in business then) and got an estimate range for selling value (all the items combined, but not necessarily sold as a lot). Seller places ad asking the high end of the estimate range. Received many offers for individual items, but refused to break up the group. Over time, the seller has reduced the asking price, but it remains unsold (on craigslist for well over 2 years now). I once politely explained that they would have easily made more money than their current asking price if they had sold individual lenses back when they had higher value (it has been more than 2 years). OK, this was a long-winded example, but the moral of the story: don't be afraid to sell individual items. It is likely to be to your advantage.
https://corvallis.craigslist.org/pho/6178217574.html
benlees
Well-known
Depends what you want. If you want to sell them fast and be done with it and sell to a dealer, you won't get much for them. Best case scenario would 30% of the value.
Selling individually takes a lot more work, but you get full "value". Have a look at many (Powel's, Abebooks, Book Depository, etc) used book sellers (NOT ebay or Amazon) to see what the average prices are. If you ask 20-30% below that, they will sell relatively quickly.
ebay is your biggest audience, but not necessarily the best one.
Selling individually takes a lot more work, but you get full "value". Have a look at many (Powel's, Abebooks, Book Depository, etc) used book sellers (NOT ebay or Amazon) to see what the average prices are. If you ask 20-30% below that, they will sell relatively quickly.
ebay is your biggest audience, but not necessarily the best one.
bonatto
looking out
Thanks for the input guys, I've ended up doing as suggested and put together a list for the classifieds. Fingers crossed.