| If you are new to the business of buying and selling | | | | book is lurking, just waiting for you to grab it. Look |
| books online, or are even just toying with the idea, | | | | for non-fiction titles on fishing, Americana, book |
| then here are a few tips to help you get started. In | | | | collecting and autobiographies. In fiction, look for titles |
| this article I'm going to discuss a number of issues, | | | | by authors such as Stephen King, Agatha Christie, |
| such as what to look for, what sort of start up | | | | David Gemmell, Conn Iggulden etc. If you don't think |
| costs are involved, some of the places you can | | | | you have a chance of finding any of the stuff I've |
| potentially find books to resell for profit, and more. I | | | | just mentioned - think again! You can. And if you |
| don't mean small profits of 10%, 25% or 50%, either. | | | | keep on looking, you will. |
| I'm talking about 1000% profits, sometimes even | | | | So where do you look for cheap books you can |
| more. I'm not kidding. It's big profits we want, isn't it? | | | | resell for profit? Perhaps I should start by discussing |
| Not chickenfeed. | | | | where NOT to buy books. |
| I don't really subscribe to the idea of putting books | | | | - don't buy books from any kind of recognised book |
| up on Amazon for a penny and earning off the | | | | shop |
| postage. I've never been comfortable with the | | | | Here's why. They know what a book is worth and |
| concept of bumping up postage and packaging costs | | | | because they are in the business they sell at retail |
| as a way to boost profits, either. I'd rather let the | | | | prices at least, so your chances of finding a bargain |
| books make the profit, then offer free postage, or | | | | are almost non-existent. |
| send the item first class when the buyer has paid for | | | | - on the whole don't buy ex-library stock or book |
| second. Stuff like that. | | | | club editions |
| I'd rather look for books that have the potential to | | | | There are exceptions, but they are not within the |
| give me a healthy return, and that can sometimes | | | | scope of this article. |
| mean stepping out of my comfort zone and buying | | | | So where do you go to buy your stock? |
| books I have never come across before. Sure, I do | | | | - jumble sales |
| research. I try to keep abreast of what sells and | | | | - yard sales |
| what doesn't. But you can't keep track of everything | | | | - car boot sales |
| and it's virtually impossible to keep all that data in | | | | - auctions that do not specialise in books |
| your head. It's like most skills you spend time on, you | | | | - house clearances |
| develop a nose for what sells and what doesn't. My | | | | In fact, any place where the books are likely to be |
| partner's almost made it into an art form! | | | | cheap. Why are they likely to be cheap? Because the |
| In the early days, I used to jot things down on bits | | | | seller has no idea how much their books are really |
| of paper and that helped to some extent. Initially, | | | | worth. In many cases they are selling them purely to |
| you may struggle to make a profit on the stock you | | | | raise some quick cash. I have found books in boxes |
| have. In which case, I'd work on the 1 pound rule, if | | | | on the floor. I have found them piled on top of each |
| at all possible. That is to say, unless you know that a | | | | other in dusty corners. I've even found them |
| book is definitely going to return a profit, don't buy it | | | | propping up tables! I've found some of my biggest |
| for more than a pound, or a dollar, or whatever | | | | selling books in places like that. |
| currency you deal in. That way you won't make any | | | | It's a win-win-win situation because your supplier |
| huge mistakes. You may miss some real gems, but | | | | earns cash from selling the books to you. You win |
| so be it. Another opportunity will always come along - | | | | because you make a profit, and your buyer wins |
| and it may be next time. Ideally, what you'd like to | | | | because they get the book they've been looking for. |
| do is buy for 1 pound or less and sell for 10 pounds | | | | That's what makes this business such a great one to |
| or more. That equates to 1000% profits. Once | | | | get involved in. You get to travel around your |
| you've been in the business a while, and you've done | | | | immediate area and perhaps beyond. You learn which |
| some sound market research, you'll be doing that on | | | | places are worth revisiting and which are not so good |
| a regular basis, believe me. | | | | and you get to make a nice second income that |
| You can start with minimal costs. Whatever you | | | | could even develop into a full time occupation. And as |
| want to put in. Even £10 or $10 could be | | | | you go along you learn more and more about what |
| enough to buy you 10-20 books, if you know where | | | | specific books sell, what authors to look out for, and |
| to look. Target first edition hardbacks, preferably, | | | | those profit streams will become more regular and |
| and be prepared to dig deep to find those hidden | | | | much stronger than you ever thought possible. |
| treasures. You'd be surprised where the next signed | | | | |