Shipping textbooks

[Mr Smiley]

I've started selling some old textbooks online (specifically half.com) and was wondering what is the best and cheapest way to ship textbooks? My problem is that some of the hardcover books are nearly 5 pounds and cost a fortune to ship. I plan to ship all of the books using media mail from USPS. Is this the preferred method? I don't want the books to take 2 weeks to reach the destination but I don't want to pay an arm and a leg for shipping.

 

[ChaoZ]

I've started selling some old textbooks online (specifically half.com) and was wondering what is the best and cheapest way to ship textbooks? My problem is that some of the hardcover books are nearly 5 pounds and cost a fortune to ship. I plan to ship all of the books using media mail from USPS. Is this the preferred method? I don't want the books to take 2 weeks to reach the destination but I don't want to pay an arm and a leg for shipping.

Yes, that's how I shipped all of mine. Shipping doesn't really take that long; usually a week is enough. Just make sure that the buyer knows it can take 2 weeks or longer.

 

[Bucks]

I usually go to the Post office and grab a padded envelope off the rack. They are like $1.50. Then I do media mail with tracking. Usually costs about $6 or so total.

 

[fatpat268]

Yea, media mail is the slowest but cheapest. The only other method worth considering is priority mail, but that runs up in cost fairly quickly.

It sucks when half.com decides to only reimburse you $3 for shipping when it costs $7 to ship it.

 

[Xcobra]

Media Mail for me too. Just tell them how long it could takes but I do recall Half.com stating how long it usually takes, may be wrong.

 

[Xcobra]

Yea, media mail is the slowest but cheapest. The only other method worth considering is priority mail, but that runs up in cost fairly quickly.

It sucks when half.com decides to only reimburse you $3 for shipping when it costs $7 to ship it.

This always pissed me off about them. It is ridiculous to say the least.

 

[Bucks]

This always pissed me off about them. It is ridiculous to say the least.

Same thing with Amazon. But I figure I am getting a lot more money back from a book than I would just selling it back to the book store. So I am willing to pay $4 extra dollars when I am making $40 more off a book.

 

[Spikesoldier]

USPS media mail.

dont bother with excessive packaging. ive had textbooks "double bagged" before and they showed up fine. you can especially get away with the double brown paper bag method with paperbacks.

 

[Xcobra]

Same thing with Amazon. But I figure I am getting a lot more money back from a book than I would just selling it back to the book store. So I am willing to pay $4 extra dollars when I am making $40 more off a book.

That I agree with. Didn't learn my lesson until maybe my second year in college. Book stores are a total rip off.

 

[fatpat268]

This always pissed me off about them. It is ridiculous to say the least.

Well, not only that, Half.com charges the buyer $4.99 for shipping, and they give the seller ~$4. WTF?

But at the same time, while Amazon gives you the full amount of money for shipping that the buyer paid, Amazon takes out a higher commission. So it ends up being a wash between the two in fees.

 

[Brainonska511]

I try to sell textbooks locally through my school's marketplace (craigslist style ad-system for my school).

When I sold a few through Amazon, I always shipped MediaMail with delivery confirmation, unless the person paid extra for Priority. If I order a book used, I expect it to be shipped Media Mail unless otherwise specified.

 

[Sasiki]

Maybe the USPS flat rate box? My wife orders her textbooks from Amazon so they all come in an Amazon box on UPS.

 

[Brainonska511]

Well, not only that, Half.com charges the buyer $4.99 for shipping, and they give the seller ~$4. WTF?

But at the same time, while Amazon gives you the full amount of money for shipping that the buyer paid, Amazon takes out a higher commission. So it ends up being a wash between the two in fees.

I've found once or twice that the amount Amazon allotted for shipping didn't cover the actual cost of shipping (but that might be because I had to buy a puffy envelope for the book). The higher commission does kill selling on Amazon for me - you lose a flat rate + 15%. Better for me to sell locally through my school's online classified ads.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I've found once or twice that the amount Amazon allotted for shipping didn't cover the actual cost of shipping (but that might be because I had to buy a puffy envelope for the book). The higher commission does kill selling on Amazon for me - you lose a flat rate + 15%. Better for me to sell locally through my school's online classified ads.

The problem with that plan is that it only works for texts being used the following semester and you are limiting your potential buyers to your school.

 

[mcmilljb]

If you don't like the shipping games online stores play, focus locally. I try to buy/trade as much as I can locally, but people are dumb and sell them back to the bookstore before I get a chance to get what I need. Hell I would pay more than they would get after commissions from Amazon/half.com, and we would both get a good deal.

 

[mcmilljb]

The problem with that plan is that it only works for texts being used the following semester and you are limiting your potential buyers to your school.

Usually first and second year books are mostly reusuable each semester. If you can get any book cheap locally, then you don't have to worry about getting of money a lot back from selling online. Plus you saved so much from the start. The key is to just get a good value. You're there to get an education, not worry about the economics of the college textbook trade.