AbeBooks / Sell Used, Rare, Out-of-Print Books, Art and Collectibles

Abebooks review quick take: A marketplace for sellers of new, used, rare, and out-of-print books to reach a global audience.

What is AbeBooks?

AbeBooks is an online marketplace that connects buyers and sellers of books, art, and collectibles from around the world. Founded in 1996, AbeBooks offers a vast selection of books across various genres, including fiction, non-fiction, textbooks, and rare editions. It has been a subsidiary of Amazon since 2008.

How AbeBooks Works

Using AbeBooks is simple. AbeBooks facilitates transactions and provides customer support throughout the process.

• Sellers list their books for sale on the platform, setting their own prices and descriptions.
• Customers browse the extensive catalog of books and make purchases directly from sellers.

AbeBooks offers a range of services for both buyers and sellers, including:

• Sellers can list their books for sale on the platform, reaching a global audience of book enthusiasts.
• Facilitates secure transactions between buyers and sellers, ensuring a smooth and reliable buying experience.
• Provides customer support to assist with inquiries, orders, and any issues that may arise during transactions.

Side Hustle Potential

AbeBooks can be a good side hustle for individuals passionate about books and art. If you have access to many books or have a few rare or out-of-print books, you can list your books for sale in the marketplace. You can also list art and collectibles.

Requirements: You will need a collection of books to sell.

Average Earnings: This can vary depending on factors such as the rarity, condition, and demand.

Fees

Listing fees range from $25 to $500 per month. Additional transactional fees apply as a percentage of the sales.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Provides access to a global audience of book buyers.
• Offers a diverse and extensive catalog to cater to all interests.
• Tools and resources to help sellers manage inventory, pricing, and orders efficiently.

Cons

• Competition can be stiff, especially for popular titles.
• Listing fees and commissions on sales can impact profitability.
• Sellers are responsible for shipping items to buyers.

Who is it Best For

AbeBooks is best for book enthusiasts, collectors, and individuals looking to monetize their book collections.

Steps to Get Started with AbeBooks

1. Create a seller account on the AbeBooks website.
2. List your books for sale, providing accurate descriptions and pricing.
3. Manage your inventory, process orders, ship the items, and provide customer service.

Our AbeBooks Review

AbeBooks is a legitimate online marketplace for selling new, used, rare, and out-of-print books, as well as rare art and collectibles. Amazon also owns the marketplace, giving it more credibility.

In researching AbeBooks reviews, we learned it has a bad rating of 1.6 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot. Filtering through them reveals many unhappy customers with complaints about sellers. However, there were more positive reviews given by sellers sharing their experience with the marketplace.

The marketplace may not be ideal if you only have a few books to sell. But if you happen to hold or find a rare book or collectible, consider selling the item on AbeBooks.

Our AbeBooks review conclusion: Even with the fees, it may be worth it because of the dedicated community of booksellers and collectors. You may get top dollar for your rare books compared to selling them on other marketplaces.

AbeBooks Alternatives

A few AbeBooks alternatives let you set up a marketplace and sell books, including Amazon and eBay. You can also sell books directly to Declutter (although you won’t get as much for it).