Like most things, selling books is a specialist business. I sell books on three ebay accounts including one for a local charity book shop. All up I run around 2000 listings most of the time and make around $40 per hour for the time I spend on ebay.
There are plenty of books that might sell for $10 plus postage on ebay but by the time you buy them, photograph them, store them, answer questions, pick and pack them and pay ebay commissions, you only make a few dollars per hour for the time you spend on the site. That's OK if you are just doing it for a bit of fun and a few extra dollars, but it is not a viable business model.
The most important factor you need to quantify is dollars profit per hour. To do this you first need to correctly quantify how many hours per week you spend on ebay including browsing in op shops or where ever you get your books, listing, packing and posting time . Next you need to accurately figure out what your real profit per week is. You need to include ebay fees, stock costs including dead stock ( stuff that never sells ) , online shoplifting etc. After that its a fairly straightforward calculation.
Only around 1 in 500 used books is of reasonable value ( over $30 - $40 ) and probably only 1 in 5000 - 10,000 that is really worth something ( $300 plus ) The secret is to be able to find and identify the valuable ones and sell those. If you are the only one who recognises them, chances are you will only pay a few dollars for them. Around six months ago I purchased a bulk collection of rare books for between 50 cents and $2 each. Around half of these sold for between $50 and $200 and most sold immediately at auction, making for a very profitable couple of weeks.
There are several key points that can help identify rare books, but a lot of it is the X factor that cant easily be quantified. Things to look out for are first editions of classics, particularly early series books by a now famous author. Later, more popular titles by the same author can be worthless because there where heaps printed. Also look for first print runs of rare first editions, these can cause prices to skyrocket. You will need to educate yourself to identify these.
Next thing to look for is rare printings of sought after collectible books. Usually corrected soon after printing, but some escape into circulation. Again research research research.
Next thing that is a definate is subject matter. Books are collectible like anything else. Collectors usually stick to an author or type ( ie Science fiction ) or a particular subject in non fiction ie vintage sewing books.
Generally there are a lot more valuable books over 80 years old, but some recent titles can also make the list if hard core collectors are looking for them. Think rare computer game cheat books, limited edition art books etc.
Next there are a lot more valuable hard cover books than paper backs. First edition Sci fi and fiction by famous authors was often issued in HC then printed in PB for the masses.
Limited editions are an indicator. Numbered books under 1000 total print run and usually signed by the author are worth a look.
Signed by the author generally adds value to rarer books, but if a personalised / named inscription is included - not so good.
Books on famous people, signed by the subject increases value. I have a nice limited edition ( 750 copies ) book of Fredrick McCubbins art work, signed in pen and ink by the artist in my private collection. It includes a letter from the Author of the book on National Art Gallery script paper. I paid quite a bit of money for this one.
The rarest book in my private collection is by an early colonial, female artist. It depicts 20 hand painted, gilt embossed plates of our native flora. There where less than one hundred printed and only around a dozen are known to still exist. I was reading a 1920's Government publication which detailed the book, including that the national gallery was known to have a copy in its collection. This triggered a five year search and " wanted " listing with antiquarian book dealers to locate and purchase a copy. Its proven to be a good investment and will make a beautiful keepsake for my daughter.
Back to ebay, Store your books in bookshelves in groups themed alike. This makes picking and packing easier and adds to dollars per hour.
Buy postage materials in bulk. 50 - 100 padded bags etc at a time. This cuts costs and increases profit. Get a my business account with AP. Again cuts costs. I send cheap smaller books under $40 in value as large letters. Add a small amount to postage cost to cover personal insurance in case one " goes missing ". Item not received and No tracking .......... just refund, dont argue. Time is money and you can waste a lot of time chasing claims you will probably lose anyway. The only time I fight a case is when something is definately suss. You are running a business not a crusade and the buyers have already paid for the claim through your slightly higher postage cost.
The real key is to find THINGS BUYERS ACTUALLY WANT and are willing to pay good money for. Stuff that few others are selling. That usually means specialised or rare items that can be purchased cheaply ( because no-one else knows what it is ) and sold for good prices.
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