Frequently Asked Questions

Selling

HOW DO I START?

1. Enter an ISBN into the search box at right.
2. Press the ENTER key on your keyboard to drop to the next line for each additional ISBN. Maximum 10 ISBNs per search.
3. Click the SEARCH button.
4. Either select the SEARCH AGAIN button or select the ADD TO CART button for each book you want to sell.
5. Either click SEARCH AGAIN, VIEW CART, or CHECKOUT button.
6. Enter shipping details and print shipping label.

IS THERE A MINIMUM ORDER VALUE?

No, but a minimum of $15 is required for a free shipping label.

WHAT ABOUT BOOK REJECTIONS OR DEDUCTIONS?

1. We'll email you with the reason.
2. You can have the books returned at your expense. We deduct our return shipping fees.
3. If we do not hear from you, we will hold rejects for 14 days, then recycle them.

Search Tip: If a book has no ISBN on the back cover, look on the copyright page.

CONDITION

Please see our Condition Guidelines here.

ISBN

What is an ISBN?

ISBN is an acronym for International Standard Book Number. It is a unique, numeric, commercial book identifier.

Where can I find it?

Either on the back cover of the book and/or on the copyright page at front of book.

How many digits is it?

Either 10 or 13 digits. The 13 starts with '978.'

My book has two ISBNs, one with ten and one with thirteen—Which one should I use?

You may use either, but you must use one or the other, not the 13 digit without '978'.

HOW LONG DOES MY QUOTE LAST?

A quote is good for 7 days. Your parcel must be shipped and postmarked within 7 days of receiving our confirmation number.

WHAT IF I HAVE A LARGE QUANTITY OF BOOKS?

Please contact us to discuss the details if you have more than 100 books.

YOU DIDN'T WANT MY BOOK—CAN I TRY AGAIN?

Yes, our prices and stock levels change constantly.

WILL YOU BUY OLD ENCYCLOPEDIAS OR DICTIONARIES?

Sorry, we cannot accept out-of-date reference books, including encyclopedias, dictionaries, almanacs, etc., for cash or trade.

PAYMENT

HOW DO I GET PAID?

1. Online: Choose between check and PayPal (you must provide an email address attached to a PayPal account).
2. In-Store: PayPal, check, or cash. We also accept many lower end books on trade in the shop.

WHEN DO I GET PAID?

PACKING

HOW DO I PACK MY BOOKS?

1. Use a CLEAN sturdy box: Look for boxes in cardboard recycle bins, supermarkets, etc.
2. Media Mail limit is 70 lbs., but we recommend keeping the weight under 30 lbs.
3. Place books in your box laying flat with spines facing out.
4. Pack tightly: Fill empty spaces completely and tightly with clean material (see #4).
5. Packing materials: Use recycled cardboard, Styrofoam blocks or peanuts - no newspaper because the ink rubs off on books and the paper compresses and creates voids!
6. Tape all seams with strong packing tape.
7. Shipping label: Adhere with glue stick and tape edges; do not tape over any barcodes or postal fee space (top left).

SHIPPING

CAN I USE A DIFFERENT CARRIER?

Yes, but we only reimburse at US Postal Service Media Mail rates.

WHEN WILL I KNOW THAT YOU'VE RECEIVED MY BOOKS?

Media Mail can take up to three weeks or longer for delivery depending on your zip code. Upon receipt, we send a confirmation email and issue payment within 24 hours. (See Selling: When Do I Get Paid?)

I'M SENDING MORE THAN ONE BOX—WHAT SHOULD I DO?

Enclose a copy of the packing slip in each box and number each box clearly on the outside, for example: "BOX 1 OF 2", "BOX 2 OF 2" etc.

I'M LOCAL—CAN I COME TO YOUR STORE?

Yes. Please contact us if you'll be bringing more than 2 or 3 boxes of books.

WHAT IF MY BOOKS GET LOST IN THE MAIL?

We cannot be responsible for lost items. You may purchase insurance, delivery confirmation, and other services at your local post office.

CAN I SELL TO YOU FROM OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES?

Yes, but you cannot use our free shipping label and we only reimburse at US Postal Service Media Mail rates.

FUNDRAISING

We are helping schools, non-profits, and other organizations raise funds using our unique buyback software.

Call or email BOOKSwanted to get started right away. Visit our Fundraising page for more details.