Buying Books on a Budget
Finding Cheap Books at Used Bookstores, Flea Markets & Garage Sales
Nov 12, 2008
Books don’t come cheap. But it’s no wonder, considering the vast number of people involved in bringing a book from draft to bookshelf. It’s not only the author that gets paid, it’s also everyone in charge of reading, commissioning, editing, designing, printing, transporting and selling the book. So considering how many people need to be paid, it’s hard for book buyers to complain about the cost of a book.
But for those who can burn through a book in a matter of days, buying books is an expensive hobby. Fortunately, there are ways around paying the retail price. So instead of dipping into your savings or waiting for Christmas to roll around, follow these five effective book buying strategies:
Buy Books From Used Bookstores
Not everyone has space in their home to store books. That’s why many new and popular titles end up at used bookstores. And depending on the quality of the books, they’ll range in price from half the retail cost to less than your morning coffee.
Trade in Your Old Books to Used Bookstores
If you have books lying around that you’ll never read again, bring them to your favorite used bookstore. Most used bookstores offer a fifty-fifty credit, which provides you with a fifty percent discount credit against your next book purchase. The more books you trade in, the more credit you’ll earn.
Buy Books From Thrift Stores
Thrift stores like Salvation Army or Value Village are a great place to find books for bargain prices. Although the books at Salvation Army tend to sell for less, Value Village usually has a wider selection. Thrift store books range in price from under a dollar to about five dollars, with most landing somewhere in between.
Buy Books from Garage Sales and Flea Markets
Take advantage of the summer season to replenish your stock of reading material. Garage sales and flea markets are the best places to shop for books, as they usually sell for twenty-five cents to a dollar. And the best part is that you can barter. So don’t hesitate to ask for a better deal, especially if they’re overpriced by garage sale and flea market standards.
Buy Books from Library Book Sales
Many public libraries have annual or semi annual book sales as a way to flush out the old, damaged or infrequently borrowed books in order to make room for new titles. But don’t think it’s only books from the 1980s with ripped covers and coffee stains. Most books at these sales are fairly new and in good condition. Often libraries order multiple copies of a book when it’s brand new, and sell the extra copies once the demand for the book passes.
And what’s the best part about library book sales? The prices. The books sell for as much as three dollars, with paperbacks and children’s novels priced around fifty cents. So check with your local public library to find out the date and time of their next book sale and arrive prepared with cash and strong bags.
Check for Bargains and Discounts at Your Local Book Store
Most book stores, particularly bigger chain stores, have a bargain section in which publishers have marked down the cost of their books to half price or more. This usually happens when publishers have too many copies of a book stored in their warehouse and they need to sell them in order to make room for new titles. This happens more often than not when paperback editions are released. At that point, the hardcovers are then discounted.
So if you don't have a library card or a generous friend, try these book buying strategies. With all the money you'll save, you'll be glad you did.
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