Plan Your Pre-Sale Research
Turn library book sales into opportunities. This workspace helps you research book values, plan your search, and bid with confidence.
Target Genres
Pre-Sale Timeline
Research Authors
Look up 3-5 authors in your target genres. Note their popular titles and average prices.
Create Price Ranges
Decide your max price for paperbacks ($3), hardcovers ($8), and specialty items ($20+). Write these on a card.
Plan Your Route
Start in fiction for best selection. End with children and reference. Bring cash in small bills.
Bidding Framework
Condition Matters
Dust jackets: +20% value. Spines intact: must have. Pages unfold: -50% value.
First Edition?
Check copyright page. Look for "First Edition" or numbered series. Not all first editions are valuable.
Signature Check
Author signatures on books published after 1980 are often book club editions. Check value first.
Sale Price Rule
If price is 20% or less of Amazon's current price, it is usually worth buying.
Real Examples to Watch For
| Book Type | Look For | Typical Value |
|---|---|---|
| School textbooks (1990-2010) | Good condition, recent editions | $5-15 |
| Travel guides (current edition) | Not older than 5 years | $8-20 |
| Art books | Large format, color plates | $10-30 |
| Out-of-print mysteries | Popular authors, good reviews | $15-50 |
| Children's paperbacks | Popular series, intact | $3-10 |
Save and Print
Save Progress
Your checked genres and notes save automatically. Come back anytime to continue planning.