More book dealers are turning to online sources to streamline what used to be a lengthy process of buying and selling textbooks. Now, instead of wasting time by cataloging textbooks for sale with online auctions and waiting for the books to sell, you can send your inventory to a professional buy back dealer who usually gives you quick cash for your textbooks after you’ve completed a simple online application. Many even pay the postage it’s going to cost to send your books to them.

Whether you’re just starting out in the textbook business or you’re a seasoned book dealer, your best bet is to locate a textbook buy back company with an interactive website. Most of these websites display frequently updated price quote charts for buying new and used textbooks. Take advantage of these online opportunities regardless of the kind of textbooks you are buying or selling:

1. Search for textbook companies offering special programs for book dealers.

2. Start your textbook business with a safe and sure sales policy designed for new dealers.

3. Find a risk-free buyback policy for new and used textbooks.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy used textbooks or sell new ones with special sales agreements

Companies that buy textbooks for re-sale with book dealers will make special arrangements tailored to the book dealer's unique situation. Some welcome new textbook dealers who try to earn extra cash by promoting the company's textbooks at college bookstores.

I recommend: TextbookBuyer.com specializes in buying textbooks only and vows to match any selling price you’ve been offered by other dealers. ValoreBooks.com offers commissions to new textbook agents who agree to market Valore textbooks at colleges and universities nationwide.

Launch your textbook business with a low-risk sales agreement

If you're just starting out in the textbook selling business, you need to find a source that will market your textbook online at low cost to you. Consider a new method known as 'book dropshipping' geared to new companies without adequate space to stock a large inventory.

I recommend: Swapbooks.com has a unique volume seller program that assists you in advertising the textbooks online and doesn’t charge a commission fee until the books have been sold. Collegetextbookbuyers offers a textbook buyback policy, which promises to issue you payment as soon as its staff unpacks and inspects the books you’ve shipped. QualityBooks.com will “dropship” book inventories to new book dealers in return for the dealer promising to advertise the books. You then order only the amount you need—based upon your promotion--without having to purchase a large stock that you may never sell.

Opt for buyback policies that lower your costs and guarantee payment on receipt

Most textbook buyback dealers require only an ISBN code before accepting your shipment of textbooks to buy back. Many will even pay your shipping costs.

I recommend: Complete the online buyback form at Blue Rectangle by entering the ISBN code located on the textbook itself. California-based Blue Rectangle doesn’t charge you for shipping the textbooks to the company, which has been buying and selling new and used textbooks for about 10 years. BooksIntoCash.com specializes in buybacks for college textbooks, whether new or used. It pays insurance and shipping costs for you to mail the textbooks to the company but doesn’t obligate you to go through with the sale if you’re not completely satisfied with the terms.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Ask any textbook buyback company about their grading system for textbooks. In particular, have them explain in specific terms what they mean by 'new' as opposed to 'used' textbooks. Some require that 'new' textbooks be in 'perfect' physical condition.

Textbooks can easily cost a college student hundreds of dollars each and every semester. It's often a frustrating part of the college experience because you feel you have no choice but to pay upwards of $100 or more for a single book.

Buying textbooks online gives you the opportunity to save money. You can compare costs of college textbooks, buy used textbooks and even sell textbooks back to recoup some of your money. Unlike the college bookstore, you get a choice on how much money you spend. Learn to:

1. Search for the exact textbook your professor requires.

2. Get the best college textbooks for your money.

3. Place textbooks for sale to make some of your investment back.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use the ISBN to buy textbooks online

The ISBN is the International Standard Book Number, a barcode-like number found on the back cover of textbooks. It's the easiest way to search for new and used textbooks online. If you don't have it, you can use the title or author to search, but you may not end up with the correct edition. It's a better bet to type in the ISBN.

I recommend: Amazon.com offers discounts on hundreds of thousands of new college textbooks. There's also a wide variety of used textbooks at prices up to 90% off the list prices. Textbooks.com has more than seven million textbooks for sale. The company offers fast delivery through UPS, so you can track your delivery online.

Compare prices when buying textbooks online

Once you enter the ISBN number, textbook websites generate a list of available books, some which are sold by the company directly. Other websites allow students to sell their books directly to you. Review the condition of the book, price and shipping information before choosing which one you want. Some will be like-new books, others will be full of highlighting and notes.

I recommend: Buy textbooks at Half.com, Inc. or Bigger Words, Inc. Both websites advertise cheap online textbooks. Half.com is run by eBay so it operates in much the same way--people use this portal to sell their used textbooks. The site also allows you to pre-order books for next semester, to get a jump on other students competing for the same books.

Sell textbooks once you're done with them to recoup some of your money

Textbook buyback programs give you more flexibility for getting rid of your unwanted books than most campus bookstores. Simply enter the book's ISBN and get a quote. If you don't like that quote, check other textbook buyback programs' websites for their prices.

I recommend: Sell textbooks to Barnes & Noble.com or AbeBooks.com. Their textbook buyback progams offer competitive prices for your books.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When you buy college textbooks online, always make sure there's a guarantee or tracking system, just in case they don't arrive in time for your semester.
• •  Place your order for textbooks as soon as possible so you don't have to attend class bookless.
• •  When you buy textbooks, try to order as many from one seller as possible to reduce shipping costs.