We have been talking about getting the most value from being a member of Paperback Swap.com. Let’s continue with finding out how to get free or inexpensive books to trade.
Finding Frugal Books to Trade
The first place that you should look for books is in your own library. Pull out any books that you have already read and haven’t reread in at least five years. Chances are that you won’t get back to them anyway. Also pull out any books that you have owned for five years without once opening. Chances are that if you haven’t gotten to them yet, you never will. New, more interesting books will keep replacing those already on your shelf until those old books fall apart. This is the cheapest way to get books to post, since you aren’t spending any money for them.
Another great place to get books to post is at library sales. In general, a nice library sale can yield you paper back books for anywhere from 10 cents to 50 cents each, or even less if you buy them in bulk.. The best value is in choosing sought after books that you will enjoy reading as well. This way, you get to enjoy the book, and you can still exchange it. Some folks on Paper Back Swap actually buy books at library sales just for posting. They say it is a better deal than other methods of getting credits (which we will also discuss later). Many libraries also have a section where they sell books on a daily basis. While the selection may be limited, these are generally extra copies of very popular books that have been donated. I have found lots of great best sellers this way.
Yard sales are great for buying books. You can often negotiate for a large quantity. I picked up two very large boxes of children and teen books for only $6. Some of these books we added to our library, while others we posted on Paper Back Swap. I think there were somewhere around twenty books that have been ordered by other members so far.
Getting books for free is always good. Check on Freecycle.org for free books, go curb shopping for free books and ask friends and family if they have any unwanted books they would like to de-clutter from their homes.
Check back again, when I offer some more Paperback Swap strategies.
Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.
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