Are you a curriculum hoarder? Are you one to rid your shelves of the old to make a place for the new in record time? Or are you like me and have boxes filled with old curriculum with every intention to either sell it or find a good home for it? Whatever the case, at one time or another every homeschool parent needs to find a new home for old curriculum. I currently have enough homeschool curriculum and books for three boxes just waiting for me to decide what to do with. t?
A popular method is to sell on your items on Ebay. I have done this many times and never had a problem despite hearing many negative stories from other Ebayers. The trick to selling on Ebay is complete disclosure. A potential buyer does not always need a picture as the stock picture may be enough but she will need to know the condition of the item.
Things to disclose concerning condition:
Missing pages
Tears
Bends
Damage to the cover
Water damage
Creases on the cover or the pages
Any eye catching wear and tear.
Assignments in the material that have already been completed.
Other things to disclose:
Edition of the text.
If you are selling a complete set or if the teacher’s manual or test manual still needs to be purchased.
Intended grade level of the text or workbook.
If the text or workbook contains reproducibles.
Secular or Christian based material
What about a picture?
I have sold curriculum with and without pictures. If I am selling one book, I often just use the stock photo and describe the condition of the item. If I am selling a set or multiple books than I take a picture. I recommend taking one picture as you will be charged for additional pictures. Your picture should be simple and have good light. No need for borders, touch ups, or anything fancy.
How do I price my items?
The best way to price items on Ebay is by searching past sales. If you do an advanced search you can find the final price of previously sold items. If you are selling a Saxon math book, then simply look up Saxon math to find the average price it has sold for in the past. You will have to take condition and demand in consideration. Always remember that an item is only worth what someone is willing to pay. You may have spent $50 on the text new but it may only demand $15 on Ebay. List your item at the lowest price you are willing to take for it.
Most potential buyers already know exactly what they need. Your ads should be short and to the point. If you do not want to disclose every flaw you can be broad by saying “good” or “very good” condition. However, these terms often mean different things to different people. I have had no problems stating that the material shows shelf wear, is in usable condition or has clean pages but damaged cover. Be honest and look at your ad as if you were the potential buyer.