Q&A: Is Goodwill's Web site a good place to get books for resale?
QUESTION: Do you think Goodwill's online auctions are a good way to find books? I recently found a few books there I could have resold, but was surprised by the shipping & handling fees -- a lot of 10 thin paperbacks weighs 20 lbs?
ANSWER: Thanks for bringing this up. I was vaguely aware Goodwill was selling online but didn't know they were auctioning many books. Wow! I'm going to have to give this a closer look. At first glance, it seems Goodwill's auction site has a few gems among all the junk.
This is interesting, because until recently, where I live (near Washington D.C.) Goodwill had a huge book sale every summer. Despite having to wade through a lot of junk, every year I found a carload of good books, and always found a few rarities that went for $200 to $300.
A few years ago Goodwill discontinued their summer book sale here. A lot of people were really disappointed, and there was a big article on the front page of the Washington Post. Goodwill claimed they couldn't continue their book sales here because storage had gotten too expensive. Looks like there was more to the story -- Goodwill decided they could get more money selling online.
I guess it's their business. Goodwill is trying to raise money to fund their programs. According to their Web site, "revenues from auction sales fund education, job training and job placement programs for people with disabilities and other disadvantages."
But if Goodwill is trying to get the maximum cash out of its donated books by auctioning them, I don't understand why they wouldn't put them on eBay. Sure, they'd have to pay fees to eBay and PayPal, but I would think the ending prices would be much higher if you had a few more million potential bidders.
Goodwill also has a fixed-price site for what it calls "used text books and out-of-print and collectible books." The prices seem really high to me. But some of the books are so obscure, you might be able to find some real winners.
It's a shame so many of the sources for good used books are drying up. The Goodwill and Salvation Army stores here have pathetic selections of books, and very little turnover. But I've heard from people in other areas who find great books at these charity stores.
I'm guessing the odd shipping charges you found were an oversight. That's the biggest drawback to buying from charities and Friends of the Libraries groups online -- the attention to detail is usually lacking. The sellers are usually part-time volunteers who have good intentions but can't focus on service to the same extent as a seller whose income depends on happy customers.
The benefit of buying from charities and FOLs is that you can usually find great deals on books for resale.
posted by Steve Weber at 7/05/2006
3 Comments:
I haven't tried getting books from the Goodwill online, but going to GW and various thrift stores has been hit and miss for me. I've even found that prices can vary at different branches of the same charity store, for instance one branch will sell all paperbacks for 50 cents a piece, while the other mark them all from between 1-6 dollars each.
I've also noticed that where the particular thrift shop is located can have a huge effect on the types of books they will carry. However, going to that out of the way store in a bad part of town could land you that super valuable book because no one else has bothered to go there.
I've had some success finding gems at Goodwill...a few have resold for many times what I paid for them, and one in particular sold for about 100 dollars. However a lot of work is required to look through their junk, but it is great practice to learn how to spot valuable books.
However, it seems that the folks in charge of some charity stores are getting a bit greedy with their used books. One of my favorite local Goodwill stores decided to jack up their used book prices so high that I stopped going there, and even their employees apologized because they were angry with their management over the decision.
I have never bought thru their online sales but I live near Lansing Michigan and there are 6 Goodwill stores within a 25 mile radius of my home. I patrol these often - esp. in the winter when there are no garage sales. Here softcover are 59 and hardback 99 but they often have sales as low as 10 for $1.99. Overall I would say I have done very well buying books for resale from the Goodwill stores and other thrift shops directly. Also, if you are 55 or older or a student you can get a 10% discount.
Don't believe Goodwill's BS about helping out the community. Their CEO makes over $800,000 a year at a nonprofit agency, and the millions in profits each year obviously doesn't go to the employees. I shop all the Goodwills in my area, and the poor employees tell me they make $5.15 an hour. What a crock of sh*t. At least at Salvation they pay a little better.
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