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The Home-Based Bookstore: Start Your Own Business Selling Used Books on Amazon, eBay or Your Own Web Site by Steve Weber
Home-Based Bookstore (06) by Weber, Steve [Paperback (2011)]
Paperback
First published November 2, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 31, 2011
Having recently decided that I prefer to work from home, I've been considering how to do that. Given my love of books, online book selling seems to make the most sense for me, but I've had very little idea how to get into the business.
This book is heavily weighted toward selling books on Amazon. While that's not a bad thing, it meant that it wasn't necessarily what I was looking for, as I've been thinking of starting my own website specifically focused on a certain type of book. Also, after finishing the book, I was still left a little confused about what books are good to sell and what aren't. However, I think that might be a more intuitive thing, something that comes to a book seller over time.
Even though it wasn't exactly what I was looking for, I still felt that this book had a lot of great tips. As I begin dipping my toe into the book selling waters, I find myself referring back to it for pointers. I think that anyone looking to sell books online would find this book useful.
This book is heavily weighted toward selling books on Amazon. While that's not a bad thing, it meant that it wasn't necessarily what I was looking for, as I've been thinking of starting my own website specifically focused on a certain type of book. Also, after finishing the book, I was still left a little confused about what books are good to sell and what aren't. However, I think that might be a more intuitive thing, something that comes to a book seller over time.
Even though it wasn't exactly what I was looking for, I still felt that this book had a lot of great tips. As I begin dipping my toe into the book selling waters, I find myself referring back to it for pointers. I think that anyone looking to sell books online would find this book useful.
December 11, 2020
This was the latest title in my ongoing efforts to find something interesting to read at Kindle Unlimited, after impulsively pre-purchasing a six-month subscription last week when it was on sale, then immediately learning that not a single book I actually want to go out of my way to read is carried through their service. (Seriously, of the 98 books currently in my TBR list, a grand total of zero of them are available through Kindle Unlimited.) This particular book was a no-brainer for me, because I've already spent the last ten years selling rare and collectible books through my eBay store, and have always been curious about those who sell less finicky used books for less money but greater volume at a place like, say, Amazon Marketplace. And hey, turns out the process is extremely similar, with the main difference only being how one decides what to acquire in the first place. (TLDR: Collectible books involve becoming a genuine expert in literary history, which is what lets someone like me specialize very narrowly on first printings of Postmodernist novels; while simple used books are all about figuring out subjects for which people are constantly on the hunt for information, thus making it much more focused on nonfiction, and especially perennially popular niche subjects like cookbooks, military history, etc.)
Weber does a nicely thorough job at exploring the topic here, forgoing the usual page-padding nonsense that make up a lot of these books, although with its share of entire chapters that do nothing but list Google search results, a pre-internet habit among these kinds of writers that is no longer necessary yet still regularly continues. Plus this book suffers a bit (but not as much as others) from the problem of its online information being instantly outdated the moment the book actually came out; and while he mostly sticks to good solid fundamentals during the meat of the manuscript, it still suffers from such problems as, say, a glowing recommendation of the now completely shuttered Half.com, and a too-brief mention of this newfangled experimental program known as "Fulfillment By Amazon," which three years after its latest update is now the main way used booksellers sell online in the first place. But still, I enjoyed it, and actually learned a few things I didn't know before; so when it comes to that, this is essentially the most successful reading experience I've yet had through the otherwise mostly frustrating Kindle Unlimited program. It comes with a general recommendation to those who are specifically interested in the subject themselves.
Weber does a nicely thorough job at exploring the topic here, forgoing the usual page-padding nonsense that make up a lot of these books, although with its share of entire chapters that do nothing but list Google search results, a pre-internet habit among these kinds of writers that is no longer necessary yet still regularly continues. Plus this book suffers a bit (but not as much as others) from the problem of its online information being instantly outdated the moment the book actually came out; and while he mostly sticks to good solid fundamentals during the meat of the manuscript, it still suffers from such problems as, say, a glowing recommendation of the now completely shuttered Half.com, and a too-brief mention of this newfangled experimental program known as "Fulfillment By Amazon," which three years after its latest update is now the main way used booksellers sell online in the first place. But still, I enjoyed it, and actually learned a few things I didn't know before; so when it comes to that, this is essentially the most successful reading experience I've yet had through the otherwise mostly frustrating Kindle Unlimited program. It comes with a general recommendation to those who are specifically interested in the subject themselves.
September 22, 2008
Helpful confirmation of things I thought I knew and some good insight into the importance of accurate evaluation of condition for both buying and selling. Useful ideas about researching and finding books online. Geared more to someone wanting a big book business than the casual seller just selling off a collection. Both will benefit from the web sites he has listed and the inside scoop on the working and problems of each.
April 18, 2018
If you want to start your own online bookselling business, this book walks you through everything you need to know ... from where to find books and how to choose the ones that will sell to how to set up your operations and more. The author also provides a rundown of valuable resources to help your business run more efficiently. A thorough reference guide for beginners!
May 15, 2018
Simple, brief read that superficially describes the basics of setting up a business selling books online from home. I read it because I want to off load part of my book collection and I found it helpful. However, my 2006 edition is very much outdated with some of the websites and apps now obsolete.
February 20, 2017
Touches on many different topics, though not comprehensive. Unfortunately, most of the information is dated and not necessarily true anymore. (It claims to be "expanded and revised in February 2012" but some info is clearly older than that.)
January 13, 2013
Clearly written and possibly useful but much of the information is based on the circumstances of several years ago (published in 2006) so there is a bit of concern there. Very simply written though and a good introduction to the basics.
October 8, 2014
Tips on selling used books online.
December 6, 2015
Good for a beginner
I have been selling books using FBA for about year and I still found some gems of information from this book. It would be very good for a beginner
I have been selling books using FBA for about year and I still found some gems of information from this book. It would be very good for a beginner
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews