You’re not going to get rich reselling your books, but you might get a little fun money for the weekend or, at the very least, be able to trade your old books for "new" ones.
Like the recycling of anything, recycling books is an environmentally-friendly choice.
Most book shops are interested in best-selling books in good condition. Some buy books by the box and some buy them individually. Most give in-store credit.
Daniel Goldin is the manager of Boswell Book Company, 2559 N. Downer Ave. Goldin explains how his book-buying process works.
"We pay about 25 percent of what we're selling them for. A new, hot paperback in good condition would probably get $2-$2.50. A fairly new hardcover that's still selling would get $3-$3.50. A nice hardcover cookbook might get $4-5," says Goldin. "We buy books for credit. Cuts down on the dumpster divers and the thieves."
Milwaukee has a bunch of book stores that buy used books. Here is a list of some of them and feel free to add more via the Talkback feature.
Boswell Book Company
2559 N. Downer Ave., (414) 332-1181
boswellbooks.com
Boswell Book Company buys books for in-store credit. Boswell pays about 25 percent of the original cover price. "We are picky about condition," says Goldin. Call ahead to make certain a book buyer is available.
Half Price Books
Multiple locations
halfpricebooks.com
There are six Half Price Books locations in Wisconsin: Two in Madison,
Appleton, Brookfield, Greenfield and Milwaukee. Half Price offers cash
for printed or recorded materials based on age, condition and resale
possibility. A valid driver’s license is required to receive payment.
Open Book Co-op
4093 N. Oakland Ave., (414) 431-3170
openbookcoop.com
Open Book offers scheduled times for book selling, based on when the book buyer is available. Call ahead for exact buying times. Open Book gives in-store credit for books, depending on condition and resale potential of the book.
Re-Booked
5924 W. North Ave., (414) 476-7323
re-booked.com
Re-Booked gives in-store credit for used books. Book must be in good condition, and the amount offered is based on the original price of the book. In general, 15-25 percent of the cover price is given in trade value.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
