How to sell books on eBay and Vinted

• Which edition it is: hardback or paperback, first edition, which printing.
• The ISBN, which identifies the exact edition.
• Condition of the spine, corners and dust jacket.
• Writing, highlighting, stamps or ex-library markings.
• Yellowing, foxing (brown spots) and smells such as smoke or damp.
• For signed copies, how the signature was obtained.

1. The front cover, straight on.
2. The spine.
3. The back cover with the ISBN barcode.
4. The copyright page, which shows the edition and printing.
5. Any signature or inscription.
6. Corners, dust jacket edges and any damage.
7. For bundles, all the spines together so titles are readable.

• Title and author first.
• Then format: hardback or paperback.
• Add the edition and printing if it's notable: first edition, first printing.
• Add 'signed' only for genuine signatures.
• For bundles, list the author or series and the number of books.

Example title

The Secret History by Donna Tartt Hardback First UK Edition 1992 Dust Jacket

Words buyers search for

• title and author
• ISBN
• hardback or paperback
• first edition, first printing
• signed
• series name and book numbers
• textbook, edition number
• bundle, job lot

• Format and page count.
• ISBN-13 (or ISBN-10 for older books).
• Publisher and year from the copyright page.
• Edition and printing line (the row of numbers on the copyright page).
• For textbooks, the edition number, which students need to match.

• Use book-specific terms and explain them: 'very good: light shelf wear to the corners, no writing inside'.
• Mention highlighting or notes, even a name written inside the cover.
• Say if the dust jacket is missing, clipped or has tears.
• Mention smoke or damp smells, which buyers can't see.

Popular fiction and children's books tend to sell best in bundles, on Vinted or eBay, as single copies are inexpensive new.

Collectable books, first editions, signed copies and out-of-print titles often reach collectors on eBay, who search by edition and ISBN.

Textbooks tend to sell to students at the start of terms, so timing matters.

SnapFlip's barcode scan can identify a book from its ISBN to speed up listing.

• Wrap books in a plastic bag first to keep them dry, then pad the corners.
• A single paperback often fits a large letter if the packed thickness stays under the limit, so measure carefully.
• Hardbacks and bundles usually need a small parcel or bigger: books are heavy for their size, so weigh before choosing.
• Use a box or a book wrap for valuable books; a mailing bag alone can let corners get bashed.

Not sure which parcel size you need? Check the postage size guide.

• Calling a book a first edition because of the date alone, without checking the printing line.
• Not mentioning writing inside.
• Selling a valuable single book cheaply in a bundle without checking the edition first.
• Underestimating the weight of a book bundle.

How do I tell if a book is a first edition?

Check the copyright page. Many publishers print 'First published' and a number line: a '1' in the line usually means first printing. Rules differ by publisher, so describe exactly what the page shows and photograph it.

Is it worth selling books one at a time?

For most recent paperbacks, bundles are less work. Single listings make more sense for collectable, signed, rare or in-demand textbooks.

Can I scan the barcode to list a book?

Yes. SnapFlip's barcode scan reads the ISBN so you don't have to type the details.