Last Updated on September 23, 2021 by BookScouter

This article was initially published on April 22, 2016. 

Updated article published on  July 22, 2019. 

When is the best time to sell my textbook? 

If you are wondering “is there really a best time to sell textbooks?” this article is for you. And to answer your question, yes, there are times of the year that are more profitable to sell textbooks. Just like any other product on the market, prices and sales rise during seasons of higher demand and exposure. Taking into account the book selling and purchasing trends over the years we have compiled a list of tips when it comes to maximizing your profit as a textbook reseller. 

To make sure you make the most money, it is important to sell textbooks when they are in high demand. The higher the demand, the more money companies and individuals are willing to pay for your book. 

As a college student, if you try selling textbooks at the same time as all your classmates, the odds are your profit and chance of selling books will be lower. However, if you time your selling strategically, you could make a lot more money selling textbooks. Here are a few helpful hints for selling textbooks at the times of year when they are in the highest demand.

When are the best times to sell textbooks?  

The beginning of the fall semester is the best time to sell your textbooks. On average more students are attending college in the fall semester than the spring. This typically occurs because more and more students are graduating at the end of a fall semester than in years past. Other reasons for a higher fall enrollment is due to greater course offerings by colleges and universities during the fall semester as well as financial aid packaging and scholarship opportunities encompassing a full school year, which starts in the fall.  Selling textbooks the few weeks before and leading into a fall semester (August-September) is wise because the maximum possible (and realistic) number of students are looking for books. 

The second best time to sell your textbooks is, you guessed it: the beginning of the spring semester. Similar to the fall semester, during the beginning of the spring semester students recently received the syllabi for all their courses. This is the best time for them to buy their textbooks. It is also one of the best times for you to sell. These students will have also had time to sell back their used textbooks from the fall semester and thus be financially ready to make their spring textbook purchases. 

The third best time is the end of the spring semester. Since students are preparing for summer courses, the end of the spring semester is another great time to sell textbooks. Similar to selling at the beginning of the fall and spring terms, at the start of the summer semesters students are in need of their textbooks. Keep in mind, summer courses are the least attended among the three school terms presented here. Often summer courses include core curriculum courses. Leave your most niche textbooks for the fall semester and sell general education and foundational textbooks during the beginning of the spring and summer terms. 

When are the worst times to sell textbooks? 

If you can make a sale on a textbook then any time is a great time to sell your book. However, as mentioned above, some times are typically more profitable and easier to sell than others. The less beneficial times to sell textbooks include finals week and mid semester. 

During finals week selling your textbook will be tough, not impossible, but more challenging than other times. Most students are not necessarily thinking about their next semester. They are busy studying for and taking finals. Very few students are considering preparing for the next semester since they are focused on completing the current semester. 

Those who are looking for books during the end of a semester are often counting on deals. If you are happy to sell your book at a lower cost, this time frame might not hurt you as badly. 

During the weeks immediately following the end of a semester many students will be selling their textbooks. This rise in supply also makes it challenging to sell books, especially for a great price. Waiting a little longer until students are preparing for the fresh start of the new semester can result in more profit for you. 

With this said, we encourage you not to wait to sell your textbooks until the semester is underway or even part way through. After the first week of classes most students have all the books the need for the semester. Some may change a course one to two weeks into the semester, but generally students have all their books required within that first week of class. This means no one will want to buy the books you’re selling while a semester is in session. 

How do I make the most money back selling my textbook? 

Being mindful of the timing is both an art and a science. It can take practice, so test these strategies for a semester or two to see which ones work best for you. Keep in mind that you do not need to be in college to resell textbooks. Whether you have never attended college or have completed your degree, as you own textbooks (or any books, really) resell the books you are no longer actively using. With these tips in hand you will make the most money back. 

Unsure whether your textbook is in high demand or not? Use BookScouter.com at any time to see who is willing to pay and what they are willing to pay for your textbooks. If you feel your textbook is worth more than what companies are offering you have a couple of options. Try selling your textbook in a local book buyback Facebook group, resell to a local textbook exchange, or ask your peers if they need a book for the next semester. Another option is to keep the textbook posted for the semester and check back when the demand may be higher. 

Want more details about the best time to sell your textbooks? Check out our article on The Three Best Times To Sell Textbooks!