Help me sell my used academic books for a good price.

May 29, 2008 7:28 AM

Where can I find a used bookstore that will buy gently used academic books in the DC-Baltimore-Northern Virginia area?

I am generally a bibliophile happy to amass books and more books, but my partner has issued an ultimatum. Thus, I have about six boxes of academic books that I can do without to preserve domestic tranquility. They are generally the very thing that fashionable young grad students in the humanities would snatch up. Also, I have a box of graphic novels that I can no longer defend as remaining in touch with my inner child. Assuming I want to avoid piecemeal sales on Ebay, where can I/should I sell them?

posted by anotherpanacea to shopping (6 answers total)

Second Story Books
posted by needled at 7:38 AM on May 29, 2008

The Book Alcove in Gaithersburg MD, off Shady Grove Rd.
posted by eightball at 8:07 AM on May 29, 2008

2nding 2nd Story.
posted by cowbellemoo at 8:10 AM on May 29, 2008

Second Story.

You could also try Idle Time in Adams Morgan. I haven't sold to either in quite a while, so I'm not sure which is better.
posted by OmieWise at 8:54 AM on May 29, 2008

Before our recent move, we sent about half our library to Powell's, who will give you an online quote and a pre-paid shipping label. It was completely awesome and easy -- and they bought a ton of my graphic novels.
posted by droob at 9:57 AM on May 29, 2008

Thanks all! The Powell's idea is pretty interesting: on the one hand, it requires me to type out ISBNs, and no CueCat in sight, but it looks like they're offering about 20-30% of list price. It's all credit of course, which just means more books, but we don't have to tell my partner that just now.... :-)
posted by anotherpanacea at 10:59 AM on May 29, 2008