Kara Sears
Law books are notoriously expensive, with students attending four-year university programs in 2021 spending an average of $1240 on books and supplies. This has created a market for second-hand law textbooks, with websites such as Amazon, eBay, and AbeBooks, and companies such as Barnes & Noble, BookDeal.com, Chegg, Half Price Books, and WeBuyLawBooks.com, facilitating the sale of used books. While the First Sale Doctrine in US law allows for the legal resale of legally purchased books, there are potential complications, such as violating an editorial's terms of sale by circumventing a ban on sales to a particular customer by using friends and family to make purchases.
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What You'll Learn
Places to resell looseleaf law books
It is legal to resell books that you have purchased legally in the US, according to the "First Sale Doctrine". Here are some places where you can resell looseleaf law books:
Online Marketplaces
You can resell looseleaf law books on popular online marketplaces such as Amazon, eBay, and Chegg. Amazon and eBay have a wide range of buyers, but you may need to pay a commission or listing fee. Chegg offers free shipping and provides quotes based on the ISBN of the book.
Physical Bookstores
Barnes & Noble, the bookseller with the largest number of retail outlets in the United States, allows you to bring in old law textbooks and exchange them for cash. They have a straightforward sales process and competitive prices, but require a minimum of $10 worth of textbooks. Half Price Books is another option, where staff will consider the condition and demand for your books before making an offer.
Social Media
You can also utilize social media platforms like Facebook to connect with potential buyers. Join Facebook groups for law students and post your textbooks for sale.
When reselling looseleaf law books, it is important to consider the condition and demand for the books, as well as any fees or commissions that may apply.
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Legalities of reselling books
In the United States, the "First Sale Doctrine" allows individuals to legally resell books that they have purchased legally. This doctrine was established by the Supreme Court in 1908 in the case of Bobbs-Merrill Co. v. Straus and has been upheld in subsequent cases, including those involving copyrighted works sold or purchased abroad. According to this doctrine, once a copyrighted item is sold, the copyright holder's claim on that item is exhausted, and the purchaser is free to sell or rent it without the copyright holder's permission.
However, it is important to note that this doctrine only applies to legally purchased items. If an individual is circumventing a company's terms of sale by having others purchase items on their behalf, they could be in violation of those terms and potentially breach of contract, even if it does not constitute copyright infringement.
When reselling books, it is generally legal to do so as long as the seller did not copy the book or remove any pages or images before resale. While publishers may print statements to the contrary on the opening page, reselling books is typically permitted as long as there is no one-time user license agreement in place.
There are several popular platforms for reselling books, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Half Price Books, and online marketplaces like eBay and Chegg. Each platform has its own processes and requirements, such as minimum sale amounts or fees for listing and selling items. It is important for sellers to familiarize themselves with the policies and procedures of their chosen platform to ensure a smooth and legal transaction.
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Getting the best price
Yes, you can resell loose-leaf law books. Here are some tips on getting the best price:
Firstly, make sure you use the correct ISBN number for the book. For loose-leaf books, use the ISBN on the front or back cover of the book, located above the barcode. Do not use the ISBN on the copyright page, as it may be incorrect for the loose-leaf version.
Next, consider the condition of your books and the current demand for them. These are the two primary factors that will determine the price you can get for your books. Secure the pages with rubber bands, large clips, or saran wrap to keep them together during shipping.
When deciding where to sell your books, you can try online marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, or BookDeal.com. Amazon and eBay have wide ranges of buyers, but they may also have higher fees and rates that can make it difficult to sell secondhand books. BookDeal.com simplifies the selling process by comparing book offers and evaluating the buyer's authenticity, transparency, and trustworthiness.
You can also try selling your books in person at stores like Barnes & Noble, which has a large number of retail outlets in the United States and offers competitive prices for used books. Another option is Half Price Books, which has a straightforward bookselling process and will offer you a deal based on the condition and demand for your books.
Finally, don't forget to utilize social media platforms like Facebook. You can join groups of lower-year law students and post your textbooks for sale or use the Marketplace feature to connect with potential buyers near your location and save on delivery fees.
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Making the sale easy
Selling loose-leaf law books can be a straightforward process, and there are many platforms and buyers available.
Firstly, it is important to note that, according to US law, the "First Sale Doctrine" allows you to legally resell books that you purchased legally. This means that you can sell your loose-leaf law books without any legal repercussions.
There are several options for selling your books. You can choose to sell them online or in-store, depending on your preference.
If you prefer to sell your books online, there are various websites that can help you reach potential buyers. Amazon, for example, has a wide range of buyers, but the rates can make it challenging to sell second-hand books unless they are in high demand or out of print. eBay is another option, but you will have to pay a commission on your sales and possibly a listing fee. To ensure your books reach the right audience on eBay, carefully select your titles and keywords. Alternatively, websites like BookDeal.com simplify the selling process by comparing book offers and evaluating the buyer's authenticity, transparency, and trustworthiness.
If you prefer to sell your books in-store, there are a few options. Barnes & Noble, the bookseller with the largest number of retail outlets in the United States, offers a straightforward sales process and competitive prices. However, they require that you have at least $10 worth of textbooks to sell. Another option is Half Price Books, where you can bring your old law textbooks, and they will make you an offer based on the condition of the books and the current demand.
Additionally, there are specialist buyers of law books, such as We Buy Law Books, who purchase old, used, and new law books, journals, and publications from across the world. They offer fast payment, fair prices, and worldwide collection, including packing and moving services, making the selling process convenient and easy.
Overall, selling loose-leaf law books can be a straightforward process, and by choosing the right platform and buyer, you can make the sale easy and hassle-free.
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Pros and cons of reselling
In general, it is legal to resell looseleaf law books, as the "First Sale Doctrine" in US law allows the legal resale of books purchased legally. However, there are some pros and cons to consider when it comes to reselling law books specifically.
Pros of Reselling Law Books
- You can get your money back or declutter: Law books can be expensive, and reselling them can help you recoup some of the costs or simply declutter your space.
- They can be in high demand: Law textbooks are often in demand, especially by new law students who are looking for more affordable learning materials.
- There are various platforms to resell on: Popular platforms like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, eBay, and Facebook Groups or Marketplaces offer convenient options for reselling law books, with varying levels of competition.
Cons of Reselling Law Books
- Complicated processes: Selling books can be more complicated than it seems, with some platforms requiring you to follow intricate processes before you can trade your pre-loved books.
- Competition and fees: While platforms like eBay offer a vast selection of books, they also have intense competition, and seller fees can add up.
- Time-consuming: Meeting with individual sellers on platforms like Facebook Marketplace can be time-consuming, and listings may not always be up-to-date.
- Limited selection: Some platforms, like Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree, may not have an extensive selection of law books, limiting your potential buyer pool.
Overall, reselling looseleaf law books can be a great way to get back some of the money you spent on them, but it's important to consider the potential challenges and choose the right platform for your needs.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can. According to US law, the "First Sale Doctrine" allows you to legally resell books that you purchased legally.
There are several options for reselling law books. You can sell them on websites such as Amazon, eBay, AbeBooks, or BookDeal.com. You can also sell them to bookstores such as Barnes & Noble, Half Price Books, or We Buy Law Books. Additionally, you can post your textbooks for sale in Facebook groups for lower-year law students.
The process for reselling law books varies depending on the platform or bookstore you choose. Generally, you will need to provide information about the book, such as its title, author, ISBN, and condition. You may also need to upload images of the books. Some platforms, such as Chegg, will provide you with a free shipping label so that you can ship your textbooks to them, while others, such as We Buy Law Books, will arrange for a courier to collect the books from you.
