Tired of the bidding wars on auction sites, but still want to be able to find books and CDs dirt cheap? Sick of selling those $30 used books back to the used bookstore for ten bucks each? Half.com may be the answer.
This eBay subsidiary allows users to buy and sell used CDs, videos, video games, and books from one another at fixed prices of their own choosing, ending the madness of bidding and counterbidding once and for all.
See something you like? Check the item's condition and see if it's up to snuff.
When you're ready to buy, you can place the order directly from Half.com's site with a secure credit card transaction. The seller has one business day to confirm the sale and another to ship the product to you. Half.com charges your credit card the price of the item plus a flat shiiping fee. You'll have your stuff in 10 to 14 days.
Sounds like a pretty sweet deal on the other end too, doesn't it? List your unwanted junk online and they'll help you sell it. All it costs you is a small commission fee.
To get started, set up a seller's account (easy with a major credit card). Then, enter the UPC or ISBN number of the item you want to sell and Half.com will pull it up for you. Choose your price (no more than half retail is encouraged), list your item's condition (truthfully, or your seller rating will go down), and watch your email. You'll get messages informing you of possible sales. Just confirm, ship (you'll be given a shipping allowance to cover costs), and wait for the check to roll in.
Half.com is particularly useful for buying and selling used textbooks. You'll often find recent editions of textbooks selling used on Half.com for much less than they go for in the bookstore.
It's handy for selling them, too. Sell off those textbooks the University Store wouldn't buy back. Not happy with the money the bookstore is offering to buy back your used books? Odds are, someone at Half.com would love to pay you $25 for your used copy of a $60 book.
