Condition Guidelines
for College Books

The following categories represent the condition ratings for college books for sale at Half.com. Amazon uses identical descriptions as well. When it’s time to sell your textbook, you need to objectively grade your book and rate it based on one of the following descriptions:

• Brand New - New, unread, unused and in perfect condition with no missing or damaged pages. No highlighting or writing on any pages or the cover.
• Like New - Shiny, undamaged cover, all pages undamaged (no creased, torn, or missing pages), no writing/highlighting, no damage to binding (is or could easily be mistaken for brand new).
• Very Good - Doesn't look brand new but has no easily noticeable damage to the cover, all pages undamaged (no creased, torn, or missing pages), minimal underlining/highlighting of text, minimal identifying marks in margins or inside cover, very minimal wear and tear.
• Good - Very minimal damage to the cover such as scuff marks or slightly bent corners, minimal wear to binding, majority of pages undamaged (minimal creases or tears), some pencil writing or highlighting of text (on less than 10% of the book?s pages), no missing pages (you would use it yourself, but wouldn't necessarily give it as a gift).
• Acceptable - Some damage to the cover such as scuff marks, stickers, or bent corners, some wear to binding (but integrity still intact), some pencil writing or highlighting of text (on less than 20% of the book?s pages), no missing pages (book is beaten up a bit, but it works).
• Tattered and Torn - Half.com won't sell it! Major damage (holes and/or tears) to a significant number of pages and/or to the cover, missing or stained pages, excessive highlighting, damage from water or other liquids, binding is broken, book cover is missing, book is not readable.

The better the condition a book is in, the more it will sell for. When you buy college books you always need to be thinking about the residual value when it’s time to sell them. Try to buy books that are in very good condition or better; then try to keep them in very good condition as you use them. Instead of highlighting, consider using sticky tabs to mark key information in the text. You can remove them once you’re through with no permanent damage to the book.

As the current edition of a book ages, fewer and fewer used college books will qualify for a very good rating. If you have a used book in very good condition or better, you will have an edge on your competitors when you sell it online!

Return to Selling College Books Online





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