Buying Used Books: What to Check

12 guides to buying books second hand — what to check, what a fair price looks like, and the questions to ask before you pay.

What goes wrong buying books used

Damp, which spreads to whatever you shelve beside it and cannot be reversed. Then edition — a later printing described loosely as a first.

Misrepresentation and fakes

Book-club editions and later printings sold as firsts, usually without intent. The copyright page settles it.

How to verify before you pay

Ask for a photograph of the copyright page and the spine, and ask directly whether there is any musty smell. An honest seller will say.

WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or grade anything, and does not hold funds. You are buying on the seller’s description and photographs, so ask directly — a seller who has the item will answer in minutes.

What you should expect to pay

Across this category, guide prices run from about £2 to £500 (approximately $3 to $666) depending on the item and its condition. Grades run New with Tags, Like New, Good, Fair and For Parts — what each one means.

Sterling guide ranges with an approximate US dollar equivalent at £1 ≈ $1.33 (July 2026).

What each one typically costs

The most-searched items in this category, with the guide range a buyer should expect:

Item	Good condition	Full range
First Edition Books	£20–£325	£30–£500 (~$40–$666)
Comic Books	£2–£39	£3–£60 (~$4–$80)
Textbooks	£3–£23	£5–£35 (~$7–$47)
Rare Books	£13–£195	£20–£300 (~$27–$400)
Vintage Books	£5–£78	£8–£120 (~$11–$160)
Graphic Novels	£3–£20	£4–£30 (~$5–$40)
Manga	£3–£16	£4–£25 (~$5–$33)
Hardback Books	£2–£12	£3–£18 (~$4–$24)

Every books buying guide

Frequently asked questions

What should I check before buying books second hand?

Ask for a photograph of the copyright page and the spine, and ask directly whether there is any musty smell. An honest seller will say.

What goes wrong most often?

Damp, which spreads to whatever you shelve beside it and cannot be reversed. Then edition — a later printing described loosely as a first.

Does WishThrift check the item for me?

No. WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or grade anything, and does not hold funds or offer buyer protection. Condition is described by the seller against five grades and the photographs are what you are buying on — which is why these 12 guides exist.