Second Hand Books in the United States

Second hand books in the United States, listed by sellers directly. Free to list, no commission on a sale, and neither side pays a buyer-protection fee — you deal with the seller and agree the details between you.

What sells here

The US resale market is enormous and highly local — most transactions still happen between people within driving distance of each other, and buyers expect to collect rather than wait for a courier.

First editions, out-of-print titles, textbooks in the weeks before term, and well-kept sets and series.

Typical USD price range

Guide range for used books on WishThrift: £2 to £500 (approximately $3 to $666), depending on condition, brand and completeness. Edition and condition. On collectable books the gap between grades is enormous; on reading copies it barely matters.

Sterling guide ranges with an approximate US dollar equivalent at £1 ≈ $1.33 (July 2026); WishThrift lists in USD here and sellers set their own price.

What listings are live in the United States

There are 10 books listings live in the United States right now:

Browse everything listed in the United States.

How buying and handover works

Peer-to-peer payment apps dominate private sales, and buyers will usually offer one before they offer cash. Sales tax does not apply to a private sale between individuals.

USPS, UPS and FedEx all cover the country. USPS Ground Advantage is normally cheapest for anything under a few pounds in weight; above that the gap narrows quickly.

Two practical things shape a US sale. Shipping is priced by dimensional weight as well as actual weight, so a light bulky item can cost far more to send than a heavy small one — measure the box before you quote. And meeting in person is common enough that many police departments now run designated safe-exchange areas in their car parks.

Condition is seller-described against five grades and nobody inspects it for you — what each means. Damp first — it spreads and it smells, and it is the one defect that ends a book. Then spine, corners and whether the jacket is price-clipped.

What people list in this category, and what it fetches

The books that come up most often, with the guide range each one sits in:

Item	Typical range
First Edition Books	£30–£500 (~$40–$666)
Comic Books	£3–£60 (~$4–$80)
Textbooks	£5–£35 (~$7–$47)
Rare Books	£20–£300 (~$27–$400)
Vintage Books	£8–£120 (~$11–$160)
Graphic Novels	£4–£30 (~$5–$40)
Manga	£4–£25 (~$5–$33)
Hardback Books	£3–£18 (~$4–$24)
Childrens Books	£2–£12 (~$3–$16)
Paperback Novels	£2–£10 (~$3–$13)

The commonest mistake sellers make here: Missing damp. Open the book and smell the gutter before listing — it is the one defect that spreads and the one buyers will not forgive.

Sell your books free

No listing fee, no commission, no buyer-protection fee either side — the price you agree is what you keep. Create a free account or read the selling guides.

Frequently asked questions

Is WishThrift free in United States?

Yes. Free to list, no commission, and no buyer-protection fee on either side — you keep the full amount the buyer pays you.

How do I pay the seller?

Peer-to-peer payment apps dominate private sales, and buyers will usually offer one before they offer cash. Sales tax does not apply to a private sale between individuals. WishThrift does not process payments or hold funds, so the money goes directly between the two of you — agree the method in the messages before you meet.

Can I sell books from anywhere in United States?

Yes. You set your own location and whether you are offering collection, postage or both. USPS, UPS and FedEx all cover the country. USPS Ground Advantage is normally cheapest for anything under a few pounds in weight; above that the gap narrows quickly.