Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are my books worth?
A: There is no easy answer to this question. Many aspects of a book are considered when determining its value. When and where was it published? What is the general condition of the book? Is it rare or scarce? Is it beautifully decorative? The list of questions goes on and on. As professional booksellers we have the the tools and experience to help you learn the value in your books.
Q: Aren't old books more valuable than new ones?
A: Not always. In many cases an old book is simply that: an old book. Age is only one aspect of determining value, and is not always the most salient aspect. Condition, availability, and demand can often be more important than age.
Q: I'm interested in setting up a house call. How quickly can we make an appointment?
A: We are usually able to make an appointment within 1 to 2 weeks of your call, however there are times when we may be able to set something up sooner. During busy times scheduling can be as far in advance as 4 weeks. We generally make house calls in the morning. Please call for more information.
Q: I'm making a list of my books. What should I include?
A: Include the author, title, publisher, date, and location of publication, and the condition of the book(s). Please let us know any other important information, such as condition, type of bindings, illustrations, signatures, etc. If including a date, make sure it is the publishing date indicated on the title page (not the copyright date). Please indicate if no date is given. We have found, however, that taking photos of large groups can be an easier and more conciser way to convey what you have or sale. Please click here for more info.
Q: Do you buy review copies?
A: Yes, as long as they are still current. If you are a reviewer, please contact us for further information.
Q: How do you determine price?
A: We rely on our years of experience and sales history in order to price our books. Prices found online or in certain guides are not necessarily indicative of an absolute value, and while online listings can be informative, they should not be relied on to evaluate books. In general, we are able to pay a quarter in cash to a third in store credit of what we think we can sell the books for - though this can vary significantly in certain situations.
Q: What if I'm not ready to sell?
A: That's okay. If we have expressed interest in your books, chances are we will still be interested in them in the future - however we reserve the right to rescind a long standing offer, as the value of books can fluctuate greatly over time.
Q: Do you buy records or comic books?
A: No.
Q: Do you buy new books?
A: In general we avoid buying books that are recently published and still available on new bookstore shelves. However, there are exceptions to this rule. Please call for more information.
Q: What information do I need in order to inquire about setting up a house call?
A: In order to make an appointment to come see your books, we need to know: an estimate of how many books are for sale (50, 500, 1000?), the subject matters found in the collection, the general condition of the books, and the range general age of the books. Please feel free to call for information before you are ready to set up an appointment.
Q: What do I need to do before you come see my books?
A: Please make sure you have sorted out any books you or anyone else may wish to keep from the books you are interested in selling. Please do not worry about gathering all books into one room, or sorting them by subject or potential value - we are happy to evaluate them in situ. Do not worry about boxing up the books - if we purchase them, we come prepared with our own specialty book boxes.
There are some books that we are not interested in purchasing, such as: textbooks/computer manuals, Reader's Digest condensed books, romance novels, books with missing/stripped covers, books with notes or highlighting (unless made by someone notable), water-damaged/moldy/smelly books, books missing pages, most encyclopedias after 1911, some new books, recent best sellers, books that belong to libraries, and anything we cannot sell.
CONTACT US:
Please feel free to call us toll free at 1-800-447-9595, or locally at 617-542-0210. Please send emails to info@brattlebookshop.com Please be sure to include in your email your full name, phone number, and reason for inquiry. We try to respond to emails within 2 business days - if you have not heard back from us by that time, please feel free to inquire again.