Buying new/old books online can feel overwhelming sometimes. There are hundreds of listings, different price points, and sellers you’ve never met before.
At BookMandee, we want to make that journey simple, safe, and even enjoyable. Whether you’re hunting for an old academic textbook for the new semester, looking for a rare edition of your favourite novel, or browsing free books listed for donation, this guide is for you.
We’ve put together answers to the questions our buyers ask most often – from how to find the right book at the best price, to staying safe during payments and meetups. Think of it as your one-stop resource to explore BookMandee confidently.
1. Getting Started as a Buyer
How do I create a buyer account on BookMandee?
Creating an account is quick and free. Go to the Sign Up page, enter your name, email address, mobile number and set a password. Once you verify your email or phone number, your account is ready to use. You can start browsing and contacting sellers registered on BookMandee immediately.
Do I need an account to browse books?
No, you can browse books without an account. However, you’ll need to log in with a buyer account to contact sellers. This ensures secure communication and a personalised experience.
How do I search for books by title, author, or category?
Use the search bar at the top of the page and type the book’s name, author, or a keyword (like ‘NCERT Class 10’ or ‘Chetan Bhagat novels’). You can also explore categories like academic, competitive exams, fiction, or children’s books directly from the homepage. Besides this, you can look for old books in or near your city using the location filter.
Recommended Read: Find Old Books in Bengaluru
How do I use filters like price, city, or condition?
After searching, you’ll see filters on the left-hand side (or at the top on mobile). You can filter by:
- Price range (low to high or high to low)
- Title (A to Z)
- Title (Z to A)
- Most Viewed
- Least Viewed, etc.
Can I save my favourite books for later?
Yes. Simply click the ‘Heart’ icon on a book listing. You can view all your saved books in your account dashboard under Favourites, so you don’t have to search again.
Can I view only free books or donation listings?
Yes. Use the ‘Price – Low to High’ filter or look for the Free/Donation category. This will show only books that sellers are giving away.
Do I need to verify my email to use BookMandee?
Yes, verification ensures a safe and trusted marketplace. It protects both buyers and sellers from spam or fake accounts and makes your communication more reliable.
Is there a BookMandee mobile app for old book buyers?
BookMandee currently works as a mobile-friendly website, so you can access it easily from your phone browser. (If a mobile app launches, we’ll announce it on the website.)
Are there any charges for creating a buyer account?
No, creating an account is absolutely free. You only pay the seller directly for the books you purchase (or nothing if it’s a free book listing).
2. Finding & Choosing Books
How do I know if a book is in good condition?
Every listing includes a description added by the seller. This may include tags, such as New, Like New, Good, or Acceptable. Sellers are encouraged to add descriptions mentioning highlights (like ‘name written on the first page’ or ‘no torn pages’). If in doubt, you can message the seller for more details or request photos.
Can I request additional photos from the seller?
If you want to check specific details like page quality or cover wear, send the seller a message and request clear photos via personal messaging apps at your discretion. Most sellers are happy to share them to help you decide confidently.
How do I find rare or out-of-print books on BookMandee?
Use the search bar with specific keywords like book title, author, or even year of publication. Rare books often sell quickly, so respond as soon as you find them.
Can I search for books by publisher or edition?
Yes, simply enter the publisher name (e.g., ‘Penguin India’) or edition details (like ‘2019 3rd Edition’) in the search bar. If the book is academic or technical, checking for the latest edition is recommended before purchase.
How do I know if the seller is reliable?
Look for sellers with verified accounts and complete profiles. Sellers who add clear descriptions to their book-ads and respond quickly are usually more reliable. You can also check their previous listings or reviews (if available).
Are there options for buying in bulk?
Yes, many sellers list bulk sets (like school textbooks, complete novel series, or competitive exam bundles). You can also message sellers directly to request a bulk purchase or combined pricing for multiple books from their listings.
How do I filter listings by language or genre?
Use the category filters available on the search results page. You can choose genres, like Fiction, Children’s Books, Academic, Competitive Exams, or specific languages (like Hindi, English, or regional). This makes browsing faster and more relevant.
Can I see recently added books on BookMandee?
On the search page, sort results by ‘Recently Added (Latest)’ to view fresh listings added by registered users on BookMandee.
How do I know if the price is fair?
Compare similar listings for the same book on BookMandee. Consider the original MRP, edition, and condition. Books in ‘Like New’ condition may cost more, while older or heavily used ones should be cheaper. If unsure, you can politely ask the seller about pricing flexibility.
Can I see how many times a book has been viewed?
Yes. Listings display view counts to indicate interest. For instance, high-demand books tend to receive faster responses, so act quickly if it’s something you really need.
3. Contacting Sellers & Negotiating
How do I contact a seller on BookMandee?
Once you find a book you’re interested in, click on the listing to open its details. Use the ‘Contact Seller’ to send a direct message. Keep your first message short and clear, like “Hi, is this book still available?”
Can I negotiate the price of a book?
Yes, you can politely ask if the seller is open to negotiation, especially for older or bulk books. Many sellers mark listings as ‘Negotiable’ when they’re willing to discuss pricing. Always be respectful of the seller’s final decision.
What should I say in my first message to the seller?
A simple, polite message works best. Example: “Hi, I’m interested in the [Book Name]. Is it still available? Also, what would be the best price you can offer?”
Being clear saves time and builds trust with the seller.
Can I reserve a book before payment?
You can request the seller to hold a book for you, but it’s their choice whether to agree. If they do, ask for a specific pickup or payment time to avoid confusion.
What if the seller doesn’t respond on BookMandee?
Sellers may be busy or no longer have the book. You can choose to wait for 24-48 hours, then move on to other listings. You can also send us an email at – official.bookmandee@gmail.com, detailing your requirement, and we will try to contact the respective seller on your behalf.
Can I contact multiple sellers at once?
Yes. If several sellers have the same book, you can message each one to compare prices, conditions, and pickup options. Just remember to update them if you buy from someone else.
How do I know if a seller has sold multiple books successfully?
Check if the seller has other active or completed listings. Some sellers may also have ratings or reviews. Verified sellers with multiple listings are often more reliable.
Is it okay to ask for bundled pricing from one seller?
Absolutely. If a seller has multiple books you need, you can ask for a bulk discount. Example: “I’m interested in these three books. Would you offer a combined price?”
Many sellers are happy to offer a deal for bulk purchases.
What should I do if a seller seems suspicious?
If you notice unusual behaviour like refusing to meet in public, pushing for advance payment, or avoiding details, report the seller using BookMandee’s ‘Report’ option. It helps keep the platform safe for everyone.
Can I block a seller from contacting me?
Yes. If you don’t wish to receive further messages from a seller, you can email us and we will remove that user from the platform entirely.
Also Read: Find Business and Economics Books Online
4. Payments & Delivery
How do I pay for a book on BookMandee?
Payments are made directly to the seller, not through the platform. Most sellers accept cash or UPI at the time of pickup. Some may agree to bank transfers if you request delivery.
Pro Tip: Always confirm payment mode in advance to avoid confusion.
Should I pay in advance or on delivery?
It’s safer to pay on delivery or pickup after checking the book’s condition. For shipping, partial or full advance payment may be requested, but do this only with trusted, verified sellers.
Can I use UPI, wallets, or cards?
Yes, most sellers accept UPI apps (Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm) for quick and secure transactions. Card or wallet payments may be accepted but are less common for individual sellers.
Does BookMandee offer secure in-app payments?
Currently, BookMandee connects buyers and sellers but does not process payments. All transactions are handled directly between you and the seller. If you’re unsure about payment safety, stick to cash on pickup.
Can I ask for home delivery?
Yes, if the seller agrees to ship or deliver locally. You can discuss delivery charges and timelines beforehand. Some sellers may even offer free delivery for bulk purchases.
Who pays for delivery charges?
By default, the buyer pays for delivery unless the seller explicitly offers free delivery. Always clarify this before confirming the deal.
Can I return an old book after purchase?
Since BookMandee is a peer-to-peer marketplace, returns are not standard unless you’ve agreed on it with the seller beforehand.
How do I confirm payment went through?
For UPI or bank transfers, check for a success message or transaction ID. For cash, count the money in front of the seller and ask for verbal confirmation.
Can I get a receipt for my purchase?
BookMandee doesn’t issue receipts since it’s a user-to-user transaction. However, you can request a simple handwritten or digital note from the seller if you need a record.
5. Safety and Trust
How do I avoid scams when buying books?
Always communicate within the BookMandee platform, avoid sharing unnecessary personal details, and prefer paying during pickup. If a deal looks too good to be true, double-check before committing.
Which is the safest place to meet for pickup?
Public places like cafés, bookstores, or metro stations are best. Avoid meeting in isolated areas or late at night.
Should I share my personal contact details with sellers?
Initially, use BookMandee’s internal messaging. Share your phone number only if needed for coordination and avoid sharing sensitive personal details like your home address unless absolutely necessary.
How do I check if the book matches the description?
Inspect the book’s cover, spine, and pages before making payment. Cross-check edition and condition details mentioned in the listing.
What should I do if the seller doesn’t show up?
Wait 10-15 minutes and try contacting them politely. If they don’t respond, move on to another seller. You can also report no-shows to BookMandee for review.
How do I report inappropriate behaviour from a seller?
Use the ‘Report’ option on their profile or contact BookMandee support directly. Provide relevant details or screenshots for faster resolution.
Can BookMandee ban fraudulent sellers?
Yes. BookMandee takes safety seriously and may suspend or permanently ban sellers who engage in fraud or violate community guidelines.
Is it safe to buy high-value rare books on BookMandee?
Yes, but exercise extra caution. Verify the seller’s authenticity, ask for multiple photos, and choose in-person pickup whenever possible.
Can I leave feedback about my buying experience?
Yes, you can leave feedback if the platform provides that feature. Reviews help other buyers make informed decisions and encourage good seller behaviour.
How do I contact BookMandee support for disputes?
You can reach BookMandee support through the ‘Contact Us’ section on the website. Share relevant details like listing ID, screenshots, and conversation records for quick resolution.
Must Read: Safety Tips to Use BookMandee
Related Sources & Guides
Understand how sellers list and price their books – useful for buyers to know what goes behind a listing.
Learn how to find free or donation-based books on BookMandee quickly and easily.
Know why buying or selling books by weight may not always give you the best deal.
Check out trending and in-demand books currently listed by sellers.
A helpful guide for anyone looking to donate books—learn how to list, choose who gets them, and give meaningfully.