Selling your old books is easy, but it comes with questions – from pricing them right to meeting buyers safely. This page brings together answers to the most common questions sellers ask on BookMandee. Whether you’re decluttering your bookshelf, clearing exam prep materials, or donating for a cause, here’s everything you need to know
1. Getting Started as a Seller
How do I create a seller account on BookMandee?
Creating a seller account is simple and free. Go to BookMandee’s Sign Up page and enter your basic details – name, email address, mobile number and a password. Once you verify your email/phone, your account is ready. You can then start listing books immediately by creating book-ads from your dashboard.
What information do I need to list a book?
When adding a book, you need to share:
- Title & Author (to help buyers search easily)
- Condition (new, like new, good, acceptable)
- Edition/Year (especially important for academic or reference books)
- Price (or mark as free if donating)
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- Description covering the condition of the book or anything else you want to highlight
- Pickup location (city and locality for easy filtering)
The clearer the details, the faster your book gets noticed.
Can I sell multiple books in one listing?
Yes, you can. If the books belong to the same category (like a full set of school textbooks or a novel series), you can mention them as a bundle in one listing.
Be sure to include all titles in the description. If the books are unrelated, it’s better to create separate listings for better visibility.
How do I edit my listing once it’s posted?
Log in to your BookMandee account and go to My Listings. Choose the book you want to edit, click on the ‘Edit’ button, and update the title, description,, or price. Save changes, and your listing will go into moderation/approval by our team again.
Can I delete or pause a book listing?
Yes. If your book is sold or you wish to temporarily stop receiving enquiries, you can pause or delete the listing from your My Listings sections.
Is there a mobile app for sellers?
Currently, BookMandee only operates through its website which is mobile-friendly and works smoothly on any smartphone browser. (If/when an official app is released, it will be announced on the platform.)
Do I need photos of my book to list it?
Photos are not required to list books on BookMandee. Listings with clear descriptions about the book’s condition attract more buyers and sell faster. Once an interested buyer connects with you for your book, you can share the book photos outside the scope of BookMandee via messaging apps at your own discretion.
Can I sell brand new books, or only used ones?
You can sell both new and used books. Many sellers list extra copies, gifts they don’t need, or unsold stock. Just mention in the description that the book is brand new to set the right expectation.
Can I sell magazines or comics too?
Yes, BookMandee allows magazines, comics, and even collectible issues. Categorise them correctly and mention edition/issue details to attract niche buyers.
Do I need to pay to list my book?
No, listing your book on BookMandee is completely free. There are no upfront charges or commissions. You directly connect with buyers and handle payment between yourselves.
2. Pricing, Demand & Listing Optimisation
How do I decide the price for my book?
Start by checking the book’s original price and current condition. A common rule is:
- Like New: 60-70% of original price
- Good: 40-50% of original price
- Acceptable (well-used but readable): 20-30% of original price
If it’s a rare or out-of-print edition, you can price it higher. For academic books, demand peaks before or during admission and exam seasons, so adjust accordingly. You can also use our price estimate calculator to get an estimate.
Should I bundle books or sell them individually?
Both options work, but it depends on the buyer audience:
- Bundles work best for sets like school textbooks, full novel series, or exam-prep materials (e.g., all NCERT books).
- Individual listings work better for unrelated books, unique titles, or popular novels where someone might need only one book from the set.
If unsure, try individual listings first and see which ones sell quickly.
Which types of books sell fastest on BookMandee?
- Exam-prep & Academic Books for NEET, JEE, UPSC, SSC and school/college textbooks
- Popular Fiction including Bestsellers, trending novels, and children’s books
- Rare or Collector Editions
- Magazines and Comics
How do I describe the book’s condition properly?
Use simple, honest descriptions. Common formats:
- Like New: Hardly used, no writing or highlighting.
- Good: Minimal signs of use, maybe name written on the first page.
- Acceptable: Cover folds, minor notes, but fully readable.
Can I change the price later?
Yes, you can update your book’s price any time from My Listings. Many sellers adjust prices if a book hasn’t sold after a while or during academic season for better visibility.
Should I offer discounts to sell faster?
Discounts can help, especially if:
- You’re selling multiple books to the same buyer.
- A book has been listed for a long time without enquiries.
- You’re competing with several similar listings.
You can either lower the price directly or mention negotiable’ in the listing description.
What’s the best time to list academic books?
Academic and exam-prep books sell fastest around:
- Start of Academic Year: April-June (school and college textbooks)
- Before Major Exams: NEET/JEE/UPSC exams (3-4 months before exam dates)
However, don’t delay as early listings get more exposure.
How do I know if my price is too high or too low?
Compare your listing with similar books on BookMandee. If similar-condition books are cheaper and selling faster, consider reducing your price. If buyers show immediate interest, you may have priced too low but that often means a quick sale.
Should I mention edition and year in my listing?
Yes, you should, especially for academic, reference, and competitive exam books. Buyers want the latest syllabus editions. For novels and storybooks, it’s optional but helps collectors and serious readers.
3. Managing Buyer Communication & Transactions
How do I connect with interested buyers?
Once someone is interested in your book, they can contact you through BookMandee’s messaging feature. You’ll receive a notification inside your user account. You can reply directly within your dashboard without sharing personal contact details until you’re comfortable.
How can I respond to multiple buyers at once?
If you have multiple enquiries, respond to each buyer individually. Be transparent about availability if you’ve already committed to one buyer.
How do I know if a buyer is genuine?
Look for:
- Clear communication and specific questions about the book
- Willingness to meet in public or use a safe payment method
You can avoid buyers who insist on advance payments or rush deals without seeing the book.
Can I reject a buyer’s offer?
Yes. You have complete control over whom you sell to. If you feel uncomfortable or the price offered is too low, politely decline. BookMandee encourages safe and fair transactions.
How do I finalise a selling price if a buyer negotiates?
Decide your lowest acceptable price beforehand. If a buyer negotiates, you can either:
- Agree to their offer
- Suggest a mid-point price
- Politely decline if it’s too low
Being clear and polite helps maintain a good experience for both parties.
Can I hold a book for a buyer who will pay later?
It’s your choice. If you decide to hold, mention a specific time frame (e.g., ‘Will hold for 24 hours’). If the buyer doesn’t show up within the agreed time, you can offer it to others.
What happens after a buyer confirms purchase?
Coordinate a meeting place or delivery method. Bring the book, check payment mode (cash or UPI), and complete the exchange. Mark the listing as ‘sold’ or simply delete the book-ad once the deal is done to avoid more enquiries.
Can I block or report a suspicious buyer?
Yes. If someone behaves inappropriately or seems fraudulent, you can block them from contacting you again and report the account via BookMandee’s support team. Safety is a top priority.
Should I meet buyers at home or in public?
For first-time interactions, public places (like cafes, metro stations, or bookstores) can be considered safe. If you’re meeting at home, ensure someone else is present. Never share unnecessary personal details.
4. Safety, Delivery, & Payments
What are safe meeting practices for selling books?
Always choose a public place like a café, library, or metro station for the first meetup. Inform a friend or family member about the meeting. Carry only the agreed book(s) and, if possible, accept payment on the spot using cash or UPI. Avoid sharing personal home addresses until you trust the buyer.
Should I accept cash, UPI, or bank transfer?
Cash and UPI are the most convenient and secure options for local transactions. Bank transfers work too, but confirm the payment before handing over the book.
How do I avoid payment fraud?
- Accept payments in person whenever possible.
- For online transfers, confirm receipt before handing over the book.
- Be cautious if someone offers to pay more than your listed price or asks for advance shipping without proper verification.
Can I ship books instead of meeting in person?
Yes, you can, but it’s optional. You can discuss shipping costs and methods with the buyer beforehand to decide who will bear the cost of shipping. Use a reliable courier with tracking and keep a record of shipping receipts until delivery is confirmed.
Who pays for shipping if I ship a book?
Typically, buyers pay for shipping unless you choose to offer free delivery as an incentive. Clarify this in your listing description or during communication.
Does BookMandee offer delivery services?
Currently, BookMandee only facilitates direct contact between buyers and sellers and does not handle logistics. All delivery or meetup arrangements are mutually decided by both parties at their discretion.
Should I share my personal phone number with buyers?
You don’t need to share personal numbers immediately. Use BookMandee’s internal messaging for initial communication. Share contact numbers only when finalising the meeting, and even then, share only what’s necessary.
Can I cancel a confirmed sale if I feel unsafe?
Yes. Your safety comes first. If something feels wrong about the buyer or the situation, you can cancel the meeting and block/report the user through BookMandee’s support.
How do I get a receipt for my book sale?
BookMandee doesn’t automatically generate receipts as it’s a peer-to-peer platform. If you or the buyer need one, you can write a simple receipt mentioning the book title, date, and sale amount, signed by both parties.
5. Donations & Unsold Books
What if my book doesn’t sell?
If your book doesn’t sell after a reasonable period, you can either reduce the price, bundle it with similar books, or mark it as free to encourage quick pickups. Alternatively, you can choose to donate it directly using BookMandee’s donation option.
How do I donate books on BookMandee?
To donate, simply list your book as usual and set the price to ₹0. Add ‘Free/Donation’ in the title or description to make it clear. Buyers looking for free books can filter results to easily find your listing.
Can I choose who gets my donated books?
Yes. Even when donating, you control who receives the book. You can interact with interested people, such as students, NGOs, or local community groups and choose based on your preference.
Can I mark multiple books as free at once?
Yes. You can either:
- Create one listing for multiple free books (e.g., ‘10 free novels available together’), or
- Mark each listing as free individually
Is there a limit on free book donations?
There’s no limit. You can donate as many books as you want. BookMandee encourages donations to promote reading and reduce waste. Read more about how to get free books online.
Do donated books stay listed forever?
No, once someone claims and collects your donated books, you can mark them as given away or delete the book-ad. This ensures only active donations remain visible.
How do I mark a donated book as collected?
Go to My Listings, open the donation listing, and delete it. This helps keep your profile clean and avoids unnecessary messages.
Can I change my mind after offering a book for free?
Yes, as long as no one has already picked up the book, you can edit the listing and add a price or simply remove the listing if you wish to keep it.
Related Sources & Guides
Learn how to decide the right price for different types of books and attract more buyers quickly.
A quick safety guide covering secure payments, meeting locations, and handling buyer interactions.
Step-by-step instructions on donating books through BookMandee and supporting local readers.
See which books have the highest demand on our platform.