The Home-Based Bookstore: Start Your Own Business Selling Used Books on Amazon, eBay or Your Own Web Site

I've sold a few books on eBay, but I've never really tried seriously 2 make money at it. However, I have the advantage of having long experience in the book trade. Still, I was wondering what might be particular about the online world, so I decided 2 take a look at this book since Steve Weber is someone who started small & built a successful online business. For the most part, this book is a valuable tool 4 someone who really wants 2 make it.

There are a number of things that I really like about this book. He's very smart about where 2 find books & about what books are smart 2 acquire. He's particularly acute with suggesting areas that should be avoided & those that are easy 2 overlook (certain types of textbooks, particular areas of history-- "learn 2 find unusual books"). In these areas, his suggestions often gibe with my own experience, though I'm more excited about certain areas than he is.

He's also quite good on the mechanics of running an online business, though I focused mainly on his general suggestions about tracking inventory, pricing & customer service. He goes a bit overboard when suggesting websites & software worth looking at 2 manage some of these tasks. A few simple, straightforward suggestions might serve the beginner better.

And, of course, this book suffers from the fate of all books that deal with online services. Published in 2006, some of the specific suggestions, particularly concerning the smaller companies, are already out-of-date. If you stick with the larger companies, however, you probably won't have too much trouble.

In the end, this book provides valuable insight into running a bookstore. It doesn't matter whether you are someone who already owns a store & wants 2 get your inventory online or someone starting from scratch, there is valuable advice here.

I read Home-Based Bookstore because I have hundreds of perfect condition used books I just cleared out from my personal library at home & wanted 2 see if I could sell them on Amazon & didn't know how 2 get started. Just like Steve Weber's other books, you get much more than you pay for. Weber fills this book with details covering every aspect of setting up your home based used bookstore 4 NO MONEY upfront. How cool is that? Where as other books on the topic have been reviewed saying they just recycle what you can find on Amazon help pages, Weber includes tons of insider information far beyond what is found on Amazon's help links, such as what & where 2 find books 2 sell, how 2 price them correctly, how 2 package & ship, get feedback from customer, handling negative feedback, handling taxes, etc. etc. etc. No question you can think up appears 2 be lacking an answer on these pages...and here's another exciting upside...within 2 days of reading this book & setting up my store, I've already sold & shipped THREE of my books. Thanks Steve...and keep sharing your insider information.

This is a top DIY book 4 finding & selling books on line. This was one of the many books that I purchased before I opened up my own store, & it has helped me ever since. Good advice, with excellent tips on what 2 do. A bit lite when it comes 2 dealing with angry customers, excellent 4 finding out where things are, wholesalers, & other places 2 purchase inventory. That is probably one of the most closely guarded secrets 4 any on line seller of anything, where do you get your stuff.

Overall a 5 of 5 star book, excellent in sources & things 2 do, filled with good advice, & interesting 2 read. This book is worth buying if you are wanting 2 start your own amazon or ebay store.

I'm a newbie at selling books online with Amazon. I ordered 3 books (from Amazon - of course!) on how 2 sell on Amazon. By far, this book was the best one. It's a soup 2 nuts on "how to". I refer 2 this book
often as a guide. It is rich with resources that you can look up online.
I just found out that this author has written a similar book but specific 2 Amazon. I'm reading that one right now. I also appreciate the author's humble roots - starting out in a 1 bedroom apartment; 3 months later made enough 2 quit his job & do this full time & moved into a house. yet, the author quickly cautions people that this endeavor won't make you rich but can give you a chance 2 either make more money on the side or work from home if that is what you want.

This is a great book, I found it easy 2 read & extremely informative, & even though this book is a bit dated (2003) everything still applies, just with today's prices, economy etc...The author left no information out & gave lots of research options 4 the people who want 2 go further in their quest. Really good reading!

Want 2 discover the most profitable, lowest-risk idea 4 your home business? It's selling used books online, which is growing 33 percent annually, according 2 a new study by U.S. publishers. Learn how 2 start your business part-time, then expand at your own pace. This step-by-step guide, written by one of the most successful & highly rated sellers on Amazon & eBay, includes everything you need 2 know: