Why Is It So Difficult to Sell My Books?

Ever wondered why secondhand or vintage bookshops often say no when you offer them your old books? You are not alone. Many people bring in boxes of books hoping they will find a new home, only to be told the store cannot accept them. It can be disheartening, especially when those books were well-read, well-loved, and possibly quite meaningful.

At Love Vintage Books, we are often asked, “Why won’t anyone buy my books?” The answer comes down to two key factors: supply and demand.

The Difference Between Rare Books and General Secondhand Books

First, it is important to distinguish between general secondhand books and rare or collectible books. While rare books—such as first editions, signed copies, or out-of-print titles, can still hold strong market interest, most everyday secondhand books do not.

Many people understandably say, “I do not know what is rare or collectible, I just have these old books and someone must want them.” Sadly, the truth is, most people don’t. From a market perspective, the demand for general secondhand books has dropped significantly.

Why Is There So Much Supply?

The supply of used books is higher than ever. Two entire generations of book lovers are downsizing at the same time.

• Those in their 80s and 90s are moving into aged care
• Those in their 60s and 70s are shifting from larger homes into apartments

This has created a flood of books into the secondhand market, particularly older paperbacks, encyclopedias, cookbooks, and general fiction.

Why Has Demand Dropped?

While supply has increased, demand has fallen. Readers now have:

• Instant access to ebooks and audiobooks
• Competing entertainment through streaming and social media
• Less disposable income and less physical space at home

In economic terms, when supply increases and demand decreases, prices fall—often to the point where a book has no commercial value.

The Bookseller’s Perspective

Running a physical bookshop comes with high costs: rent, electricity, staffing, insurance, and more. With rising business expenses and falling demand for general stock, bookshops must be selective. We focus on stocking books that are likely to sell, have collector appeal, or are hard to find. This helps us keep the doors open and maintain a curated selection for serious readers and collectors.

This is why we are not able to buy or accept common general books, no matter how valuable or important the content may be to the original owner.

Will This Ever Change?

At Love Vintage Books, we believe the trend will continue. With increasing digitisation and changing reader habits, the focus will remain on rare, unique, or collectible books that hold long-term interest or historical value.

If you are unsure about the books you have, we are happy to offer guidance on whether your titles fall into a collectible category. 

For assistance or questions about selling to us, please contact info@lovevintagebooks.com.au.

Happy collecting,
Margaret at Love Vintage Books