Frequently Asked Questions

Not usually outright. Ordinary collections are accepted as a transfer with no payment. Collections with meaningful resale value may be handled on consignment, where you receive a share of the net proceeds when books sell.

Yes — most collections are accepted this way. In return, you get the books gone with no sorting on your part, and the knowledge that worthwhile ones will be reused rather than discarded.

We sort everything. Books may be kept in our reference library, resold, grouped into subject collections, donated, or recycled if they're unusable. See What Happens to the Books for details.

For ordinary collections, ownership transfers to us, so we can't promise returns — but if you ask soon after and the books are still here, we'll do our best. Consigned books remain yours until sold and can be returned under the agreement's termination terms.

If we find an item in an ordinary collection that we reasonably believe could sell for about $250 or more, our general practice is to contact you before selling it and discuss an appropriate arrangement.

A typical split is 50/50 of net proceeds — the sale price minus direct costs like marketplace fees and shipping. Higher-value material may earn the owner a larger share. Payment timing is set out in the agreement.

Anywhere from days to years. Specialized books often wait for the right buyer. We can't guarantee any individual book will sell.

Yes. Whole personal, academic, and estate libraries are exactly the kind of thing we're set up to handle.

Often, yes, depending on location and size. Tell us where the collection is when you submit it and we'll discuss logistics.

No. Please don't feel you have to. A few photographs of the shelves or boxes are usually enough for us to get started.

Yes. We understand estates can be emotional and time-pressured, and we try to make the process straightforward for families.

Gladly. Scholarly libraries — monographs, university press titles, journals runs, specialist reference — are among our favorite collections to receive.

We can give you a realistic sense of whether a collection is ordinary or contains material worth special treatment. We aren't a formal appraisal service; for insurance or tax appraisals, a certified appraiser is the right choice.

Generally: common mass-market paperbacks, outdated textbooks, heavily damaged books, encyclopedias, common book-club editions, and large quantities of common contemporary fiction. When in doubt, send a photo.

No. Taking a collection means taking responsibility for sorting it carefully, not promising each book a particular outcome. Some will inevitably be recycled.

Yes — tell us before the transfer. We can set aside specific books, keep a collection together where practical, or return particular items to you. These requests need to be agreed in advance.