You've got books you need to get rid of, and you're wondering: should I try to sell them, or just donate? It's a fair question, and the answer depends on what you've got, how much time you have, and what matters to you.
When to Sell
- You have books that might be valuable — first editions, signed copies, STEM textbooks, rare or collectible titles. If there's potential value, get them evaluated first.
- You want cash — straightforward. If you'd rather have money than the warm fuzzy feeling, sell. There's no shame in it.
- You're clearing an estate — estates often contain hidden value. Always get an evaluation before donating an entire estate.
- You have textbooks — current-edition textbooks have real cash value that evaporates over time. Sell them while they're worth something.
When to Donate
- The books are common titles in average condition — mass-market paperbacks, book club editions, Reader's Digest, old encyclopedias. These have little resale value but still have reading value for someone.
- You want to give back — donating puts books in the hands of new readers. The New Mexico Literacy Project keeps books in circulation and out of the landfill.
- You need to get rid of them fast — NMLP's 24/7 drop box at Edith & Montano means you can offload books at midnight on a Tuesday. No appointment, no interaction.
- The books are damaged — water damage, mold, torn pages. We can't buy these, but NMLP accepts any condition.
The Best of Both Worlds
Here's what most people don't realize: you don't have to choose. When you bring books to SellBooksABQ, we buy the valuable ones and donate the rest to NMLP. You get cash for what's worth money, and everything else finds a new home. Nothing goes to the landfill.
That's literally how our business works. We're located at the same address as NMLP (5445 Edith Blvd NE Unit A). One trip handles everything.
Still Not Sure?
Bring them all in and let us sort it out. The evaluation is free, and there's no obligation. Call or text 702-496-4214.