Your complete guide to buying used books at 50-70% off and selling your old books for cash
India spends over ₹30,000 crore on textbooks annually, yet most books are used for just 6-12 months before being discarded. Second hand books offer students a way to access the same knowledge at a fraction of the cost. Whether you want to buy used textbooks for school, competitive exams, or college — or sell your old books to earn some money — this guide covers everything you need to know.
Save money on books! Buy verified used textbooks at 50-70% off or sell your old books for cash on BookBazaar.Shop Now
Why Buy Second Hand Books?
India has over 300 million students — from school to college to competitive exam aspirants. Textbooks are expensive, and most are used for just one academic year. Buying second hand books saves money and reduces waste.
- Save 50-70% compared to new book prices
- Same content — textbook editions rarely change year to year
- Eco-friendly — reusing books saves paper and reduces carbon footprint
- Wider selection — find out-of-print and rare books
Where to Buy Second Hand Books Online in India
1. BookBazaar by YourNotebook
BookBazaar is a dedicated marketplace for buying and selling used books. Features include:
- Verified sellers with book condition ratings
- City-wise listings — find books near you for easy pickup
- All categories — textbooks, novels, competitive exam books, children's books
- Safe transactions with buyer protection
2. Other Platforms
| Platform | Best For | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| BookBazaar | Textbooks, exam books, local pickup | 50-70% off MRP |
| Amazon (Used) | Wide selection, delivery | 40-60% off |
| BookChor | Fiction, novels | 50-80% off |
| Kitabay | College textbooks | 40-70% off |
| Local bookstores | Browse in person | 30-50% off |
How to Buy Used Books — Smart Tips
- Check the edition year — for textbooks, ensure it matches your syllabus. NCERT editions rarely change, but competitive exam books are updated annually.
- Look at condition ratings — Good/Very Good condition means minimal highlighting and no missing pages.
- Compare prices — check the new MRP and ensure you're getting at least 40% off.
- Buy sets together — sellers often bundle multiple books at extra discount.
- Check for markings — some highlighting can actually be helpful for exam prep!
Best Second Hand Books to Buy
School Textbooks (Biggest Savings)
- NCERT Class 1-12: New set costs ₹2,000+ | Used: ₹400-800 on BookBazaar
- R.D. Sharma Mathematics: New ₹600 | Used: ₹200-300
- Lakhmir Singh Science: New ₹700 | Used: ₹250-350
- S. Chand books: New ₹400-600 | Used: ₹150-250
Competitive Exam Books
- HC Verma (Physics): New ₹560/vol | Used: ₹200-300 — See our HC Verma guide
- Arihant JEE/NEET sets: New ₹400/book | Used: ₹150-200
- MTG Fingertips: New ₹550 | Used: ₹200-250
- Oswaal Sample Papers: New ₹350 | Used: ₹120-180
College Textbooks
- Engineering (Cengage, Pearson): New ₹800-1,200 | Used: ₹300-500
- Medical (Guyton, Robbins): New ₹1,500-3,000 | Used: ₹600-1,200
- Commerce (T.S. Grewal, DK Goel): New ₹500-700 | Used: ₹200-300
How to Sell Your Old Books
Don't let your old books collect dust! You can sell them and earn money while helping another student.
Step-by-Step Guide to Selling
- Sort your books — separate by condition (good, fair, worn)
- Take clear photos — cover, spine, and any damage. Good photos sell faster.
- Set a fair price — typically 30-50% of MRP for good condition, 20-30% for fair condition
- List on BookBazaar — create a listing with title, author, condition, and your city
- Respond to buyers quickly — fast responses lead to faster sales
Pricing Guide
| Condition | Description | Price (% of MRP) |
|---|---|---|
| Like New | No marks, no wear | 50-60% |
| Very Good | Minor wear, no marks | 40-50% |
| Good | Some highlighting, minor wear | 30-40% |
| Fair | Heavy use, still readable | 20-30% |
When to Buy & Sell (Best Timing)
- Buy textbooks: April-May (after exams, when students sell) — best prices and selection
- Sell textbooks: June-July (before new session starts) — highest demand
- Buy exam books: August-September (6 months before boards/JEE/NEET)
- Sell exam books: Right after your exam — they're most relevant then
Second Hand Books Near Me — How to Find Local Sellers
Looking for "second hand books near me"? Here are ways to find local book sellers:
- BookBazaar — filter by your city to find nearby sellers
- Sunday book markets — Delhi (Daryaganj), Mumbai (Flora Fountain), Bangalore (MG Road), Kolkata (College Street)
- College notice boards — seniors often sell at the end of each semester
- WhatsApp groups — college and school groups often have book exchange channels
Famous Book Markets in India
| City | Market | When | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi | Daryaganj Sunday Market | Every Sunday | All types, massive collection |
| Delhi | Nai Sarak | Daily | Textbooks, wholesale |
| Mumbai | Flora Fountain | Daily | Fiction, academic |
| Kolkata | College Street | Daily | Academic, rare books |
| Bangalore | Avenue Road / MG Road | Daily | Academic, fiction |
| Chennai | Moore Market (Ritchie Street area) | Daily | Tamil & English books |
| Lucknow | Hazratganj / Aminabad | Daily | Academic, UPSC prep |
Buying second hand books is smart, affordable, and eco-friendly. Whether you're a student looking for cheap textbooks or someone wanting to sell old books, platforms like BookBazaar make it easy. Start saving 50-70% on your next book purchase today!