Listing a Book for Sale
Selling your books at GreenMetropolis.com couldn't be simpler. There's no need to enter all the book details (we've already done that for you). All you need to enter is the book's ISBN number (this is a unique number normally found on the reverse of your book, usually next to the barcode), the condition of the book (see Rating the Condition of a Book) and if it's a hardback, the delivery payment. The whole process takes just a few seconds and then it's immediately entered into our virtual bookstore for sale.
The ISBN will enable us to retrieve the details of the book from our database and providing it's relatively recent, we should have an image of the book cover, reviews it's received, details of the author, the price you would pay if you were to buy it new and whether it's a hardback or softback.
If the book doesn't have an image, or if it's not on our database, then our Smart Match system will automatically search our database for other similar books and allow you to select the details of one which most closely matches the details of your book. There's no charge made for selling books, so you really don't have anything to lose. And since we pay £3 for every book sold, you've only got cash to gain.
Most paperbacks cost between 83p and £1.52 to post using Royal Mail second class post. Therefore the £3.00 book payment is designed to cover the cost of postage and be a contribution towards the original purchase cost. If the book is a hardback or large format paperback you'll also receive in addition to your £3.00 book payment, a delivery payment to help cover the of postage. When listing the book for sale you'll be asked to enter a postage payment based on the weight of the book. The postage payment and book payment may not be more than 50% of the books recommended retails price.
Rating the Condition of a Book
At GreenMetropolis.com we strive to make reading a pleasurable and affordable experience. It is therefore essential for the protection of both our Buyers and Sellers that all books listed for sale are accurately described and reach a minimum standard of condition.
If a Buyer is purchasing a book with the intention of making it a gift then only a book rated in 'excellent' condition will do. Alternatively, if a Buyer is heading for the beach, then a book rated 'acceptable' should be sufficient. Either way, accurately assessing the condition of a book is essential to ensure the expectations of the Buyer are met.
The Seller is responsible for accurately rating the condition of a book as per our Book Condition Guide. Failure to adhere, or to misrepresent the quality of a book will result in GreenMetropolis.com refunding the costs of purchase to the Buyer. The book will then be returned to the Seller along with all costs incurred. GreenMetropolis.com also reserves the right to disqualify members and close accounts.
Book Condition
As New - Book looks brand new.Great for a gift!
Excellent - Book looks new. May have been read, but no easily visible signs. Cover and pages undamaged, binding as new. No staining or creasing of pages. A pleasure to receive!
Good - A used but well cared for book. Undamaged cover, no missing pages, minimum creases to pages, minimal scuff marks and staining. Doesn't automatically open at a particular page. Nice to read!
Acceptable - Minimum damage to cover. All pages intact, but possible minor damage. Some creasing or staining to pages. Very minor writing on inside cover. A well read book, but still has some distance to go. Not a good gift, more a good read.
No way José! - Damage to cover and/or pages, tattered and torn appearance. Binding damaged. It's survived the beach, but only just. Good for filling the bookcase, levelling a table or to fuel the fire. Don't even think of selling it here!
Selling a Book
When a Buyer selects and purchases a book that you have registered for sale, GreenMetropolis.com will send you an e-mail giving details of the book that has been sold and where you are to send it. This e-mail is called a sales notification. You must package and dispatch the book within 3 days of receiving the sales notification.
The sales notification e-mail is split into two parts. The first is information giving details of the order number, the book you've sold and where to send it. The second part is for the buyer (Order details) and should be wrapped with the book and posted to the buyer. You can either print out the Order details part of the e-mail or write out the Order details which ever is easiest. Either way you must enclose the order number and details with the book before posting to the buyer.
In addition to the e-mail, any books you have sold will appear in your 'Books Due to Send' list on the Delivery Status section of your account administration page. Please confirm that you have sent the books, by updating the 'sent' column on the list.
Failure to confirm the books being sent may result in the order being cancelled and you not receiving the funds for the sale.
Your Delivery Status section will automatically be updated to show the books sold in your 'Books Successfully Sent' list.
To avoid damage in transit we recommend hardback books are placed in padded envelopes such as Jiffy or Bubble bags, while paperbacks should be posted in strong 'Manilla' type envelopes closed with tape top and bottom to give extra strength and allowing 2.5cm clearance at the ends to absorb possible knocks. Write in block capitals the delivery address on the front of the package and include on the reverse :
If undelivered please return to:
GreenMetropolis, John Buddle Work Village, Buddle Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 8AW
Postage is paid by the Seller. All books should be sent second class. We recommend you post your book from a Post Office branch and ask for a free Certificate of Posting. This enables compensation to be paid if the book is lost or damaged in transit.
The table below is an example of possible postage costs:-
| Type of book | Send as | Weight | Postage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paperbacks (thin) (up to 350 pages) up to 25mm thick | Large Letter (2nd class) | 101g to 250g | 66p |
| 251g to 500g | 90p | ||
| Paperbacks (thick) (over 350 pages) over 25mm thick | Packet (2nd class) | 101g to 250g | £1.24 |
| 251g to 500g | £1.63 | ||
| Hardbacks & heavy paperbacks over 25mm thick | Packet (2nd class) | 501g to 750g | £2.08 |
| 751g to 1kg | £2.49 | ||
| A4 Hardbacks Cookbooks, academic books | Standard Parcels | up to 2kg | £4.20 |
| up to 4kg | £6.85 |
For more information on postage rates, visit the Royal Mail website.
Payment to Account
Once you have confirmed the sending of books (See Selling a Book) your GreenMetropolis.com account will be credited with £3 for each book sold plus a delivery payment if applicable. All credits from book sales take 7 days to clear, after which date funds may be withdrawn or used to purchase further books
Removing a Book from Sale
Managing your books for sale with GreenMetropolis.com couldn't be simpler. As with adding a book, from your account administration page there is an option to view/remove books. This lists all the books you currently have for sale with GreenMetropolis.com that have not yet been sold.
If for any reason you would like to remove a particular book from the system, so that it's no longer available to buyers then simply update the 'remove' column next to the book in question and click the Remove Book button.
Books are automatically removed from your list (and our bookstore) if they remain unsold after a period of six months. An e-mail is sent to you advising that the book will soon be removed from your sale list, if however you wish the book to remain available in our bookstore you can simply reply to the e-mail which will stop the book being removed. This automatic house keeping ensures that books aren't added for sale and then simply forgotten and discarded.