If you want to sell your textbook, do it fast

daughter's stuff at my parents' place are increasing fast, and packing so much things in a 3-rm flat is no easy task. With a fixed space, the obvious way to solve the problem is to "throw" old stuff. First to go were my old uni textbooks, which were surprisingly in good condition. Not wanting to throw them away, i asked my former IA student if he wants but that drew no response.

i came to know from the net that there are shops in Bras Basah which take in old or rather used books. So, happily i packed six books, some hardcovered, two Tue ago (i was on leave) and off i went. The first chap, an Indian man, did a quick flip on the six, and offered to take in all for $2. I was shocked! He said these were very old editions which were now outdated. I tried to argue that engineering books won't change much, the theories would be there forever, and at most there would be changes to the examples. He finally agreed to take one for $1, but ended up giving me 50cents more, maybe he was a bit sympathetic. He suggested i tried another shop on the same level (level 3).

I got better luck with the second, but only slightly. Again, it was another Indian man, but this fellow was definitely older. He offered $4 for my books. Already shocked from the first, i was more than happy to take his offer, but tried my luck to ask a bit more. Din succeed, of course.

The lesson learnt was most shocking, and the next day i went back office and spreaded the message around, particularly to the younger ones who left school not long ago. If you have books, and would not be using them again, sell them now!