Secondhand Books • 2026 Data
Cheap Books Philippines: How Filipinos Buy & Sell Secondhand Books in 2026
A practical, numbers-based playbook for readers, resellers, and side hustlers navigating the fast-moving secondhand books market in the Philippines.
Why This Guide Matters
Brand-new paperbacks now hover between ₱500–₱1,000 and the price shock is pushing Filipino readers, parents, and students toward preloved copies. The secondhand market is busy—Carousell listings under ₱300, Facebook decluttering posts, and TikTok live bundles fly daily—but it is also messy, emotional, and full of buyer mistrust.
This guide treats the market like a business: price anchors, platform behavior, sourcing math, and labor realities. Use it if you are buying cheap books, clearing personal shelves, or testing a micro side hustle in 2026.
Real Buyer Pain Points (2026)
Overpriced “Used” Books
Listings at ₱400–₱500 while brand-new copies cost ₱550–₱650 make buyers walk away. Poor condition + high price = zero trust.
Condition Shock
“May sulat, may tupi, may stains—pero presyong bago.” Yellowing pages and foxing without disclosure result in complaints and refund requests.
Hard-to-Find Titles
Out-of-print novels, older reviewers, and niche nonfiction force buyers to monitor multiple platforms. FOMO leads to overpaying or regret.
TikTok Live FOMO
Flash bundles sell out in minutes but viewers rarely scrutinize condition. Complaints spike after delivery when expectations don’t match.
Where Filipinos Buy & Sell Secondhand Books
Carousell
Searchable, patient buyers comparing per-title pricing.
- Best for: Individual titles and collectors
- Typical pricing: ₱150–₱350 for common paperbacks
- Buyer behavior: Transparent condition notes + fair photos = faster sales
Facebook Marketplace & Groups
High-volume, bundle-friendly listings with lots of haggling.
- Typical pricing: ₱100–₱250 per book inside bundles
- Pros: Massive reach and fast decluttering
- Cons: No-shows, ghosting, and chat fatigue
TikTok Live Selling
Entertainment-driven buying that clears inventory fast.
- Pricing: ₱99–₱199 per book (bundled)
- Strength: Creates urgency and momentum
- Trade-off: Labor-intensive hosting + thin margins
Booksale & Physical Thrift Stores
In-person hunt with visible condition.
- Pricing: ₱180–₱420 depending on branch and rarity
- Pros: Trusted browsing experience
- Cons: Location-dependent inventory
Pricing Strategy That Actually Sells
2026 Recommended Price Ranges
Aligning with what buyers already pay online.
| Book Type | Fastest-Selling Range | Special Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Common fiction & nonfiction | ₱150–₱300 | Go ₱120 if condition is “read many times” |
| Textbooks & academic | ₱300–₱600 | Must be current edition or exam reviewer |
| Hardbound, rare, out-of-print | ₱400–₱800 | Only if condition is very good + demand is proven |
Why Overpriced Books Fail
- Buyers compare instantly within Carousell and FB search
- Shipping (+₱60–₱120) raises total cost
- Brand-new promos from Shopee/Lazada exist monthly
- Condition risk always favors lower pricing
When ₱400+ Pricing Works
- Original hardbound editions or signed copies
- Out-of-print local titles
- High-demand academic references (CPA, MedTech, NLE)
- Collector-grade condition with dust jacket intact
Where Sellers Source Cheap Books
Personal Collections
Start by selling your own shelves—zero sourcing cost, perfect for learning logistics.
Limit: Hard to scale beyond 30–50 books.
Bundle Buyouts
Buy entire boxes from declutterers. Average cost lands at ₱50–₱120 per book after sorting.
Needs space + time to grade condition.
Garage Sales & Decluttering Posts
Cheapest finds but requires fast replies and occasional pickup trips.
Quality is inconsistent—expect duds.
School & Office Clearouts
Ideal for academic and reference books sold per kilo or per shelf.
Check edition year before buying.
Wholesale Pull-Outs
Some bookstores or distributors purge slow titles. Costs are higher (₱150–₱200) but supply is consistent.
Margins shrink if you do not bundle or upsell.
Starting a Secondhand Books Side Business
Basic Startup Cost (Small Scale)
- Initial inventory: ₱3,000–₱10,000
- Packaging: ₱500–₱1,000 (pouches, bubble wrap)
- Platform fees: ₱0 (Carousell/FB) + shipping add-ons
- Storage: Shelves or plastic bins at home
Inventory Management Basics
- Catalog by genre + author
- Grade condition honestly: Like New, Very Good, Acceptable
- Track cost vs selling price per item
- Batch photos by lighting setup to save time
Common Beginner Mistakes
Overpaying for inventory
Buying at ₱200 then pricing at ₱250 leaves no room after shipping.
Ignoring condition issues
Buyers flag stains and writing immediately.
Pricing emotionally
Let market comps, not attachment, dictate SRP.
Underestimating labor
Chatting, packing, and shipping can take 1–2 hours nightly.
Blog Setup Costs & Timeline (Monetizing via Content)
Basic Blog Costs
- Domain: ₱600–₱1,000/year
- Hosting: ₱2,000–₄,000/year
- Total 1st year: ₱2,600–₱5,000
Content Reality Check
- 1 quality SEO article = 6–10 hours writing & formatting
- Traffic ramp: 2–6 months for consistent visitors
- Monetization: Ads + affiliate links once stable traffic hits
FAQ: Secondhand Books in the Philippines
Is selling used books profitable?
Yes—if you keep sourcing costs low and move volume. Expect net margins of ₱50–₱120 per book after packaging and transport.
What platform is best?
Carousell for searchable titles, Facebook for bundles, TikTok Live for fast clearance, and physical pop-ups for weekend events.
How cheap should secondhand books be?
Keep common fiction within ₱150–₱300. Reserve 400+ pricing for rare or collector-grade copies.
Is this business scalable?
Only with systems: labeled storage, weekly sourcing schedule, clear pricing templates, and batch shipping days.
Conclusion & Realistic Takeaway
The secondhand books market is active but unforgiving. Buyers are price-sensitive, condition-aware, and informed by constant scrolling. Sellers who thrive treat it like a micro business: honest pricing, transparent grading, disciplined sourcing, and consistent posting.
Start small. Track every peso. Adjust quickly. Discipline beats hype.