How to sell secondhand books on Bookle
Sell your secondhand books simply, securely, and with confidence.
1. What selling on Bookle means
Bookle is an online marketplace where you can list your secondhand books and sell them directly to readers across South Africa.
All transactions are processed through third-party escrow, and fulfilment is completed via The Courier Guy locker network (formerly PUDO).
Sellers are responsible for accurate listings, proper packaging, and timely dispatch.
2. Earnings & commission
Bookle charges a 20% commission on successful sales. This allows us to provide buyers with free buyer protection, helping keep the buying experience simple and affordable.
The commission covers the costs of facilitating a secure transaction, including the TradeSafe transaction and protection fees. There are no listing fees, so you only pay when you make a sale.
Here’s how it works:
- 20% commission is automatically deducted from the sale price after a successful sale.
- Example:
Book price: R100, excluding shipping
Bookle commission (20%): R20
Your earnings: R80 - Shipping is paid by the buyer and does not affect your earnings.
- No listing fees apply. You only pay when your book sells.
- Your earnings are always clearly shown in your seller dashboard, before and after each sale.
In short: You sell the book, Bookle covers the escrow-related fees, and you receive 80% of the sale price.
3. Escrow wallet fees
Funds are held in escrow until successful delivery or completion of the dispute window
Payout fees from your TradeSafe Wallet may apply:
- Weekly: R5 per payout
- Wallet (request payout at any time): R5 per payout
- Monthly: No fee
4. Seller requirements
To sell on Bookle, you must:
- List books with accurate titles, authors, and condition grading
- Provide at least one real image of the actual book
- Keep listings updated and truthful
- Manually book an order’s locker via your The Courier Guy account.
- Dispatch orders within the required timeframe
- Cover upfront fulfilment costs, including packaging and courier dispatch, until the order is successfully completed and payment is released
Failure to meet these requirements may result in order cancellation, penalties, or account restrictions.
5. Listing a book
Step 1: Add book details
- Enter the book’s information.
Step 2: Set condition
- Choose the correct condition based on the actual book
- Must reflect real wear, markings, or damage
Step 3: Upload photos
- At least one real photo is required for used books
- Stock images are not sufficient for used listings
Step 4: Publish listing
- Once published (and reviewed), the book becomes visible to buyers
- You are responsible for keeping the listing accurate and available
6. Condition grading rules
Condition must match real physical condition:
- Brand New — unused, no wear
- Like New — minimal handling
- Very Good — light wear, structurally perfect
- Good — visible use or light markings
- Acceptable — Moderate wear, still readable
- Fair / Poor (Significant Historical Value) — Must be of significant historical or collectable value
- Ex-Library — Must be in at least Acceptable condition
Incorrect grading may result in disputes and penalties. Please refer to our Book Condition Guide before listing books.
7. Order fulfilment process
01
Notification
You receive an order notification via email immediately
02
Preparation
- Pack securely to avoid damage
- Ensure correct item is selected
- Book a locker via your The Courier Guy account
03
Dispatch
- Drop off at your The Courier Guy locker location
- Enter tracking number on Bookle’s system
04
Completion
Funds remain in escrow until:
- Buyer confirms delivery OR
- Automatic release after dispute window closes
8. Dispatch time requirement
- Orders must be dispatched within 7 calendar days
- Late dispatch affects seller rating and may result in cancellation
9. Payout system
- Funds are held in escrow after purchase
- Payout occurs after successful delivery or auto-release
- Payments are transferred to your bank account
Delays may occur if:
- disputes are opened
- tracking is invalid
10. Seller Rating System
All sellers on Bookle operate under the same platform rules and are monitored through order performance tracking.
Bookle uses a seller rating system based on completed orders:
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Consistently reliable sellers with strong fulfilment history
- No ratings — Sellers still building their track record or with mixed performance history
Ratings affect buyer trust and visibility.
11. Disputes & accountability
Disputes may occur if:
- item is clearly not as described
- wrong item is sent
- damage due to poor packaging
Resolutions are based on:
- buyer evidence
- listing accuracy
- courier tracking
Repeated disputes may affect account standing.
FAQs – sellers?
To sell on Bookle, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be 18 or older
- Have an active South African bank account (for payouts)
- Provide accurate personal and store registration details
These are non-negotiable requirements for account approval and payouts.
Yes. A seller account also functions as a buyer account, so no separate registration is required.
You can purchase books from other sellers on the platform using the same account.
Orders you place as a buyer are treated exactly like any other order, including buyer protection and escrow handling.
Bookle is a books-only marketplace. Listings must be physical books.
There are a small number of exceptions:
- Pre-1980 printed magazines
- Rare or historically significant print material (reviewed case-by-case)
- Unused educational workbooks
All other items are not permitted, including:
audiobooks, photo albums, diaries, manuals, bookmarks, and similar non-book products.
All books must be securely packaged to prevent damage during transit.
Use the following packaging standards:
- Wrap books in bubble wrap and reinforce with cardboard for protection
- Place items in a sturdy, recyclable box or padded mailer
- Courier Guy transit bags may be used and are available free at selected depots
- Ensure the package is sealed properly and cannot open during handling or transport
Packaging must be strong enough to protect the book throughout the full delivery process.
Dropshipping is allowed on Bookle, provided that all orders are fulfilled within the required handling timeframe and delivered without delay.
Sellers are fully responsible for:
- Stock availability at the time of sale
- Accurate product listings
- Timely dispatch of all orders
- Ensuring reliable fulfilment from their supplier or source
Ongoing delays, stock issues, or failure to meet fulfilment expectations may result in a review of your store and could lead to suspension.
You are paid once the order is successfully completed and confirmed via the delivery process.
Before dispatch, you are responsible for covering your own upfront costs, including packaging and preparing the parcel. You also arrange and pay for the shipment when dropping the parcel at The Courier Guy locker system.
Once the order is marked as successfully delivered and completed, Bookle releases the full payment to you, which includes:
- Your book sale amount (minus Bookle commission)
- The shipping amount paid by the buyer
This ensures you are reimbursed after fulfilment is confirmed, not before.