How to sell

Everything you need to sell used books simply, safely, and with confidence on Bookle.

Whether you’re a secondhand bookseller or an entrepreneur, Bookle makes selling books simple, secure, and fun. With your own Bookle Store, you can sell books anytime, anywhere in South Africa.

Steps to sell

01

Apply as a seller

Complete the registration form and select the seller option.

02

Create & personalise your store

Use the setup wizard to upload your logo, cover image, and store info.

03

Upload listings

Add book photos, descriptions, and prices.

  • Your first few listings will be reviewed for quality.

  • Once approved, future uploads are automatic.

04

Prepare & ship orders

After receiving an order:

  • Pack books securely using sturdy, protective materials that keep them damage-free in transit

  • Ship via The Courier Guy’s locker system

  • Cover courier costs upfront

05

Buyer confirms & you get paid

Once the buyer approves the parcel (or if no action is taken):

  • Funds are released to your TradeSafe wallet

  • Bookle takes its 20% commission on successful orders.

  • You withdraw your earnings immediately, daily, weekly, or monthly

Why sell on Bookle?

Manage your store your own

Personalise your storefront with:

  • A cover image, logo, or profile picture
  • Store info like shipping policies and contact email

Manage your store effortlessly

Your dashboard is your command centre. From your PC or phone, you can:

  • Create listings
  • Track inventory
  • View sales reports
  • Manage orders
  • Control payouts

Save time and money

Forget annual domain fees or hiring a webmaster. Bookle gives you a ready-made eCommerce platform — no extra cost or hassle.

Support when you need it

A self-help manual is built into your dashboard. Plus, Bookle Admin is always ready to assist with technical issues.

Safe, guaranteed payment

Bookle uses TradeSafe, a secure escrow service backed by Standard Bank.
Payments are held safely until the order is delivered — buyers get what they paid for, and sellers are guaranteed payment.
Bookle covers the TradeSafe fees on every order; there are no added service fees at checkout.

Boost your sales

  • Run discount promotions to boost sales
  • Reach new customers with Bookle’s Google and Facebook ads
  • Earn money 24/7 while your store works in the background

Unlimited listings

Upload as many books as you want! Sellers with consistently accurate listings will eventually gain automatic approval for new uploads, speeding up the process.

Bookle’s commission

Simple, transparent fees

Bookle takes 20% commission per successful order (excluding shipping).

Example: 
Book price: R100 
Bookle commission (20%): R20 
Total seller earnings: R80 

Payouts from TradeSafe Wallet

  • Immediate: R5
  • Daily: R5
  • Weekly: R5
  • Monthly: No fee

Shipping is covered by the buyer and clearly displayed at checkout. 
TradeSafe escrow fees are covered by Bookle.

FAQs for sellers?

To sell on Bookle, you must:

  • Be 18+ with an active South African bank account
  • Provide accurate registration details

Ideal traits:

  • Computer-literate and comfortable managing stock
  • Organised with strong administrative skills
  • Detail-oriented for book descriptions and photos
  • Clear, professional communication
  • Reliable work ethic to fulfil orders promptly

Deliveries use The Courier Guy locker system, so check nearby locker availability.

Buyers are your customers; Bookle Admin provides support but does not handle communication on your behalf.

  • Bookle charges 20% per order, excluding shipping
  • Payouts from TradeSafe may incur a small processing fee

Example:

  • Book listed at R100 → Seller receives R80
  • Buyer pays book price + shipping
  • Bookle pays order transaction fee + buyer protection fee

Yes. Your seller account doubles as a buyer account, so no separate registration is needed.

Bookle focuses exclusively on physical books.

Exceptions:

  • Magazines pre-1980, rare or historically significant
  • Unused educational workbooks

Other items (audiobooks, photo albums, diaries, manuals, bookmarks, etc.) cannot be listed.

  • You’ll receive an email notification for each order, also check your spam/junk folders
  • Details are also available on your Seller Dashboard
  • Log in regularly and consult the Knowledge Base for guidance on fulfilling orders
  • Buyers pay shipping, added at checkout
  • Sellers receive payment (including shipping) after successful delivery and buyer confirmation
  • Packaging is the seller’s responsibility — use protective, cost-effective materials
  • Wrap books in cardboard and bubble wrap
  • Use a sturdy, recyclable box or padded mailer
  • Courier Guy transit bags are free at depots and cost-effective
  • Ensure books are secure while keeping costs low
  • Ship orders promptly, ideally within 7 business days
  • Notify buyers immediately if there’s a delay
  • Include expected handling time in your store Terms and Conditions

Choose when to transfer funds:

  • Immediate / Daily / Weekly: R5 per payout
  • Bimonthly: R5 per payout
  • Monthly: No fee

Longer intervals save on fees — choose based on your cash flow.

Payouts may take 2 business days.

  • Payments are held in escrow until the buyer confirms receipt and satisfaction
  • Protects buyers (books delivered as described) and sellers (payment guaranteed once confirmed)
  • Learn more about TradeSafe.
  • Bookle contacts you to resolve the issue
  • TradeSafe holds funds until resolution: return, replacement, or partial refund
  • Accurate descriptions and clear photos help prevent disputes
  • Buyers have 24 hours to confirm satisfaction
  • If no response, TradeSafe releases funds to the seller, assuming the order is complete
  • Sellers commit to fulfilling listed books
  • Only Bookle Admin can cancel orders; requests must have a valid reason
  • Misuse may result in store suspension or closure
  • Inform Bookle Admin to enable Holiday Mode, temporarily pausing listings
  • Stores inactive >3 months may be suspended or removed
  • Check spam, junk, or promotions folders
  • Confirm your email address is correct
  • Consider whitelisting Bookle to ensure delivery
  • Yes, if orders are fulfilled smoothly and on time
  • Ongoing delays may lead to a review or suspension of dropshipping privileges
  • Complete all outstanding orders
  • Ensure any TradeSafe Wallet funds are paid out
  • Email Bookle Admin to request store closure
  • You may delete your listings
  • Payments are only released after successful order fulfilment
  • All transactions are securely handled through TradeSafe Escrow

Buyer Protection with Tradesafe

Your payment is securely held by Tradesafe and only released to the seller once you’ve received and accepted your order. This ensures your money is safe until you are satisfied with your purchase.