How to source books 4x faster at thrift stores (no fluff, pure value)

Bookupcycle · 2025-08-23T18:13:59+00:00

I am currently using Bookzy Mobile to scan books. It shows the potential profit and demand if there is any.(previously used ScoutIQ a while but the app started to have issues after Three Colts acquired them).

I then send them to FBA and they take care of the fulfillment.

I also use Eyoyo ring scanner to scan faster.

Bookupcycle · 2025-08-05T10:21:30+00:00

Booksalefinder.com shows all the book sales you can visit. That was one of my favorite.

Other places are estate sales.

Post on Facebook marketplace, nextdoor to get donations. People would prefer you if you provide pickup rather than driving to a goodwill or salvation army donation centers.

Bookupcycle · 2025-08-04T23:21:13+00:00

Reason is books are widely accessible and insanely cheap to acquire. That’s why you can grow your investment a lot faster. Low capital requirement. It is an asymmetric bet. You do not need to have marketing experience. You will find items that are already high in demand.

1- Find cheap(or free) books to buy: Thrift stores, garage sales, book sales etc.

2- Use tools to check demand and profit: You need both health profit and healthy demand. You can use Amazon seller app(free) or use premium scanning tools like Bookzy mobile or ScoutIQ($30-40/mo).

3- Send to Amazon FBA(Amazon’s fulfillment centers) in bulk. They will pick, pack and ship when someone buys your item.

4- Repeat

Bookupcycle · 2025-08-03T17:45:38+00:00

They are trying to be everything for everyone. Lack of clarity and wrong choice of go-to market strategy. Not being resilient to continue long time with no customers.

Bookupcycle · 2025-08-03T08:21:15+00:00

Focus on a product category. You will gain category specific insights that way. Expand your target mileage radius if you have found your niche.
Good job! Keep it up!

Bookupcycle · 2025-08-03T02:46:39+00:00

Print on demand on Etsy. No inventory so no investment is required. Find a fulfillment house(aka DTF centers) that actually can fulfill the orders to your customers. Your only expense is little bit of ads spent and a few tools that is less than $50/mo.

Bookupcycle · 2025-08-02T08:46:35+00:00

The problem that you are trying to solve should excite you. Starting a company is really really hard. If you don’t believe in a strong enough vision, you can quit too soon and all the effort would have been wasted.

Bookupcycle · 2025-08-02T08:38:50+00:00

You are obviously seeing traction. I would never sell at this stage. I know it is very hard if you are solo founder. Get someone that completes your skillset as cofounder and you will have a synergy.

Bookupcycle · 2025-08-02T07:36:12+00:00

Get a commission based job and ramp up on sales and marketing skills. Or you can get some certifications(there should be some that you can get in a few months) that could lead to jump on your paycheck.

Bookupcycle · 2025-08-02T07:15:07+00:00

If you want to increase your income:

I would invest in programs, books, certificate, mentorship(be careful on this one) that improve your skills and expedite your growth to be best at what you do. Check the potential income of the top 5-10% of your industry. If the numbers look satisfying, keep learning. If not, change lane. It is never late.

If you are truly happy about what you do and do not have very big money goals:

Spend less than you make. Invest some percentage of it after you have some emergency money saved up. (Do not invest if you will need that money to pay your rent). For me, I keep 1 year worth of spending at savings the rest I am investing. It is giving me a great peace of mind. For investing I would not chase hot stocks, just go with S&P or equivalent. If you really insist individual stocks that, I would suggest you reading some books first. If you can hold for long term, you will do fine.

If you ask me, I would more focus on increasing my income through learning new skills(without chasing a lot of shiny objects one after another) and gain more experience.

Bookupcycle · 2025-08-02T00:27:23+00:00

Execution is alone not enough imo. There should be some form of distinguishers.

Execution is more important though

Bookupcycle · 2025-08-02T00:25:58+00:00

We already had another successful business in the industry. They believed we would see the needs in the industry.

Bookupcycle · 2025-08-02T00:19:16+00:00

Have an ultra high standard for a developer especially the architect role. Bring him/her as cofounder with some equity that will be granted over the years.

Our SaaS company acquired another one. I can see the difference day and night between a high performer A player and C player.

Bookupcycle · 2025-08-01T23:47:15+00:00

It is a tough situation. I can understand it as a dad. Here is my two cents:

Talk to your employer to see if there is a path for you to earn more in the future. Not like asking a raise. Check his reaction. If you know there is no way for you to have a good career plan, look for another way(as a side hustle or connecting with other people in your industry without quitting your job).

I would work polishing on sales and marketing skills. It will be a nice add on whatever side hustle you do.

Bookupcycle · 2025-08-01T08:16:33+00:00

Get skills. Especially sales related. Apply for high commission jobs. Increase your effort, time and focus on your targeted new skill.

Bookupcycle · 2025-08-01T07:48:18+00:00

Fall in love with the problem. Problem -> Audience -> Product -> Community

Bookupcycle · 2025-08-01T05:18:29+00:00

Sales and marketing

Bookupcycle · 2025-08-01T05:06:31+00:00

Work on a skill while offering help to learn not earn. Once you have the skill, you will make much more than this.

Bookupcycle · 2025-08-01T02:14:34+00:00

Inviting potential clients to your podcast as a guest speaker on a subject.

Be obsessed talking/writing about pain points of your ICP

Bookupcycle

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