If you want to buy used books in Slovenia, the fastest way is to find them from private sellers on classified platforms, in antique shops, and at fairs, where the price usually drops to 30 to 60 percent of retail. Before you pay, check the condition, edition, and the seller's history, and make the deal upon pickup.
The used book market in Slovenia is surprisingly lively. Students in Ljubljana sell textbooks after the semester ends, readers in Maribor and Celje sell novels they have read once, and parents in Kranj and Koper look for school textbooks and picture books for children. Most of these deals happen without an intermediary: two people arrange to meet, exchange the book and money, and go their separate ways. That is why it is important to know where to look, what to check, and how much a book is realistically worth.
This guide is for buyers who read on their phone and want a list they can open at a meeting. No complications.
- Private sellers are the cheapest, while antique shops are the safest because you see the book before buying.
- Never transfer money in advance to a stranger who demands payment before shipping.
- At the meeting, check the binding, spine, table of contents, any underlined lines, and the year of publication.
- Negotiate with a concrete argument: condition, edition, availability in the library.
Where to buy used books from private sellers
Private sellers list used books on classified platforms, in closed social media groups, and at flea markets. The platform is the most transparent for the buyer because ads are sorted by category and location. On EX & GO, the category also includes books, and filters work by city and surroundings, so you can set Ljubljana and see only ads within a range that suits you.
Antique shops are another route. In Ljubljana you will find them in the city center, while in Maribor and Celje there are smaller shops that often also have an online inventory list. The advantage of an antique shop is that you can hold the book before paying, and the seller knows the market. The downside is a higher price, especially for sought-after titles.
How filters by city and category work
On a classified platform, first select the category, then the city or area. If you are looking for a high school textbook in Kranj, set Kranj and the books category, then review ads by posting date. Newer ads are generally more serious because the seller is still active.
It is also important to look at the seller's history and ratings. When buying a used book for 8 euros, this may seem unnecessary, but for a set of textbooks for 60 euros, it is worth two clicks. If the seller is new and has no ratings, arrange a personal pickup.
What to check in the ad before you respond
A good ad contains a photo of the actual copy, not a stock image. If the picture shows a book that is clearly from the publisher's catalog, ask for additional photos of the spine and interior. A photo of the spine tells you more about condition than the cover.
Also check whether the edition is stated. With textbooks, the difference between editions can be significant: exercises are renumbered, chapters are moved. The same applies to professional literature, where a newer edition brings updated data. Ask which edition it is and whether the book has marks or underlined lines.
Signs of a scam
The most common pattern is a request for prepayment. The seller claims to send the book by courier but wants money in advance to an account or via an app. If you cannot see the book before paying and the seller insists on a transfer, walk away.
It is also suspicious when the price is unreasonably low for a sought-after title, when the seller does not answer specific questions about condition, and when they redirect you to another channel where there is no trace of the conversation. Check whether the same ad is posted in multiple cities at once with different names.
Before you go to a meeting, ask the seller for a photo of the table of contents and one interior page. If they send them without excuses, that is a good sign they have the book with them.
Meeting checklist: what to check in five minutes
The meeting is the moment when you decide whether the book is worth its price. Take five minutes and go through the list. Do not be afraid to leaf through the book in front of the seller; this is a normal part of the process.
- Binding and spine: are the pages firmly attached, do the covers open too easily.
- Pages: check the first ten and last ten pages, as signs of moisture show up there first.
- Writing and underlining: ask in advance if they are allowed, and inspect them at the meeting.
- Missing pages: leaf through by numbers, not just by feel.
- Supplements: for textbooks, check whether the workbook, online access code, or map is included.
- Smell: a book from a damp place has a recognizable smell that is hard to get rid of.
If you are buying a set, inspect each copy separately. Often one textbook in a set is in worse condition than the others, which is a good basis for negotiation.
How much to pay for used books
The price of a used book depends on three things: condition, demand, and whether the book is still in print. A novel you can find in every library is worth little. A textbook prescribed by a high school and no longer available in regular sale can reach more than half the original price.
As a rough guide: fiction in good condition ranges between 2 and 8 euros, non-fiction between 8 and 25 euros, and rarer editions and monographs above 30 euros. These numbers are not a rule but a starting point for discussion. Before you agree, check the price with several sellers and in an antique shop.
| Channel | Price | Safety | When it is the best choice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private seller via classifieds | Lowest | Depends on pickup | When you are looking for a specific title and are ready for personal pickup |
| Antique shop | Medium to higher | High | When you want to see the book and have the option to return it |
| Platform with seller history | Low to medium | Medium to high | When you want to compare multiple offers and see seller ratings |
We see that most buyer questions relate to the condition of the copy and whether the price is fair given the year of publication. That is why it is worth checking before the conversation how many copies of the same title are currently listed. When you see five offers for the same textbook, you have negotiating power. The rules for posting and conduct on the platform are set out in the rules.
How to negotiate the price
Negotiation works when you have an argument. Just "can it be cheaper" usually does not get you far. Instead, say what you noticed: that the spine is loose, that the workbook is missing, that a new edition is available, that the book is in a library in your city.
Realistic expectations help. For a book costing 10 euros, it makes sense to ask for a euro or two off or for pickup at a convenient location. For a set costing 60 euros, there is more room, especially if you pay immediately and in cash.
When negotiation is not worth it
If the seller stated at the outset that the price is not negotiable, respect that. Also do not negotiate after an agreement has been made, when you are already on your way. The agreed price is the agreed price. If it seems too high, look for another ad instead.
It is also important to agree on the payment and pickup method in advance. Cash on pickup is the simplest. If you arrange shipping by mail, agree in advance who covers the shipping and what happens if the book does not match the description.
Can you return or complain about used books
When buying from a private seller, consumer protection law generally does not apply in the same way as with a merchant, because it is not a business-to-consumer transaction. This means that a return is not an automatic right. That is why the agreement before purchase is key. If you want the option to return, buy from an antique shop or a merchant.
When you buy from a company, rules on the conformity of goods with the description apply. If the book significantly deviates from the description, you have the right to a correction, replacement, or refund. The details depend on the circumstances, so it is wise to save the receipt and the ad description. General information about your rights is also available on the government portal gov.si.
If you arrange shipping, insist on a trackable shipment. Registered mail or a tracked package gives you proof of dispatch and receipt. If the book does not arrive, you at least have a basis for a complaint with the post office.
Frequently asked questions about buying used books
Where can I buy used books in Slovenia?
The largest selection is on classified platforms where private sellers post by city, then in antique shops in Ljubljana, Maribor, Celje, and Koper, as well as at flea markets and library sales. For textbooks, student groups and university notice boards are also useful. If you want to compare multiple offers at once, use the filter by city and category to see only ads near you.
How do I check if a seller is reliable?
Check if the seller has a history and ratings, whether they answer specific questions, and if they are willing to send additional photos. A reliable seller states the condition, edition, and any flaws. If they insist on prepayment without personal pickup or avoid questions about condition, look for another ad. For more expensive purchases, always arrange a personal pickup.
How much do old used books usually cost?
Fiction in good condition usually sells for between 2 and 8 euros, non-fiction between 8 and 25 euros, and rarer editions above 30 euros. The price depends on condition, year of publication, and whether the book is still in print. Textbooks that schools still require hold their price longer. Before you pay, compare offers from several sellers and check if the book is available in a library.
Can I arrange shipping by mail?
Yes, many sellers ship by mail, especially if you are in different cities. Agree in advance on shipping costs and who covers them. Insist on a trackable shipment so you have proof of dispatch. With private sellers, avoid prepayment without tracking. For a more expensive book or a set, personal pickup is safer for both parties.
What should I do if the book does not match the description?
First contact the seller and describe the difference between the description and the copy you received. When buying from a company, you have rights regarding conformity of goods; from a private seller, everything depends on the agreement, so it is best to clarify this before payment. Save photos of the ad and the conversation. If no agreement is possible, check your rights via information on the government portal.
Where can I sell used books I no longer need?
List them on a classified platform with photos of the spine and interior, stating condition, edition, and price. Antique shops mainly buy sought-after titles, and libraries take materials according to their own rules. If you want to sell quickly, list a set instead of individual copies. Before posting, check the platform's rules so your ad is not removed for missing information.
Conclusion
Buying used books in Slovenia is easy if you know what you are looking for and where to look. Private sellers offer the lowest prices, antique shops the greatest safety, and platforms with seller history a balance between the two. Before any payment, check the condition of the copy, the edition, and the seller's track record. If you arrange a personal pickup, bring the meeting checklist and some cash for negotiation.
If you want to buy used books without complications, take ten minutes to compare offers before responding to the first ad. Check several cities, review seller ratings, and negotiate with arguments. For questions about how the platform works, there is support where you can find answers about posting, filtering, and reporting an ad.
See also: used books, used books in Ljubljana.