Article: Paperbucks; Getting top dollar for your used books depends on the right combination of condition and likely demand. We went to five bookstores with the same 12 books to find out where to get the most cash back.(VARIETY)(DOLLARS & SENSE)

Byline: John Ewoldt; Staff Writer

Don't be surprised if you can't get a straight answer from a used-book store when you call to ask how much your books are worth. If the store tells you what it would pay, you'd probably be scared off by the pittance offered. In pristine condition, the most popular books can command no more than 25 percent of their cover price. But on average, most sellers will be lucky to take home 5 to 15 percent of the cover price.

Some buyers bring disappointment on themselves. James Williams, the owner of Sixth Chamber, a used-book store in St. Paul, said his employees quit quoting prices over the phone after customers ...

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