Selling Books to Dasa Book Cafe: A Comprehensive Guide for Bangkok Expats
I first visited Dasa Book Cafe years ago as a tourist, but recently, while clearing out my collection, I decided to check out their process for buying used books. I was pleasantly surprised to find a very clear, organized system in place.
1. First Step: Emailing Your List
Dasa makes it explicit that they cannot quote prices or guarantee acceptance until they’ve physically examined your books. To save everyone time, they require you to email a list first, which is exactly what I did.
Here’s what you need to know about the list:
- Format is Key: Send your list as an Excel or Word file, or paste it directly into the body of the email. They specifically reject photos, PDF files, and Google Docs.
- Required Info: Include the author name and book title. Also, note if the book is a hardcover or an oversize/jumbo edition. (They don’t need ISBNs or publishing dates, except for guidebooks.)
I emailed a list of 14 books late one evening, and they responded promptly before 9 AM the next morning. Of my 14 titles, only three were rejected. I ended up keeping one book for sentimental reasons, meaning I had 10 books accepted for sale. They reminded me that books in poor condition, or those with highlights or underlined passages, will be declined upon physical inspection.
Quick Tip: The rejected titles appeared to be less popular authors from my selection (specifically James Bowen’s A Street Cat Named Bob, Adibah Amin’s As I Was Passing II, and Laurie Halse Anderson’s Chains).
2. Making the Reservation and The Transaction
Dasa now requires customers to make a reservation before bringing books to the shop. This ensures they can manage the flow, especially during busy periods.
- Best Times: Weekdays between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM.
- Important: Do not bring your books until the reservation date is confirmed.
I emailed on Monday morning, requested a slot for Tuesday at 10:30 AM, and received a quick confirmation. Upon arrival, I went to the counter, confirmed my appointment, and presented the books. The staff immediately asked whether I wanted cash or credit, which determines the final payout value. I opted to browse first, knowing I would likely choose the cash payout, as I now primarily rent books from TK Park instead of needing store credit for physical books.
3. Understanding the Pricing and Payout
The price you receive depends on the book’s condition, the original publisher’s list price, the country of publication, and the size/format. While they can’t quote exact prices upfront, they offer these general theoretical ranges:
- Standard “Pocket” Size Paperbacks: 10−50 baht
- Larger “Trade” Size Paperbacks: 50−100 baht
- Hardcover/Rare Titles: May command higher prices.
My Actual Payout for 10 Books: After the staff finished pricing, I confirmed I wanted cash and presented my Thai driving license.
| Payout Method | Total for 10 Accepted Books | Payout Range per Book (Store Credit) |
|---|---|---|
| Store Credit | 690 baht | 40−90 baht |
| Cash Payout | 560 baht | (Calculated at approx. 80% of credit value) |
I inquired about the minimum 40 baht price they gave some of my books, and the staff explained it was calculated as 20% of the cover price. Checking my books on their database, these books are being sold from 70−240 baht, hopefully they’ll find new home soon.
4. Final Verdict and Shop Details
A Note on Margins and the Shop: Browsing the shop, I noticed similar paperbacks selling for 120 to 240 baht. While they do earn a substantial margin from reselling, it’s a necessary business model given the effort of selection, processing, and maintaining the three-story bookstore filled with fiction, non-fiction, and foreign language books. The shop is well-stocked, customers were actively browsing and buying books and CDs, and they also offer beverages. Too bad that photography and video are not allowed inside the shop, but kudos to Dasa for maintaining such a valuable resource!
Would I sell books here again? Yes, for sure, if I have just a couple of books to clear. Given the effort involved versus the cash received, it’s probably not worth it for a massive clear-out, but it’s perfect for offloading a small, targeted batch.
Logistics & ID: If you are selling books for cash, you must bring a Photo ID (passport, driving license, etc.). They need to make a photocopy of your ID for accounting purposes.
Note on Large Quantities: If you have more than 100 books, call or email ahead. Depending on their cash flow and the time of year (they get very busy at the end of the year and during summer moves), they may or may not be able to accommodate very large numbers at once.
Dasa Book Cafe Contact Information
- Address: 714/4 Sukhumvit Road (between Soi 26-28), Klongton, Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110
- Nearest BTS: Phrom Phong (Exit 4)
- Business Hours: Mon-Sun 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Email: dasabookcafe@yahoo.com
- Website: https://www.dasabookcafe.com/
- Phone: 02 661 2993
