Key takeaways
- Combine several books into one order. The store’s quantity discount is applied automatically at checkout and increases at set quantities, according to reporting.
- Reach the free-shipping minimum. Recent sources put it at twenty dollars for standard US shipping, with a flat per-item charge below that. The checkout page shows the current figure.
- Join ReadingRewards, which is free. Reporting says points convert into a free-book credit, and the credit still counts toward the shipping minimum.
- Check for a category or new-customer promo code only after you have built the cart. If a code is real, it will typically be announced by the store itself, not by a coupon aggregator.
- Sell old books through the BuyBack program if you have a stack to clear, and use the proceeds as store credit.
ThriftBooks is a used-book retailer, and the cheapest way to buy there is rarely a promo code. The store rewards bigger baskets: an automatic quantity discount that rises as you add more eligible books, free standard shipping above a minimum order, and a free ReadingRewards program that turns points into free-book credit. Coupon sites do list percent-off codes from time to time, but the structure of the store means that planning your cart matters more than hunting for a code. This guide explains how the pieces fit together and how to build an order that costs less per book.
Quick answer
- Combine several books into one order. The store’s quantity discount is applied automatically at checkout and increases at set quantities, according to reporting.
- Reach the free-shipping minimum. Recent sources put it at twenty dollars for standard US shipping, with a flat per-item charge below that. The checkout page shows the current figure.
- Join ReadingRewards, which is free. Reporting says points convert into a free-book credit, and the credit still counts toward the shipping minimum.
- Check for a category or new-customer promo code only after you have built the cart. If a code is real, it will typically be announced by the store itself, not by a coupon aggregator.
- Sell old books through the BuyBack program if you have a stack to clear, and use the proceeds as store credit.
Ways to save at ThriftBooks
| Method | How it works | Who qualifies | Limits/notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quantity discount (ThriftBooks Deals) | Discount rises automatically as the number of eligible books in the cart increases | Any customer | Reported tiers range from a small percentage on one book to a larger percentage on eight or more; applies to eligible items only |
| Free standard shipping | Orders above a minimum ship free to a single US address | Any customer | Reported minimum around twenty dollars; below it, a flat per-item charge applies |
| ReadingRewards | Earn points on purchases and convert them into a free-book credit | Free members | Points per dollar are higher on used books than on new, per reporting; credit counts toward shipping minimum |
| Tell-a-Friend referral | Both people receive a credit when the friend makes a qualifying first order | Members who refer new customers | Requires the friend to spend a minimum amount |
| Membership shipping rates | Reduced per-item shipping for paid reader memberships | Members of the store’s paid plans | Only worth it if you often buy below the free-shipping minimum |
| AARP member offer | A small percentage off multi-book used purchases | AARP members | Reported conditions apply |
| BuyBack | Sell your books and DVDs to the store for payment or store credit | Anyone with eligible items | Not all titles are accepted; offers depend on condition and demand |
The quantity discount, explained
The most reliable saving at ThriftBooks is also the one that requires no code. Reporting describes a tiered scheme in which a single eligible book gets a small discount, two to four books get a bigger one, five to seven books get a bigger one again, and eight or more reach the highest tier. The percentages are applied automatically at checkout. Because the exact tiers can change, read the banner on your cart page, which tells you how many more books you need for the next level.
The strategy is straightforward. If you are buying one book, adding a second or third book you will want eventually can lower the price of the whole order more than the extra item costs. That is not a reason to buy books you will never read, but it is a reason to batch your wish list into fewer, larger orders. Consider these habits:
- Keep a running wish list and order once or twice a season rather than every few days.
- Check the discount tier thresholds before checkout. If you are one book short, compare the cost of a cheap additional paperback with the extra discount.
- Look at the discount only on eligible items. New releases and certain special items may not count toward the tier.
- Gifts and school lists are good candidates for batching, since you can plan ahead.
Shipping: the number that decides your total
Used-book prices are low, so shipping can swing the total. Recent reporting says standard shipping within the US is free for orders of twenty dollars or more, shipped to a single address, with tax excluded from the calculation. Below that, a flat per-item fee applies, and reduced rates are offered for members of the paid reader plans. Some older coupon pages still cite a lower threshold, probably because the figure has changed. Treat anything not shown at checkout as unreliable.
What this means in practice:
- Build your cart until the shipping line shows free. Adding one more book to cross the threshold is often cheaper than paying per-item shipping on a smaller order.
- Use the reward credit toward the threshold. Reporting says a free-book reward counts toward the minimum, which can bring a small order across the line.
- Do not split an order into multiple shipments unless you must. Each shipment is evaluated separately for the minimum.
- If you are ordering for several addresses, check whether the minimum applies per address.
ReadingRewards, step by step
ReadingRewards is the free loyalty program. Coverage from a book-industry publication and the store’s own program page describes a system in which every purchase earns points, with a higher rate on used books than on new ones, and every set number of points converts into a free book credit. Higher tiers raise the value of the credit. The credit can be combined with other discounts and counts toward the free shipping threshold.
- Create an account or sign in, and join the rewards program from your account page.
- Place orders while signed in so points are credited. Guest orders do not earn.
- Track your points on the rewards page. When you reach the conversion threshold, a credit is added to your account.
- Apply the credit at checkout on a later order. Because the credit is described as combinable, apply it after the quantity discount has been calculated and see how the total changes.
- Check expiry dates on credits. Unused rewards often lapse after a period.
The program helps most if you buy used books regularly, since used purchases earn points at a higher rate. If you order only new releases, the benefit is smaller, and you may do better looking at other retailers.
Condition, edition and what you are really buying
Because ThriftBooks sells used books, the price depends on condition, and the cheapest listing is not always the best. Pay attention to the condition grade, whether the book is a hardcover, paperback or mass-market edition, and whether the cover art matches what you want. Textbooks add another variable: editions change, and the wrong edition can cost you more than you saved. If a class requires a particular edition, check the ISBN before buying, and compare the used price with rental options. For fiction, an older edition is usually fine, and it can be much cheaper than the latest cover.
Check also whether the listed item is a library discard. Those can have stamps or stickers, which some readers do not mind and others dislike. Photos are not always shown for each copy, so expect some variation, and use the return policy if a book arrives in worse condition than described.
Series, sets and gift orders
Buying a series is where the quantity discount helps most. A seven-book fantasy series, a run of mystery novels or a set of children’s chapter books can cross a discount tier in a single order. Before you buy, check that every volume you need is available in the same format, because mixing hardcovers and paperbacks gives a shelf that looks uneven. If one volume is missing, decide whether to wait for it to appear or to buy the rest now; waiting risks losing the tier, while buying now lets you add the missing volume to a later order.
For gifts, think about condition. A used book is a fine present for a reader who cares about the story, but for a collector or a child’s birthday, look for listings described as being in very good or better condition. Ordering early avoids the most crowded shipping weeks, and the store’s return process is easier to use when there is no deadline. If you need a gift wrap or a card, plan to add that yourself, since the store sells used books and does not focus on presentation.
Comparing with other ways to read for less
A used-book retailer is one option among several. Your local library lends books for free, including digital loans, and a library is the best choice for a book you will read once. Used bookstores let you browse and often buy back what you bring in. Textbook rental can beat buying for a single course. ThriftBooks tends to be strongest when you want to own the book, need a specific edition or want a whole series at a low price per volume. Compare the full delivered price, including shipping, against these alternatives rather than only the sticker price. If you buy books you rarely reread, the BuyBack program and your library together can cut your reading costs more than any coupon.
Stacking and timing
The quantity discount is automatic, and ReadingRewards credit is described as combinable with other discounts. Promo codes, when they exist, may or may not stack on top of the quantity discount. The cart will tell you: enter the code and look at the total. If the quantity discount disappears when a code is applied, compare the totals and keep the better one.
Timing is flexible because used inventory does not follow a fixed sales calendar. Still, the store’s own announcements, such as site-wide promotions around holidays, back-to-school periods and reading events, are the ones to follow. If you are buying textbooks, order early enough to cover shipping time and to return a wrong edition. If you are buying gifts, order well before the holiday shipping rush.
Coupon and promo code mistakes to avoid
- Believing old free-shipping codes. Member-only shipping codes on aggregator sites are often expired, and the threshold may have changed.
- Splitting orders. Small orders pay per-item shipping and lose quantity tiers.
- Adding unwanted books only to hit a tier. The saving should be larger than the cost of the extra book.
- Buying the wrong textbook edition. Confirm the ISBN or edition before ordering.
- Ordering as a guest. You lose reward points and referral credit.
- Using sketchy code generators. They cannot produce valid codes and may steal your details.
- Selling books through a third party that promises a high payout upfront. Use the store’s BuyBack tool or a reputable service, and read the payout terms.
Using BuyBack to fund your next order
If your shelves are full, selling back books is a way to lower what you spend. The BuyBack program accepts eligible books and DVDs, and reporting says shipping is free and payment can come by PayPal or store credit. Entering ISBNs shows what the store would pay before you ship anything. Accepted titles are those in demand and in good condition, so expect some rejections. If you choose store credit, you can apply it to your next order, effectively lowering the price. Compare the cash payout with the credit value before choosing, because credit is only useful if you will shop there again.
A simple routine
Keep a wish list for several weeks. When it holds eight or more titles you really want, create the order and watch the discount tier appear. Check whether the shipping line is free. Apply any reward credit and any code that the store itself has announced. Review the condition of each item and the edition. Place the order while signed in, and check your account afterwards for points.
How we researched this
This guide is based on the brand’s official pages and independent reporting named below; offers change, so confirm on the brand’s site or app before ordering. We do not publish unverified codes.
Sources
- ThriftBooks official website, ReadingRewards and shipping pages
- Book Riot, report on ThriftBooks ReadingRewards
- The Literary Lifestyle, ThriftBooks review
- CouponSearch, ThriftBooks store page
- Coupons.com, ThriftBooks offers page
Frequently Asked Questions
Does ThriftBooks have promo codes?
Occasionally, for categories or new customers, but the store’s built-in quantity discount and rewards are more dependable than codes found on aggregator sites.
What is the free-shipping minimum?
Recent sources say twenty dollars for standard US shipping to a single address, but older pages cite less. The checkout page shows the current amount.
How does the quantity discount work?
It is applied automatically at checkout and increases as you add more eligible books to the cart.
Is ReadingRewards free?
Yes. Reporting describes a free program that converts points into free-book credit, and the credit counts toward the free-shipping minimum.
Can I stack a code with the quantity discount?
Sometimes. Enter the code and compare totals with and without it.
Can I sell my books back?
Yes, through BuyBack, which accepts eligible books and DVDs and pays by PayPal or store credit.
Is the AARP offer worth using?
It is reported as a small percentage on multi-book used purchases, so it helps only if you are a member and already buying several books.
What if a book arrives in worse condition than described?
Contact customer service through your account and use the return or replacement process.
Last updated: October 2026
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