FNAC RESTART Books: How to sell used books in Portugal

Have books on your shelves that you no longer read? FNAC has introduced RESTART Books in Portugal (in Portuguese), a service that allows customers to sell eligible second-hand books in exchange for a FNAC gift card. We recently spoke about FNAC RESTART on electronics, the program now gets expanded for books as well.

The books accepted through the programme can then be offered for sale to other readers through FNAC’s marketplace. If you live in Portugal and want to clear some shelf space, here’s how the service works, which books may be accepted and what to consider before selling.

What is FNAC RESTART Books?

FNAC RESTART Books is a programme that allows customers in Portugal to sell eligible used books to FNAC.

Instead of receiving cash, sellers receive a FNAC gift card for the value of the books accepted after the in-store assessment. The card can be used for purchases at FNAC stores and on fnac.pt, subject to the programme’s terms.

The initiative extends FNAC’s RESTART programme to books, giving eligible titles another opportunity to reach readers rather than remaining unused on a shelf.

For people who regularly shop at FNAC, it offers an additional way to pass on books they have finished reading.

How to sell used books to FNAC in Portugal

The process starts online and is completed at an eligible physical store.

1. Check your books online

Visit the official FNAC second-hand books page and use the programme’s online tool to check whether your books are eligible.

You will need the ISBN of each book. An ISBN is the number that identifies a particular book edition and is usually printed near the barcode.

You can enter the number manually or scan the barcode, where supported by the online tool.

2. Check the offer

Once you have identified a book, the platform indicates whether it can be accepted and provides a proposed value.

There is no single fixed price for every title. The offer may depend on factors such as the book’s condition, current demand, available stock and how quickly similar titles tend to sell.

Review the offer before deciding whether to proceed.

3. Accept the offer and complete registration

If you agree with the proposed value, follow the instructions to complete the online registration.

Keep the confirmation details and any information required for the in-store handover. Make sure the books you take to the store match the editions you registered.

4. Take your books to an eligible FNAC store

Bring the registered books to a participating FNAC store in Portugal. The staff will check the books’ condition and confirm that they meet the programme’s requirements.

An online offer does not guarantee final acceptance. Books may be rejected if they do not match the registered details or fail the condition checks.

Check the current store information and handover instructions on the official website before travelling.

5. Receive your FNAC gift card

Once the accepted books have been assessed, you receive a FNAC gift card for their combined accepted value.

The card can be used at FNAC stores and on fnac.pt, in accordance with the programme’s terms.

Remember that this is store credit rather than a cash payment. If you want money in exchange for your books, a different selling option may suit you better.

Which used books does FNAC accept?

According to the programme’s published conditions, books must be in very good condition and match the details entered during registration.

Books may be rejected if they have:

• Torn, missing, glued or yellowed pages.
• Handwritten notes, underlining or marked passages.
• Missing ISBN barcodes.
• Incomplete contents or damaged components.
• Plastic wrapping.
• Library ownership markings or evidence of previous library use.
• Labels identifying them as free copies, uncorrected proofs or press copies.
• A cover, edition, format or ISBN that differs from the online registration.

FNAC also states that books in foreign languages are not accepted.

These conditions can change, so check the official programme information before preparing your books.

How much can you get for used books?

The amount offered depends on the individual book and the programme’s assessment criteria. Demand, existing stock and expected sales can all influence the proposed value.

The online tool allows you to check the offer before taking your books to a store. This makes it easier to decide whether the proposed amount is worthwhile.

However, the value you receive is issued as a FNAC gift card, not cash. Consider this when comparing the programme with other ways of selling second-hand books.

Is FNAC RESTART Books worth using?

It depends on your priorities and the books you want to sell.

The service may suit you if you:

• Want to make space on your bookshelves.
• Have books in very good condition.
• Prefer a structured online registration and in-store assessment process.
• Regularly shop at FNAC and can use the gift card.

Another option may be better if you:

• Need cash rather than store credit.
• Have books that do not meet the acceptance criteria.
• Want to negotiate prices directly with buyers.
• Own titles that may be more suitable for specialist second-hand bookshops.

If FNAC does not accept your books, consider selling them directly to other readers, approaching second-hand bookshops, exchanging them or donating them to people and organisations that can use them.

Giving books a second life

A book can remain valuable long after its first reader has finished it. Selling, exchanging or donating books allows other people to discover them and can help reduce the number of unwanted items sitting unused at home.

FNAC RESTART Books adds another option for readers in Portugal who want to pass on eligible books. The gift card may also make sense for people who intend to buy something else from FNAC.

The right choice depends on the condition of your books, the offer you receive and whether store credit suits your needs.

Before making a decision, check the programme’s current conditions and compare the alternatives available to you.

Ready to check your books? Visit the official FNAC second-hand books page to see whether your titles are eligible and review the proposed value.