A big thank you to the manager of my local Oxfam Bookshop.
He knows about my book auction in May, and kindly suggested that if this goes well, perhaps I could give up the bookshop, and just concentrate on auctions to make a living that way. After all - there is no way I can compete with with Oxfam.
He didn't mean this maliciously, in fact, I believe he meant it kindly, but I still don't respond particularly well to the person who is bankrupting me giving me careers advice. Oh yes - I ranted !
Sunday, April 26, 2009
A Worthwhile trip
A chap came in to tell me about his trip to the defunct Bookbarn down near Bristol.
Having seen it on the local news he travelled about 130 miles to grab 6 bags of free paperbacks having spent a happy couple of hours climbing over piles of discarded books. He was amazed that I hadn't had the initiative to go down and replenish my stock. I pointed out to him, that on my one trip to Bookbarn I had been saddened to find that there wasn't a single book I would want, even if free, as they were all so dirty, out of date and largely ex-library or collapsing.
"Well I was happy with my hoard, and all free" (I don't think a days time and about £15-30 in petrol has entered the equation) "so I won't be in to buy any books for a while"
I think I shall cope with this - I don't think he ever has brought anything here anyway.
Having seen it on the local news he travelled about 130 miles to grab 6 bags of free paperbacks having spent a happy couple of hours climbing over piles of discarded books. He was amazed that I hadn't had the initiative to go down and replenish my stock. I pointed out to him, that on my one trip to Bookbarn I had been saddened to find that there wasn't a single book I would want, even if free, as they were all so dirty, out of date and largely ex-library or collapsing.
"Well I was happy with my hoard, and all free" (I don't think a days time and about £15-30 in petrol has entered the equation) "so I won't be in to buy any books for a while"
I think I shall cope with this - I don't think he ever has brought anything here anyway.
Latest Score Card
I often keep a tally of the wonderful people who come into the shop. I shouldn't really, as it only depresses me.
This week I set a new record: 18 people trying to sell me books, magazines or free newspapers (yes you read that right). 1 random mad lady who only came in to tell me that she had never read a book and to ask lots of questions about the artwork in the shop. 2 people who are most offended that I would suggest they are wanting free valuations ! They just want a bit of advice and want to know what the book is worth.
The last one took the biscuit. A lady came in to ask me to repair an old bible for her (spine falling off) so would I mind just gluing it back, refixing some detatched pages and neatening the edges. I suggested the local book binders, and when she looked at their prices, she commented that the book wasn't worth their prices, and it would only take me 20 minutes or so - couldn't i just do it for free (she is on a pension you know !) Now I may be mad - but i did it for her !
On the plus side of the account - I had two sales of £6 each. All day. Oh yes - that is why we are a successful bookshop. Sadly - it is also why we will probably have to close in June and leave only one general bookshop in the whole of Wiltshire.
This week I set a new record: 18 people trying to sell me books, magazines or free newspapers (yes you read that right). 1 random mad lady who only came in to tell me that she had never read a book and to ask lots of questions about the artwork in the shop. 2 people who are most offended that I would suggest they are wanting free valuations ! They just want a bit of advice and want to know what the book is worth.
The last one took the biscuit. A lady came in to ask me to repair an old bible for her (spine falling off) so would I mind just gluing it back, refixing some detatched pages and neatening the edges. I suggested the local book binders, and when she looked at their prices, she commented that the book wasn't worth their prices, and it would only take me 20 minutes or so - couldn't i just do it for free (she is on a pension you know !) Now I may be mad - but i did it for her !
On the plus side of the account - I had two sales of £6 each. All day. Oh yes - that is why we are a successful bookshop. Sadly - it is also why we will probably have to close in June and leave only one general bookshop in the whole of Wiltshire.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Obviously Underpriced
Man walks in from one of the 25 charity shops in town.
"I have a book here, that i think is rather valuable. What do you think it's worth"
"I would sell it for £10"
"Oh no - we can demand far far more than that for it"
and sweeps out.
Nice to be asked I suppose ?
"I have a book here, that i think is rather valuable. What do you think it's worth"
"I would sell it for £10"
"Oh no - we can demand far far more than that for it"
and sweeps out.
Nice to be asked I suppose ?
George Bernard Bu******
Chap walks in. "I'm looking for a copy of George Bernard Shaw's "The Apple Cart - I don't suppose you've heard of it."
"Yes sir, I believe we have a copy in our plays section."
"Really, how marvellous - its out of print, and I've hunted high and low for it. How much is it"
"It's a first edition sir, from 1920, in a decent dust wrapper - it's £6"
"Oh no - I don't want to pay anything near that - do you have anything for a pound ?"
"Yes sir, I believe we have a copy in our plays section."
"Really, how marvellous - its out of print, and I've hunted high and low for it. How much is it"
"It's a first edition sir, from 1920, in a decent dust wrapper - it's £6"
"Oh no - I don't want to pay anything near that - do you have anything for a pound ?"
Thursday, March 12, 2009
The Letter of the Law
I had a letter from my landlords yesterday. I can't quote it exactly as I threw it away in disgust (DOH) but I can give you the gist of it.
Please to remember that this comes on expensive embossed paper, and had a first class (38p) stamp on it.
"Dear Sir,
Thank you for your recent rent payment of £761.17 for the month of March. Unfortunately you made a mistake in calculating the final monthly payment of the year, and you owe us an addional 4p. Please could you send us this and bare (sic) in mind that the amount is £761.21 in future payments."
This, from someone who signs herself with the Full "Ba Hons, (Lancaster)" on all letter - to show how intelligent and well educated she is.
With headed paper at 10p - laser printing at 15p per sheet, 10 mins on minimum wage at £1.25 and the stamp at 38p - this cost them at least £1.88 to ask for 10p.
Needless to say - I shan't be sending a cheque. Yes - I know I have wasted almost as much time as they did on this topic - but I couldn't resist.
Please to remember that this comes on expensive embossed paper, and had a first class (38p) stamp on it.
"Dear Sir,
Thank you for your recent rent payment of £761.17 for the month of March. Unfortunately you made a mistake in calculating the final monthly payment of the year, and you owe us an addional 4p. Please could you send us this and bare (sic) in mind that the amount is £761.21 in future payments."
This, from someone who signs herself with the Full "Ba Hons, (Lancaster)" on all letter - to show how intelligent and well educated she is.
With headed paper at 10p - laser printing at 15p per sheet, 10 mins on minimum wage at £1.25 and the stamp at 38p - this cost them at least £1.88 to ask for 10p.
Needless to say - I shan't be sending a cheque. Yes - I know I have wasted almost as much time as they did on this topic - but I couldn't resist.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Decoration
Lady comes into the shop.
"I've just finished decorating my living room, and I have a shelf which needs some good looking leather books. Doesn't matter what they are, no-one is going to read them. Those would do."
"Those are £1,250 madam, it is a first eiditon complete works of Thackeray in tree calf and Baynton binding"
"That's a ridiculous amount, i am happy to pay a pound or two a book".
"Well we have no leather in that range madam. We have this Faux leather classics series at £3 each, would they be suitable".
"Oh I couldn't possibly have fake leather in my home. I'll have to get some ornaments instead"
And she swept out.
"I've just finished decorating my living room, and I have a shelf which needs some good looking leather books. Doesn't matter what they are, no-one is going to read them. Those would do."
"Those are £1,250 madam, it is a first eiditon complete works of Thackeray in tree calf and Baynton binding"
"That's a ridiculous amount, i am happy to pay a pound or two a book".
"Well we have no leather in that range madam. We have this Faux leather classics series at £3 each, would they be suitable".
"Oh I couldn't possibly have fake leather in my home. I'll have to get some ornaments instead"
And she swept out.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Haggling in the Recession.
It may just be me, and a sense of jaded despondency setting in, but I am sure people are haggling more with the recession.
Yesterday I had a chap in, who on finding a Modern First Edition by Malcolm Bradbury, signed by the author and in mint condition, queried the price. Firstly, he tried to pay £4, telling my assistant that the £40 written inside must be an error with an extra zero.
My stalwart young chap pointed out, that Bradbury doesn't sign masses, and that £40 is very reasonable, particularly when it is currently £20 in our half price sale. He then left a message, asking me what I would really accept, as he felt that £20 is very over-priced.
Pah !! Needless to say, he will not be getting a phone call from my offering a more than 50% discount.
Yesterday I had a chap in, who on finding a Modern First Edition by Malcolm Bradbury, signed by the author and in mint condition, queried the price. Firstly, he tried to pay £4, telling my assistant that the £40 written inside must be an error with an extra zero.
My stalwart young chap pointed out, that Bradbury doesn't sign masses, and that £40 is very reasonable, particularly when it is currently £20 in our half price sale. He then left a message, asking me what I would really accept, as he felt that £20 is very over-priced.
Pah !! Needless to say, he will not be getting a phone call from my offering a more than 50% discount.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
What have I done ?
I have recently been setting up a book auction in Salisbury. I thought it would be good to have a decent, high (ish) end sale - with lots starting at around £50 + (so books of retail value of around £100). Am planning to hold it in the Guildhall - so all very classy and nice.
You would think !
My first promise of lots for the auction has come in. This would be very exciting - except that it has come from a gent who regularly tries to sell me old National Geographic magazines and Reader's Digest condensed volumes - and who will not believe me that neither are saleable.
Do you think he will offer me incunabula ?
You would think !
My first promise of lots for the auction has come in. This would be very exciting - except that it has come from a gent who regularly tries to sell me old National Geographic magazines and Reader's Digest condensed volumes - and who will not believe me that neither are saleable.
Do you think he will offer me incunabula ?
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Final Thanks
Finally - thank you to the thieving little toe-rag who stole a chequebook from a bag in our private area, and has helped himself to £800 from my account.
Yep - thanks, it makes bills so much easier to deal with when I am £800 poorer.
Fortunately, the police couldn't stop laughing at what a stupid idiot he was, for writing the cheques and paying the money straight into his own bank account.
Mr Darren Streeter, your next court date is on me.
Yep - thanks, it makes bills so much easier to deal with when I am £800 poorer.
Fortunately, the police couldn't stop laughing at what a stupid idiot he was, for writing the cheques and paying the money straight into his own bank account.
Mr Darren Streeter, your next court date is on me.
Even More Thanks
To the "gentleman" who on finding a First Edition from the 1930's, with pictorial end papers but missing a blank page before the half title, decided to haggle.
"how much for this book"
"Well sir, it is normally only £6, as it is missing a blank, so in the sale it is £3"
"so how much will you knock off for me because of the blank missing"
"No sir, that is why it is normally £6 rather than £10-15. at the moment it is £3."
"So you won't do it for £2 for me, or give me another book of similar age so that I can remove a blank page and bind it into this one"
I declined. (Then had a row with him a few hours later when he accosted me in a shop in town, to tell me loudly how extortionate my books are).
"how much for this book"
"Well sir, it is normally only £6, as it is missing a blank, so in the sale it is £3"
"so how much will you knock off for me because of the blank missing"
"No sir, that is why it is normally £6 rather than £10-15. at the moment it is £3."
"So you won't do it for £2 for me, or give me another book of similar age so that I can remove a blank page and bind it into this one"
I declined. (Then had a row with him a few hours later when he accosted me in a shop in town, to tell me loudly how extortionate my books are).
More Thanks
To the lady who selected a book (having cast lots of others around rummaging car boot style) and when told that it was usually £20, so currently £10 in our half price sale, asked for trade discount, as she is a dealer.
"But madam, trade discount is usually 20%, and we are currently offering 50% off"
Yes, so I expect 20% off the half price".
I politely declined, and asked her what sort of books she deals in.
"Oh I don't touch books, I am a antique jewellery dealer".
Hmmm.
"But madam, trade discount is usually 20%, and we are currently offering 50% off"
Yes, so I expect 20% off the half price".
I politely declined, and asked her what sort of books she deals in.
"Oh I don't touch books, I am a antique jewellery dealer".
Hmmm.
Thank You
A big thank you to the kind man who donated a box of "books" to our shop when I wasn't here. It is always nice to be supported and appreciated in our local community. This chap regularly tells me how he has lots of incunabula that he will dispose of one day.
Sadly, this box was entirely composed of free estate agents house details from about 5 years ago, some free NHS leaflets on repeat prescriptions, an empty cake box (crushed) and an empty packet of crisps (crumpled). Yep, many many thanks.
Sadly, this box was entirely composed of free estate agents house details from about 5 years ago, some free NHS leaflets on repeat prescriptions, an empty cake box (crushed) and an empty packet of crisps (crumpled). Yep, many many thanks.
Monday, December 22, 2008
No Escape
I was driving home from work a couple of days ago - having worked hard all day polishing my leather and pricing my portfolios, when the 6pm news came onto Radio 4.
Bearing in mind that this is the National news, I was somewhat irritated to hear my friends at Oxfam getting the following 2 minute news item.
Apparently a shop managed to sell a copy of Sylvia Plath's "Ariel" for £350. After a discussion about the bookshop, there were quotes from Oxfam saying how this was a vast amount of money and would do a tremendous amount of good for the poor of the world.
Quite apart for the tiny percentage of this that will get anywhere near any needy recipient - since when did the sale of a £350 book make the main National news of the day ? I wish I had their marketing and PR department - no wonder it costs them 15% of charity income.
Bearing in mind that this is the National news, I was somewhat irritated to hear my friends at Oxfam getting the following 2 minute news item.
Apparently a shop managed to sell a copy of Sylvia Plath's "Ariel" for £350. After a discussion about the bookshop, there were quotes from Oxfam saying how this was a vast amount of money and would do a tremendous amount of good for the poor of the world.
Quite apart for the tiny percentage of this that will get anywhere near any needy recipient - since when did the sale of a £350 book make the main National news of the day ? I wish I had their marketing and PR department - no wonder it costs them 15% of charity income.
Department Store
"Are these Christmas Decorations for sale ?"
"No madam, they are our Christmas decorations"
"What about this Buddha Statue ?"
"No madam, just the books are for sale"
"So its only the books then ?"
"Yes Madam"
"That's a pity" as she walks out.
"No madam, they are our Christmas decorations"
"What about this Buddha Statue ?"
"No madam, just the books are for sale"
"So its only the books then ?"
"Yes Madam"
"That's a pity" as she walks out.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Tarzan and the Irritating Idiot
"Do you have any tarzan books ?"
"Yes sir, we have early editions here, they are £4 pounds each"
"Oh good - well that's good to know. I won't buy them as I have brought something recently."
"Yes sir, we have early editions here, they are £4 pounds each"
"Oh good - well that's good to know. I won't buy them as I have brought something recently."
Not a chance in hell !
"Hello"
Quoth the merry chap, clutching a book he had brought from a charity shop (pah)
"I know you do internet sales... Would you wrap this up and post it to my brother, its his christmas present".....
No prizes for guessing my response.
Quoth the merry chap, clutching a book he had brought from a charity shop (pah)
"I know you do internet sales... Would you wrap this up and post it to my brother, its his christmas present".....
No prizes for guessing my response.
more wasting of time
"Hello, I have been searching for a book for 50 years, it's Ballantyne, the Gorilla Hunters. I had a copy as a boy. When I left for national service, my mother gave it away. I've been looking for it ever since - I doubt you will be able to help me, nobody has been able to."
"Yes sir, we have a 1907 copy here, in excellent condition for £4"
"Oh have you......"
Can anyone fill in what happened next ?
"Yes sir, we have a 1907 copy here, in excellent condition for £4"
"Oh have you......"
Can anyone fill in what happened next ?
Mission Accomplished
"Hello, Do you stock miniature books"
"Yes Madam, they are in this cabinet here..."
"Oh I don't want to look at them. I am going to see my aunt at Christmas, and I want to be able to tell her I looked for them."
Walks out of shop into Dante's 13th circle of hell (reserved for timewasters).
"Yes Madam, they are in this cabinet here..."
"Oh I don't want to look at them. I am going to see my aunt at Christmas, and I want to be able to tell her I looked for them."
Walks out of shop into Dante's 13th circle of hell (reserved for timewasters).
Monday, December 08, 2008
Rubbing it in Even More
Most people who know me, are aware that Oxfam are my least favourite charity (at least in part because of their rampant destruction of the book trade). The local Oxfam Bookshop have almost managed to bankrupt us, but I am still hanging on in there. I had two conversations with the manager of the bookshop.
In the first, he was bemoaning his lot - having to deal with so many donations of useless books - "And they know they are useless - they shouldn't be donating them to us - we only want saleable books". Apparently I didn't understand how hard it was dealing with this each day. I pointed out, that most of the people donating to him, have already tried to get money from me for the same books, and are outraged when I can't pay for them - so yes, I understand, but think he is being ungrateful. As a seriously struggling bookshop, we would love to be able to take several hundred pounds of income each day from purely donated books - but sadly - we have to pay for every book we get.
The second phone call was because a woman had arrived with a pile of saleable books - but they didn't have room to take them in. I thought he was about to suggest we received them - but no, he wanted to know if i had the phone number for another book charity that operates on the towm - as he felt they were good enough for them to make a fair bit from them.
My face feels as if it has been well and trully rubbed in it !!!
In the first, he was bemoaning his lot - having to deal with so many donations of useless books - "And they know they are useless - they shouldn't be donating them to us - we only want saleable books". Apparently I didn't understand how hard it was dealing with this each day. I pointed out, that most of the people donating to him, have already tried to get money from me for the same books, and are outraged when I can't pay for them - so yes, I understand, but think he is being ungrateful. As a seriously struggling bookshop, we would love to be able to take several hundred pounds of income each day from purely donated books - but sadly - we have to pay for every book we get.
The second phone call was because a woman had arrived with a pile of saleable books - but they didn't have room to take them in. I thought he was about to suggest we received them - but no, he wanted to know if i had the phone number for another book charity that operates on the towm - as he felt they were good enough for them to make a fair bit from them.
My face feels as if it has been well and trully rubbed in it !!!
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