How To Make It As An Independent Bookseller

Hamlet53 · 06-30-2011, 08:20 PM

Thought some might find this interesting. I used to spend hours and hours at the Tattered Cover when I lived in Denver.

http://www.npr.org/2011/06/30/137529...ent-bookseller

Note that audio is already available. A transcript should be up by tomorrow.

charleski · 07-03-2011, 06:38 AM

It's quite interesting. The service aspect (providing advice, a community, and a forum for author readings) has been a staple of the independent sector forever, but I noticed a few of the callers mention that they're also linking their store to ebook purchases, either through Google or their own website. That's a smart move - there's no reason they can't continue to provide the same service for ebooks that they do for physical books.

Independent shops with a dedication to service that are in the right area still have a chance. Though it's sad to see comments about people using their phones in store to see if they can get something cheaper on Amazon - if you're going to exploit the service these shops offer, at least step outside to do it

.

Andrew H. · 07-03-2011, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charleski

Independent shops with a dedication to service that are in the right area still have a chance.

I could imagine that existing independent bookstores with a good reputation would continue to be successful. But I have a hard time imagining a new independent bookstore being very successful, no matter how much "service" they offer. It is just really hard to beat Amazon for service, and I'm not convinced that a bookstore owner/employee would really be knowledgeable enough to bring something to my attention that I wouldn't find out about on my own.

doreenjoy · 07-03-2011, 04:26 PM

Bottom line for most customers is price, not service. IMO.

speakingtohe · 07-03-2011, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Bottom line for most customers is price, not service. IMO.

I agree for the majority. But there are many willing to pay a premium for service and almost anyone will pay a small amount more if the service is demonstratably better.

We pretty much all have our horror stories of abysmal service from the big name electronics manufacturers and retailers, even after purchasing expensive warrentees. Not to mention 'Service' providers such as phone companies, ISP's etc.

With people working for telephone companies telling you that they are not allowed to call you back if your issue cannot be resolved as it 'may' involve long distance charges, real service is becoming more valued.

Helen

charleski · 07-03-2011, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doreenjoy

Bottom line for most customers is price, not service. IMO.

For most.

Independent bookshops are catering to a niche, people who have specific requirements and are prepared to pay to satisfy them. Think of it this way: if time is money, how much is your time worth? If you get paid $30 an hour, how much would you pay to avoid wasting a couple of hours on a book that you don't enjoy and will discard before the end?

If you find a service that could prevent that, how much would you pay to avoid the wasted time?

abookreader · 07-03-2011, 08:44 PM

How much would I pay? Me personally, nothing. When I need book recommendations I get them online from a few blogs I follow or community groups and then I order my books or eBooks online. But then again, when I do go to a bookstore there's little that irritates me more than a clerk following me as I browse chirping away with their "advice." I'm kind of anti-social which is one of the reasons I read a bunch anyway -- but for the most part their "advice" on my tastes is usually about as accurate as Amazon's product recommendations.

I think Indie bookstores are going to have a really hard time finding their place competing against the digital marketplace.

The Indie store person who calls the digital readers a "fad" though. Ouch. That kind of smacks of "Close your eyes and pretend the monster isn't there and maybe he'll go away!"

charleski · 07-03-2011, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abookreader

I'm kind of anti-social

Ok, I'm taking this out of context, but why do you think that your own preferences relate to the viability of a business model that is obviously set up to cater to people with different requirements?

I don't really want to single you out, because heaven knows there are quite a few who seem to share the same blinkered view on this forum. But arguing that independent bookstores will all fail because you, personally, do all your shopping from Amazon is far from convincing.

Andrew H. · 07-03-2011, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charleski

For most.

If you get paid $30 an hour, how much would you pay to avoid wasting a couple of hours on a book that you don't enjoy and will discard before the end?

If you find a service that could prevent that, how much would you pay to avoid the wasted time?

I would be prepared to pay a premium for that...but I don't believe that there is a service that can actually provide that.

abookreader · 07-04-2011, 11:39 AM

Quote:

but why do you think that your own preferences relate to the viability of a business model that is obviously set up to cater to people with different requirements?

Because I'm a book buyer. Given that the article begins by making the point that Independent bookstores have dwindled down to a few hundred in the US .... buying preferences of book buyers are at issue.

The problem with niche marketing is that your niche has to be large enough and willing enough to pay the rent.

RainingLemur · 07-04-2011, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doreenjoy

Bottom line for most customers is price, not service. IMO.

For the most part, yes.

neilmarr · 07-05-2011, 05:20 AM

***Bottom line for most customers is price, not service. IMO.***

Possibly -- even probably -- Doreen. My own wee place, though, sees no reason for not combining both vital ingredients.

So far we've had nothing but glowing feedback on customer service (as many here will testify), and there has never been a complaint about our $5.95 across-the-board pricing policy, simply because it's clearly posted everywhere and those who feel it's above their own set limit don't buy.

NEVER an unhappy camper in over ten yeas of operation.

Of course here at MR, we can informally argue the toss about this and that and still remain pals as we exchange points of view and try to find reasonable and acceptable compromise.

But MR ain't the market place, it's a group of friends with similar interest but with different forms of vested interest who discuss a whole bunch of stuff constructively From many points of view and with never a black eye among us.

I can only hope some other publishers and retailers, large and small, pay the same attention to these opinions as we do and take them at least half as seriously. The playground would be a happier and safer place if they did.

Cheers and best wishes. Neil

saoir · 07-07-2011, 12:14 PM

As print runs dwindle with the move over to eBooks, prices will increase. Customers will increasingly not buy, and overheads won't be covered. The writing is on the wall. Not now, not next year, but not long after. POD is the only life line.

wyndslash · 07-07-2011, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilmarr

But MR ain't the market place, it's a group of friends with similar interest but with different forms of vested interest who discuss a whole bunch of stuff constructively From many points of view and with never a black eye among us.

not yet, anyway. some people here seem to think their opinion overrides all.

sassanik · 07-10-2011, 01:03 PM

I have traveled to places that have small independent bookstores because of the small population. I had trouble with their bookstores because they did not have enough of a selection of the genre of books that I like to read.

I can see Niche ebookstores as something for the future. One of them that is doing well is AllRomanceEbooks, they have a specific niche and it is working well. Baen has the same thing, specific niche.

Perhaps the independent bookstore of the future is a niche ebook store?

Amy

06-30-2011, 08:20 PM	#1
Hamlet53 Nameless Being	How To Make It As An Independent Bookseller Thought some might find this interesting. I used to spend hours and hours at the Tattered Cover when I lived in Denver. http://www.npr.org/2011/06/30/137529...ent-bookseller Note that audio is already available. A transcript should be up by tomorrow.

07-10-2011, 01:03 PM	#15
sassanik Guru Posts: 774 Karma: 1211741 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Oregon Device: EB1150, iPhone, Cool-er Purple, Pocketbook 360, Kindle Fire	frustration I have traveled to places that have small independent bookstores because of the small population. I had trouble with their bookstores because they did not have enough of a selection of the genre of books that I like to read. I can see Niche ebookstores as something for the future. One of them that is doing well is AllRomanceEbooks, they have a specific niche and it is working well. Baen has the same thing, specific niche. Perhaps the independent bookstore of the future is a niche ebook store? Amy

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07-03-2011, 06:38 AM	#2
charleski Wizard Posts: 1,196 Karma: 1281258 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: PRS-505	It's quite interesting. The service aspect (providing advice, a community, and a forum for author readings) has been a staple of the independent sector forever, but I noticed a few of the callers mention that they're also linking their store to ebook purchases, either through Google or their own website. That's a smart move - there's no reason they can't continue to provide the same service for ebooks that they do for physical books. Independent shops with a dedication to service that are in the right area still have a chance. Though it's sad to see comments about people using their phones in store to see if they can get something cheaper on Amazon - if you're going to exploit the service these shops offer, at least step outside to do it .

07-03-2011, 04:26 PM	#4
doreenjoy 01000100 01001010 Posts: 1,889 Karma: 2400000 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Polyamorous	Bottom line for most customers is price, not service. IMO.

07-03-2011, 08:44 PM	#7
abookreader Wizard Posts: 1,516 Karma: 2567610 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Kindles - Keyboard, Fire, 2-US, iPhone, iPAD	How much would I pay? Me personally, nothing. When I need book recommendations I get them online from a few blogs I follow or community groups and then I order my books or eBooks online. But then again, when I do go to a bookstore there's little that irritates me more than a clerk following me as I browse chirping away with their "advice." I'm kind of anti-social which is one of the reasons I read a bunch anyway -- but for the most part their "advice" on my tastes is usually about as accurate as Amazon's product recommendations. I think Indie bookstores are going to have a really hard time finding their place competing against the digital marketplace. The Indie store person who calls the digital readers a "fad" though. Ouch. That kind of smacks of "Close your eyes and pretend the monster isn't there and maybe he'll go away!"

07-05-2011, 05:20 AM	#12
neilmarr neilmarr Posts: 7,215 Karma: 6000059 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Monaco-Menton, France Device: sony	*Bottom line for most customers is price, not service. IMO.* Possibly -- even probably -- Doreen. My own wee place, though, sees no reason for not combining both vital ingredients. So far we've had nothing but glowing feedback on customer service (as many here will testify), and there has never been a complaint about our $5.95 across-the-board pricing policy, simply because it's clearly posted everywhere and those who feel it's above their own set limit don't buy. NEVER an unhappy camper in over ten yeas of operation. Of course here at MR, we can informally argue the toss about this and that and still remain pals as we exchange points of view and try to find reasonable and acceptable compromise. But MR ain't the market place, it's a group of friends with similar interest but with different forms of vested interest who discuss a whole bunch of stuff constructively From many points of view and with never a black eye among us. I can only hope some other publishers and retailers, large and small, pay the same attention to these opinions as we do and take them at least half as seriously. The playground would be a happier and safer place if they did. Cheers and best wishes. Neil

07-07-2011, 12:14 PM	#13
saoir Groupie Posts: 188 Karma: 2088290 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Ireland Device: Kindle Paperwhite	As print runs dwindle with the move over to eBooks, prices will increase. Customers will increasingly not buy, and overheads won't be covered. The writing is on the wall. Not now, not next year, but not long after. POD is the only life line.

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