bookends

Even Cowgirls and Used Bookstore Ladies Get the Blues

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Yea. When I add a new post I’m in a good mood. Today not so much. And I thought I would post about it because, well, frankly it isn’t always peaches & cream in a used bookstore. Granted, one can make it what one wants and just because I’m down right now doesn’t mean I won’t snap out of it. In fact, I’ve already decided how to get myself out of this mess I’m in. (in my head mess.)

First to address my mood and why. It can’t be about all the boxes that have just come in. No, because that’s always exciting. They are luring me to open them up and explore. I’ve had some sales this morning so that’s good. I think it’s from yesterday. In the afternoon I was online and checking out different blogs and of course, Facebook. From one of the many places I visited I came across a used bookstore in England and fell in love with it. And it hit me – which I think has carried over to today – that it is hard work to create a space, fill that space and maintain it all alone. There is SO much I want to do here and I underestimated myself that I thought I would be at least half way there by now. But I’m so far from being halfway. Don’t get me wrong I’m very happy but also frustrated.

My motto in my other location was “one book at a time” as I was trying to change out the inventory to more quality books. It’s more than that here. It’s rearranging, putting up bookends, alphabetizing, painting, building or securing more bookcases to fit open spaces, shelving and very importantly, getting a grip on the storage area. I want, at least, a path to the fridge! And never mind about dealing with all the boxes!

Ok! That’s enough. Time to get myself together. Gonna put a “back in 10 minutes” sign to check the mail. Walk around the block. And stop in at Stoneleaf Tea House and get a cup of tea to go. Going to try a new flavor. Something with green tea and rice. Sounds interesting and refreshing, huh? Then I’ll be ready to tackle whatever comes my way for the rest of the day and continue to plug along! And I’ll be in a great mood.

 

 

For the Love of Used Books

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Last month I hosted a small group of VABA members who also have a storefront with regular hours. As opposed to just selling inventory online from home. We all have books we sell online but we are dedicated to maintaining our stores.

Interesting sharing our stories: how we got into the business, what brought us to our current store location,  pitfalls of having a storefront as well as the joys and of course, dealing with customers. The good, the bad and the funny. I didn’t take many notes like I wanted to because I was so caught up listening. I did take down a title of a book one used bookstore owner wants to write:  “How to Make a Small Fortune in the Book Business.” We laughed out loud. Yea…um…it’s a joke. We are only wealthy in and through our inventory. We only make money when the books sell. So…making a small fortune…it can be done but the books that could make us a fortune don’t sell very often. All around our biggest expense is our rent. And rent is what can break owners to close their storefront. We are pretty dedicated to hold out.

The really good thing for me was that I discovered I am running my store on par with those who have had a storefront for many, many years. I was able to walk away from the meeting with the confirmation that I’m doing okay with pricing and quality of books. I’m feeling the quality is increasing.

It was a great meeting and I was honored to host the first of what I hope to be many more. I should have taken a photo  of the group but like I mentioned earlier I really got caught up in our conversations, wanting to be a great hostess, and also was a tad nervous because I look up to them all and I want to be accepted as a used bookstore lady.

Here are some additonal bulleted notes that I did manage to jot down:

  • Occasionally run a zip code survey. If anything, great to see where customers come from – visitors to the area. (shades of my old profession)
  • Get off my Amazon boycott and start listing my online inventory through the website. Unfortunately that’s where most people go when looking for a book. Most online sales are generated there. (rats!)
  • Radio! A great story was told by one bookstore owner of running an ad for some time and then removing it because  no one ever mentioned it. Then several years after it had been dropped, people started coming into the store singing the ad jingle. Needless to say, he started the radio ad up again. So now I’ve got to come up with a cool jingle.
  • Store owners can have a passion for collecting books but keep it out of the store. In other words, don’t bring anything into the store you won’t sell. Once it comes into the store it has to be for sale. I have a good story on that: I wanted to buy a book in a used bookstore but the owner really didn’t want to sell it. He started quizzing me to see if I was worthy to purchase it. Yea, I walked out and went online to make the purchase. It was before I bought this store. Customers don’t like to be tested.
  • Other misc notes: jacket protectors, free box near the door, better signage, develop a VT brick & mortar used bookstore (car) trail.

 

 

Window Display @ Nat’l Bank of Midd

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Excited to set-up a display in the National Bank of Middlebury’s window this morning. Right on Main Street. Grabbed furniture from home, books from the store and misc other stuff from both places. There was so much I wanted to include but really, really, really disciplined myself to edit it all down. Wanted it to be clean – uncluttered – so it would have more of an eye appeal.

Of course I created a character who lived in the space. Pretty interesting when I picked out a couple of books and realized I actually based it on a real person – not just someone within my head – my mother-in-law. So I sent Rusty into fiction and told him to pick out books she would have read and he came up with the selection found on one of the shelves. I think she’d be proud that we thought of her in such a way.

I also included a couple of my favorite books within the display. Taking a gamble that no one will inquire about them. I know I couldn’t sell them. Yea, I know, very selfish! But hey, that’s one of the perks of owning a used bookstore! 😉