Why bother to sell things you don't make money on?
Our "market share" must be tiny so I suppose it's not such an issue. But I still think it's plain dumb to sell things for half price if you don't make money on it. Are all those people who rush out to buy their Harry really going to walk out of the shop with a stack of other books? Only if they are cheap too...
Sell it at full price but give a percentage of the money you make off it to one of those charities that supplies books to children in third world countries?
Sorry, horrendously do-gooder of me. You can tell I don't run a business.
Marie - you are so goody goody it's untrue! But that's a very lovely idea - just spoke with adam and we're going to do it goddammit.
Rather than third world countries the children will be from Lambeth though. Come to think of it a good number probably will be from third world countries, but places they have fled in fear of their lives. Will certainly be the Guardian, not the Mail or Express that picks this one up! Or maybe we'll crack the misery fest that is the Independent...
It's a great idea, and I'm willing to do the same myself, but I bet by the end of the week one of the chains has announced a similar scheme, which would be no bad thing from a charity point of view, but...
It's a bit more positive than just moaning about a situation that, though ridiculous, is quite beyond our control.
I bet Harry himself would have bought a copy from a shop that was donating the proceeds to local charities rather than pre-ordering from ama*on or stuffing one in with the groceries at tescoo.
Cancel your pre-orders now folks!
Only downside is adam will now have to dress up as an owl...
And we may have to brave the nightwalkers of Waterloo at midnight. * Mental note to add to golf club defenses. *
Concentrate your efforts on other quality books and promotions and don't try to refight old wars. Why the heck join in the shenanigans where nobody in this country but JK Rowling, her camp followers, and Bloomsbury the publishers are going to get any financial gain.
I find it hard to believe that any independent bookseller has the time and money to waste promoting HP7.
What is the legal situation if you buy a hundred at supermarket and sell them in C&P at a similar, loss-leading price, marked, 'Second hand'?
ReplyDeleteI believe it is totally legal. Indies have been buying the last three potters at tesco anyway.
ReplyDeleteNot that we'd ever do anything like that, of course.
Adam you'll be OK anyway, because you'll be getting 55% discount from the publisher,won't you?
ReplyDeleteTook Corgi even though it should have been Labrador. Just because Corgi's are so much more neurotic...
ReplyDeleteWhy bother to sell things you don't make money on?
ReplyDeleteOur "market share" must be tiny so I suppose it's not such an issue. But I still think it's plain dumb to sell things for half price if you don't make money on it. Are all those people who rush out to buy their Harry really going to walk out of the shop with a stack of other books? Only if they are cheap too...
Sell it at full price but give a percentage of the money you make off it to one of those charities that supplies books to children in third world countries?
ReplyDeleteSorry, horrendously do-gooder of me. You can tell I don't run a business.
Jonathan - Pah! I laugh in the face of your measly 55%.
ReplyDeleteMarie - Not actually a bad idea, my dear. I sense another full page piece in the Guardian coming on...
'Do-gooding alcoholic booksellers take on the supermarkets - and win'
Marie - you are so goody goody it's untrue! But that's a very lovely idea - just spoke with adam and we're going to do it goddammit.
ReplyDeleteRather than third world countries the children will be from Lambeth though. Come to think of it a good number probably will be from third world countries, but places they have fled in fear of their lives. Will certainly be the Guardian, not the Mail or Express that picks this one up! Or maybe we'll crack the misery fest that is the Independent...
Yay! I'm so glad! Some good will come of all this price-cutting madness. Go C&P and Harry P!
ReplyDeleteIt's a great idea, and I'm willing to do the same myself, but I bet by the end of the week one of the chains has announced a similar scheme, which would be no bad thing from a charity point of view, but...
ReplyDeleteIt's a bit more positive than just moaning about a situation that, though ridiculous, is quite beyond our control.
ReplyDeleteI bet Harry himself would have bought a copy from a shop that was donating the proceeds to local charities rather than pre-ordering from ama*on or stuffing one in with the groceries at tescoo.
Cancel your pre-orders now folks!
Only downside is adam will now have to dress up as an owl...
And we may have to brave the nightwalkers of Waterloo at midnight. * Mental note to add to golf club defenses. *
Do it Jonathan! Who cares if those chains leap on the bandwagon - we all know who's driving.
ReplyDeleteForget about HP7
ReplyDeleteConcentrate your efforts on other quality books and promotions and don't try to refight old wars. Why the heck join in the shenanigans where nobody in this country but JK Rowling, her camp followers, and Bloomsbury the publishers are going to get any financial gain.
I find it hard to believe that any independent bookseller has the time and money to waste promoting HP7.