Book Review: Complete Guide to Starting a Used Bookstore
Subtitle: Old Books Into Gold - Second Edition
Author: Dale L. Gilbert
Overview
The Complete Guide to Starting a Used Bookstore is considered the bible of the used book industry. Long out of print, you'll probably end up paying between $40 and $80 for a copy of this 199 page book. But it is an industry standard for a reason: it sets the stage for booksellers to see their work as a business, and not a joyful hobby.
Content
The Complete Guide, Second Edition, was printed in 1991 - long before online selling was a twinkle in anyone's eye. It is focused on a physical bookstore, and could therefore be easily dismissed as irrelevant in today's marketplace. However, making this assumption would be cutting yourself out of a significant wealth of information. Gilbert provides insight into the business aspects of starting, maintaining and selling out of a book business - all of which remains useful information to someone contemplating the bookselling business. He also offers great advice about physical layout, shelving, book maintenance and other details that are easily glossed over by someone hunched over a spreadsheet.
But if you do have an inkling that you'd like to open a brick-and-morter store, you simply cannot afford to ignore this text. One of the most useful sections is the chapter about "Hiring Help That Won't Hurt", which is an almost painful account of employees both good and bad. Since your employees can represent the greatest fixed cost of your business, you need to understand how to hire great help, and how to keep them motivated to sell more books.
Tone
The tone of the book is very personal; you feel as if you are getting a face-to-face meeting with a crusty (but successful) master of the book business. The fact is, I wish that I could spend a few days with him, since I'm sure there are 50 stories for every bit of advice listed. While he'd be the first to tell you to "find your own way", he is also quick and willing to tell you about dead ends and poor choices.
Helpfulness
Will this help an online seller? Sure - especially if you are just getting started, and wanted an inspirational text to help you get ramped up. It will also help you identify holes in your business plan that you may not have considered. If you are thinking about opening a physical store, you must buy this book. There is nothing else as complete or helpful as provided by this modest looking book.
Conclusion
So, pretty much an unqualified winner. It will be expensive (especially if you buy it in the spring, when people's minds turn to the lure of opening a bookstore), but both inspiring and useful. This will not tell you how to make a million on Amazon, but it will probably prevent you from shooting yourself in the foot by jumping into an ill-conceived business plan.
Rating: 8.5 out of 10
Author: Dale L. Gilbert
Overview
The Complete Guide to Starting a Used Bookstore is considered the bible of the used book industry. Long out of print, you'll probably end up paying between $40 and $80 for a copy of this 199 page book. But it is an industry standard for a reason: it sets the stage for booksellers to see their work as a business, and not a joyful hobby.
Content
The Complete Guide, Second Edition, was printed in 1991 - long before online selling was a twinkle in anyone's eye. It is focused on a physical bookstore, and could therefore be easily dismissed as irrelevant in today's marketplace. However, making this assumption would be cutting yourself out of a significant wealth of information. Gilbert provides insight into the business aspects of starting, maintaining and selling out of a book business - all of which remains useful information to someone contemplating the bookselling business. He also offers great advice about physical layout, shelving, book maintenance and other details that are easily glossed over by someone hunched over a spreadsheet.
But if you do have an inkling that you'd like to open a brick-and-morter store, you simply cannot afford to ignore this text. One of the most useful sections is the chapter about "Hiring Help That Won't Hurt", which is an almost painful account of employees both good and bad. Since your employees can represent the greatest fixed cost of your business, you need to understand how to hire great help, and how to keep them motivated to sell more books.
Tone
The tone of the book is very personal; you feel as if you are getting a face-to-face meeting with a crusty (but successful) master of the book business. The fact is, I wish that I could spend a few days with him, since I'm sure there are 50 stories for every bit of advice listed. While he'd be the first to tell you to "find your own way", he is also quick and willing to tell you about dead ends and poor choices.
Helpfulness
Will this help an online seller? Sure - especially if you are just getting started, and wanted an inspirational text to help you get ramped up. It will also help you identify holes in your business plan that you may not have considered. If you are thinking about opening a physical store, you must buy this book. There is nothing else as complete or helpful as provided by this modest looking book.
Conclusion
So, pretty much an unqualified winner. It will be expensive (especially if you buy it in the spring, when people's minds turn to the lure of opening a bookstore), but both inspiring and useful. This will not tell you how to make a million on Amazon, but it will probably prevent you from shooting yourself in the foot by jumping into an ill-conceived business plan.
Rating: 8.5 out of 10
posted by The Well Read Blogger at 11:00 PM
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