Local Venues

True, local venue bookselling is not for everyone. But before you write the idea off, consider my experience.

In my small town forty-minutes from suburbia, the population when relatives visit is still only about 2,500. Back in fall 2004, I was starting to sell online and brainstorming about other venues. That's when I noticed two situations uniquely suited to my needs. The next year, I put my ideas into practice, first at the local pet store/youth center/variety shop owned by friends. It was divided with the pet store on one side and completely separated youth activities in the back, including pool tables, air hockey, a small food bar with Karaoke stage, and a few shelves holding books for sale.

Next I made a deal with family friends to display books in an empty space in their antique store. Unlike many other antique malls I had priced space in, this one didn't charge rent. Instead, they took 20% of the sales amount. The timing was right for me. With several boxes of buying mistakes, I was looking for a way to sell without investing much work. In addition, this allowed me to have a brick-and-mortar style advantage - getting my name out in the area as a book buyer and seller.

By the end of 2005, I had a clear idea which of the two venues worked best for me. The antique store brought in around $2000 for the year. Though not a great amount, it covered the cost of my inexpensive bookshelves, cell phone, ScoutPal, shipping supplies, and paid for more inventory. The pet store was profitable at first but proved to be unworkable, so I discontinued using it. Both locations served as contact points for me. I left business cards there and both owners recommended me to those inquiring.

I missed some opportunities, and one in particular stays on my mind. The pet store owner gave my card to a man inquiring about selling books and let him use their phone to call me. He had a small box of eight fishing books and a couple looked as if they had value. I could always sell the others in my two local venues. I offered $15 for the box. He agreed. As we walked out to his beat-up truck, I asked if he had other books to sell. Then he told me about the books he inherited when his dad died, including a lot of "old stuff." He was really into Lewis and Clark and things like that." I expressed interest, made sure he had my card, and asked him to call anytime I could see the books.

I never heard from him and could kick myself for not getting his name and a way to get in touch. Live and learn.

That episode illustrates one reason I like local venues. I've streamlined operations at the antique store, so it doesn't take much time. Once or twice a week, I stop by coming home from work to make sure the books are orderly and to add or remove inventory. Prices are lightly penciled on the front free endpaper and the whole process is part of my listing system at home.

I think of what a seasoned bookseller in Portland often tells me. "You're one door-knock away form hitting a big one," he says. "It'll happen." His experience in a brick and mortar store that sells online through ABE is one I'm attempting to duplicate on a smaller scale. I want to be the guy people call when they have books to sell. Selling online strikes some as not being a real bookseller, so the tangibility of a local venue adds concreteness to my selling. Other creative options include a yellow pages ad and business cards. During 2005, the antique store changed its pricing and now charges a $30 set space rent, but that didn't change the fact that the venue works for me.

Several issues are key in making a local venue successful. They are:

When selecting inventory, consider the three types of books that sell best for me in local venues-