tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post2126367586467243388..comments2024-03-13T07:34:24.149+00:00Comments on The Age of Uncertainty: The Virtual BooksellerSteerforthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07627936539372313828noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-80852424206756102802014-01-27T20:06:18.153+00:002014-01-27T20:06:18.153+00:00Aren't they indigo everywhere?Aren't they indigo everywhere?Steerforthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07627936539372313828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-17239567071329437742014-01-27T19:46:10.461+00:002014-01-27T19:46:10.461+00:00England: the land of indigo cows.England: the land of indigo cows.on sitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05425470382973371065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-43919984486017134062014-01-22T12:16:54.813+00:002014-01-22T12:16:54.813+00:00Yes, that is a cheek asking for a 'daaler'...Yes, that is a cheek asking for a 'daaler's discount or a discount on postage as if you could somehow get cheaper postage than they!<br /><br />Brilliant anecdote re Trollope!<br /><br />Hope you are feeling a lot better now. The flexible hours must indeed be useful, though no sick pay is a bit of a bummer. LxThe Poet Laura-eatehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07779308486569849157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-74099790049109826312014-01-21T11:57:39.159+00:002014-01-21T11:57:39.159+00:00No, it's my mother who's in Sussex!
Know...No, it's my mother who's in Sussex! <br /><br />Know what you mean about eBay - I made a good score a few years ago, and they/PayPal forced me to open a business account, which causes all kinds of bother. But it's easier and quicker to attract attention for a one-off on eBay.MikePhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08589363260977274335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-25956930567282155682014-01-21T11:33:30.145+00:002014-01-21T11:33:30.145+00:00Mike - I thought you lived in Sussex. Two years in...Mike - I thought you lived in Sussex. Two years in Australia sounds a splendid idea - somewhere I'd love to get to know. <br /><br />As a buyer I love the feedback system; as a seller I have deep reservations. One woman in London effectively killed off an early venture of mine by giving me negative feedback for late delivery. It was irritating because she knew that there was a postal strike, but wouldn't respond to my request to change her rating.<br /><br />EBay make it very difficult to sell large quantities of books, as their threshold is ridiculously high and sellers have to jump through so many hoops to maintain their account. I sell the odd book, but I wouldn't put my inventory on eBay.Steerforthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07627936539372313828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-11398186747171687952014-01-21T11:08:10.601+00:002014-01-21T11:08:10.601+00:00Over the past couple of months I've seen a pos...Over the past couple of months I've seen a possible career in internet bookselling evaporate...ahead of a move to Australia, for at least a couple of years, and wearying of the storage costs, I've been having a clear-out of a lifetime of book collecting (and, being a publisher, book acquiring and, um, thieving). I've taken hundreds and hundreds of books to the local hospice warehouse (who have shops all over Cornwall), where they are gratefully received. Some of them are a challenge for your average charity shop, I suspect, so they may end up with you or someone like you. I did briefly toy with getting in touch, but the logistics were a bit off-putting, and the process does involve a lot of pondering - it's easier just to fill the car up one load at a time (7 so far, and it's not over). I'm not giving them all away - some I'm keeping (especially the old Penguins I bought 50 years ago), and some I'm putting on eBay anyway. I'm saving up for business class tickets to Oz!<br /><br />I tend to agree about US feedback. I once sold an old magazine that contained a few Sylvia Plath poems to a woman in the US, taking great care with the description of contents and condition. Her feedback was, "So few poems, such a sad life," as if it was my fault! Only negative feedback I've ever had in 12 years. MikePhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08589363260977274335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-62658971000911358362014-01-21T11:00:03.332+00:002014-01-21T11:00:03.332+00:00Carol - I watched a bit of American Football when ...Carol - I watched a bit of American Football when I was in California (only on television, I hasten to add) and was baffled by it. Stop-start, stop-start. But I'm equally baffled by Rugby. In fact, by most sports.<br /><br />I'm a dab hand with a frisbee though.<br /><br />Debra - Thanks for introducing me to a new word - <i>bouquiniste</i> - they sound like people after my own heart. I imagine that like most of the 'Londoners' you see in London, they live in a nearby town or outer suburb.Steerforthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07627936539372313828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-14650040475632914062014-01-21T08:26:09.730+00:002014-01-21T08:26:09.730+00:00I thought of you this weekend as I tramped between...I thought of you this weekend as I tramped between the Gare de Lyon and the Arc de Triomphe, a four hour hike in the city (at least the weather was good). I bought a book that I had been vaguely looking for at a bouquiniste's stall, and we had a nice chat for about 20 minutes.<br />He told me that he had left an office job that was sapping his soul, and started out bookselling by fishing books out of the trash and proposing them to other bouquinistes. (For those who do not know this, a bouquiniste is a person who sells books and memorabilia in a stall along the Seine in Paris.)<br />It is an entrepreneur's life, as they have a fixed place along the Seine, and come and go as they please, basically. Their places are allotted by the city of Paris, and they work as independants, so there is some red tape, but probably not a ton.<br />I don't know where he sleeps though, as he certainly does not turn the profit that amazon.com does, and Paris is a very expensive city.<br />Bouquinistes are an institution in Paris. <br />...<br />After reading what you said about Americans, I promptly returned to... amazon, and gave some ratings. It is not very motivating though, as most booksellers are a lump in my.. book. Only a few truly stand out, through some laudable attempt to give personalized service, with sometimes even that luxury of luxury, a short PERSONAL note. THOSE... I remember.<br />I just finished "Women in Love", one of the twentieth century's greatest masterpieces, if I haven't already said it here... on to Dostoievsky's "Devils" in English translation.<br />Will you please set down a link, or something to YOUR booksite, so I can mark it ? Thanks. Debrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01510189619803992336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-14556791160143804802014-01-20T20:16:36.097+00:002014-01-20T20:16:36.097+00:00Hi, Steerforth,
Yes the Super Bowl is very much l...Hi, Steerforth,<br /><br />Yes the Super Bowl is very much like a cup final. It's the final game of the year, and involves surviving what seems like endless rounds of playoffs. I am still shaking my head at the win. But win they did, with a spectacular play in the last few seconds that sealed the deal for Seattle.<br /><br />Yes, I do think we rainy places must stick together. In fact, the similarities between Seattle and England's climate may be one reason why I always feel so at home in England. <br /><br />Love, Carol Canadian Chickadeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12995693884248628958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-51699247521364482922014-01-20T13:16:51.101+00:002014-01-20T13:16:51.101+00:00Carol - Yes, not long until spring - my favourite ...Carol - Yes, not long until spring - my favourite time of the year. This winter hasn't been too bad apart from a deluge of Biblocal proportions. I've only had to scrape ice off the car a few times. However, according to BBC News, a sudden reduction in sunspot activity means that we could be having frost fairs on a frozen Thames next year.<br /><br />Is the Super Bowl a sort of cup final? I'm glad that Seattle's through - we rainy places have to stick together ;)<br /><br />Richard - That's interesting about Italy. I wonder if it's the postal system as a whole, or whether there are marked differences between the north and south of the country. There are certain countries where I know an order will always arrive, e.g. Sweden. There are others where I'm almost tempted to cancel the order.<br /><br />Martin - I think it was probably a lucky escape, as bookselling has become increasingly difficult over the last 20 years. I'm very sorry to read that your friend's time in bookselling was cut short by cancer, but at least she found happiness for a while.Steerforthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07627936539372313828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-83198840670106017722014-01-20T08:50:45.613+00:002014-01-20T08:50:45.613+00:00You're doing a job that you love, Steerforth, ...You're doing a job that you love, Steerforth, and you only have yourself to answer to. Stick with it. The alternatives don't bare thinking about.<br /><br />A friend and former colleague left her job to set up as a bookseller. She always maintained it was the best decision of her life. And I have to say, I had never seen her so happy. Sadly, she was later diagnosed with cancer, and the business was taken on by someone else. I expressed an interest in it myself, but didn't have the experience (or courage) to give it a shot. I've often wondered if that was a lucky escape or a missed opportunity.Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13494219959077922220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-9893635227711011112014-01-20T02:59:24.616+00:002014-01-20T02:59:24.616+00:00Well, the number 24 was a good omen after all. We...Well, the number 24 was a good omen after all. We won, 23-17. The Seahawks are going to the Super Bowl, Baby! xoxoCanadian Chickadeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12995693884248628958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-15062773333796979692014-01-19T21:54:00.755+00:002014-01-19T21:54:00.755+00:00Ah, yes, I know it's dodgy to suggest stereoty...Ah, yes, I know it's dodgy to suggest stereotypes, but your characterisation of Italian customers' surprise<br />at deliveries actually arriving corresponds with my own experiences. I have an expat friend living in the country<br />who discourages me from sending anything more substantial than email owing to the unlikelihood of parcels actually making<br />arrival (these are CDs, and English-language DVDs) due to ... 'something wrong' with the Italian customs/Post Office equivalent.<br />Similarly, films I've purchased from second-party sellers on Amazon Italy don't appear to leave the country. Sorry to any Italian readers<br />of this blog! <br /><br />As a born n' bred Channel Islander, I feel a bit less guilty suggesting the customs office on Jersey has a problem delivery parcels<br />to my family intact. Never had to sell a book there, however. <br /><br />RichardAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-61905935124485099902014-01-19T20:38:08.924+00:002014-01-19T20:38:08.924+00:00It's good to hear that you're feeling more...It's good to hear that you're feeling more cheerful. The fact that your surgery is behind you probably helps, as does the fact that we are looking ahead towards spring. And I know how pretty the landscape is down where you and your warehouse are -- even with the mucky ol' cows!! <br /><br />Take care and God bless, xoxoxo Carol<br /><br />PS - the numbers for content moderating contain the two separate digits,"24" -- the number of Marshawn Lynch, one of Seattle Seahawks' best football players, and today is a HUGE game against San Francisco. If the Hawks win, they go to the Super Bowl on Feb. 2nd. I am hoping this is a good omen. Keep your fingers crossed and stay tuned for details .... xoxoxCanadian Chickadeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12995693884248628958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-89637202969801777102014-01-19T10:52:10.734+00:002014-01-19T10:52:10.734+00:00Annabel - Thanks. The recovery is going well - my ...Annabel - Thanks. The recovery is going well - my days of lounging around reading Trollope are numbered.Steerforthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07627936539372313828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-68727684866089663492014-01-19T10:49:24.504+00:002014-01-19T10:49:24.504+00:00Pam - I sell quite a few books to Australians, but...Pam - I sell quite a few books to Australians, but they're not that different to the British (sorry to disappoint).<br /><br />Of course, the stereotypes are the exception rather than the rule. Only a tiny minority of Americans worry about book odours and only a quarter of the Germans fret about delivery times, but these minorties are more pronounced in each country.<br /><br />The issue of feedback in the USA is a real problem. I sell lots of books to America and if nobody leaves postive feedback, then one negative feedback can reduce my seller rating by 20%! I once sold a perfectly good (and accurately described) book to a woman in New York who, for some reason, left negative feedback. My overall rating dropped sharply and I probably lost several hundred pounds' worth of orders.Steerforthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07627936539372313828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-15668836628636722692014-01-19T10:31:58.350+00:002014-01-19T10:31:58.350+00:00Love that Trollope quote! Hope the recovery is go...Love that Trollope quote! Hope the recovery is going well.Annabel (gaskella)http://gaskella.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-42554628997003380882014-01-19T01:17:49.931+00:002014-01-19T01:17:49.931+00:00What a laugh. The stereotyping of all nationalitie...What a laugh. The stereotyping of all nationalities in receiving books. Loved the Americans. You should sell to more Australians. We're pretty easy going down here. Perhaps you could find a young child with a keen sense of smell of work for you and you could pay them in lollies. All the bestTravellin Penguin- Pamhttp://travellinpenguin.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-2724744792458075112014-01-18T23:50:37.484+00:002014-01-18T23:50:37.484+00:00Helena - That's a good theory, but fortunately...Helena - That's a good theory, but fortunately it's not the case. Most of my books are fine, but a small number have been kept in damp places or a room occupied by a smoker. <br /><br />My rule of thumb is that if I can't smell anything at a distance that I'd normally hold a book when reading, then there's no problem.<br /><br />Steerforthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07627936539372313828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-4113913793354521622014-01-18T22:52:35.687+00:002014-01-18T22:52:35.687+00:00It occurred to me while reading this that maybe th...It occurred to me while reading this that maybe the proximity of the cowshed is causing the odour (rather than merely preventing you from detecting it). I'm also feeling guilty for never providing feedback on the books I buy!<br /><br />Hope you feel stronger and fitter soon.Helenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01553503435833467369noreply@blogger.com