# Does it really mean anything to be a NYT bestseller?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-it-really-mean-anything-to-be-a-nyt-bestseller/477247>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [December 15, 2008, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-it-really-mean-anything-to-be-a-nyt-bestseller/477247 "2008-12-15T16:00:47Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![valleyofthedolls](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a4c791/32.png) [@valleyofthedolls](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/valleyofthedolls)\
**Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-it-really-mean-anything-to-be-a-nyt-bestseller/477247/21 "2008-12-17T03:48:59Z")

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> [@RealityChuck](#):
>
> Bibles aren’t purchased in bookstores; they’re purchased in Christian stores, online, and by churches in bulk.

This isn’t true. While I can’t speak for independent stores, larger chain bookstores all have sections devoted to Bibles. At the bookstore I work for, the Bibles sell very well. They aren’t on the best seller lists but then most titles aren’t.

> [@RealityChuck](#):
>
> The one actual cheat is that there are many different bibles (not just editions, but formats of the same edition) by many different publishers, and these are grouped together. It’s as if all mystery novels counted all in one group. But since it is a single title, that’s how it’s counted.

And this isn’t true either. If Bibles were all grouped together by title, they would all have the same ISBNs but they don’t, each unique edition has its own ISBN.

It makes no sense from a marketing or sales standpoint not to identify what editions sell best.

> [@RealityChuck](#):
>
> It’s not really feasible to buy up a bunch of books to get onto the Times list. You’re losing money on the deal, and the Times keeps its list of bookstores secret. They also probably filter out suspicious activity. (The Times list comes from the reports of the bookstores.)

Not true also. While I don’t think it’s been proved conclusively, Dave Pelzer and Robert Kiyosaki have both been accused of bulk ordering and then reselling the books at seminars (so no money is lost). IRC, other, mostly self-help types, have been accused of the same.

If you look at the Times list, you will see a dagger next to any entry where bulk orders have been reported.

Also, the Times list comes from both a survey of bookstores and wholesalers.

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