# What should a used book shop be like? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 23, 2004, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-a-used-book-shop-be-like/256587 "2004-07-23T21:56:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2004, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-a-used-book-shop-be-like/256587/61 "2004-07-24T18:41:11Z")
Sounds great, **Lynn**! I still think that you might want to put individual prices on books, though: for myself, even though I’m a decent calculator, I hate having to figure out prices while I’m browsing books. Best I can figure, my Light Reading Head is different from my Percentage Calculations Head, and it’s irritating to have to switch between them. If I have to do that in a store, I’ll not think the store very cozy, and will probably not return. It would be a significant issue for me. I may be out of the ordinary in this respect, though; it might be worth talking to other people, and find out whether it’s a big issue for lots of folks. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Mariemarie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/58f4c7/32.png) [@Mariemarie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mariemarie)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2004, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-a-used-book-shop-be-like/256587/62 "2004-07-24T19:00:38Z")
In addition to categorized, alphabetized shelves, have a small, visible section of books the staff recommends and a selection of award-winning books (Pulitzer, Hugo, Newberry, and others). A customer can pop in and pick up a winner in 2 minutes if she doesn’t have the time for a leisurely browse but NEEDS something, anything to read NOW! (You know the feeling.) Staff who love to read, know books, and know their value, and can recognize their current relevance. By coincidence, I was reading _The Moon is a Harsh Mistress_ in September 2001-- the connections are amazing. Also, a weird/strange section can be delightful. Among cherished titles in the Mariemarie home library are _Neurophysiology Made Ridiculously Simple_ and _Creative Computing Magazine, vol. 1 complete_. Though we do not go looking for these explicitly, we’re thrilled to find them. ---
**Author:** ![Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2004, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-a-used-book-shop-be-like/256587/63 "2004-07-24T19:07:04Z")
Sorry, **Bosda** , but used book stores _must_ have cats. It’s in the Bible. Near the back, I think. **Lynn** , there is a used book store in Seattle that has used bannister railing to install cat-paths above the shelves. Cats can climb up a tower at one corner of the store and sit on the overhead shelves, dash across the walkways over the heads of the readers, and all the way to the other side of the store. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2004, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-a-used-book-shop-be-like/256587/64 "2004-07-24T19:15:10Z")
Let me back up the ‘marketing and advertising’ option. Mailings, both email and USPS, to local homes, mailing lists, weekly specials, announcements in local alternative papers, book signings… Special items that are hard to find…old pinbacks and magazines…maybe some coffee or something. Make the store unique and provide customers more than just used books as a draw. Make them **comfortable** there. Let the hang out if the store geometry allows it. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2004, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-a-used-book-shop-be-like/256587/65 "2004-07-24T20:21:12Z")
It’s obvious, but encourage (or train) your staff to remember regulars, as best as possible, and to acknowledge them. If I come to your store a couple times looking for _Angels and Demons_ and you don’t have it, then one day I come in and the clerk remembers me and tells me that you just got it in, I appreciate that. If you do move, an outside seating area would be pretty cool. Then we could bring our own coffee or tea. 😉 Bookmarks are great, and might help reform sinners liike me who [sub]bend over the corners of the pages[/sub] of paperbacks I read. :eek: Also, you might give a dime or so off the next purchase to the customer who brings back the bookmark and shows it. That also marks them as return customers to the staff. Like re-using bags in the market. ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2004, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-a-used-book-shop-be-like/256587/66 "2004-07-25T02:27:25Z")
Just about eveything I look for in a used book store have already been mentioned, but I do have one marketing idea. You mentioned carrying science fiction books. If there are any SF conventions in your area (off the top of my head I’m not familiar with Texas convention schedules, but I’m sure you can find out easily enough) get in touch with them about putting an ad in their program book, or put together a flier for their freebie table. I know people (myself among them) who take time to cruise local used book stores when they go to cons. Maybe include a discount coupon to draw them in, or schedule a sale on SF books for that weekend. Also (shameless personal plug here) if your SF stock is low I have boxes of used SF books, mostly from the 50s and 60s, and lots of leftover stock from my recently closed SF convention business. I’m trying to put together an updated inventory list so I can sell them online but I’m not averse to some bulk sales. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![YWalker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/6f9a4e/32.png) [@YWalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YWalker)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2004, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-a-used-book-shop-be-like/256587/67 "2004-07-25T03:12:31Z")
One of my favorite used book stores (Reader’s Corner in Raleigh) is decorated by the things that have fallen out of books that have been brought into the store — pictures, old report cards, newspaper clippings, etc. — posted on the bookshelves and the walls. It makes for an interesting selection of things to look at. They also keep a small tray of candy (Werther’s) by the cash register. I also like the categorization by genre, with alphabetization within the category. I think a clear pricing strategy is very important. Either have the price marked on the books, or make sure the policy is clearly posted in LOTS of places. (At this place, paperbacks are 50% off the original price, or a minimum of $1.00). One (now defunct) place that I used to like had a graduated scale for pricing book buy backs. He wanted to encourage a good selection of science fiction books in his store, so he gave extra credit for science fiction books. Mystery books got average credit, and he gave minimal credit for the romance novels, which were literally a dime a dozen. I don’t know the exact details, because I was just a buyer, since I have trouble giving up books. I don’t know if this policy helped lead to his downfall or not. I don’t think so — I think his location was more of a problem than the policy. ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2004, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-a-used-book-shop-be-like/256587/68 "2004-07-25T04:33:14Z")
> [@Lynn Bodoni](#): > > I am currently in negotiations to buy a used book store. This shop is currently losing money, mostly because the owner inherited it from his late wife and he’s not a retail orienter person and he’s not a book person. I think I can make a profit from this store, but I want to do a little market research/opinion poll here. > > What do you like in used book stores? What do you dislike? Any suggestions on anything? I know what _I_ like, but that’s not necessarily what anyone else likes. > > The store already has the required shop cats. I think it’s some sort of natural law that cats will show up in used book stores. The cats are GOING to stay. Cats are definitely cool. i don’t own any, but love seeing them in places like thrift stores, and so on. The Tattered Cover in Denver is my idea of a dream bookstore. Though it’s a regular bookstore, and huge, the reason it’s so neat is that it has all these little alcoves with small cozy seating areas throughout. You can just nestle in just about anywhere and browse to your heart’s content. Very “maiden aunt” with a lot of comfy old chairs and sofas, warm circles of light cast by various lamps. And so on. Also, bookstores (imho) should smell really good, like tea and chocolate, or soft potpourri, stuff like that. Congrats on your potential new biz! What a great business to be in. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2004, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-a-used-book-shop-be-like/256587/69 "2004-07-25T04:39:39Z")
I think you all read _WAY_ too much Agatha Christie. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2004, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-a-used-book-shop-be-like/256587/70 "2004-07-25T05:31:01Z")
There will be no smoking. I’m fairly sure it’s against Fort Worth city regulations, and fire regulations. Besides which, I’m VERY sensitive to smoke, and would not be able to stay in a place that allows it. I don’t like VERY dusty places, either, and I aim to be clean enough to be comfortable, but not so clean that it’s sterile. Again, we won’t be serving coffee or tea or anything, because of the cats. Most of the cons around here seem to be comic book cons, and located in Dallas. I’d really have to stay in a hotel in Dallas if I wanted to be a huckster…though I might do it if it’s a SF con, especially if the GOH is an author I particularly admire. Offering flyers and coupons for the freebie bags is a good idea, I think. The shop carries some old comics, both comic books and comic collections. I don’t know much of ANYTHING about comics, except that I love Gaiman’s Sandman stories. There’s a couple of comic shops on the same street, and I’m not sure if they carry used comics or not. I’ll have to check them out, see where I’ll compete with them, and where we can cooperate. The staff, or at least the manager and assistant manager, know the regulars, and know the stock. I plan on spending about half a day at the shop, a couple of days a week, as my health permits, getting to know the store routine and how to buy books and such. I won’t be able to take a regular shift, unfortunately, but I’ll be able to fill in if an emergency occurs. I’ve already started doing this. The manager has pointed out the mentally challenged guy that comes in every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning, insists on shaking her hand and chatting to her and petting the cats. He’s a bit annoying, but harmless, and it’s just a part of the routine. But it’s stuff like this that I have to know. The manager and assistant manager are also very good at recommending books and authors. All the staff are part-timers, even the manager. She says that she doesn’t want to work any more hours than she already does. Nobody gets paid vacations. About the only benefit is being able to take books home to read and return for free. However, to a reader, this can add up to about $75 a week in free reading material, tax-free. And many readers consider reading material to be an essential, not a luxury. I’ll probably have a price CHART posted around various locations, which will have a cover price listed, and then our price for the book. So, fear not, customers will not have to try to figure out 55% of the cover price. I’ve already discussed a Staff Recommendation area with the manager, who loves the idea. Having an Award Winners area would be great, too. I can see having that as a permanent display, something that regulars and new customers alike would enjoy. I know the feeling of “I’m gonna go eat lunch but I HAVE to have a new book to read!” only too well. Berry Street is a “historic” area, and has some rather strange and strict rules about signs. I will see what I can do. I know that I can put one of those trailer signs in the parking lot…but the City of Fort Worth has regulations that a shop can only have such a sign on display for 2 months, then it must not have it out for a month, then it can have the sign out again for another two months…so I can have a sign like that out for 8 months out of the year, but staggered times. The shop already has a website, and is affiliated with ABE, Alibris, Amazon (as a Z shop), and I think a couple of others. Internet sales now make up the majority of the income. I’ll have to change the website name, of course, and leave up a pointer to the new name. Lots of good ideas, I thank you all. I’m copying stuff down. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2004, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-a-used-book-shop-be-like/256587/71 "2004-07-25T05:32:02Z")
> [@mangeorge](#): > > I think you all read _WAY_ too much Agatha Christie. > 😛 Actually, I read too much Rex Stout these days. I read Christie when I was in my 20s. I’m in my mid 40s now. ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2004, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-a-used-book-shop-be-like/256587/72 "2004-07-25T05:49:49Z")
> [@Strainger](#): > > HOURS! Second that. Too many small bookstores have _strange_ hours, like: Monday: 8:00 AM - 11:00 PM Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 12:00 AM - 7:00 PM Thursday and Friday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Saturday: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM Sunday: Closed Please don’t do this. I know you might have a family and other committments, but I won’t patronize a business if they don’t keep regular hours. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2004, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-a-used-book-shop-be-like/256587/73 "2004-07-25T06:18:11Z")
Right now the hours are currently 9:45 to 5:45, Monday through Saturday, except for Thursday, when the shop is open until 7:45. I’d like to have the hours be ON the hour, none of this “:45” stuff, and I’d like to keep the shop open until 8 every day, if at all possible. My first inclination was to have hours of noon to 9 PM Monday through Saturday, but I’ve spent a few mornings in the shop, and it’s quite busy just after opening, so I don’t think that I can swing that. There’s already a couple of groups that have meetings in the evenings in the shop. I plan to encourage this. It’s good for getting new people into the shop, and it’s good for building goodwill. I know that I spent a LOT of money in a comic/gaming shop, because it gave my gaming group a place to meet and play every other week. ---
**Author:** ![YWalker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/6f9a4e/32.png) [@YWalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YWalker)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2004, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-a-used-book-shop-be-like/256587/74 "2004-07-25T15:34:13Z")
Wow. Hours until just 5:45 PM weekdays, AND no Sundays? That would keep me and my husband out almost entirely. Definitely try to extend your hours until at least 8:00 PM. ---
**Author:** ![Krisfer\_the\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Krisfer\_the\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Krisfer_the_Cat)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2004, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-a-used-book-shop-be-like/256587/75 "2004-07-25T17:38:43Z")
I second or third the 8pm closing time. Sometimes evenings IS the only free time I ever get! Of course being the night owl I am, I’ll probably run the ONLY bookstore that stays open til the wee hours… well depending on the crime rate of course… but if ya gotta steal books to read I’ll GIVE them to you! 😃 I also spend a lot of time on my lunch hour in the 'Shelf just gabbing half the time. Can you tell us the name of the store? I may be in Fort Worth next spring or early summer! ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2004, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-a-used-book-shop-be-like/256587/76 "2004-07-25T23:42:35Z")
Shopping baskets/bags! I like 'em to manage the pile that gets accrued in my shopping trip. Half-Price Books used to (?) give a calendar out with the purchase of at least $20.00 for the next year. In the back they had 6 coupons for an additional 15% off during different times of the year. That kept me going back there. As for the hours, there’s a local store for music that has non-standard hours, fortunately they give out magnets with their hours and phone number and website on 'em. I’ve got it up on my fridge and refer to it before I head out there. When I’m looking for books online, I always use [bookfinder.com](http://www.bookfinder.com) that searches through all of these [online book retailers](http://www.bookfinder.com/about/booksellers/). Finally, make sure that the buyer/pricer knows what they’re doing. I’ve been to some local bookstores and found some books at such a low price that I’ve almost wanted to buy them just to resell them on eBay. I collect song books and found a Joni Mitchell songbook (Complete Vol. 1) for sale at a local shop for $4.95 and bought it for myself. On eBay, it just went for [$82.50](http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?/ViewItem&category=38105&item=3735623561&rd=1). ---
**Author:** ![Brainiac4](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brainiac4/32/3534_2.png) [@Brainiac4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brainiac4)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-a-used-book-shop-be-like/256587/77 "2004-07-26T00:17:51Z")
It does go without saying that the typeface for all signage must be [Bodoni](http://www.myfonts.com/fonts/linotype/bodoni/), and preferably Bodoni Book, but I will say it anyway. 🙂 It’s a nice typeface, although it’s a bit much for long text. You’ll want to find something else for the printed guidelines and the like. I think that cats are great to have around, but there are those who are allergic to them. Shorthairs are better than longhairs for those with allergies, and good air filtration and frequent vacuuming and dusting are a must. Also, a slightly dusty feel to the bookstore is a great thing, but I don’t want it to actually be dusty. That means, again, good air filtration and frequent dusting/vacuuming. I’m very lucky here in the Twin Cities, as we have Uncle Hugo’s SF Bookstore, which is like the collective memory of the SF community. I believe their policy on used pricing is that books are 50% of cover price, but with a minimum, so the older $1.50 books aren’t a total steal. Best of luck – I look forward to visiting your shop when I am in the Fort Worth area, or buying from you online… ---
**Author:** ![Atticus\_Finch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ec9cab/32.png) [@Atticus\_Finch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atticus_Finch)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-a-used-book-shop-be-like/256587/78 "2004-07-26T01:01:36Z")
**Lynn** , everyone’s already given my best suggestions, but I have just one more. Instead of **Bodoni’s Book Shop** , why not **Bodoni’s Bookshop**. It’ll look better on signage, and it rolls trippingly off the tongue. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-a-used-book-shop-be-like/256587/79 "2004-07-26T02:18:27Z")
All I wanted to say has been said, I’m only left with two things that I’d like say: 1.- You go girl! 2.- Please, pretty please, sell on the net and ship abroad, that way we dopers that are away from civilization can buy used books on the net. And please accept paypal. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-a-used-book-shop-be-like/256587/80 "2004-07-26T02:19:33Z")
> [@Mighty\_Girl](#): > > we dopers that are away from civilization “Civilization” being Texas, you know. 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-a-used-book-shop-be-like/256587.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-a-used-book-shop-be-like/256587.md?page=5)