Complete Guide to Starting a Used Bookstore: Old Books into Gold [Paperback]

Dale L. Gilbert (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 197 pages
• Publisher: Chicago Review Pr (August 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0914091891
• ISBN-13: 978-0914091899
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,376,076 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good basic guide to selling used books for a living, May 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Complete Guide to Starting a Used Bookstore: Old Books into Gold (Paperback)

Although this book was written pre-internet, it still offers an excellent general review on how to sell used books for a living. The author makes it sound like it is easy to make millions of dollars selling used books, but the truth is, with this book, anyone can sell used books and make a comfortable and very fun living at it. But the chance of making millions is very slim.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Clear and cogent, though dated, January 10, 2002

By 

Jacob Proffitt (Salt Lake City, UT United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Complete Guide to Starting a Used Bookstore: Old Books into Gold (Paperback)

This book contains detailed and extremely valuable advice about starting (and running) a used (he calls it Antiquarian) bookstore. If you own, or want to own, a used bookstore this is a must-read. Even if your experience doesn't match the author's experience, you can't help but find very useful, usable advice here. The author does tend to make it sound a lot easier and straight forward than it probably is (I am not a used bookstore owner--I only dare to dream) and I think he doesn't take into account his own extensive sales experience obtained prior to opening his bookstores. The biggest problem, though, is that it was origanally written in the mid 80s and the latest update was 1989. That means that the effect of the internet in evening out distribution inequities is not taken into account--an event of likely significant impact on used book sales. I heartily recommend the book, but it's age drops it from a solid five to my four star rating.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific hands on advice from an experienced book seller!, May 6, 2003

By 

Travis C. Ward "C. William Anderson" (Silverton, OR United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Complete Guide to Starting a Used Bookstore: Old Books into Gold (Paperback)

How much did I enjoy this book?

Enough to scan it into my computer for reading on my laptop while working overseas.

Even though the information is dated, the principles are as good now as ever. I wish every used book dealer would take his advice and not write prices inside the jackets or otherwise deface the books to prevent theft.

Further, his advice regarding signage is worth the price of the book. I once owned a business where I chose to erect a pleasing sign that wouldn't be deemed obnoxious. I suffered! His point is that if you want to be a nice guy don't bother getting into the business. If, however, you want to succeed, do what you must to build your business.

There is but one moral in business. Learn it before you start or learn it after you start, but you must learn it. Business first, image second.