Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Here and there some good advice, much of it pretty obvious stuff about doing retail business in general--but for the most part, obsolete and often misleading when it comes to specifics about the trade. The book is almost twenty years old, and the internet has made much of it irrelevant--he starts off by describing used book stores as "a tremendous growth industry". If you want to know how to build shelves, greet customers, and set up your store, he has some useful things to say, but his advice on what to stock (Harlequin romances?????) is absurd, and his pricing formulas make little sense. I'm thinking about buying a bookstore, and this book was very little help to me.

I rate this book as a 4 star simply because of Mr. Gilbert's self important superior attitude. While the book is dated, it could be updated with another section about on-line selling. I really liked his section on shelving and ADA compliance and some of his anecdotes are funny (especially the one about the witch). I am sure Mr. Gilbert is quite the bookseller, but I hope his blatant bragging doesn't translate to the reading community. It is very off-putting.

This book is absolutely amazing! It has everything you need if you really love books and take the idea of a used bookstore seriously!

It is one of the best books I have ever read and you will be inspired beyond all you can imagine!!!