Life got in the way

of scouting for books .I picked up about 7 this week got them on Amazon and I am starting to play with Bonanzle.com

Why and will you ?

Do you really think you can make money selling used books on the internet?


If you say yes, you will need steps for doing it. Try these :

1. Assess
Where are you now? Are you a pro, beginner (newbie), started but stymied, doing all right but want more. Decide where you fit in and act accordingly

2.Plan your road map to success.
A simple to do list is great way to start.Try using action steps an example
a.Explore more sites platforms.
b.Build your own website
Make some simple goals, production, listing goals etc.

3.Profit and Cash Flow
First Things First. You have to have the grease to run the machine. Profit margins are important. DUH ! Good cash flow will allow lower profit margins and tight controls over overhead will keep you in business.

4.Love what you are doing! Why be miserable ? Book selling has many more benefits than money. Every book bought opens a door. BUT sell more than you read.

5. Sadly and happily you will be the one that make it happen. You will find your best "luck" in any business is to focus on an end goal and eliminating conflict points ,sometimes failing your way to success. You are the one that has to be focused on making it happen.

In conclusion (my favorite part of any sermon): You can make money selling books on the net if you treat like a business. Do it!

September 22 Selling Books on the Net

I am not giving up on ebay just making it a slow low priority.

Amazon is my number one income stream and will put energy into that venue for the next 90 days
A 80 - 20 rule
80 percent of listing time Amazon

The other Twenty Percent will be my buy it sell it site , ebay and maybe a little to a new site bonanzle.com

september 20 working on logo and twitter pic

Happy birthday to my brother

No book finds as I did a seminar with wife this am . I enjoyed it very much

I now have new logo and tag line. Courtesy of son in law and daughter. Thanks guy and gal.


There is a link to my twitter at bottom of page. Check out Tango

copied from a ebay form town hall September 19

I copied this on store forum on ebay by dorthysew

Just one persons take and notes she does a great job for free.

Townhall 9/19/08
dorothysew (1172 ) View Listings | Report Sep-19-08 13:09 PDT
9/19/08
Steph is now leading North Am.

Christina, shipping
Eddie, finding
Lynda, T &S
Bryan ?
Monroe, paypal
John, T &S
Greg, vp buyer experience
Nate, seller team seller tools

Steph---1546 feedback, buy more than sell, sold 6 cars, dvds, coins, 4.9 dsr, joined co in 2001, ran motors, paypal, built merchant services in paypal. Biggest Challenge? Trying to improve buyer experience, but know it’s a lot of change. Inspired by personal stories.

11 yrs on ebay and love the new fixed pricing-anticipating best year-African art, ethnic items, one of a kind. Fix price lets me list and then they will buy.

I use actual wts and $3.00 handling for all. That won’t be allowed. What about lots? Use bulk lot category. Different limit applies. Took buyer satisfaction into consideration at different shipping rates. Above $4, buyers weren’t happy.

When is new listing page to be released? NOT planning to launch in 4th quarter. Merchandising from other sellers is causing consternation, but sellers can opt out.

Need to have new users confirm negative feedback a wk or so afterward, so a seller can have a chance to contact and make it good. New users don’t know to contact. Sellers won’t do anything if they get the neg/neutral. New policy will allow buyers to change feedback coming in Oct. But will take it back to the team.

How are paypal dealing with Washington Mutual? Card is WAMU, all the accounts are fine, the deposit insurance covers. Each is covered up to $100,000. Each is an individual account, not a total paypal account. Paypal just transfers the $.

What holiday marketing? Will market across internet, coupon incentive will be expanded. With the economy think that will help. Early in season marketing.

Make watchers # available to buyers, might spur buying because of the # of watchers.
(sellers would chose whether to show it or not). Will consider.

Approved payment policy---customer doesn’t want to use paypal, others want to use MO. Been hearing this. An existing customer, as long as seller doesn’t solicit, you won’t be in violation. Larger question is buyer who is afraid of online payment, reason is more sales and more demand, with secure payment, leading to higher trust. We will be communicating, sellers need to also, stressing the payment security and will be faster.

Sell courses with more than a few books. If selling non standard item, 2 choices use flat rate shipping, under the cap-may have to shift some shipping cost into price. Otherwise use calculator with real rate. (note said 5 # wouldn’t exceed cap. ???)

All the changes-tools inadequate. TL, make changes in bulk, bulk editing in selling manager-that has limitations, such as item specifics. Blackthorne and 3rd party. Will have a workshop soon.

FVF too high plus paypal fees. Why not elimate paypal fees since it’s the same company.
Total cost is usually lower than most other channels. Paypal actually lowest on the web, do provide a service. A merchant account would be more. If can reach highest levels, ebay fees can be lowered 40%. Don’t combine fees because want transparency.

NPB have pattern, inactive for several years, a kid will buy all 30 of an item. Could you require immediate payment for new buyers or inactive accounts? We are looking at problem with multiple quantity store listings. Will take suggestion back. We think electronic payment will help, less hassle.

With payment changes, will have Ebay checkout, they will pay on ebay, no reason to delay payment. Doesn’t exist anywhere else on internet to delay payment.

Large flat rate box on paypal when???? Hopefully Oct.

Instability of software. Many errors, TL, etc. Probably unique, contact NETTER.ebay.com

How does recent sales work? New factor as part of best match. # of unique buyers is taken into consideration. Just the sales, not the # of items. Limited window of time. Constantly refresh the listings. I list 10, I get a sale, get boosted, sell out. If you relist within 7 days, recent sales will carry over to new listing. Changing title, cat. Item condition, up price, on a relist will cause you to lose recent sales advanatage.

Free shipping would be included in price-buyer gets no break on shipping. How can I discount? Are working on program.

E checks-transparency needed. Buyers need to be informed will take days to clear and need to be informed when cleared. E checks are only 3-4%. Have cleaned it up and made it clear to buyers that the seller will need to take time to clear. This has been out since June. An instant bank transfer still takes days to get money to paypal, if have a good back up source will transfer instantly transfer to seller. (an expired credit card will make an instant bank transfer into an echeck).

Dsr buyer education. Had a buyer who didn’t believe in giving 5’s. Not typical, dsrs are going up overall. How can we address the fear? Below 4.3, halting sales until dsrs go back up, not suspended.

Gallery + price difference between auction and fixed priced .35 to $1.00. It’s more because of the increased duration of fixed price.

Labels on dsrs are misleading. What are you doing to fix this? Sellers who consistently receive 4s are delivering less satisfaction. Buyers who leave 5’s come back and buy more. Sellers below 4.3 have more 1,2,3 than 4’s.

80-100 hrs to edit checks out of listings. Why, once that’s done, how can I know that paypal won’t increase their fee? Fees are competitive or better than other providers. We intend to stay that way. Have increased coverage sellers get in Oct. Improvement for casual users coming (easier to get password). Caps will be improved.

Dsr shipping versus free shipping. Free shipping/actual shipping actually get less dsrs than low handling plus actual shipping. We show as shipping charges increase, dsrs decrease. Why not 5 stars for free shipping? Fear abuse. Adding Insurance or shipping cod. Average for free shipping is 4.8 dsr on shipping.

Why shipping included in figuring paypal fees. Paypal incurs a cost of transferring all funds, not just the item price. Credit cards are the same.

Are fixed price changes only til end of year. No. With the price changes, we did launch several promotions-the media for 5 cents and the incentives around shipping- those are only til end of year. If they work, they may be built in, but as of now only temporary.

Item specific changes in media, all switched to acceptable. Can’t use TL or blackthorne to change, because they either don’t have new info or doesn’t show when uploaded. Did you update? Unique problem, contact Netter.ebay.com

For stores, evaluate the demand for the item as to whether to use fixed price or store. Core is great for high or moderate demand. Store for lower demand. Stores need to evaluate for themselves.

Thanks for patience as we go thru the changes.
Page 1 of 1

bookblogery A word and a Place

bookblogery.com A word and a Place


living and learning on the go.

work force 0ne

 

1-17- 2008

The one bought yesterday sold today .


I had a shot in my eyeball today see you in a few days.

Tuesday September 16th musings, report thoughts

Yesterday I bought a few books one a bust and one a quick seller low Amazon rank . All three of the boxed dvd sets of tv programs Everwood Grey's Anatomy and Gilmore Girls sold for good bucks about a 45.00 net profit


I attended a funeral of a true American hero yesterday . i am working on a full blog about him .

New media rates rules fees on ebay Some start today

Saturdays report after the fact

I was scouting Saturday , my isbn look up asellertool NOT scanner was not working at one store ,(Could not get a good connection).I bought five books one I knew from experience paid 3.00 listed on river for 39.00 it will be a lower price listing . One i will read or give a way ,not unsellable .One very low rank will sale for 9.00 in a week paid 2.50 (I call those my gas cash flow books) .I bought one slow seller no isbn I paid 1.00 for that might sell some day for 10.00. I will pull it for a show/ fair it is a grassland book . One 6.00 dollar book I put on at lowest price to hopefully quick sell and be through with.


This stop was not a great buying stop ,but I can buy books without a scanner ;though if it had been working two books would still be at the thrift and about $4.00 would be in my pocket.

Friday update on Bookscouting

I sold two of the dvd sets on the river for over forty bucks

I bought five books yesterday no real low rankings and not to much dollsrs , I'll report them if they sell quickly .


Leaving now to buy some stuff HOPEFULLY

From a May blog

Money is in the specialy or niche book field
I am reminded of the old saying "that a trip of a thousand miles begins with the first step"
So take a step! Action is the stimulus that begets growth of ideas for a bookseller niche.
If you have an interest area ,go for it ( * )

* Free idea
Green is in and should be long term . Start dealing in books about going green and polution ,healthy life styles ,the environment, conservation , global warming etc.etc.

If you are new or thinking about selling books online ask questions. You have to buy before you sell. Check prices on the internet before listing. Maybe a cell phone look up service might help. Maybe taking a $50.00 and buying books then trying to sell them is a cheap way to learn.

Take a step , it might lead you on a long enjoyable trip or short one leaving you saying." Glad I did not go there."

I am slowly learning how to blog! " enuff said".

I am writing about building a niche or specialty book business. Scarcity sells, quality sells and there are other good ways to make money selling books on the net - more about that later.

I once took a rare book seminar. The presenter told the story of a bookseller that had little interest in mountain climbing books . However, he lived in the Pacific Northwest ; there was a built in market for books about the subject. The market being both books to purchase and interested, motivated buyers. In a sense he was "fishing where the fish were."

He was offered a small, but nice collection of mountaineering books. Though,it was not his speciality, the books were clean, in good condition and a few had "the look" of something special. He bought them, priced them and started a section in his shop.

He told a fellow book shop owner of his buy and about the new section in the shop. That bookseller told him that he had a few mountain climbing books he could have a good price. He bought them. Over the next few months he bought any and all mountaineering books he could find from the other stores in the area. He built a large inventory of over a thousand books. When anyone came into the other shops asking for books on the subject, they were sent to him. He successfully operated his mountaineering section for a few years and then sold the collection to another dealer for a good profit. Over the time he had the mountaineering section, he also sold a few really scarce titles.

In my opinion, selling specialty books on the net can mirror that scenario with a few modifications.

1. Do not buy the lower priced common books; some will come in "buys", but weed them out quickly. Some may be bought as a part of the learning process; you will make mistakes - again part of your specialty education

The internet has changed bookselling because of supply and demand.To quote an eBay bookseller, "What was scarce is now common, what was rare is now scarce." Selling books at eBay auction can be giving an unintended discount to other dealers and to the collector because of time limitations. A truly scarce title, with good descriptions, pictures and good seller feedback will usually sell at a good price.

3.Using other fixed price venues such as an eBay store, prostore website, etc. might be a better way; and of course there are many other venus to sell books other than eBay.

4. As you build your inventory and knowledge, books will be offered to you and people will seek you out online so that they can buy from a specialist such as yourself.

Creating a specialty of a cultivated interest is the quickest way to begin - be sure to keep an open mind to the unexpected.

Learning any trade has a cost of either time or money - most likely both.
Posted by Bob at 5:24 AM
Labels: niche books rare books specialities out of print book
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found some boxed sets dvds while looking for books

Paid about three dollars total should retail for about 45 for three not bad for 30 minutes shopping

September 6th report

Bought a few books no really good dollar books a signed one and couple low number rankings on Amazon

the number 10 rated book was Eat and Pray by Gilbert another low one was The circle of Blood by Ferguson and a signed book about The Greenes called Hold on by Mike Collins signed by Tim Greene

a few others I will list and report later

see you on tweeter

Saturday 5th no scouting report

Daughter had surgery and I was tied up helping support her and husband

GOOD RESULTS

colderice

was listening to colderice via twitter link

September 4 Bookscouting Report and

First one stop one book :
Musicophilla signed by author Oliver Sacks cost 1.50 listed for 26.00 on the river (Amazon)

maybe a later stop today

Looking for books in a thrift store I looked and price checked books in the book section no real deals .I looked around the store and at the front was the book I bought was laying on a chair. If you have time it PAYS to look around

In another vein ,Why are all the good books on the bottom shelf?

September 3 scout Report Nada Zip Ought

My eye is patched from a a laser procedure for leaks pretty painless ,a little discomfort. but no driving for a few days and limited computer time.

Also a Birthday party tonight

I did sell a fifteen dollar book that was listed from Monday finds.

Tomorrow I'll report back any finds


Today Nada Zilch Ought Finds

SEPTEMBER 2 SCOUT REPORT

Made one stop looked at a bunch of books bought 2

1. Shape Your Swing the Modern Way by Byron Nelson cost $1.00 listed on amazon for 19.95
2 Proper Food Combining Cookbook by Lee Dubelle cost $1.00 will list on Amazon 8.99


I sold one of yesterdays finds for twenty five dollars.

Might miss tomorrows blog having a eye laser procedure to fix a leak. and a birthday party

time will tell

The 30 day journal of a bookscout begins today

Starting today I will blog my book scouting finds for thirty days

There will be a few days with Life stuff ,having eye procedure, daughter's surgery and hopefully a few fun stuffs.


I gave my son a ride to work today a block away from a goodwill.
Using asellertool isbn look up service
I bought
1.The Jesus Sutras by Martin Palmer cost $1.50 will list on amazon first for $14.95
2. The Tactical Edge by Charles Remsberg cost $1.50 will list on Amazon for $25.00
3. STREET SURVIVAL by Ronald Adams cost $1.50 will list on Amazon for $9.95

Not bad for a stop and shop on a holiday