Comments on: Answering a recent comment

By: me again

me again — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:52:09 +0000

Ok I’m responsible, and I feel a bit bad now – I was feeling a bit cheeky and being a sneaky agent provocateur for comic effect – but got taken seriously (gulp – forgot emotional nuances don’t always come across in text).

I’m well aware of the difference between second hand book selling and massive multinational book supermarkets (who have furnished me with many fine books and will continue to do so, given I have the opportunity, not living in Fort William).

Mr Donbavand is of course correct in all respects with the only addition being that the internet itself is a source of lovely writing (and indifferent writing, and bad writing). And, as it turns out, naughty blog commenters. I guess that’s my first lesson in the responsibility, as well as the freedom, that anonymity and comments facilities provide…

By: Tommy Donbavand

Tommy Donbavand — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:49:16 +0000

I agree – keep on selling. I also promote buying from independent bookshops (I advise schools to order their copies from an indie I love in Scotland) – but I also run events at Borders stores around the country and have just bought a couple of second-hand books from sellers on Amazon.

I genuinely believe there is room for everyone – chains, independents and the Internet. After all, surely the idea is to make books as easy to get hold of as possible, isn’t it?

To say it’s wrong to promote independents then sell off your surplus books online just doesn’t wash. For, even if you set it up as a business – you’d BE an independent bookseller, just like the other bookshops and sole trading sellers who use eBay, Amazon and others to increase their customer base.

By: Shelly

Shelly — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:03:55 +0000

I think you should continue selling books online, just for the simple fact that not all bookshops have every book. Many a time I’ve searched and searched for a book only to find out they didn’t carry it.

By: Barry

Barry — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:53:14 +0000

Thanks for contributing, Paul. I couldn’t agree more – getting people reading is the most important thing of all.

Anyone else like to join the debate?

By: Paul Carroll

Paul Carroll — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:43:00 +0000

I work in a bookshop… doesn’t stop me wanting to give away lots of books! I just want to get people reading. It’s important that people realise the importance of it and take it up as a hobby; it’s a culture that has been with us all our lives. Music and movies change three to four times a lifetime, but the books don’t follow fads like that (well, in children’s books they do…) There’s stability in books, people can learn from them, and they’re cheaper and last longer than movies and music! I think what you’re doing is good, especially considering the publication dates. No chain stores, and I don’t think many Indos, supply publications from the 60s and 70s. They’re generally ordered from somewhere far away, or a newer edition has to come out. That rarely happens. Good man for putting them back into circulation!!