A tech booksellers opinion on having stock, new releaases, pricing and exclusivity

Article:		Buy Where You Shop
Subject:		A tech booksellers opinion on having stock, new releaases, pricing and exclusivity
Date:		2005-07-27 13:51:04
From:		kateatthattechnicalbookstore.com
Response to: A tech booksellers opinion on having stock, new releaases, pricing and exclusivity
Thank you Tim for responding. O'Reilly Media, out of all of the publishers, have been the most kind to us in our struggle to stay in business. When we first called about the exclusivity on Make we weren't turned away OR given a pat answer but were compensated and treated like an "Amazon" rather than a 1,600 sq.ft. indy bookstore on the rocks! :) You can imagine though it was just embarrasing for us. I also understand that a store like ours may not have the broad reach Amazon has nor the abilities for subscription services. My main point was to educate the customers that as an independent there are many reasons why things are the way they are and that often is the case that we just don't have control. We want stock, but money is tight. We want the new releases just as quick but a 3 book order doesn't stand a chance against a 10,000+ book order in expediance. We want to discount but can't compete with a online retailer who most likely makes NO money. We are proud to sell your books and very happy with O'Reilly. You folks send us new releases hot off the press and provide cute :) animals to decorate our store! Most of my comments are in regards to other publishers that bloggers might buy. Just you responding so quickly shows your support for us and reinforces our importance in the book world. I am just nervous for my family and may have flown off the handle. My Mom and Dad have been selling technical books since the 70's and you can imagine as they approach the retirement age with our situation being so unstable, that every little thing is magnified by our fear of having to close shop and apply for regular day jobs. We appreciate everything you do for us Tim and your staff responded to us as you would have (and did here) regarding Make. Best of luck and keep the good books coming!

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A tech booksellers opinion on having stock, new releaases, pricing and exclusivity
2005-07-27 21:31:52 Tim O'Reilly | [Reply | View]

Kate, I really understand where you're coming from. It's great to see you getting involved in your parents' business. It's one of the best technical bookstores there is, and I hope that we're still working together to get books to the people on the cutting edge till I'm having this conversation with YOUR kids.