Into the Fire

Passionate thoughts about the world of writing and the Power of God

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At some point in publishing time, it was decided that people who buy and read books can return them for refunds. If they read a book and decide they don't like it, they can return it and get a refund. Expressing your dismay at such a ridiculous business practice merits only a deep sigh and an "I know, I know" response. I've read where it's called "librarying" – purchasing a book to read, liking it or not, and returning it for a full refund at the store or online.

Bookstores insist on returning copies if/when they've ordered too many. Who's the brainiac that thought this was okay? Good business people decide what they might need and order accordingly. If they make a mistake about the popularity of an item and find themselves approaching inventory time with too many of an item on the shelf, they do what's called "blow them out" and take the hit. Sometimes they can break even by running them for sale at their cost or if the markup was substantial, they might get away with a cost plus 10% sale price. That practice is the only one that should be available to bookstores and any other businesses selling books. Authors and publishers should not have to foot the bill for people who make bad orders, or for people who want to play library with books that are for sale

How and why did this ever become a practice in bookselling? Can someone give me a logical reason for this?! 

 

Father, you know the answers to all the mysteries of good and bad practices on this earth. You must just shake your head and roll your eyes at us. Thank you for your patience and grace. We're desperate for you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

 

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2 responses to “Wednesday Wanderings . . .”

  1. Brenda S. Anderson Avatar

    You made me curious, so I had to look it up. According to an article (Publishers Push for New Rules on Unsold Books) by Lynn Neary in Publisher’s Weekly (6/13/08), the practice came into being during the Great Depression when publishers were looking for new ways to sell books, so they created policy that said bookstores could return the unsold copies.
    Since this article was published in 2008, the publishers apparently haven’t had a any success in their push. :/ I think it’s time for that policy to be abolished.

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  2. Nicole Petrino-Salter Avatar

    Totally agree. It really is a matter of buyer responsibility and accountability. That goes for bookstores and private sales. You buy it – you own it or you sell it. End of story. Now would be a good time!
    I know my dream of a bookstore would have large – but decorative 😉 – letters on the door stating NO REFUNDS!

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