It's more that I just don't see how selling the same stuff, for essentially the same prices, helps anyone, including our members. Why is getting from AGA any easier than Amazon, for instance, which sells both Kasselmann and Walstad's books? We might as well as provide a list of "recommended books" with links to the various sellers. Heck, I think we can have a "bookstore" on Amazon where we get a tiny cut of all everyone buys from there.
The bookstore is a lot of work for us -- we have to pay for the books, and eventually sell them for cost or below (reference the Tropica book that we're now unloading at a loss because the new edition is out). And in some cases, it's not even a break-even deal. I am sure we lost money on the Tropica book. For quite a while we were losing money ON EACH SALE of Diana's book. Imagine if we'd bought 50 copies of the Kasselmann book at $50 per copy two years ago, and now they're selling it for less retail.
We can't really compete with those other folks anyway. When we got the Kasselmann book for the convention, we were able to sell it at roughly the same cost as the other folks, maybe a couple bucks cheaper, because we didn't need to mail it to them.
The final bit is that if we were really going to go into BUSINESS of selling books to compete with other businesses, we'd need to treat it much more seriously, going after the best deals, counting the money carefully, advertising, etc, none of which Diana is interested in doing. Heck, she's not even looking for new ideas of what to sell. So it also comes down to that "resources" issue.
- Erik On Tue, 2 Aug 2005, Phil Edwards wrote:
We could be the source for books pertaining to aquatic plants. Yeah, the business is cutthroat, but who do we piss off by selling for less? Robert Hudson, Mark Barnett, and possibly Dave Gomberg? What do the three of them do that really does much to help us out anymore. It's our job to disseminate information and this book does it very well from what I've read of it so far. Personally, I woudn't have any problem undercutting RPH and DG based on their recent behaviors. MB, I don't have any dealings with and don't think it will matter much if we compete with him. On the up side, we'll be providing increased service to members and potential members. For some folks it's all about money, if we can save them a chunk on a book or three by being a member they'll probably join up. Just another angle on getting folks.If we're talking about her new "in English" book, could we serve a purpose by seeling that book that is not already being served?Best, Phil _______________________________________________ AGA-mcm mailing list AGA-mcm@thekrib.com http://lists.thekrib.com/mailman/listinfo/aga-mcm
-- Erik Olson erik at thekrib dot com _______________________________________________ AGA-mcm mailing list AGA-mcm@thekrib.com http://lists.thekrib.com/mailman/listinfo/aga-mcm