book store
Jul 7th 2008 | 8:29 am
#16
Just Joined
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 13
From: Girona
Re: book store
I would think very seriously about this.
I love books and have maybe 1500
I just like being surrounded by them, and have often thought it would be an ideal 'job' for me- BUT- when a (and I must admit good, with it's well done website etc) bookstore opened in Lloret de Mar a few years ago, response has been extremely slow.
I now work putting PCs (pay as you go) in bars, cafes etc, and I thought the bookstore would be an asset to the shop and earn us a few euros as well.
Not so.
The owner of the shop is quite closed and not the best seller in the world but I also found it interesting that on coming across a second hand bookshop in Barcelona he had exactly the same complaint that people will bring 5 books in to do an exchange for 1, which is not good because you get 5 books nobody wants and have lost a 5€ sale and do not earn a cent.
I don't recommend it- I think it must be done as a labour of love rather than to make money, and is not even viable to combine with internet, as I found out to my loss- I thought it would be a good idea.
BTW, the shop here also sells greetings cards, secondhand DVDs etc.
I love books and have maybe 1500
I just like being surrounded by them, and have often thought it would be an ideal 'job' for me- BUT- when a (and I must admit good, with it's well done website etc) bookstore opened in Lloret de Mar a few years ago, response has been extremely slow.
I now work putting PCs (pay as you go) in bars, cafes etc, and I thought the bookstore would be an asset to the shop and earn us a few euros as well.
Not so.
The owner of the shop is quite closed and not the best seller in the world but I also found it interesting that on coming across a second hand bookshop in Barcelona he had exactly the same complaint that people will bring 5 books in to do an exchange for 1, which is not good because you get 5 books nobody wants and have lost a 5€ sale and do not earn a cent.
I don't recommend it- I think it must be done as a labour of love rather than to make money, and is not even viable to combine with internet, as I found out to my loss- I thought it would be a good idea.
BTW, the shop here also sells greetings cards, secondhand DVDs etc.
Jul 7th 2008 | 8:36 am
#17
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 45
Re: book store
Hi Diana,
thanks for your input. its like you say, people come in with 5 books, and if you are lucky they walk out with one, so you loose money.
i know a guy in Quito, Ecuador. What he does is that he will not accept any book, people bring in., he is very picky, he only accepts new books, or famous authors. He does buy the books in bulk from the US.
It seams that this kind of business works, fine in some countries and in other not, even when both have a lot of expats, or others who read english books.
n
thanks for your input. its like you say, people come in with 5 books, and if you are lucky they walk out with one, so you loose money.
i know a guy in Quito, Ecuador. What he does is that he will not accept any book, people bring in., he is very picky, he only accepts new books, or famous authors. He does buy the books in bulk from the US.
It seams that this kind of business works, fine in some countries and in other not, even when both have a lot of expats, or others who read english books.
n
Jul 7th 2008 | 8:52 am
#18
Just Joined
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 13
From: Girona
Re: book store
Hi again,
It obviously depends abit on where you are.
Some bars here have a book exchange which is fine if you want to swap a Jackie Collins for another- but even they have too many books and end up putting them in the bin!
My local shop has a good variety of non-fiction stuff, but sod's law, they never have just what I am looking for and it is so easy and cheap to order of Amazon and get exactly what you want.
It is a shame but I think the day of the secondhand book store has gone
It obviously depends abit on where you are.
Some bars here have a book exchange which is fine if you want to swap a Jackie Collins for another- but even they have too many books and end up putting them in the bin!
My local shop has a good variety of non-fiction stuff, but sod's law, they never have just what I am looking for and it is so easy and cheap to order of Amazon and get exactly what you want.
It is a shame but I think the day of the secondhand book store has gone
Jul 7th 2008 | 8:56 am
#19
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 45
Re: book store
Well, the idea sounded good at the time. Just have to move on to the next one..
Hows the bar business treating you?
have read/heard horror stories from all over the costas about people buying and loosing all there savings from a bad bar investment, or lack of knowlage, or both.
nicks
Hows the bar business treating you?
have read/heard horror stories from all over the costas about people buying and loosing all there savings from a bad bar investment, or lack of knowlage, or both.
nicks
Jul 7th 2008 | 9:22 am
#20
Just Joined
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 13
From: Girona
Re: book store
Nicks-
I think it is the same as everything else these days, think of something a bit 'niche' or basically think of something you know about.
I know of car mechanics who have left the UK and tried to be bar owners at the age of 50.
I mean they could have earned a good living being a freelance car mechanic, without having to rent a garage or anything- just by becoming self-employed and letting it be known among the expats they fix cars.
If business is slow, well, one could advertise a class e.g- "easy car maintenance for women" - must be loads of expat ladies who would go just for the fun/social thing and it would also be great to learn how to change a flat without a man around.
That is only an example of course, but rather than look at what business might work, I would first ask "What do I know something about?" and go on from there.
To you it might seem unimportant, maybe you know a bit about PCs but think it is a saturated market?
But expats would generally far rather deal with someone who speaks their language. Some may say thats wrong but it isn't- if there is a Spanish guy who is a whizz at fixing PCs in Camdem, believe me, all the Spanish expats in London are going to call him before going to the English chaps
)
I would first make a list of your talents- even talents that are not obvious in the UK could be valued here.
I think it is the same as everything else these days, think of something a bit 'niche' or basically think of something you know about.
I know of car mechanics who have left the UK and tried to be bar owners at the age of 50.
I mean they could have earned a good living being a freelance car mechanic, without having to rent a garage or anything- just by becoming self-employed and letting it be known among the expats they fix cars.
If business is slow, well, one could advertise a class e.g- "easy car maintenance for women" - must be loads of expat ladies who would go just for the fun/social thing and it would also be great to learn how to change a flat without a man around.
That is only an example of course, but rather than look at what business might work, I would first ask "What do I know something about?" and go on from there.
To you it might seem unimportant, maybe you know a bit about PCs but think it is a saturated market?
But expats would generally far rather deal with someone who speaks their language. Some may say thats wrong but it isn't- if there is a Spanish guy who is a whizz at fixing PCs in Camdem, believe me, all the Spanish expats in London are going to call him before going to the English chaps
)I would first make a list of your talents- even talents that are not obvious in the UK could be valued here.
Jul 7th 2008 | 9:32 am
#21
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 45
Re: book store
Thanks for the advice Diana, i will keep it in mind for if/when i move over there.
nicks
nicks
Jul 7th 2008 | 9:53 am
#22
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 160
From: West Country - Now Benitatxell
Re: book store
Hi Nicks,
I notice that you asked about books first and then bars.
Why not combine both?
We go regularly on holiday to Mexico (Pacific coast) and there is a company that is called "A page in the Sun". This is usually a coffee shop where you can buy second hand books. The books are being stamped and you can take stamped books back (other books are not taken) you get your next book at a lower price. You can also drink coffee and read books there and buy them if you like them.
The place is usually packed, and books come regularly back.
Just a thought.
I notice that you asked about books first and then bars.
Why not combine both?
We go regularly on holiday to Mexico (Pacific coast) and there is a company that is called "A page in the Sun". This is usually a coffee shop where you can buy second hand books. The books are being stamped and you can take stamped books back (other books are not taken) you get your next book at a lower price. You can also drink coffee and read books there and buy them if you like them.
The place is usually packed, and books come regularly back.
Just a thought.
