posted on July 21, 2001 08:28:02 PM
Can someone tell me how I can find out if a craft cross stitch pattern book is out of print?
I have 400 cross stitch books. I have about 100 of them currently listed. I did NOT look everyone up on ebay but I did look some of them up. I learned that they ranged between about $2 - $12. One of the ones I looked up a previous sold one said out of print. So I put that in my listing also ( although, other than ebay - I do not know that to be fact). That book is now over $15.00 as are 3 others, at this time.
I was wondering how I can find out if a book is out of print. Can anyone tell me a website I can look at or another book I can ask this question?
posted on July 21, 2001 08:34:55 PM
Richie, What is the year of publication ? What is the subject matter ? Aa lot depends on the designs and time period.
posted on July 21, 2001 08:47:04 PM
Most of them are 1980-1992. They are all cross stitch pattern books. Many Many different publishers.
I just realized it is 3 at/over $15.00 and 1 over $6.00. I started all of these at $3.00.
I have volume 1, 2, and 3 of Hummel's which I knew sold from $8-$12.00 each. I started them at $4.99 and no bids yet.
I listed most of them on FLD here at AW to save the listing cost since the starting bid is so low I did not want to low another 35 cents in fees if I did not have to. If the bidders actually pay - I have already tripled my investment even with the ones I paid to list.
Now I have 300 more to write up and photo and decide to list or wait for a another FLD. Which is exactly why I would like to know which ones are OOP, to help decide which ones are worth paying 35 cents to list.
posted on July 21, 2001 09:07:59 PM
Richie, I don't know much about modern craft books, and I hope someone who does can offer their opinion. But it seems to me that the fact that a book is out of print helps, but rather it is the content, the "name" of the designer, and designs that are the deciding factor as to what sells and for what price.
I am just wondering if you really need to go to the trouble verifying if each book is out of print.
But on the other hand what I know about crafts ends in the 1930's. So I hope an avid cross stitcher turns up to help.
posted on July 21, 2001 09:48:36 PM
Richie: Do any of them have ISBNs? If so, you can search on Amazon using that number (without the dashes) to see if they are out of print. Not all books will turn up, but it can help you weed out a few.
posted on July 21, 2001 09:54:11 PM
I'm your person!!!!!!
I cross stitch, and I bought over 500 at a thrift shop last fall to sell on ebay.
Its really hard to tell what will sell and what won't, and I've made over $500 on cross stich leaflets alone.
A good bet is any leaflet that is on ebay is going to be out of print unless sold by a store. They don't leave them in print very long. Wander down to JoAnn Fabrics or to Michaels or Hobby Lobby tommorrow and see for yourself how few they actually have. Usually a store will order enough for one 'shelf' and that will be all they ever order of that book. I *think* (but don't quote me) that any Lesuire Arts pamplet with a number is out of print, of course there may be some exceptions.
I would almost bet all you have are OOP. I know of no website, but my hunch says they are all OOP because they constantly need to bring out new designs for the avid stitcher.
Its hard to judge which craft books sell and which don't. When I bought 500+ last year, the sign said they were 50¢ each. So I went and picked out about 50. Then when I got to the counter, I was told they were reduced to 10¢ each, and so I bought the whole box. (okay, boxes.) It was a thrift shop, and they gave me a discount for buying so much, and my check was $60.00, so figure the math (5% sales tax and $2.50 in other items.) ANYWAY, when I got home, the ones I had picked out to put on were not my big sellers. An NBA one only brought about $4, but one of a house or something brought $21. Even though I sell them regularly (gonna take about a year to deplete this inventory of them) I can't always judge what will sell well and what won't. But, as for being OOP, I'd wager they *all* are. Mine came from a shop that closed in the early 1990s, and all of mine are OOP
posted on July 22, 2001 04:54:57 AM
I haven't sold much cross-stitch, but if needlepoint or needlework in general is any guide, the "hook" doesn't seem to be print status, it's content. If there is anything specific and special, highlight that, such as dogs, cats, houses [as in the other post here], etc. In the description I try to either list or summarize the patterns included, but that can get pretty time-consuming esp if multiple photos are used.
Can you batch some of them to sell in lots of similar topics?
The other posters are right in saying that these leaflets go out of print almost as soon as they're published. People who buy them on eBay know this, so putting OOP in your listing isn't really necessary.
I list booklets separately if there's something special about them (e.g., collectible animal like unicorn, penguin) or if the booklet is over about 20 pages, or if it's a Prairie Schooler booklet (be sure to put Praririe Schooler in the title). Otherwise I batch them 2-6 at a time by category, such as Christmas, floral, baby designs, country, alphabets, kitchen, towel designs, etc.
In the description, be sure to rate the condition of the booklet. Use your own judgment to determine if it's excellent, very good, good, or fair. Mention the number of pages and/or the number of designs. Give some examples of the designs inside: covers are notorious for showing only 1 design, or going to the other extreme and showing so many that they don't always show up well in a picture. If the charts are in color, mention this. If the former owner made notes inside, say something like "former owner made marginal notes in pencil." Mention the publisher and designer in the description since some people collect by these areas. Also mention the publication date.
If you have any cross stitch magazines, these will almost always need to be batched to sell. Group by title and then by date. You can sell a mixed lot of magazines, but be sure to list all the titles and dates and mention at least 10 of the projects/designs inside.
I start single booklets at about $3.00 (if condition is less than good, drop to $2 or $2.50 to start). I list batches between $4-6 depending on how many, condition, etc. As a buyer, I'm put off by opening bids set much higher than this. A few of my listings have gone really high, about $15 each for Miss Piggy and Garfield leaflets, but most close in the $3-5 range.
If an animal booklet doesn't sell the first time, try re-listing it in the Collectibles:Animals area under the appropriate animal.
posted on July 22, 2001 09:04:09 PM
Thanks for the help everyone.
I will start listing the magazines as a group. I don't have many of them.
I wish I knew which ones are worth the $10-15. I hate spents 35 cents to list a $3.00 item.
I am doing really good I guess, 1 is over $20 and 2 over $15 and 1 over $5. Many with the opening bid of $3.00. But many more with no bid at all. If these are not deadbeats, I have already 3 times my expenses.
Thanks and look forward to reading any other suggestions.
posted on July 22, 2001 09:27:12 PM
My advice is NOT to be concerned about deadbeats. I've sold over $700 of just craft items, and have only had one deadbeat. On a $3 book. The people bidding on craft items are more than WONDERFUL to work with!
posted on July 22, 2001 09:42:44 PM
Jenndiggy1,
If you don't mind me asking way kind of shipping charges do you charge?
I put $1.25 media mail on the first and 50 cents for each additional. I read a several listings and most were $1.25 or up, so I went with it. I have no idea what these run to mail as I usually sell plus size clothing and do only priority mail.
I purchased the envelopes this weekend, 150 for $10.79 - that was the best price I found for 10 X 15 envelopes. I plan to but then in a plastic bag and then put them in the manila envelope. What do you do?
posted on July 22, 2001 10:44:04 PM
Actually, most of mine fit in a regular manila envelope. I don't add a plastic bag, and have never had a problem with it.
They CANNOT be sent media (most can't anyway) as they are not eight pages in length, and according to the post office, any book sent media must be at least 8 pages.
I always charge $1 to mail, unless it is a super thick pattern book. That covers first class postage and the cost of my envie.
I've never had a problem mailing this way, and I've had MANY customers THANK me for shipping this way because it cuts down on costs for them.
The high priced ones I'll take a little more care in shipping, but I've never had a problem shipping just slid into a manila envelope. Dozens and dozens of repeat buyers, so they are happy, as am I! I had one lady buy 8 in one shipment from me, and returned a couple weeks later to buy another 6!
posted on July 22, 2001 10:53:50 PM
You know, I think I read/heard about that 8 page media mail thing and simple forgot about it. I guess for all those already listed they will stay that way. I will take it out on future listings. I did read media mail on many of the listings when I was "researching". So,$1.25 should cover it all anyway - if you only charge $1.00.
I will ask at my not so friendly PO on Tuesday.
I decides to get the 10 X 15 env. because many of the bidders are bidding on several and I wanted to be sure that 4-6 books fit in an env. I thought the 9 X 12 might be to small (althought they were a bit cheaper, 150 $6.49)
posted on July 23, 2001 04:52:13 AM
I bought a DO NOT BEND stamp that I use on envelopes when mailing out thin craft booklets. So far, no complaints about postpersons cramming them into mailboxes.
posted on July 23, 2001 01:36:37 PM
Don't forget about the flat rate priority envelopes. I had a bunch of 'dud' craft books (does anyone drape anymore?) I've been throwing them together in about 15 per lot for a few bucks to get my money back out of them. The duds are relatively thick, and I can get 15-20 in a flat rate envelope, and it costs $3.95 to mail instead of $5.20 or whatever the next step up is. I say in my auctions that the price quoted is for a flat rate envelope, and if they want shipped in a box, it will be more.
The thing with craft books is they are going to be used. They are for the most part NOT collectible (there are a few exceptions, though!) They will be well worn by the time a project is made, usually, and so if they dont' arrive 'minty' (LOL!) its usually not a problem, and the crafters are thrilled to save a little money!
posted on July 23, 2001 06:28:43 PM
A good rule of thumb for out of print books is the 10 year rule. If the book is 10 years old then it is probably out of print (I learned this at a craft message board). Not that this is not always true. Some designers (like Gloria & Pat/Precious Moments & Paula Vaughn)and companies (like Leisure Arts, Stoney Creek) often re-issue popular patterns. I would do a search on certain designers and publishers to see if any of your books are currently listed on their site.
As for shipping, I ship 1st class mail, using actual shipping plus an extra ounce for good measure. I put the leaflet in a folder and mail in a brown envelope. In the winter I also put the folder inside a plasstic baggie type thingy. I put the shipping cost in each auction. You could use a standard amount depending on weight so that you don't have to change the shipping amount in each auction (i.e. $1.25 up to 3oz, $1.50 from 4-6oz)just an example.
Just a quick note if you intend to sell international...write "1st class airmail" to make sure it isn't sent surface and , write "printed matter"...this will keep customs at bay and not cost the buyer extra money as printed matter does not require forms.
