posted on October 1, 2001 07:53:19 PM
For a number of reasons, we've decided it's time to get out of the auction business. It's just not working for us anymore, and we're so burned out that right now I'm dreading even going near my computer -- this from someone with a serious internet addiction. <wry grin>
Anyway, after I ship out the last of the books that people have paid for, I'm going to be left with a lot of inventory -- somewhere in the vicinity of 400 - 600 books, I'm guessing.
Any ideas on where I might find a buyer for such a large lot of books? And how much should I ask? They're mostly textbooks and educational books, but there's other stuff too. I live in the Tampa Bay area, if that helps.
posted on October 1, 2001 07:56:54 PM
How about selling your business on Ebay? Just a thought. I know it is against ebay rules to sell your EBAY ID, but there is probably nothing wrong with selling your auction business, as long as the buyer starts their own ebay ID.
posted on October 1, 2001 08:06:04 PM
Heck - I'd be interested in them. But the value of textbooks can be so variable. I bought one large lot of textbooks. Made good money on some and sold none of the others. Overall it worked out but it's chancy. They have to be *recent* and still being used. Also, I've found that July/August is the big textbook season. I'm not saying you don't sell the rest of the year but that's definitely the best time.
Or you might want to consider selling them on half.com or Amazon. Granted, this takes time but it might be worth your while.
posted on October 1, 2001 08:06:36 PM
I have thought about trying to sell the business on eBay, as the domain name and website will also be up for grabs. I'm even willing to do a full website re-design if I get a decent price -- otherwise, they can have the domain name and the six months of hosting that's already paid for, and after that they're on their own.
As for why I don't want to sell them on half.com -- I don't want to have to deal with shipping, customers, or any of the work that goes with selling books online. And I want these books out of my house muy pronto!
If I sell it on eBay, it'll have to be either a local buyer who can pick up, or someone who's willing to arrange for freight themselves. I'll stack the stuff in boxes and slap on some tape, but I'm not loading 'em into my car, and I'm definitely not taking 'em to the post office.
For that matter, if I never set foot in the post office again, I'll be happy. And so will the postal clerks.
posted on October 1, 2001 08:15:09 PM
I went to your web site and read a main reason why you are leaving the auction business. I hope everything turns out well. You have a nicely designed web site.
posted on October 1, 2001 08:22:50 PM
Discoverbooks - it is not hard to ship all those books. Get some large boxes and fill them up. Call UPS for a home/business pickup. Will cost you a couple of dollars extra for one pickup - regardless of number of boxes.
UPS also takes very heavy boxes. It will cost much less to ship a heavy box than several lighter ones. If done right, should not be that many boxes.
posted on October 1, 2001 08:32:52 PM
Commentary said, "Get some large boxes and fill them up. Call UPS for a home/business pickup. Will cost you a couple of dollars extra for one pickup - regardless of number of boxes.
UPS also takes very heavy boxes."
Just keep in mind you have one UPS driver who has to carry these heavy boxes from your house, instead of filling up one large box maybe several smaller boxes would be the way to go?
posted on October 1, 2001 08:42:39 PM
No - several small boxes versus one big box is not the way to go. It costs a lot more for the several box versus one big box. I learned that lesson the hard way. One can easily check by doing some rate quotes with UPS.
Also, seller has about 400 to 600 books. Should be around 1200 lbs. I think maybe 12 boxes of 100 lbs each is the way to go. The 100 lb weight is well below the UPS weight limit.
posted on October 1, 2001 08:45:07 PM
I can understand why you are bailing out, but I would suggest that you consider transitioning--it might pay just to put everything in storage until you can get a decent price on your books.
I would sell them in 10 book lots by subject for ease. $9.99 BINs... less than a buck a book. Hire some kid to help you list and pack for pizza and pop.
posted on October 1, 2001 08:50:26 PM
Rima, I went to your website, too. Just a few thoughts-I've no idea how long you've been thinking about all this. Obviously this is a really bad time for you, but you have a really nice website and have put a lot of work into your business. It would be a shame to let all that go to waste. Can you take a leave of absence instead? Maybe make the serious decision to quit in a few weeks or months? Throw the books in a closet or in the attic and forget about them for awhile, then re-assess later. You might find you miss the people at the post office.
posted on October 1, 2001 08:59:13 PM
Rima,
Sorry to hear about your bad times. My suggestions to you is to put your website back up, get your books together, and visit a business broker. There are business brokers who specialize in small business, and home business, and you're likely to find the best value selling your business as a whole.
If you sell your inventory alone, you get the value of the inventory. There are intangibles to consider when valuing your business, such as the value of the website you developed, the value of your auction feedback, your customers. A business broker would help you put a value on all of this.
posted on October 1, 2001 09:14:34 PM
I've actually been thinking about getting out of the business all summer. I've been incredibly burned out since, oh, May or June, and if that wasn't reason enough, it's been getting harder and harder for us to make a living this way. We couldn't possibly afford to hire anyone to take Josh's place (if anyone knows where I can find a computer programmer/hardware tech/network administrator/photographer/merchandise packer/bookkeeper/ who'll work for less than minimum wage, please let me know!) and even if Josh could still work, it's barely paying the bills.
It's just time to cut my loses and move on. <shrug> I'd never planned to do this forever, and I need to find a line of work that will let me support both of us on just my salary -- and quite frankly, I'm looking forward to doing something different. I was never one to stick to any one job for more than a few years, and I've been at this one for more than three years now.
But thank you, all of you, for your advice and encouragement. I'll probably miss these discussion boards more than anything else...
posted on October 1, 2001 09:21:47 PM
"No - several small boxes versus one big box is not the way to go. It costs a lot more for the several box versus one big box. I learned that lesson the hard way. One can easily check by doing some rate quotes with UPS."
Sigh - you missed my point Commentary. I wasn't referring to the cost aspect but the difficulty for the UPS driver to carry one extremely heavy box.
I surely wish I could help. About 5 years ago, I would have run right over - I'm an ex-resident of Indian Rocks Beach! Now I'm about as far away as I can be - Central WA.
Good luck to you in the future! (I too am rearranging my priorities, making eBay and auctions third on my list of where to sell.)
Have you tried any of the campus bookstores? I don't know what level of textbooks you have. Or maybe, since it's a big load, you might put an ad in your local paper under garage sales, but make it by appointment only. I'm sure there must be an Amazon/Abe/other bookseller near you.
posted on October 1, 2001 09:56:09 PM
kyriaki - I did not miss your point. We are not talking a couple of dollars difference. The cost differential is huge. To ship 1200 lbs of books with a much more costly method cannot be justified.
The UPS guy/gal have a job to do. As a seller, you also have a job to do. If you really feel bad, ship it with the heavy boxes and give the UPS guy/gal a case of wine or couple cases of beer.
By the way, I think UPS suppose to take boxes up to around 150 lbs. I am not recommending such heavy boxes since it may not make the trip without breaking.
posted on October 2, 2001 05:31:05 AM
Good for you discoverybooks -- I backed out of full time selling about six months ago. I was running 300 to 500 auctions a week and just kept spinning my wheels getting no were fast after 4 plus years on Ebay. I sold a big chunk of me inventory at public auction (the orginial LIVE versions). I actually made out better than on Ebay. The auctionneer picks everything up and you get a check at the end -- and do not see the merchandise ever again.
However, I will say after you get over the Burn out period and it takes six months.. You may want to start listing a few things again. I started listing some things again 20 to 30 things a week - and only things I think will have a chance to sell. It is a controllable couple of hours a week. You get a little extra money. Thus - I would suggest you keep what you know are some of the better items. Keep a small box and in Jan and Feb when it is cold and bluster outside spend a few hours a week and list a few things.
I know my profitablility has sky rocketed since I do not have to maintain a cash flow from my aucitons to pay the weekly bills. I am now very very picky at what I buy and list.
