Cheri's Bookseller Returning

Hello Friends,

I would like to apologize for my absence. I am alive and well (that can be debated). It is my hope to have Cheri's Books' office back to 80-90% operation mode by the end of March.

Due to a series of illness and deaths in my family (immediate and extended), I had to step back for a while. It has indeed been a difficult time... I am looking forward to the return of Cheri's Bookseller Blog.

The Sale of Children's Books to be Banned

For Your Information
A colleague sent me this alert and I wanted to share it.
Please read this, even if you don't have children. A must-read for booksellers and anyone who is selling clothing, toys, books, CDs and DVDs.

It is not a hoax--it is entirely true and needs your action immediately. Oh, how I wish this were a joke! But it is a grim and looming, almost Orwellian, reality.

Effective February 10th, in the United States, the sale of all children's books (books intended for children ages 12 and under) is to be PROHIBITED. Every single book printed prior to the ruling is affected, whether new or used. New books in production are required to include a "lead-free" certification and will be the only books that are legal to offer for sale. What does this mean to the homeschooling family? Well, for one, curriculum fairs across the country will be cancelled as book vendors scramble to figure out how to comply with the new ruling. Complete book inventories will have to be destroyed -- the ruling even prohibits giving away the books! Local thrift stores will be hard hit -- most will likely have to close their doors -- yes, even Goodwill and Salvation Army.

Clothing, toys and books -- even CDs and DVDs are included in the ruling. Thrift stores will no longer be able to accept or process anything (including clothing) that would be intended for a child. No more library sales. Libraries will not be permitted to give away or sell book donations. It is unsure yet, however, how the libraries' shelves themselves will be impacted (the ruling doesn't explicitly mention "loaning" books, just selling or giving them away). The key word, however, is "distribution" -- libraries may well be required to destroy books from their shelves. (The ruling that originally passed was about toys, but the EPA has since made a statement that clothing, books and media are included in "children's toys".) Just how serious is this new law? Amazon.com has already notified all vendors of their need to comply. No book can be sold at the Amazon site that was printed prior to compliance. And the "compliance" must be coordinated at the manu- facturing stage.

At the time of this article there is no clause to be able to grandfather-in older books or even rare out-of-print books. It can cost between $500 and $1500 to test a book for lead. If you just happen to own a children's bookstore specializing in living books from the 1950s and '60s. Your punishment for selling a book after February 10th? Up to $100,000 and 5 years in jail. And yes, it is a felony charge. For selling a SINGLE book. (Although I don't think the S.W.A.T. team scenario would become a reality overnight, at the same time I would be leery of blatantly violating Federal law.)

So what can you do to help save your local used bookstore that sells children's books? Or that homeschool curriculum business? Or your EBay business selling children's items? ACT NOW before the quickly approaching deadlines:

1) Email or call the CPSIA - the office of the CPSC ombudsman at 888-531-9070. http://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/newleg.aspx Comments on Component Parts Testing accepted through January 30, 2009.

Or email: Sec102ComponentPartsTesting@cpsc.gov

2) Contact your local representatives. For their contact informa- tion, just enter your zip code. http://capwiz.com/americanapparel/dbq/officials/

3) Make your voice heard by voting on this issue! The top 3 in each category will be presented to President-elect Obama. http://change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia

4) Sign the petition. http://ipetitions.com/petition/economicimpactsofCPSIA/index.html

5) Spread the word! Forward this article. Send an email. Write about this on your blog. Tell others about this issue and encourage them to do the same. ---

For the complete story, read the following links: http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html Consumer Product Safety Commission Summaries on Legislation Index page for Children's Products Containing Lead; Lead Paint Rule and other rulings http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/legislation.html#summaries

Office of the General Counsel FAQ on retroactive inventory require- ments -- The use of forward effective dates appears to force current inventories to adhere to the ruling on February 10th, 2009 http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/summaries/101brief.html

Specific FAQ on their interpretation of books and other media to be included in the testing of lead based products http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/faq/101faq.html

Effective Date: Lead content limit of 600 ppm becomes effective 180 days after enactment. An advisory opinion regarding the application of the new lead limit to inventory existing at the effective date can be found on our web site at http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/advisory/317.pdf

Getting the Lead out: There is no lead in children's books http://news.bookweb.org/news/5695.html

There is no lead in Children's books: From a Pedtrician http://health.yahoocom/experts/childhealth/3955/is-there-lead-in-baby-books/

Please feel free to share this information.

Launching of Cheri's Bookseller Online Network

Cheri's Bookseller Online Network You are invited to check it out, stop by and join other booksellers.
Your feedbacks, comments, and suggestions are welcome.

What is it?
Cheri's Bookseller Online Network is a networking community for anyone selling books online, or interested in selling books online. It is a place to network with other booksellers, submit book lists, share bookselling experiences, view videos, post book sales, discuss topics, make new friends, and much more.

Who is invited to join?
If you are involved in the bookselling industry, you are invited to join. So, if you are a bookseller, author, publisher, bookstore owner, or book collector...

Visit and Join a Bookseller's Community

From Cheri (aka Cheriz)

Happy New Year... 2007

As I welcome... 2007, I wave slowly "Goodbye" to... 2006

The year 2006 was filled with many different experiences, events, and emotions. Throughout the year, I experienced sadness, exhaustion, pain, shock, excitment, happiness, peace, and joy. 2006 brought the sudden death of a close friend here at home, and the increasing number of casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan. Memories will linger always of those...

Gone, but never to be forgotten!

Life is a collection of "learning opportunities! The difficult times, exhaustion, and pain are "character-building" moments. I embrace each day of 2006 and what I learned about myself, the pursuit of a dream, and the power of prayer.

2006 was a year for learning... blogging, children's books, MySpace networking, eBay training, Craig's List, and image management. New ideas... techniques... strategies... skills... resources...

I look toward 2007 with excitement, for there are more mountains to climb, more trails to explore, and a lot more knowledge to acquire. So, I'll see you on the slopes!

I'll be carrying a sack of "Like new, First Edition, Hardcover" books!

Much Success, Happiness, and Peace in 2007

Two cents and the book... Online Bookselling: A Practical Guide with Detailed Explanations and Insightful Tips

Here is my two cents about the book...

Online Bookselling:
A Practical Guide with Detailed
Explanations and Insightful Tips
by Michael E. Mould

After the article in my previous post, I had the opportunity to read the paperback version of

"Online Bookselling: A Practical Guide with Detailed Explanations and Insightful Tips” by Michael E. Mould. I enjoyed reading the book which is a practical, detailed, insightful, and informative resource about selling books online.

Another “Learning Opportunity”

After reading the first chapters, “Why Online Bookselling”, and “What Does It Take to Get Started”, I just could not stop reading the book. I actually read the entire book in two sittings and that was only because I had to get some sleep the first night of reading. The title, “Online Bookselling: A Practical Guide with Detailed Explanations and Insightful Tips” definitely describes the book. No illusions here! Mould’s book is practical, detailed, and insightful. I recommend it to beginner and experienced booksellers as well as anyone interested in selling books online.

Michael E. Mould's delivery of the information, illustrations, and resources is refreshing. His presentation is not written in an “I am the expert” manner but in a “how I did it” manner. It is not heavy-handed, or overwhelming. Mould’s illustrations give a mental picture of what he is explaining in the written content. As I read the book, it felt like the author and I were having a one-on-one conversation with a little “show-and-tell” here and there.

The author, Michael Mould is very generous with the sharing of some powerful bookselling information. It is clear that this bookseller is willing to share his expertise because of his enjoyment of bookselling and the desire to help maintain the integrity of the bookselling business. He stated that if you are going to sell books online… “Do It the Right Way” (may not be the exact wording but it is close). The “Do It the Right Way” philosophy motivates people to buy more books online and this helps all serious online booksellers. The online marketplace is so diverse and large that it is highly profitable for the growing number of booksellers. Well, it was at this point that I got a notepad and started taking notes as I read this “Online Bookselling 101” book.

In the book, you will find detailed information about advertising, book-hunting, bookkeeping, business planning, inventory management, pricing, re-pricing, shipping, and much more. The easy-to-understand book is packed with detailed information, illustrations, and spreadsheets. The author’s advice to “know the value of a book before you buy it” has me reviewing the process of selecting and price checking books. The book provides a better understanding of book ranking, the advantages, and its use. I discovered another wireless lookup service for consideration. It looks like a wireless lookup service subscription is worth the investment.

The chapter, “A Day in the Business” is quite insightful because it provides a better understanding of the many facets associated with online bookselling. The chapter takes you through a typical day of the author as an online bookseller. This close-up look into Mould’s routine and how he handles book-hunting, price checking, order processing, inventory updating, shipping, and re-pricing was indeed very helpful. It is one of my favorite chapters!

A sincere “Thanks” goes to Michael E. Mould
for sharing his information, spreadsheets,
illustrations, and resources in his book.

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"Booksellers' Book & Software Package"
Online Bookselling: A Detailed Guide
Bookkeeping for Booksellers

Check the "Package" Out...It's Worth a Look!

How Do you Know a Book's Value?

People are always asking...
"How Do you Know a Book's Value?"
Well, the answer may be different for each bookseller. It's what works best for you and your business. In a recent article, I found one bookseller's response and wanted to share it with you.

Successful Online Booksellers Avoid Buying Firewood -
Know a Book's Value Before You Buy
By Michael Mould

When I started my online bookselling business almost five years ago, buying books for my inventory was hit and miss. The first couple hundred books were for the most part expensive firewood . Then, I put the Internet to work for me and started looking book values up before I would buy them. At the time, the only way to do this was to call my wife (at home) from my cell phone and tell her the ISBN to look up on the Amazon.com website.

This was awkward and slow, but did allow me to buy more books with a resale vale high enough to make a good profit. I know the stores I was shopping in must have thought I was a bit strange pulling books off the shelves and reading the ISBN's to someone on the receiving end of my phone call, but it did beat buying more firewood.

Then along came the wireless lookup services that let you type an ISBN into your web enabled cell phone and get the latest online prices for that title. Personally, I really like doing this; it is a lot like playing slot machines except that I don't lose. I just type the ISBN number into my phone and wait for the numbers to come up on the screen to see if I have a winner. Of course, some winners sell a lot faster than others, but now, it is rare that I buy firewood and I can usually gauge how long a book will take to sell by the Amazon sales rank that is also provided by the lookup service.

There are very few times that I will buy a book without first looking it up and these can be put in two categories.

1) When I spot a book that I know I have sold before and made a good profit on.

2) When I attend a large library book sale and the prices are low enough that I just buy everything that I think has potential. I always end up with some firewood from these sales, but I have enough experience at online bookselling now that the winners I pick far outweigh the losers.

If you are planning to get into online bookselling and have not already done so, I strongly encourage you to research the wireless lookup services and subscribe to one that suits you. If you go out and blindly buy your inventory, you are likely to stock your bookshelves with firewood.

Many new online booksellers tend to think that if a book is old, or a classic, it would be a good book to sell. The truth is that these types of books are in demand, but the supply tends to be much greater than the demand, and many can be bought online for a penny or two.

My own parents are prolific readers of all kinds of modern publications, e.g., novels, suspense, mystery, and even drama. Every year they buy me a new book for my birthday and/or Christmas. Last year they bought me a new and very popular book at their local bookstore. I didn't want to sound ungrateful, but I hated seeing them spending $29.99 plus tax for a book they could have bought online for $0.15 plus $3.49 for shipping. Since my mom is very active on the Internet, I told her where to look for books and they now buy all their books online.

While this little side story about my parents does not have a lot to do with wireless lookup services, it does demonstrate that even the books you might think would be good online sellers because they are still in the front window displays of the local bookstores are not always profitable online sellers. There is no direct correlation between brick and mortar store prices and online selling prices. If you are going to sell online, the brick and mortar store prices are irrelevant, you need to know the online price and demand.

To further emphasize the irrelevance, about 70% of my online inventory comes from the clearance shelves of a brick and mortar bookstore. They have no demand for these books and cannot sell them, so they put them on their clearance shelves and I buy them for about $0.90. I have bought dozens of books from these clearance shelves and sold them for $50+ in the last couple months alone. Several others have sold for $150+.

The point is, as an online bookseller you need to know the online value and demand for a book BEFORE you buy it and there are several lookup services available to you for $5.00 to $30.00 per month. Any one of which will pay for itself in the first hour of book scouting that you use it.

Michael E. Mould is the author of, "Online Bookselling: A Practical Guide with Detailed Explanations and Insightful Tips", ISBN 1599714876, published February 2006. If you would like to learn more about online bookselling, please visit: http://www.online-bookselling.com/ If you have questions about wireless lookup services, please email Michael at: mike@online-bookselling.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Mould

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Online Bookselling: A Practical Guide with Detailed Explanations and Insightful Tips (Paperback)

Get your Copy Today!

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How Do You Find a Book's Value?
Feel free to post your answers, or comments.

Children’s Picturebook Price Guide - Review

Here's my Two Cents...

 Well, I just finished browsing the Children’s Picturebook Price Guide for the fifth time. I have hardly put the book down since I received it.

First... It is quite evident throughout the book that the authors researched their topic well. The book content includes over 20,000 book values, First Edition identification points, and little-known facts about various illustrators.The information-packed book is an excellent companion to Elaine K. Smith's book, Most Valuable Children's Picture Books.

If you are interested in collecting, or selling children's picture books, I highly recommend this book as a "must-have" bookselling resource. The Price Guide includes over 20,000 book values, First Edition indentification points, and other helpful information illustrators.

That's my two-cents... and I going bookhuntin'!

If you own the book (or purchase the book),
be sure to post your thoughts or comments.