Taking the piss...

[Yesyoudoknowme]

I totally get that Covid has screwed many businesses and that some have to try anything to survive. However one business has now lost my custom forever. It was a second hand bookshop. A big one. VERY big. Their books are all donated (except the vintage ones possibly). Prior to lockdown they had a huge warehouse and they had hundreds of thousands of books (literally). They were £1 each. (except vintage which in general were £2). Went back recently and due to the requirements of SD the layout has changed, so far fewer books on the shelves they are now in the warehouse and you have to look up on a computer what you want, fill out a single form for each book with their reference number on it - give it to them and they will find it and bring it out. (I had 20 and it took about 10 mins for them to get them, so not a long wait). All fair enough - until I realised that every book was now £2! A 100% increase! Vintage books are now £4.
I used to spend a LOT of money there, but no more. I wouldn't spend £2 on a book from a charity shop, why would I from this seller? AIBU? Is 100% price rise acceptable?

This will be revealed as some kind of reverse, won't it...
No one would be stupid enough to admit to this level of stinginess on public forum😂
Or would they....

Where is this magical place??

@giletrouge

Is this the Bookbarn in Somerset? You know they are losing money, right? And were even before Covid? Show the poor sods some love, 2nd hand books are never going to make anyone rich even if you've got a bazillion of them to sell!

I immediately thought of the Book Barn too! I used to love going there when I was in that area. I miss it!

Sounds a brilliant idea and prices will be set based on their costs v demand, Ie how much they need to stay afloat. Two quid sounds a great price and a great idea.

So I’m not sure if you’re being serious or what here?

Second hand book fiend here. £2 is still v.cheap when you compare it to Oxfam's prices!

Wow this sounds more like a charity than a business model as so inexpensive! I am wondering how how they can afford the operating costs, business rents, rates, labour especially if the donations try up because of economic outlook? For curiosity where and which shop is it exactly?

As PP said £2 per book is cheap compared to the charity shop's near me. Give them a break, or vote with your feet if you really think it's an unreasonable price. I'm in Somerset soon for a short break so I'll look up the place linked above, it sounds perfect to me if the books are only £2 each.

Ooh where is this? I rarely find secondhand books for £2.

There were shut for months and now they have a covid secure but labour intensive new process. As pp have said, have a word with yourself.

What is unreasonable is that they have only put their price up by 100%

They maintain a warehouse and the admin to find and give you the book you want. Even a dog eared book that you have been looking for is worth
more than a pound!

Obviously you don’t mind if they go out of business then. Think if the month you’ll save when you have no books to buy.

Wow £2 each a bargain. Probably covers (some) of the extra costs of new guidelines.

YABVVU

Think of the money you’ll save...

I wish this shop was near me (NE Scotland) sounds like a dream place! £2 per book is incredibly cheap.

I live about 200yards from a tiny, but wonderful second hand bookshop, his prices start from about £2, and to me, its like Aladdin's Cave, love to spend an hour or two there, and usually coming home with about five books.

It sounds amazing, what bookshop is it?

Had your arse handed to you pretty comprehensively, OP, so I doubt you'll be back. However, if I'm wrong, I join the chorus of "where is it please?"

Tell us you’re the owner trying to drum up business 🤣

No way on earth anyone would be annoyed st spending £2 on a book.

Sounds great!

I had a quick add up the other day of books I had bought second hand and how much I had saved from not buying new - it was hundreds of pounds. £2 a book is still a bargain and yes, people do need to protect their businesses.

£2 is crazy cheap - how lucky you are to have such a business nearby. If I were you I'd take a look elsewhere and then suck it up buttercup before they have to close down!

Where are you taking your custom instead then?

Talk about an over reaction 🤣

Where do you intend to buy your second hand books from now? Have you another £1 per book book shop near by?

That's cheaper than charity shops charge round my way, and because of Covid they must have higher staff costs with all the book-fetching going on.

I think the Book Barn sounds fab and will definitely visit next time we're in the area. I wish we had something like it in Sussex.

you can get free books online if you prefer is it not a charity shop then

No, £2 is extortionate. They should just accept the collapse of their business and suck it up.

Stop being daft. If you love this place so much, £2 is nothing in the grand scheme of things to keep it open.