the book people

[rhubarbcrumbles]

Sadly, just seen that the Book People have gone into adminstration. Just thought I'd mention it in case anybody was going to place a last minute order for Xmas like I was about to.

Very sad for all the staff there.

It’s very sad - although they are in administration they are still trading while they find a buyer. Retail is a very tough industry right now.

Oh love the book people have bought loads every Christmas and during the year

”Toby Underwood, joint administrator and a partner at PwC, said The Book People would continue to trade as a rapid sale of the business was explored.
“The intention is to fulfil and deliver all customer orders received and accepted,” Underwood said.“

They’re still trading, for now anyway. The same article said there’d be no immediate job losses. Hopefully they’ll work something out.

Shit. That's awful.

I'm really surprised as I've ordered a lot from them over the years. I hope they're able to rescue the business, such an awful position for staff in Wales to be in.

Authors on twitter are saying that they sold some books so cheaply that the authors made as little as 2p a copy. I must admit I hadn't considered that side of the business model if it's true but I doubt it's different to Amazon selling kindle books for 99p.

The poor staff!

I’ve just placed an order in support! (Just one book - I have bought tonnes of books for Christmas already including second hand )

2p a copy x thousands of books sold isn’t too bad - presumably it’s all about volume?

The works also sell similar sets for similar prices so it’s a common model.

Oh no! I use them loads! Had quite a big order delivered at the end of last week. Hope they find a buyer

I hope they do as well. I don't think there is much profit for authors in books since the net book agreement was scrapped some time in the 1990s.

2p a copy x thousands of books sold isn’t too bad - presumably it’s all about volume

That's £20 for a LOT of work.

It’s a real shame. They’re brilliant for collections.

We used to have them come into my school. The books would be left in the staffroom and lots of us would buy. However, when the whole GDPR thing happened, they were no longer allowed to come into the staffroom due to confidential information. They put them in a quiet corner near reception for a while?”, but because none of us went there, obviously we didn’t buy. I’m guessing this happened in a lot of other places. I know the rep really wasn’t happy about it. It’s a shame.

Binglebong I’m a order of magnitude out aren’t I!

Otoh things I’ve bought cheaply on book people include Mog sets and Moomins, Enid Blyton, Dahl - the huge selling authors. On balance I’d rather classics like that were sold cheaply and reached a wider audience.

I wouldn't worry - most people are. The idea of the famous author who lives off their work is firmly entrenched. Sadly even well known authors still have a 9-5 to survive.

I placed a Christmas order weeks ago not received it all. No contact been a happy customer for years never an issue. Worried now we not going to get in time for Christmas or at all.

Sorry, that should have said many well know authors.

I'm waiting for an order too. Currently just says pending. Can't decide if I should chase.

I rang them yesterday as they’d sent the wrong box set in error. They sent the correct one out that day, received it today, told me to keep the one they’d sent in error. Fab service and I’d have bought from them again, shame to hear.

I've had so many books from them over the years, I can't believe it!

I received all my Christmas orders, hoping everyone else did too. Their website seems to be up and running and I'm still getting daily emails with deals. Has anyone chanced an order after Christmas? It seems a bit of a gamble but I probably wouldn't miss £20 in the long run and it'd be a bonus if I did receive some books ready for Christmas's in the future if they won't be around.

Got our stuff too - funny, I was looking at dd’s books, so many came from book people.

Hi, can anyone recommend other sites (apart from amazon) to buy cheap children's books now that bookpeople are no longer in business? Thanks!

@kerstinmomof1, I've used Lowplex. They're similar prices but don't also have discounts on top (which is probably what sent Book People under!).

@NoWordForFluffy
Thanks, will check them out!