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Topic: Indie bookstores
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N.R.KISSED
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1258
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posted 11 June 2007 06:04 PM
Also in TorontoShe said Boom -College E. of Bathurst and Roncesvales, south of Dundas Pandemonium in the Junction and Zoinks Bloor west of Dovercourt
From: Republic of Parkdale | Registered: Aug 2001
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Sven
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 9972
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posted 05 August 2008 10:58 AM
quote: Originally posted by jrose: The decline in Feminist bookstores in Canada is remarkably depressing, especially while searching for book-related events to add to rabble’s book lounge. This article cites only four left in existence, at least one of which has shut its doors.
It strikes me that the genesis of independent bookstores was based on two needs: (1) the creation of venues in which to find information not otherwise available and (2) the creation of spaces in which like-minded people could get together to share ideas and establish relationships based on a common interest. With the advent of the Internet, sharing ideas and information no longer requires books. And, the Internet is less costly (rearranging electrons doesn’t cost nearly as much as processing trees for print), so more people can participate in information sharing (not just those few who can manage to get a book published). And, for books that are published, it’s far more cost-effective to purchase them from independent publishers directly (rather than having to build/lease and operate/heat/light brick-n-mortar buildings). The second goal can still be achieved (and is achieved)—without having the concern of keeping a business out of the red—through other activities. Meeting at a bookstore, per se, is not essential for that to occur. As an aside, I have a hard time going to bookstores anymore (I particularly used to love to thumb through books in used bookstores). It used to be that going into a brick-n-mortar used bookstore was the only way I could find good, used books. Now, I rely almost exclusively on abebooks.com (a world-wide network of about 30,000 booksellers, few of whom operate a walk-in store). If a book was published, it’s very likely available from an independent seller on that site (and usually available from many such sellers). I can usually select from scores of books under the same title and make a decision based on the books’ relative condition and price.
From: Eleutherophobics of the World...Unite!!!!! | Registered: Jul 2005
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bigcitygal
Volunteer Moderator
Babbler # 8938
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posted 05 August 2008 11:28 AM
As delightful as your uninformed and consistently anti-independent-bookstore scribes are, Sven, you are incorrect about the role and importance they have played for the past several decades in Canada and the U.S. and still do play, for those who wish to engage in community. There is more to community than the internet, if one chooses. So you don't. Fine.Independent and small bookstores have always been places for lesser known authors to develop an audience. Forgoing the lefty slant, they have been and are places for communities, and neighbourhood communities, to connect. Specialty bookstores have cultivated specific audiences, through in-person interactions (I know, I'm so 20th century). This is not at all the same as the internet, including sites like rabble. As for purchasing, it depends. If you know exactly what title you want, then it may be cheaper to purchase directly from the publisher. However many small publishers charge shipping fees. Which if one is ordering all their books online one will be paying anyways. If all you want is the cheapest, then you will get the world that you deserve. Walmart anyone? [ 05 August 2008: Message edited by: bigcitygal ]
From: It's difficult to work in a group when you're omnipotent - Q | Registered: Apr 2005
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Sven
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 9972
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posted 05 August 2008 12:10 PM
quote: Originally posted by bigcitygal: Specialty bookstores have cultivated specific audiences, through in-person interactions (I know, I'm so 20th century). This is not at all the same as the internet, including sites like rabble.
quote: Originally posted by bigcitygal: There is more to community than the internet, if one chooses.
I completely agree that in-person interaction is important—vital, actually. In fact, I think that Internet-only interaction, despite the doors of communication that it opens, can, ironically, be very isolating. The Internet is a useful tool but nothing creates human connections like interacting in person. My only quibble is that the independent bookstore is not uniquely and necessarily the best place for that to occur. But, that’s a matter of opinion and preference (and, given the decline of independent bookstores, that may be the opinion of more than just me). quote: Originally posted by bigcitygal: As for purchasing, it depends. If you know exactly what title you want, then it may be cheaper to purchase directly from the publisher.
That’s the downside of not going to a brick-n-mortar bookstore: It’s more difficult to simply browse and find something by chance. But, if you know what you want, finding the best price is easy on the ‘net. It’s definitely a trade-off. quote: Originally posted by bigcitygal: If all you want is the cheapest, then you will get the world that you deserve. Walmart anyone?
I don’t know about you, but I don’t have unlimited financial resources. So, I look for what I want/need (first) and then try to find the best price (second). I rarely look for what is simply the cheapest—particularly in books! quote: Originally posted by bigcitygal: ...your uninformed and consistently anti-independent-bookstore scribes...
I’m not “anti” independent bookstores. I’m an independent bookstore agnostic. If people want them in enough numbers, then they will be there. If not, they won’t.
From: Eleutherophobics of the World...Unite!!!!! | Registered: Jul 2005
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bigcitygal
Volunteer Moderator
Babbler # 8938
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posted 05 August 2008 12:33 PM
quote: Sven: If people want them in enough numbers, then they will be there. If not, they won’t.
Spoken like a free marketeer. You have no idea the illegal activities the big box stores in Canada and the U.S. have done in order to ensure that they will dominate the market. This is not a simple case of the theory of capitalism, which is flawed anyways. Independent bookstores have declined because corporate bookstores use techniques such as loss leaders, unlimited and damaged returns, deeply discounted books that they actually lose money on, delayed payments to publishers to the tune of 6 months to a year, poorly paid non-unionized staff, many of the classic ways in which corporate owners run business to maximize profits. The problem with this model in this instance is that books (in Canada for sure, I'm less knowledgeable about the US) are hugely subsidized by government grants and funding: the markup on books is miniscule, compared to other retail such as clothing. This is not an industry that has huge profit margins, hence why Indiglo sells all those lifestyle products such as candles and yoga mats.
From: It's difficult to work in a group when you're omnipotent - Q | Registered: Apr 2005
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