Lisa & Leon Martin – Global Book Mart

URL: http://www.gbmbooks.com

What is your purpose in starting an online book database (i.e., to help online booksellers, to get a database that does what you think a book database should do, because it’s a good business to be in, all of the above, none of the above, or ????).

Global Book Mart, in its new incarnation, is a continuation of our original philosophy and intent in launching Global Book Mart in 1999. We created a book database conceived by booksellers for the express purpose of maintaining an independent database that is not interested in creating a brand name for itself. GBM does not want to position itself between the bookseller and the customer, but instead to be a conduit for customers to find booksellers, and booksellers to attract customers.

GBM has always taken the stand that we must remain independent in order to serve our customers. This philosophy was developed from our perspective as booksellers who experienced the early days of online bookselling on Interloc onward, watching the evolution of the book database, with both the good and not-so-good consequences.

Is this a long-term commitment on your part? Where do you see yourself and your database in three years? 5 years?

This has been a commitment of more than 3 years to date. GBM publicly launched in 1999 with 85 dealers. GBM grew to more than 940 dealers with more than 4.6 million book records by August, 2000. Our hiatus from the online book industry was not voluntary.

In August of 2000, we learned that owning your equipment and owning your proprietary programming does not necessarily afford protection from unscrupulous parties. The computer programming firm retained to perform work on GBM demanded that we pay them approximately $187,000 which was not provided for in our contract, or in the alternative, to relinquish to them a controlling interest in GBM, or they would commandeer our equipment (which was physically housed in their facility to have a direct T1 connection), programming and data.

These same programmers used our equipment to pirate the GBM database and bookseller data for use on a website they registered, http://www.bookcrawler.net which included the use of all of our proprietary code and copyrighted materials, with the exception of changing the name. We were even told by one of these parties that should GBM booksellers not be willing to contract with their new site, these programmers intended to purchase inventory and duplicate the efforts of booksellers. We consulted our attorney and notified all of our booksellers of these events on August 10, 2000. Within 2 hours of our notifying our booksellers, the programmers physically unplugged our servers and severed communications. We want to again thank our customers who emailed, phoned and faxed our former programmers with cease and desist demands.

At this point, our world was turned upside down. In addition to withholding our property, these programmers managed to transfer registration of our URLs to a secondary registration company–which, while recognizing that Leon and I were listed as the owners of those URLs, would not release control of the URLs to us without the written permission of the party who transferred the registrations to them, our programmers, who, in turn, refused to do so.

Appeals to Network Solutions failed to resolve the control of the registration. Litigation and 18 months were required before we regained control of our URLs in March 2002. Ultimately, Leon and I have personally lost tens of thousands of dollars, and in order to pursue litigation, and rebuild our personal lives, sold our home and liquidated our book inventory.

We immediately commenced legal action against these parties. We are still engaged in that litigation. The defendants were ordered to return all of our property to us. The defendants failed to return our property and were held in contempt. However, the defendants have subsequently admitted in court hearings that they destroyed our equipment, code and other property upon receiving communications from our attorney. The court imposed sanctions upon the defendants, including striking a portion of their court pleadings. The case is awaiting a trial date on damages. We anticipate the trial to be scheduled for sometime this summer.

We are rebuilding GBM for the long-term. Our goal is to continue to evolve to meet the needs and desires of booksellers and their customers as those needs and desires change over time.

What lister book database inventory programs do you/will you support?

GBM will support all book inventory programs. Additionally, as in the past, we will add new formats from individual booksellers on an as requested basis.

What are your upload procedures? Deletion procedures? Are “wants” listings available? For sale matches? Are any additions/changes planned?

Uploads will be available via FTP (and we will offer a downloadable FTP interface), as well as a custom, onsite upload interface.

We will offer a wants listing/matching service for booksellers and customers.

What customer service (for both sellers and buyers) do you/will you have?

As always, booksellers and customers alike, will be able to contact GBM via email, fax or phone. When you contact customer service, you deal directly with Leon and myself, the owners. The buck stops here. We currently have a feedback option on our site, and will continue to do so. We encourage booksellers and customers to contact us.

Will you/do you have any quality (i.e., descriptions, shipping, and/or customer service) standards for your listers? If so, what will be/are the consequences of violating those standards?

We have always included bookseller guidelines as a condition of participation with GBM. Should customers experience unsatisfactory transactions, then we encourage them to contact us for investigation. Should a bookseller demonstrate an inability or unwillingness to perform to industry standards, then GBM has the choice of terminating our relationship with that dealer. By the same token, as long-term booksellers, we understand the realities of bookselling and customer relations. As such, we have a realistic understanding of such situations and are hopefully in a position to make reasonable conclusions based on the facts presented to us.

What are your technical arrangements (in non-technical language, please) to ensure reliability of service? Future growth? Additional services?

We have state-of-the-art equipment (light-years ahead of what we had previously), we have a direct DS3 line (the equivalent of 28 T1 lines) as well as satellite capabilities in the near future. Having direct access ensures the highest level of up-time–subject to the phone lines, and whether a backhoe cuts a line somewhere between here and a particular user. Our equipment is expandable for future growth. Our available capacity allows for nearly exponential growth rates. This also allows advanced services such as website hosting, image hosting, etc.

Will you/do you have the capability of taking credit card info for orders? If so, what can you tell us about the safety procedures you have or will have in place to ensure the security of such info?

GBM will provide a secure server for the storage of customer credit card information. As before, dealers will have to log on to the GBM secure server to retrieve that information in order to process their credit card sales transactions.

Do you ever plan to process credit card orders through your database (rather than simply passing on the info to the lister) and, if so, will the lister or buyer bear the processing cost, and how long will it take to get payment to the lister?

No.

Do you have any plans for programs associated with your database which would involve anything other than direct contact between seller and buyer?

No.

Do you have or do you plan to have an “all word search” capability?

Yes, it is called ‘exact’ match in our search parameters and works in multiple fields, as well as partial word(s), starting and ending search features as well.

What search capabilities does your database have now? What is planned for the future?

Search parameters include title, author, price, keywords, publisher, ISBN, (or any combination thereof) all of which can be sorted by those variables or in reverse order.

On what will you base your listing fees? What fees do you have now or plan to have?

We will have a flat monthly listing fee, without a restriction on the number of records. We will offer additional services, such as website hosting, image hosting, etc, which will be optional for booksellers.

Do you plan to have or now have your database searched by Addall or Bookfinder or any other mega-search site?

Yes.

How do you plan to advertise your database (both to draw listers and buyers)?

Our philosophy on advertising has not changed. You won’t see full-page ads for GBM in the New York Times. Our experience has been that advertising and networking that builds word-of-mouth is the most successful. As before, we will pursue online links, advertising and networking which successfully drives online buyers to a site. We will also focus on building word of mouth via sources that book buyers will encounter. Finally, networking with booksellers, and promotion of use of GBM for their customers will be pursued, including booksellers who are not online sellers. We will continue to offer bookmarks, mugs, shirts, etc. to our sellers and customers.

What background or experience do you or other people involved with your database have that relates to the online book or online book database business?

Leon and Lisa Martin have managed and owned open bookstores since 1991, and have been online booksellers since 1996. We made the jump to database owners in 1999. In other business and professional experience: Leon has previously worked in retail and service management, owned and operated a hazardous materials cleanup and excavation business, and owned a computer hardware business; Lisa is an attorney, having practiced in the area of employment law, as well as many years in public interest law.

Do you or are you planning to have professional management, bookseller management, or????

We will continue to own and operate GBM. Leon and Lisa personally manage GBM operations. That will not change. Period.

What markets (geographical and/or demographic) are you aiming at?

As always, GBM is focused upon cultivation of a global clientele for our booksellers and to promote the globalization of the online book buying community, including our multi-lingual features.

What services/features does your database have that you feel sets you apart and/or will ensure the success of your database?

GBM has always been an innovative, independent book database. That attitude and forward-looking perspective continues today. We will offer the services we had before, but now with a faster site. Additionally, during our hiatus, we have had the opportunity to reflect upon the state of the online book database and new projects are in development.

Bob Fleck & Jelle Samshuijzen – ILAB/LILA

From: Bob Fleck and Jelle Samshuijzen

URL: http://www.ilab-lila.com/

(EDITOR’S NOTE: PLEASE NOTE THAT ILAB IS A MEMBERS’ ONLY DATABASE, BUT INFORMATION WILL GIVEN AT THE END OF THIS INTERVIEW ABOUT HOW TO JOIN THE ORGANIZATION.)

What is your purpose in starting a online book database (i.e., to help online booksellers, to get a database that does what you think a book database should do, because it’s a good business to be in, all of the above, none of the above, or ????).

Bob Fleck: It is first necessary to explain a bit about us before answering your question. The International League of Antiquarian Booksellers is an organization that encompasses national associations of antiquarian booksellers around the world. It speaks for twenty nations and two thousand leading booksellers. Its sign stands for the integrity and professionalism of the trade worldwide.

Beginnings: The League (or ILAB, as it is often known among English-speakers; LILA among French) was founded in Amsterdam at a meeting of major European booksellers in 1947. It was born of the spirit of international cooperation and fuelled by the determination to sweep away national differences that inspired the postwar world. Since that time its aims, objects and ideals have been adopted across the continents, and the ILAB network now extends into America, Asia and the Southern Hemisphere.

Objects: The objects formulated in 1947 are still little changed. Put briefly, they are to uphold and improve professional standards in the trade, to promote honorable conduct in business, and to contribute in various ways to a broader appreciation of the history and art of the book.

The Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America (ABAA) first started a data base a number of years ago and rapidly saw that the internet was going to be a global phenomena and not just one restricted to America. Our representatives on the Committee that oversaw the day-to-day operations of ILAB pointed out to that Committee that ILAB as an organization should develop a site for all member booksellers. The site was turned on in March of 1999. We then introduced a database with secure credit card ordering.

We have a two fold purpose to having this website: First and most important we wanted to tell the internet world who we were – a group of the most experienced booksellers in the world who had to meet stringent requirements to become a member. Ethics are enforced by each member country of ILAB to a degree not found in any other website devoted to the sale of books. This combination of experience, expertise in describing books, and consumer protection is a fabulous story to tell especially in what is sometimes seen as the “wild-west” of internet bookselling. Our second purpose was to provide one of the best technical sites on the web for the sale of books at as low a price as possible to our members. Our webmaster company, Rockingstone, located in the Netherlands, has done that for us.

Our webmaster keeps track of statistics for us and we have seen a very large increase in visits (and purchases) at our website. These visitors do much more that just buy books, they look at an average of 7.3 other pages of information about ILAB. One of the frequently used functions of the website is the link which allows searches for dealers by specialty. This means we are benefiting all members of ILAB, including those without computers.

Is this a long-term commitment on your part? Where do you see yourself and your database in 3 years? 5 years?

Bob: There are about 2000 members of ILAB of which over 300 are now actively placing around 2 million of the best books available on the web in our searchable database. We have seen that web technology is rapidly becoming as mainstream in other parts of the world as it has become in the U.S. As more and more of our foreign members join, the site will continue to improve in its diversity of rare books in all languages. The combination of the best rare books and the only true consumer protection offered will continue to make us a serious contender in the future of web bookselling. We own our site and do not have to worry about hiding the identities of our booksellers, charging a percentage of the sale, or any of the other problems that face for-profit databases. As more non-ILAB booksellers see what we are doing, I believe that there will be a large increase in the number of them who seek membership in the individual country organizations (such as the ABAA in the US).

What lister book database inventory programs do you/will you support?

Jelle Samshuijzen: We support a lot of different database inventory programs like: BookEase Pro, BookMinder, RS BookStore, HomeBase, BookTrakker Pro, BookMate, RecordManager, MS Access, File-Maker, etc. Both Windows and Mac files.

What are your upload procedures? Deletion procedures? Are “wants” listings available? For sale matches? Are any additions/changes planned?

Jelle: The ILAB-LILA Books Database accepts 6 main types of import files: tilde-delimited, tab-delimited, “Comma Separated Value” (CSV), UIEE, ABE, and Alibris PRV files. First the bookseller sends an example file to the Support Desk so they can create the settings and then booksellers can upload their files to the website as “total update”, “additions and changes” or “deletions”. An FTP account is also possible. These uploads are added to the database within 24 hours (usually much faster). Individual listings can also be altered on line. There is a wants service in place and we will soon be implementing the possibility of uploading wants files, which is ideal for libraries.

What customer service (for both sellers and buyers) do you/will you have?

Jelle: For customers we have a mailing list, wants service and offer multiple search methods including catalogues.

For the ILAB national associations and their members the website offers the possiblity of sending emails to all members of the ILAB community, there is a free downloadable database, one can add images with their books, and a stolen books list.

Very soon we will be offering members the possibility of having their own homepage, which will include the Personal Search Page feature. This will ensure that members will have their own URL, “www.ilab-lila.com/membersname.htm” and their own email address, “membersname@ilab-lila.com”

Another service to come soon is our “highlights” feature. For a small fee dealers will be able to add their books to “highlights” gallery, putting them as it were in the shop window.

Will you/do you have any quality (i.e., descriptions, shipping, and/or customer service) standards for your listers? If so, what will be/are the consequences of violating those standards?

Bob: This question pinpoints one of the great strengths of ILAB. Although one can never provide strict standards for the way books are described, we can promise the buyer that the dealer selling the book has experience and must meet the general ethical standards of ILAB and the more specific ethical standards each member country of ILAB must have. If you are found not to have met the standards, you will be asked to leave the organization – it is that simple. The ABAA in the U.S. has an entire committee devoted to ethics with a lawyer retained and attending every board meeting to help enforce the ethical standards. More importantly they have a large amount of money set aside to take legal action if necessary. Each country of ILAB feels this strongly about this point.

What are your technical arrangements (in non-technical language, please) to ensure reliability of service? Future growth? Additional services?

Jelle: We always keep a close track on what is happening on our servers, implementing new security measures and looking at ways to increase their speed.

Will you/do you have the capability of taking credit card info for orders? If so, what can you tell us about the safety procedures you have or will have in place to ensure the security of such info?

Jelle: We offer a secure order form which uses the Verisign technology. The credit card details are sent to the bookdealer in two separate emails. Credit card details are not saved on the server. And, of course, customers are always free to contact the bookseller directly.

Do you ever plan to process credit card orders through your database (rather than simply passing on the info to the lister) and, if so, will the lister or buyer bear the processing cost, and how long will it take to get payment to the lister?

Jelle: Yes, we’re looking into this.

Do you have any plans for programs associated with your database which would involve anything other than direct contact between seller and buyer?

Bob: Absolutely not.

Do you have or do you plan to have an “all word search” capability?

Jelle: We do have that feature.

What search capabilities does your database have now? What is planned for the future?

Jelle: One can browse bookdealers’ books or their catalogues.

Search by: author, title, description, any word/keyword, minimum price, maximum price, when added, publishing date, books of all ILAB members or of a national association, first editions, signed, dust wrappers, hardcover, paperback, type (books, maps and prints, autographs) and we have a special character keyboard in place.

On what will you base your listing fees? What fees do you have now or plan to have?

Jelle:

US$50 set up fee and US$35 per month for up to 10,000 books (and / or maps, prints, autographs). Above the 10,000, US$5 per month per 5,000 (or part of) extra. US$10 a month for using the search engine at your own company’s site to search only your own books in the ILAB database. US$100 one-time set up fee, above 10,000 books US$2 per month per 5,000 (or part of) extra. Images can be added to one’s listings. These can be stored either on one’s own site, or on a space that we allocate. The first option costs US$50.00 set up fee; the second US$75.00 with an additional US$0.50 per 1 Mb per month.

Do you plan to have or now have your database searched by Addall or Bookfinder or any other mega-search site?

Bob: Our site is currently searched by both Addall and Bookfinder. This has greatly increased the number of people visiting our site and the sales at our site.

How do you plan to advertise your database (both to draw listers and buyers)?

Jelle: Hardcopy advertising, bookmarkers, E-mails, links on the websites of the members, booths in book fairs.

What background or experience do you or other people involved with your database have that relates to the online book or online book database business?

Bob: Our members are booksellers and not computer experts. Luckily we have members who volunteer their time to help with the overall look of the site and its advertising but not with the technical part. We are very fortunate to have Rockingstone and its President, Jelle Samshuijzen, as our webmaster and site developer. Jelle was a bookseller before he decided to devote full time to the computer world so that he really understands the problems of booksellers. His company is composed of 12 people and does work in other areas in addition to the ILAB site, yet his heart seems to be with us. ILAB has a very good legal contract with Rockingstone that makes it clear what obligations exist on both of our parts.

Do you or are you planning to have professional management, bookseller management, or????

Bob: Rockingstone has designated certain members of their company to deal with ILAB matters. ILAB will eventually need to find more volunteers to help oversee the site.

What markets (geographical and/or demographic) are you aiming at?

Bob: As we are already a global organization, our growth throughout the world will be very simple.

What services/features does your database have that you feel sets you apart and/or will ensure the success of your database?

Bob: I would love to answer this question again (and again) but you are all probably tired of hearing it – The Best Books described by the Most Experienced Dealers – with ethical standards Enforced by our Member Nations!

Please tell us anything you’d like about yourself, your database, or about the ILAB, and thank you for participating.

Bob: I am a past President of the ABAA and am current Vice President of ILAB. I am the owner of Oak Knoll Books, which specializes in the sale of books about books, reference books, examples of fine printing and private press books. Our publishing company, Oak Knoll Press, publishes about 40 titles a year in the same field (for instance John Carter’s ABC for Book-Collectors is an Oak Knoll Press publication). The internet has been my holy grail quest since the beginning of time, it seems. Don’t ask me anything too technical but also don’t get me started on how positive I feel about the role the internet can play in the life of an ILAB bookseller. I feel that ILAB members have worked hard to achieve a reputation in the book world and that the internet is an ideal way to educate an entire new book buying community about who we are and what we stand for.

ILAB is composed of the National Associations of 20 countries. You must first get accepted into the National Association in which you reside or, if there is no National Association in which you reside, you can apply to those associations that accept foreign members. Once you are accepted in a National Association (such as the ABAA in the U.S.) you will become an associate of ILAB-LILA. Here is the statement on our website:

You could consider becoming a member of one of the 20 national affiliations of the ILAB-LILA.

The affiliations are independent and their membership rules differ slightly from one another, though all set standards on professionalism and trustworthiness. All members must adhere to the ILAB-LILA code of ethics.

Some affiliations require that your business be established in their country, though many do not. The 20 ILAB-LILA affiliations have members from 27 countries.

See our list of national associations, choose one that seems most appropriate, and apply to them.

Joe Spoor of BookQuarters

Editor: What is your purpose in starting a online book database (i.e., to help online booksellers, to get a database that does what you think a book database should do, because it’s a good business to be in, all of the above, none of the above, or ????).

A: My purpose all along has been to try and unite booksellers so that they have some ability to bargain for better prices and services online. When attempts at working with existing organizations failed, or they had a different goal, I decided a database site would be the best way to spearhead and tackle the issues I felt online dealers faced. That’s where the low $100/year rate came from: the need to help sellers find an inexpensive alternative, and to encourage them to join our unofficial guild. Many have read the paraphrased quote I have posted on our service agreement page, and I think it really goes hand in hand with the spirit of our website. The quote is from “It’s A Wonderful Life” where Jimmy Stewart basically says the town needs to support his savings and loan company”..even if it’s only so there is somewhere people can go without having to crawl to Potter,” referring to the greedy old bank owner who all but runs the whole town. I see us as the little guy and, believe it or not, a few even started referring to me as the George Bailey of the online book industry because of that quote. And as I remember, he ended up being called the richest man in town, but it wasn’t meant financially. If I can earn that type of honor, that will be all I need.

Editor: Is this a long-term commitment on your part? Where do you see yourself and your database in 3 years? 5 years?

A: Because I was able to start on $1000, I really have no fears of having to recuperate any investment or fears of loss. For my wife and I, our major forms of income are outside of Bookquarters.com, probably about 85-90%. She works full time and I primarily earn income from printing services and Bookseller Monthly advertising and subscriptions. Additionally, in September I took on a business partner, Patty Johnson, who does all of the programming for the site. This has really made things easier to improve the site as needed, plus it took any fear of excessive web development fees out of the picture. For both of us this has become an extremely fun, and sometimes nerve-wracking, venture. But because there are two of us now it is easier to deal with, and neither of us want to give it up. I’ve always had a hard time envisioning where I would be even a month from now, but I don’t see how our site can fail. Patty and I are too driven to let it fail.

Editor: What lister book database inventory programs do you/will you support?

A: Well, we haven’t run into anything yet that we can’t accept or import. Bookquarters.com allows direct FTP upload, it supports BookTrakker’s “one-touch” upload feature, we accept uploads from BookRouter.com, and then through our online upload page we can take everything else: Homebase, BookMate, BookHound,simple database files from Excel, whatever you have–UIEE, tab, comma, etc. We even have eight customers who aren’t online who mail us typed lists that we manually enter–so I guess you can include that we import paper files as well 🙂

Editor: What are your upload procedures? Deletion procedures? Are “wants” listings available? For sale matches? Are any additions/changes planned?

A: I pretty much covered our upload procedure in the previous question. Deletions can be handled several ways. If you send us UIEE type text files, our script automatically detects which listings are to be deleted. For tab and comma users, we require that they create a separate delete file and use the “Upload Deletes” link on our upload page–or if they FTP, to make sure they name the file a delete file. The other feature we have, one that was positively commented on recently by a new member, is our online delete page that allows you to quickly go in, enter up to 10 book listing numbers at a time, then select and delete them. Want listings are not currently available nor is there a matching procedure. However, Patty already has most of the programming written for collecting wants, it is just a matter of putting it in place. More importantly, we’re expecting to affiliate with a website in February where libraries and individuals go to post their books wanted and how much they’re willing to pay for the book. It won’t be anything like any other “library matching program,” we won’t be involved collecting commissions or even forwarding sales. Instead, part of the agreement will be making all wants on the site available only to our members for the first few days they are listed. As well, the site we are affiliatingwith will be giving us exclusive rights to having only our members inventories searched from their site.

Editor: What customer service (for both sellers and buyers) do you/will you have?

A: As far as I have seen, we are the only site that offers online live customer service. By clicking the button on our site that says “Click here for live help” a customer is connected with me through a chat window, similar to AOL instant messenger. I’ve had quite a few people glad it was available, many asking for recommendations on where to find a book (a valuable chance to send them in the direction of one of our members who specializes in such a field), others simply looking for answers regarding other services on our site. It’s very convenient because I can turn it off whenever I am away from the computer, so it doubles as an email button in those instances. We do provide all of our phone/fax/email information very clearly on our “Contact Us” page, which is a clear link from the home page. I think, as well, there have already been some public posts on the email lists about Patty and my quick response time to problems or questions. I think between the two of us we are online around 20 of the 24 hours in a day!

Editor: Will you/do you have any quality (i.e., descriptions, shipping, and/or customer service) standards for your listers? If so, what will be/are the consequences of violating those standards?

A: I don’t think we will be restrictive unless there is a real problem seller amongst our group. I know many sellers want to see higher standards, but there are several reasons why I prefer not to get too involved. First, I can’t see trying to impose policies on very specific matters such as accurate descriptions. It is such a subjective area with so many potential variables it only invites a quagmire of involvement and would appear as heavy-handedness on our part. We stay out of all specific transactions. But if a number of customers start to complain about a particular dealer, whether it be failure to ship, not having inventory in stock, etc., then action such as refund and removal would be considered after speaking with the member. Secondly, I think some dealers may feel uncomfortable being put under a scrutinizing system, thereby potentially scaring away what would have been perfectly good members. Ultimately, a bookseller will suffer poor sales if they are unable to fulfill a customer’s needs. But if there is, as I said, a problem member who is hurting the site and hindering us from having a good reputation we will take action. We have no specific policy on such things yet, but realize situations like this are inevitable and need a stated policy. I simply prefer to be very flexible.

Editor: What are your technical arrangements (in non-technical language, please) to ensure reliability of service? Future growth? Additional services?

A: We expect to be switching web host providers very soon, as we have found even better services elsewhere. We currently run our database on a shared SQL server, but once we move this will be altered. The provisions for our site with the new host will provide us scalability to 18 gigabytes of data storage (enough for around 36 million titles), a guaranteed uptime of 99.93%, and initially 40 gigabytes of transfer (enough to handle around 10,000 visitors per day) with scalability options there as well.

Editor: Will you/do you have the capability of taking credit card info for orders?If so, what can you tell us about the safety procedures you have or will have in place to ensure the security of such info?

A: Bookquarters.com has a shopping cart that allows customers to enter a credit card. In mid to late February we will be making it a secure process.

Editor: Do you ever plan to process credit card orders through your database (rather than simply passing on the info to the lister) and, if so, will the lister or buyer bear the processing cost, and how long will it take to get payment to the lister?

A: That is something that I really have no desire to be involved in. Depending on the requests of our members in the future, Patty and I may implement a system that that processes cards for our members, but it seems a distant notion at the moment. I would rather integrate a PayPal, ProPay, or other button into the shopping cart that allows or encourages buyers to pay the seller themselves on the spot with a system the seller already uses. I’m not here to make commissions or get involved in a bookseller’s transaction. The only reason we would consider providing such a serviceis if it was feasible and if the members were sincere in needing such a system. If you have a secure server where a customer can send along their card number, it is no less efficient (for the customer) than having us bill them. In turn, however, if for some reason the book is unavailable, we won’t be billing the customer for an “invisible” item. If the seller is responsible for processing, they will know whether to actually bill or not and be solely responsible. I want them to have control over their business.

Editor: Do you have any plans for programs associated with your database which would involve anything other than direct contact between seller and buyer?

A: No, that is something we would like to avoid unless it is a program that is invaluable to the bookseller and buyer.

Editor: Do you have or do you plan to have an “all word search” capability?

A: Bookquarters.com has an all word search capability. I often complain that it is too slow, though, as it obviously has to look through everything. I think it was our member Vic Zoschak at Tavistock who suggested I should refer to it as a “full bodied” search.

Editor: What search capabilities does your database have now? What is planned for the future?

A: We provide search by author, title, subject (a combination search of title and keywords), and all word search. We also have browsing capabilities of all members’ listings, either by the catalogs/subjects provided in their listings or by “view all books.” We haven’t settled on the best form of an advanced search yet, so that is what is to come.

Editor: On what will you base your listing fees? What fees do you have now or plan to have?

A: Policy: The cheaper the better. Bookquarters.com is a special site that has peripheral revenue gathering sources that don’t require hitting up the bookseller. I think our fee of $100/year to list up to 100,000 titles is going to be safe for a long time–especially considering technology will always make things like web hosting and data storage cheaper.

Editor: Do you plan to have or now have your database searched by Addall or Bookfinder or any other mega-search site?

A: We’ve had a rough go just trying to get information from either of these services on the fees they charge to be included in their search. What has been rumored to me, however, are rates in the neighborhood of $1500 per month. First, we don’t have that much revenue at this point to put solely towards advertising–especially all in one basket! Secondly, imagine what you could do with $1500 per month to really target various avenues instead of just focusing everything at one website. I believe that these type of search facilities allow database sites to create a great deal of hype and instant results. Unfortunately, the long term result is dependency on those sites at a hefty monthly fee they won’t be able to escape. What are you really doing to promote your booksellers’ names and your site’s name? To me it is analogous to the parable of either feeding a man or teaching him how to fish. If we were to throw that much money each month at one source, we would forever be dependent on them to bring in sales–much like booksellers are dependent on larger database sites right now.

On the other hand, if we use our creativity and energy, we can much more effectively advertise in grass-roots manners, through print, various online paid advertising, and any other forum we choose. When you advertise your web site you are building a brand and at least giving your dealers a chance for return sales. With the “mega search” sites, it is virtually impossible to expect a repeat customer. Bookfinder and Addall have no search capabilities for a customer to track down “Bill’s Used Books” if they forgot what site they list on.

I would prefer to spend our money wisely, scatter it around and not be overly dependent on any one source. Those who own their own websites are taking the right path, and they know it is the truth when I say repeat sales are very much possible online and are very important. Many dealers don’t realize or expect this because too many of the database sites and mega-search sites do not emphasize the dealer, just that they have “a gazillion books.” That’s one thing that is very important to me, promoting our site as a place to find a bookseller or bookstore that carries the type of books you like to collect or read. I don’t think the mega-search sites facilitate this.

Editor: How do you plan to advertise your database (both to draw listers and buyers)?

A: Incredibly, even though we have such a low fee, we are able to do some wonderful things because of the equipment I possess for publishing Bookseller Monthly. Additionally, the mere fact that I own a publication really eliminates some print advertising costs. I have many ideas, but to list a few of what we’ve done and are going to do:

**We print out photo-quality, single-page, heavy-stock 2002 calendars for distribution at book fairs. This gives show-goers something neat to pick up, and they see our name all year long.

**We advertise on Google.com.

**We advertise on regional snack products (hey, you have to target everyone!).

**We advertise extensively in Bookseller Monthly. 🙂

**We’ve recently purchased advertising with Overture advertising online for display on sites like AltaVista, Yahoo!, and Lycos.

**We have a mail list visitors can sign up for to receive our “Thursday Night Special” of discount offers from our members.

**We will be purchasing ads in Book Source Monthly and Antique Week.

But, we also advertise our members, and give them free advertising:

**Our members receive as much as 1 free ad each month in Bookseller Monthly.

**They receive 2 weeks of free advertising on Google.com.

**We list members and their specialties in our general Bookquarters.com ads.

We have many plans for wise advertising, but we are trying to grow prudently and solidly. We know our site is only growing because sellers are supporting it, not because we have $25,000 to keep it afloat artificially. As we grow, our potential for growth simply snowballs. I expect to be able to carry out more of our as yet un-announced advertising plans in the near future.

Editor: What background or experience do you or other people involved with your database have that relates to the online book or online book database business?

A: I came from a sales environment that exposed me to all types of manipulative and unsavory type back-door dealing, typically what you would expect to see corporations doing but can never prove. That’s why I am so wary about the current online situation. I’ve been a collector of fine bindings for a decade and a seller of such for 4 years, although it has taken a back seat these past six months. Patty knows how to put it all together and has worked extensively with helping several booksellers create and maintain their own web sites.

Editor: Do you or are you planning to have professional management, bookseller management, or????

A: Bookquarters.com will never leave my site or be out of my control, unless (with Patty’s permission) I can eventually simply turn it over to the members and take a long vacation. This isn’t all about money for me, but I would never deny it’s nice to be compensated for all the work that goes into the site. I am at home all day with my 2 1/2 year old daughter, so that makes me thrilled beyond belief. Getting a “hired gun” to run the business would only indicate to me that someone is looking to pull more revenue for their own pocket. I want revenue to build the site up for our members.

Editor: What markets (geographical and/or demographic) are you aiming at?

A: Everyone. Considering we aren’t going to be running $20,000 six-month ad campaigns in The NY Times, it is really silly to consider who we are targeting. We are talking to everybody and examining all realistic and worthwhile forms of advertising to reach whoever wants to listen. I tend to feel word of mouth and solid grassroots building is the best plan. This includes the simplest things as popping into a high-traffic chat room and letting everyone know there is a great new site out there to find used books called Bookquarters.com.

Editor: What services/features does your database have that you feel sets you apart and/or will ensure the success ofyour database?

A: I think the only thing that makes us similar to anyone else is the fact that we host booksellers’ databases; everything else is pretty unique. To my knowledge, no other database-type site has weekly guest author chats to attract readers. In fact, through NewBookReviews.com we actually work with Time Warner to pull in some big names. As many know, we hosted David Baldacci, a #1 NY Times bestseller, in our chat on January 15th. Just as well, we are able to provide unique and interesting content from my Publication, Bookseller Monthly, although abe.com also carries some of our articles. As I mentioned before, I’m pretty sure we are the only site that offers live online service. We also have a unique rotating banner ad on our site that we control, selling ads to booksellers who want to post books wanted or sell particular special volumes. I like this neat feature as it allows the site to seem more alive and active, like a true marketplace and not just a sterile search engine.

We also offer many services to booksellers, such as all the printing options and website design. With what we offer, we can take a bookseller from selling on our site, to printing and mailing their print catalogs for them, to building and hosting their own web site for them, and then printing out their promotional materials for them. We are also the only site that gives the customer the ability to search within a particular bookseller’s listings from the main search bar, making it very easy for them to locate a dealer they would like to buy from again.

For collectors and readers, aside from the chat and articles already mentioned, we will be opening a specific Kid’s section with materials on home-schooling, recommendations on books, moveable author puzzles, educational games and reading contests with books for prizes. We will also be finishing our book collecting information area. Later this month we will also be including a section where readers can find book related items from other independent websites, such as cloth book covers, specialty book marks, etc.

Need more? We are also going to be partnering more heavily with NewBookReviews.com, who have a database of over a thousand book reviews written by readers, so that we can offer our browsing customers peer information on an author or title they may be interested in. Our site is going to be a center for books, that is why we changed the name to Bookquarters–Your headquarters for books and collecting online.

Editor: Please tell us anything you’d like about yourself or your database, and thank you for participating.

A: All I would like to say in following up is that booksellers should not be impatient with any of the new sites. Instant success is not in the realm of reality for any of us. Perhaps moreso than others, even though we got a “head start,” Bookquarters.com will alter and improve things slowly instead of launching everything all at once. This simply is a result of our revenue-generating system and my belief that prudent growth based on the support of people is what will ensure success. You aren’t successful if you have a “gee whiz” site that you dumped $25,000 into. Building a better mouse trap of a search engine isn’t going to get people to your site either. It all requires creativity, hard work and time. It is much more difficult an idea to reproduce the success a site like abe.com has achieved in the online market we see today. The Internet was not as competitive nor as over-crowded with web sites as it is today. And even though there are more customers, they have all had a great deal of time and saturation advertising thrown at them by ebay, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Half.com–so we actually need to not only try to grow and attract customers, but to educate them as well. The wonderful thing is that so many people are trying to pick up the ball that was left by Bibliofind, so there will be a great deal of competition–hopefully this will work to the booksellers advantage and give them better prices and services.