A Houston Chronicle article talks about how the used bookstore business is changing, thanks (or, thanks for nothing) to the Internet. Since many used book stores list their catalog online, the serious collector's no longer have to physically troll the aisles. And why should they when they can do so virtually quicker and, many times, cheaper? Stores are having to change their business models to survive.

I understand the desire and to stay in business, but targeting your wares to serious collectors seem to me (not a collector but a hoarder) is a bummer. I've visited Becker's Books in the past and found them to be a charming store, even with the poor lighting. When they went Internet, their prices shot through the roof. Sure, to cover the Internet sale they need to charge more. But the jacked-up price only served to screw the local shopper. The last time I visited Becker's I found an old sf anthology. Most local stores would sell it at $1 tops. The local half Price Books chain would have sold it at 35 cents. When I asked how much it was, I was told it was $8. (!) My reaction was met with a terse, "Dude (yes, Ms. Becker actually called me 'Dude'), what do you think this this is? Half Price?" To which I said "Yes, actually. Why would I buy this for $8 when I can get it for under a buck at any other local store?" The reply was "And I can get $8 for this over the web." I said "Well, good luck." and walked out the door, never to return.

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Posted by John DeNardo at Sunday April 03, 2005 at 11:35 PM
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