Consignment Sales Warnings!!!

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Comment by Mary Deal on August 23, 2008 at 9:30am

Tony, you are funny! I never touch but I get right up in people's faces and practically guide them to my book on the rack. It's all an acting game, at times.

When I see someone seriously perusing the mystery section and not deciding on any particular book. I sidle over as if I'm also looking for a book. Then I say, "I wish I could find someone who writes like me. I've read all my favorite authors' books already."

That person invariable asks "Oh, you're a mystery writer?"

The rest is history, or happens historically. I have to lead them to the rack where my books are placed because local writers' books are not displayed in the long racks. Any local writer who has books out that are not about Hawaii are kept on a special rack in the middle of an aisle. They do that to give us locals a chance to be seen.

I can play act over and over because the people who frequent the local Border's are 80% tourists, so I will never risk the chance of pulling that on the same person twice. And tourists just love getting a local's autograph!

Comment by Mary Deal on August 23, 2008 at 9:19am

My idea of consignment is different than yours.

When I walk into a store and leave one or two books, in my accounting, I show those as promotional copies. It's written off in my accounting as "cost of sales." Or the cost of doing business. I do not see that as consigfnment. It's an advertising freebie, a write-off, which we can all use.

Actual consignment is when you go to a store and you and the store book buyer agree "with a contract" that you are to leave X number of copies on consignment. You leave the copies with your invoice. The store or their office sends you a check, regardless how long it takes the books to sell. Case in point:

I walk into the local Borders and announce I have a new book out. Helaine, the Manager, says "We're low on your books. What's this one about?"

"It's a thriller set in my hometown area."

"Oh, a thriller this time? We sell lots of thrillers. Bring me two dozen. You have a couple with you? We can put them by the front door. And bring me half a dozen copies of your other books."

I go home, fill in the quantity (including the two I left) in my pre-made invoice on my PC and return soon as possible with the books and invoice. In 30 days I get a check form Border's in Minnesota for the cost, less the store discount, plus the retailers tax. I'm paid by the home office, the store keeps all the money from in-store sales.

That's my idea of consignment.

Comment by Author101 on August 23, 2008 at 7:23am

Now that I think about it, I've not been paid on "any" books left on consignment. Sad!

Comment by Tony Walker on July 27, 2008 at 1:15pm

Having just realized that many people are literal-minded, I hasten to point out that my comment above was not meant to be taken seriously!

Comment by Tony Walker on July 27, 2008 at 1:13pm

I used to be in the business of collecting debts back in London, and I found that telling them that their cat/dog/wife/children would not like the sensation of fists and boots on flesh worked a treat!

Of course that was then ... now I'm a much kinder, gentler person.

Comment by Mary Deal on July 26, 2008 at 5:12pm

Additionally...

If the stores where I've left copies are in my area, I will return and ask how the books sold and would they like to order more. I have only few stores where I can do that since I'm in Hawaii, but if the store is nearby, I will go in and let them know I want them to get into business with me and recip.

Comment by Mary Deal on July 26, 2008 at 5:10pm

I treat giving books a little differently. I will outright give one or two copies of my books to the stores. I don't expect anyting in return. I tell them if they sell, the profit is theirs, but please order more copies directly from my publisher.

Several stores have done that at least once. I simply shine on the ones that don't order. I always write off the freebies. I need the expense on my taxes. But more than that, giving the books shows good faith with the stores. Too bad some stores don't reciprocate by buying more.

Comment by Author101 on July 18, 2008 at 7:37am

Warning! Looking Glass Bookstore in Portland Oregon stiffed me on 3 books left on consignment. They gladly took my books on, and they sold them fast, but I have been billing them for 1 year without results. I even spoke to them on the phone, "the checks in the mail," but as it turned out, that was not true. Watch out for them!
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to collect in these cases??? New writers and authors need our help to see the warning signs in advance.
Carol
www.freewebs.com/authorsbox