Dh and I went to Pier 1 last night to pick up a coffee table and side table. They were out of the side tables, except for the floor model (which we bought, since it wasn’t scratched). We were told that they had the coffee table in the back boxed up. So we waited for the girl to bring it out to us. I didn’t think to look at the box because I ASSUMED (and you know what that means) that she’d READ the box to make sure she grabbed the correct product. Silly me. We got home to find that what she’d grabbed was a console table. Teensy weensy difference…like twelve inches taller. We were just as guilty of not reading as she was.
This brings me to the question of this entry. Why doesn’t anyone read? I first became aware of this phenomena when I worked for the airline. No one ever read the gate signs or the signs on the overhead bins or their tickets, etc. Now I’m not saying tickets are easy to read. They vary greatly from airline to airline. You may have to search a moment to find the info you’re looking for, but it’s there.
The funny thing about this whole discussion is that I find it amusing that I’m actually shocked that paperback sales are dropping. Why am I shocked, when no one will read a sign or the outside of a box?
Sylvia mentioned that today is critique partner appreciation day. I must say that I’m beyond grateful to have Sylvia Day and Julia Templeton around to help me through this mire of publishing. I couldn’t do it without you ladies. Thank you for your attention to detail and most of all for your friendship!
January 12th, 2006
Sales are down in the used book business too because people aren’t buying as many new ones to replace stock. My customers say its the economy - pay a bill, buy gas or pay $7.99 for a book. They’re going to the library instead. Also, some are going for ebooks instead of print and our sales of audio books are up.
by Eve January 12th, 2006 at 12:04 pmEve, I’m sure the economy plays into it, especially with the increase in price of paperbacks and ebooks.
by Jordan January 12th, 2006 at 12:30 pmYous should come up to Canada then…book sales are at an all time high. At the Chapters store I work at, we broke every single sales record we ever had this past year. Almost every single one of our 300+ stores is up in sales and profits. Go figure????
by Vivi Anna January 12th, 2006 at 12:51 pmI’m as guilty of not reading boxes and things like that as you are.
As far as signs and stuff, I think people read them, they just don’t think the writing applies to THEM.
Last night I took my son’s friend to the ferry to go home, and a sign on the passenger ramp said very clearly, “Do not pass this point unless escorted by a crew member.”
Uh-huh. At least FOUR people read that, hesitated, then shrugged and walked on past. Apparently, the sign didn’t apply to them. *rolls eyes*
by Larissa January 12th, 2006 at 2:01 pmVivi Anna, That’s interesting that you say that because I believe the same thing has occurred in the UK. Record book sales.
by Jordan January 12th, 2006 at 2:02 pmLOL Larissa!!! That is SO true. Snort.
by Jordan January 12th, 2006 at 2:03 pm((hugs))
by Sylvia Day January 12th, 2006 at 8:09 pmThanks Syl.:)
by Jordan January 12th, 2006 at 10:57 pmEve: I think you’re right that more and more people are going to the library. My editor told me that for the past month 1/3 of my sales were to libraries - probably due to the advertising I did in romance sells. But that really tells you what’s happening if library buying is going up.
by Tina Gerow January 13th, 2006 at 8:14 amTina - I love the way you start your comments *g*
I went to work last night with this post on my mind and I quizzed a few customers. Here are the three main answers given: 1)Not as much time to read anymore; 2) The books aren’t as good - when pressed I discovered it wasn’t the storyline - they were actually talking about the books. Pages fall out, spines break easily. I wondered why we were throwing more new (one reader) books into our free boxes out front - it’s not that the readers are harder on the books, its that the books are falling apart; 3) the cost. People are still going out and buying the new books of their favorite authors, but they’re much more leery of new writers because of the cost. They go to used bookstores like ours or libraries to check out authors they’ve never read before. Prior to what we refer to as the “Katrina effect”, readers were more likely to plunk down full cost for authors they knew nothing about, but are being more cautious now with their money.
by Eve January 13th, 2006 at 9:24 am