Betts Books

[Bad Penny]

Thanks Patrick - it's brilliant that we have the synergies between members (and Betts) happening to close deals like this one.

Congrats, Grant! Good for David and Simon for helping you out.

Well, I've yet to reach your plateau of excellence Dive - my numbers are all over the shop, whereas yours now have a pleasing synchronicity going on

Major kudos, Grant!

Yeah, it's a real red letter day for me - good luck with your search for a copy

Wow!

Very nice!

That's on my "want" list too.

Aw, Rachel, you do say the nicest things

You mean there was something that you DIDN'T already have Grant?? Huge congrats to you, no-one more deserving!!

[divemaster]

Well, I've yet to reach your plateau of excellence Dive - my numbers are all over the shop, whereas yours now have a pleasing synchronicity going on

Major kudos, Grant!

Yeah, it's a real red letter day for me - good luck with your search for a copy

Actually, I already have a Gunslinger S/L'd (#196), I just didn't post it in this thread now b/c it wasn't part of my recent acquisition. So, yeah, I now have a complete set, what with my pickup of the missing DT II. I and II don't match the rest of the numbers, though. Not that I'm complaining!

[Bad Penny]

Nah, Dive, the "good luck" wishes were for Brian (whom has this on his wish list) ... I was drooling yesterday (and complimenting you today) over your complete set with a far more cohesive set of numbers than mine enjoy (including your DT I )

[herbertwest]

Why not clearing up a bit the Betts webpage by deleting the items that have been sold?

[George at C-Springs]

At the least! Hey, whatever happened to the big redesign/modernization project? Ari, weren't you on tap to help out with that, you and a friend (or something like that ... I could be completely out in left field).

[Jimimck]

I'd settle for a spreadsheet of the current listings, showing reference number to order, title, type of publication (gift, signed, limited, remarqued etc), price, and then a link to some photos of the actual item for sale (link cold be to an online photo site like photo bucket or something).

[TwistedNadine]

I like seeing the price it sold for but maybe the sold items should be at the bottom of the sheet

[bdwyer19]

Several more cool items, and price cuts were just posted by David.

[Room 217 Caretaker]

Visiting Betts website gives me the same results as a porn sight.

Mulleins

[Jimimck]

[wizardsrainbow]

I have new listings posted at Betts and 2 major consignees cut prices across the board...go take a look.

Updates....I am well aware of the websites MANY shortfalls....not heard from Ari in many many moons...I am also in touch with a member here whose wife does corporate websites and eventually she might help with mine.

While even for me it is a pain in the ass to scroll through listings, there is a part of me that likes the "hunt". If I left my website as a "search" function I actually think I would LOSE sales....many people come to the site looking for something specific but end up buying more just because they see all the listings to choose from.

I am the FIRST to agree that the site is as "old school" as they come....also realize that Betts is still part time for me and spending say even $5000 for an upgrade is a meaningful % of my annual profits...also, a meaningful % of my profits get eaten up by my own buying sprees..the first two years I was a "good boy" and kept my personal collection roughly status quo...last two years, however....YIKES, my guess is I've spent $30k on new acquisitions for myself...it's just too easy.

[ur2ndbiggestfan]

What David said about just scrolling through the site is true for me. I had no intention of buying the SIX STORIES PC copy until I saw it listed, and then I just HAD to have it - and now I do!

[carlosdetweiller]

I also agree with what David is saying about the Betts website. Searchable databases are fine and necessary given the volume of listings on sites like ABE and eBay. But sometimes it is just nice to browse around and see what else is for sale. It is like going into a small friendly bookstore. You don't just make a beeline to one section of the bookstore, look at that shelf and then head for the door. Sometimes it is nice to take your time, look around, think about things. Often, at a real bookstore, I'll get asked "Is there anything in particular you are looking for?" I'll usually say something like "No, but I'll know it when I see it." The owner usually nods his head and knows exactly what I mean.

[Room 217 Caretaker]

I also agree with David.....I like it. That is the point I made in thread #1584 (scroll up to read). Maybe it reads as a complaint.....never meant it that way.

Mulleins

[RandyinAK]

I love David's site and all the listings - I just want the sold items taken out. The list would be half as long. Plus what's the policy on items that are "on hold"? I presume someone's buying them and hasn't got the money yet, I would pull those items until they should happen to become available again. Several of the "on hold" items I would make offers on but whats the point as they have been spoken for and as percentages go, will probably be purchased. Again, I love all the items, I would just like to see it streamlined to whats available. I even regularly scroll all the way down to stuff that is on there from ages ago to see if I somehow missed something or the prices have been reduced again. Just some thoughts. Have a great weekend everyone.
GO YANKEES!!!

[jhanic]

Sorry, Randy, but I have to disagree with you on the elimination of the Sold items. When Stu was in charge, he eliminated them right away and you never knew just how much an item actually sold for. I, for one, value that information.

John

[RandyinAK]

I guess I have looked at it also as a way to find out current values; so I do see the value..... as Twisted Nadine mentioned, maybe a section at the end showing "SOLD", "RECENTLY SOLD" and/or "CURRENTLY ON HOLD" ? That way you could look for a book for when your shopping and do your research when you are looking for that also? Just some thoughts. It just seems now I'm spending enough time going down the list, find an item, like it, scan over, Shit it sold, continue down the list, find another item, scan over, Shit its sold too.......
LOL, next thing you know we'll want a DT section, S/L section, Flat signed section, 1st edition section, Inscribed section, Collection Section, Proof/ARC Section, and on and on

[jhanic]

I like TN's idea too.

John

[Ari_Racing]

Sorry for not being able to finish, David. I've been having your website for schedule for years already. It was all finished but one thing: the listings. To load all the listings is really slow and takes a lot of time.

As for the search option, I understand the feeling of searching to find the cool items, but never forget this is a job. The idea is that Betts gets more sales and in order to do so the website has to be more user-friendly. If not, most of the new visitors will leave without purchasing anything.

As for the already sold items, I understand that it'd be good to see the items sold but it's also annoying for those new visitors or those that don't care for statistics. I had the same issue in my store, showing the ones already sold. And I usually received e-mails asking for an item that wasn't for sale but it was shown on the website (as NO-COPIES-AVAILABLE). Some users don't like to handle that frustration and leave the website. So from that moment on I removed all the no-stock stuff from the website. It made the website more reliable (users come and purchase stuff that they're sure they're gonna get), no frustration to "suffer" and sales raised.

So even when I understand the suggestions (and I like 'em...I'm a hopeless nostalgic!) they go against getting more customers and sales. Just my two cents.

[Joe315]

As a simple work around to the search issue, most web browsers have a "find" function that allows a user to search for a specific word on a web page. This helps if your are looking for something specific.

[bdwyer19]

As a simple work around to the search issue, most web browsers have a "find" function that allows a user to search for a specific word on a web page. This helps if your are looking for something specific.

That's usually what I do on the site. After checking out new listings, I'll do a search for flatsigned books to see what jumps out at me.

[herbertwest]

As a simple work around to the search issue, most web browsers have a "find" function that allows a user to search for a specific word on a web page. This helps if your are looking for something specific.

ctrl+f

[wizardsrainbow]

HEY EVERYONE!

I just posted a new King S/L consignment over at Betts Books

I also cut prices 15% on existing consignment...some GREAT deals there

Finally, I DID NOT adjust prices yet, but remaining SUPERCOLLECTION books take 5% off. (bottom of Inventory page)

[Roseannebarr]

Caretaker's Comments

Ok, this is not intended to sound "preachy" but it is something I totally embrace....READ READ READ to your children (or to anyone for that matter)

One of the greatest gifts I believe in my heart of hearts that I have given to my three children is that I have read books/stories to them and shared the love of books with them their entire lives. I started reading to each of my children before they were even born so they could know the sound of my voice. As a father, who at the time commuted 3 hours a day into New York City, leaving home at 4am and returning at 6pm, the evening hours became my time with my children...every night almost without fail I would read stories to them...of course I chose age appropriate books at the time, but reading time with dad became a time that they (and I!) looked forward to on a daily basis. Not only did we read together but we discussed characters, settings, and plots so they came to appreciate how books were written. When I think back on the hours and hours of time we spent together I see just how "Magic" those times were and the bond that was established with each of my children was magic as well...as a result, all three of my children adore books. And even though they are fairly grown up now, ages 20, 17 and almost 13, we still remember together those hours we spent and refer to those books all the time...After reading all the classic children's stories, we covered all the Droon series, the entire 54 book Animorphs series, read the complete Harry Potter series twice, Lord of the Rings, Maximum Ride series etc...and once my kids started primarily reading books on their own, both my wife and I would read the same book they were reading to share the "experience" with them. I am convinced that my children are bright, are excellent students and have an extensive vocabulary because we took the time to invest in shared reading as a family. Every parenting style is different. There is no one correct way and I am a true supporter of do "what works best" for your family, but I swear by reading to your children every opportunity you can. I know in my family it has created an unbreakable bond between me and my kids....that is worth EVERYTHING to me...priceless....and if your children are grown, I encourage you to volunteer to read at schools, senior citizen homes, wherever you can...stories are magic and transcend all ages.

[Roseannebarr]

Caretaker's Comments

Ok, this is not intended to sound "preachy" but it is something I totally embrace....READ READ READ to your children (or to anyone for that matter)

One of the greatest gifts I believe in my heart of hearts that I have given to my three children is that I have read books/stories to them and shared the love of books with them their entire lives. I started reading to each of my children before they were even born so they could know the sound of my voice. As a father, who at the time commuted 3 hours a day into New York City, leaving home at 4am and returning at 6pm, the evening hours became my time with my children...every night almost without fail I would read stories to them...of course I chose age appropriate books at the time, but reading time with dad became a time that they (and I!) looked forward to on a daily basis. Not only did we read together but we discussed characters, settings, and plots so they came to appreciate how books were written. When I think back on the hours and hours of time we spent together I see just how "Magic" those times were and the bond that was established with each of my children was magic as well...as a result, all three of my children adore books. And even though they are fairly grown up now, ages 20, 17 and almost 13, we still remember together those hours we spent and refer to those books all the time...After reading all the classic children's stories, we covered all the Droon series, the entire 54 book Animorphs series, read the complete Harry Potter series twice, Lord of the Rings, Maximum Ride series etc...and once my kids started primarily reading books on their own, both my wife and I would read the same book they were reading to share the "experience" with them. I am convinced that my children are bright, are excellent students and have an extensive vocabulary because we took the time to invest in shared reading as a family. Every parenting style is different. There is no one correct way and I am a true supporter of do "what works best" for your family, but I swear by reading to your children every opportunity you can. I know in my family it has created an unbreakable bond between me and my kids....that is worth EVERYTHING to me...priceless....and if your children are grown, I encourage you to volunteer to read at schools, senior citizen homes, wherever you can...stories are magic and transcend all ages.

Well said, I really enjoyed the part about reading the same books as your kids!! I buy books for my nephews and nieces all the time. I read them as well so that we can talk about them. I actually liked the Hunger games series, potter, twilight.... Miss Peregrine's home for peculiar children.... The fifth wave.. I would of never picked them up to read for myself, but i have to do the research and found that i liked them... My niece will call me and ask when she is getting her next book....

any recommendations? we try to stay away from the vampire genre, done that already....