Betts Books

[wizardsrainbow]

No, I am not moving to Bangor. Sadly, Stu and I decided the store will close. So very little of his business is done by "walk ins" (yes, get the DT reference!). The inventory will move down to me in CT and the business will run as a Web/phone/e-mail business, which it already is at 95%+.

[Ari_Racing]

Well...David, what an amazing project in this particular moment If you believe in destiny, maybe there you have the reason why you weren't confirmed in the last job. A better opportunity was knocking at the door

[Sir_Boomme]

I was very sad to hear that Stu was closing after so many years. My very first signed book came from there, and I visited there on my first honeymoon, with Stu opening specially for me.

Now I know that the new owner is someone of the highest integrity, I've no concerns about the future of Betts (will the name remain?). Matey, I couldn't be more pleased for you. You have the right mix of honesty and insanity to make this work.

In another thread Sir_Boome suggests you update the mailing list. My suggestion is to re-design the website. You don't want anything too fancy (I think that would detract from its main job) but it's a little too sprawling at the moment.

All the luck in the world to you my friend.

Ceri

Ah, Ceri my old friend!

Thank you for your comments, and yes, the name will remain as it has a presence in the community around the world. Sadly, the store front in Bangor will close and I will run it as a web-based business (Stu says 95%+ of orders come from e-mail/phone/web). I have several ideas, but e-mail list refinement and new design will occur as soon as I can manage it.

that's all right... from now on...all future DT conventions will feature a visit to Dave's house.
and... in the spirit of other's here... i offer my house for storage of the inventory... any time you need it.... you just let me know.

[Brice]

There could be no better news.

[Daghain]

This is awesome. Congratulations David!

[tippy4]

So Dave, will you be maintining a "brick and mortar store", or will you be doing this as an e-business?

Congrats!

[wizardsrainbow]

Do Dave, will you be maintining a "brick and mortar store", or will you be doing this as an e-business?

Various threads going on Rick, but sadly, the Bangor store will close and I will run it as an e-business. 95%+ of Stu's sales are in this manner already.

[wizardsrainbow]

You know, (and my wife will attest to this), for YEARS, I have told her my dream retirement job would to run Stu's business. Well, I have just turned 50 and not even close to retirement, but I am without a job and Stu wants to sell....so is it Ka? Fate? Coincidence?

[Room 217 Caretaker]

That news just made my day.

Congrats my friend. This opportunity couldn't have gone to a more deserving and respected collector.

I'm not just saying this, I truly mean the following:

If you need help in any way moving inventory, or closing out the bricks and morter store I don't mind using some of my airline miles to fly north and help.

Mulleins
Cumberland VA

[Fsmdr]

I am so happy for you, David!. I look forward to doing business with the new owner of Betts. Congratulations on your new venture.

Will you be running the business full time?. I assume someone will have to mane the 'store' to pick up phones and get shipments packed. Do you plan to house the inventory in a separate location so people may drop in by appointments?.

[carlosdetweiller]

Congratulations, David, and best of luck going forward.

This promises to be very interesting and I am looking forward to the future of Betts Bookstore.

[Randall Flagg]

I am so glad that the legacy will live on, and that David will be at the helm!
Congratulations David.

[Míchéal]

Congratulations!!!

[wizardsrainbow]

I am so happy for you, David!. I look forward to doing business with the new owner of Betts. Congratulations on your new venture.

Will you be running the business full time?. I assume someone will have to mane the 'store' to pick up phones and get shipments packed. Do you plan to house the inventory in a separate location so people may drop in by appointments?.

Thanks Juliana-

Once I get everything ready, I will man the "shop" myself. I am planning, at present, to house the inventory off site. Appointments are a possibility.

[Randall Flagg]

We'll merge this with the Bett's has a new owner thread.

[thecollector]

I was very sad to hear that Stu was closing after so many years. My very first signed book came from there, and I visited there on my first honeymoon, with Stu opening specially for me.

Now I know that the new owner is someone of the highest integrity, I've no concerns about the future of Betts (will the name remain?). Matey, I couldn't be more pleased for you. You have the right mix of honesty and insanity to make this work.

In another thread Sir_Boome suggests you update the mailing list. My suggestion is to re-design the website. You don't want anything too fancy (I think that would detract from its main job) but it's a little too sprawling at the moment.

All the luck in the world to you my friend.

Ceri

I couldn't have said it better myself.

[Dolan]

WOW! Thats amazing David - congratulations!! If you need any help at all don't hesitate to ask us!

I am ALWAYS open for suggestions, so send them along. Some will be utilized, others not, of course, but my goal is to give everyone the best experience I can offer.

David - amazing! You always give us the best surprises! You know that my assistance is always available to you and I wish you the best of luck with your new venture!!!

[CRinVA]

Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy! Congrats David on your new adventure!

[Clacke]

Stu's first words to me were you CAN NOT fall in love with the inventory. I have a strong will, so I think I can manage.

Your will is stronger than mine. Me, I would start each day raring to go and each evening someone would find me amongst the books, stroking & cradling them, and not an ounce of work done.

[Pasiuk57]

I kept the secret!!
Great news David and GOOD LUCK!!
Now I know who to call to get some more stuff!!

[turtlex]

Now we ALL know who to call to get some more stuff!

[lophophoras]

Will we be getting any special discounts?

[herbertwest]

congratulations David!
After looking for your job, and Stu's retirement, nothing could turn better for you to achieve your dream.

A new era begins

[idlewarnings]

Great news! Congrats, David.

[Calla_Wolf]

The question of wanting to hang on to everything "juicy" is an interesting one.

When I was buying and selling on a large (for me) scale, I bought and sold almost all of the signed limiteds, MANY signed first editions and a ton of the rarer first editions. I wanted to keep EVERYTHING but I made a decision right at the beginning that I would enjoy and savour every item for as long as it took to sell it again. I was lucky enough to be in a position to buy new stock AND tuck a little into my creaking bank account...and I owned, however briefly, items that I couldn't dream of owning without trading. Now that Dave owns, arguably, the ULTIMATE King collectible, he has to exercise the same restraint with everything else to be able to keep it. I've NO doubt that this guy can make it work (I'd have said the same about most of the top collectors...except Bob, perhaps, because of his seemingly insatiable desire to complete), because he has deep roots in business, coupled with the fact that he's an instantly likeable guy who has a comparatively small but tight-knit community right behind him.