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Happier Buying Books at Violet’s 

ON CONSUMERISM 

By Arthur Vidro 

I’m a book person. I have always loved books. And bookstores. 

Before the mighty Amazon company started spreading its tentacles into every consumer product, it began by selling books. 

Even then I resisted. 

I like to see — or at least speak on the phone with — whoever I’m dealing with. And I’m reluctant to give hackable sites my financial information. 

I no longer use Amazon. The one time I did buy from them, the next day my inbox was overflowing with advertisements and potential scams, so I never returned to Amazon. (When given an Amazon gift card, I pass it along to others.) 

Where I used to live, Barnes & Noble was the nearest bookstore, two miles away. Here in Claremont, the bookstore is Violet’s Book Exchange on Opera House Square. 

It’s a fine bookstore. Lots of space. Lots of books. They specialize in used books. Some of the books on their shelves are out of print, and thus hard to find. 

Violet’s also carries a small selection of new books. 

If you prefer books not in stock, Violet’s will order them for you. They can order any book carried by book distributor Ingram. This pretty much includes every mainstream book in print offered by the major publishers. Some smaller publishers are represented too. If you are seeking a non-mainstream or out-of-print book, Violet’s will search for it and then (if you approve the price and condition) order it for you. 

Yes, because of the power it wields, Amazon can usually sell books for less money. That’s why mom-and-pop stores like Violet’s have to battle harder. 

But it’s possible to save money at Violet’s too. 

For instance, the missus and I bought two books there earlier this month. We had placed the order in the final week of December. 

We bought books that their publishers sell for a combined $108 ($80 for a very handsome art book and $28 for a book on our Social Security system). 

Using money we had put aside for the purchase, we paid $81 for the two books. That’s $27 less than list price. 

Yes, by buying through Violet’s we received a 25% discount. 

We simply used store credit, which can be applied to the purchase of used books already in Violet’s or (as happened in this case) new books the store can order via Ingram. 

We earned the credit by donating books we no longer need. Violet’s accepts the books it wishes to (not all books) and extends a store credit to the book donor. 

When a store sells you something at list price, the only way it can make a profit is by first acquiring the item at below-list price. Violet’s receives a 40% discount on books ordered through Ingram (which doesn’t charge the bookstore for shipping). So, Violet’s can give deserving customers a discount and earn a profit, too.  In my book, that makes everyone happy. 

Without that 40% discount, the bookstore wouldn’t be making a profit. 

Because of its size, Amazon can demand an even larger discount, thus enabling it to sell items for rock-bottom prices. But to me, the discount provided by Amazon doesn’t justify giving them my business. 

Plus, I’m happier keeping my money in the community instead of sending it to a mega-company based in another time zone. 

Back in 2022, I tried ordering two books electronically from the Books-a-Million bookstore chain. 

They quickly sent me an email with a Subject box stating: “Hooray! You found it!” 

I found the exclamation marks patronizing. As if they were talking to a child. 

Part of their email stated: “We decided to pick out a few more items we think would make great additions to your bookshelf.” And then it peddled more books at me. I resented their presuming to know what other books I might want. They don’t know me at all. 

I sent the following reply: 

“I didn’t ‘find’ anything yet. I ordered two books from you, both of which were out of stock. Let’s see if you can reel in the books before we start shouting ‘Hooray!’” 

In the end, they were unable to acquire either of the books and canceled the order. At least they refunded my money without making me ask for it. 

I never again placed an order with Books-a-Million. 

And I won’t order from Amazon. I hate what they’ve done to the book industry. 

How much better it is (for me at least) to shop in person. 

Best of all, Laurel Eaton, the proprietress at Violet’s, never shouts “Hooray!” at me.