tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21166579.post6845579724432109129..comments2024-02-19T08:12:53.815-05:00Comments on The Right Thing: SOUND OFF: PREMATURE MAGICJeffrey L. Seglinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15648051034425906705noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21166579.post-37100316983677018192007-08-10T19:16:00.000-04:002007-08-10T19:16:00.000-04:00Dear Mr. Seglin,As an addenda to my previous posti...Dear Mr. Seglin,<BR/><BR/>As an addenda to my previous posting, I would like to add that many of the areas residents support my store. We have been named the Best Bookstore in the county for four years running, and the best gift shop for three. There are folks in the community who understand how important it is to support local business, and with the help of our Carrollton MainStreet program and the Carroll Tomorrow effort, we hope to increase this local support. Visitors come from around the country to visit our store. The bookstore has been recognized for its 115 years of business by both the city of Carrollton and the Georgia State Senate. We plan to celebrate our birthday with a customer appreciation "big bash" in September. We also know that without that base of customer support, we would not be celebrating our many years in business. <BR/><BR/>Thanks,<BR/><BR/>Dorothy Pittman<BR/>Horton's Books & Gifts<BR/>410 Adamson SQ<BR/>Carrollton GA 30117<BR/>(770)832-8021 (770)838-1152(fax)<BR/>Georgia's Oldest Bookstore<BR/>www.hortonsbook.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21166579.post-43142269970765798232007-08-08T19:02:00.000-04:002007-08-08T19:02:00.000-04:00Dear Mr. Seglin,I am an independent bookseller, so...Dear Mr. Seglin,<BR/>I am an independent bookseller, so my remarks about the premature<BR/>shipping of _Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows_ might have seemed like "sour grapes" to readers if they knew my background. It is difficult to be a small independent retailer in this age of "big box" stores and deep discount Internet concerns. Even so, the downtown area joined us in presenting a _Harry Potter_ celebration that attracted over 300 adults and children. Everyone had a great time, and many people commented on how great it was for the rest of the downtown businesses to be a part of the party.<BR/><BR/>Did I sell 300 copies of the book? No! Many participants came to the party, and then traveled to the local Wal-Mart, Target, or Borders (25 miles away) to purchase the book for $20.00 instead of the regular cover price. The fact that the money spent in my shop stays in the community to support community activities, rather than go to "big box=<BR/>"corporate coffers, does not seem to mean much any more. Instead of us being the "first" place for shoppers to look for items, we are more likely to be the "last" place people look. Most of the time, we have had what the shopper needed all along. The sad truth is that we don't have the "big bucks" to advertise, nor have we the ability to "brand" ourselves as easily as the big guys. But we hang on, carving a niche for ourselves in a world where most people only care for the "lowest price" rather than customer service and quality. With a little bit of hope, a prayer, and a lot of customer service, we independents will survive and continue to carve.<BR/><BR/>I hope this answered your question.<BR/><BR/>Dorothy Pittman<BR/>Horton's Books & Gifts<BR/>410 Adamson SQ<BR/>Carrollton GA 30117<BR/>(770)832-8021 (770)838-1152(fax)<BR/>Georgia's Oldest Bookstore<BR/>www.hortonsbooks.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21166579.post-89758111539128971042007-08-06T10:41:00.000-04:002007-08-06T10:41:00.000-04:00Jon Hopkins from Baltimore! Fishy indeed. Now TH...Jon Hopkins from Baltimore! Fishy indeed. Now THAT'S comedy!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21166579.post-15031201635731839862007-08-01T09:16:00.000-04:002007-08-01T09:16:00.000-04:00The Sun story sounds kind of fishy. I mean, "Jon H...The Sun story sounds kind of fishy. I mean, "Jon Hopkins" from Baltimore??Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21166579.post-49759983236817160072007-07-30T18:44:00.000-04:002007-07-30T18:44:00.000-04:00You raise an interesting point about the gentleman...You raise an interesting point about the gentleman who sold the copy he received early to Publishers Weekly via an eBay auction.<BR/><BR/>Any reason for your anonymity? Email me at rightthing@nytimes.com to let me know.Jeffrey L. Seglinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15648051034425906705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21166579.post-70384858024250170772007-07-30T18:32:00.000-04:002007-07-30T18:32:00.000-04:00A lot of blame got passed around, and everyone s...A lot of blame got passed around, and everyone says it was a "big mistake" that the books were shipped early. Given the security that surrounded the book, I doubt the books were actually shipped out "by mistake." Having said that, I was more disturbed by the fact that individuals who received the copies early, sold them on e-Bay for hundreds of dollars. In particular, one gentlemen sold a copy to _Publishers Weekly_, THE periodical of the publishing industry. That action alone speaks volumes about the current ethical climate.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21166579.post-69926934451678440552007-07-30T18:24:00.000-04:002007-07-30T18:24:00.000-04:00Mr. Seglin,So a Mr. Hopkins received the latest co...Mr. Seglin,<BR/><BR/>So a Mr. Hopkins received the latest copy of the Harry Potter books four days early. What should he do with it?<BR/> <BR/>How about reading it? Isn't that why he ordered it? That's what I do with books I order no matter when they arrive.<BR/> <BR/>He doesn't have to blab out the ending to others who hadn't yet received theirs. But if he bought it soly for prestige and bragging rights (i.e. "I got mine first"), he can do that without revealing the ending.<BR/> <BR/>Or he could have done what I'll do. Wait a year and buy a copy at a used book store for less than one-fourth the cover price. Then when I'm done I'll donate it to Goodwill.<BR/> <BR/>I doubt it will become a true "collectors item" that will command hundreds of dollars in a few years.<BR/> <BR/>If he sent it back to the seller they'd probably think he's just an idiot. I would.<BR/> <BR/>Burl Estes<BR/>Mission Viejo, CAAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21166579.post-75406956802673821642007-07-30T18:23:00.000-04:002007-07-30T18:23:00.000-04:00Regarding Jon Hopkins’ early arrival of the latest...Regarding Jon Hopkins’ early arrival of the latest Harry Potter book, he should have just kept the book, but not read it or said anything about it to anyone, until the official release date. Going to the trouble of sending it back would only take more time, and then he would receive the book late. Its no problem as long as he doesn’t “spill the beans” to anyone else that shouldn’t know ahead of time. <BR/><BR/>This is from Laura in Santa Ana, CA. I read your column in the Orange County Register.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21166579.post-24517487027741582252007-07-29T20:54:00.000-04:002007-07-29T20:54:00.000-04:00Enjoy the book. Don't spoil it for others.Enjoy the book. <BR/>Don't spoil it for others.Mary Janhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04062789064692892175noreply@blogger.com