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Bookshop.org launches buy-back scheme for secondhand books
Bookshop.org has launched an exciting buy-back scheme called Bookloop, allowing customers to trade in their own books for credit on the online retailer’s website. Here are the key details:
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How It Works: Readers can register their pre-owned books through Bookshop.org’s online valuation system. They can then choose to drop off the books at a DPD location or have them picked up from home.
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No Sales on Bookshop.org: The used books won’t be sold directly on Bookshop.org, which continues to focus on new titles. Instead, they’ll be traded on other online marketplaces by Zeercle, the same company behind the WH Smith buy-back scheme.
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Royalties for Authors: Unlike the WH Smith service, Bookloop ensures that books traded via their platform won’t end up on Amazon-owned websites. Accumulated royalties will be distributed to authors through a shared author fund, including grants for various support needs.
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Minimum Value: To participate, readers must sell at least £5 worth of books. The valuation system currently values paperback copies of Paul Lynch’s 2023 Booker prize-winning novel “Prophet Song” at £1.91 and hardback copies of Prince Harry’s memoir “Spare” at £3.24.
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Bookshop.org’s Model: Bookshop.org’s business model revolves around independent bookshops creating virtual shopfronts on their website. These shops receive the full profit margin from each sale.
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Supporting Reading Culture: Mark Thornton, senior partnerships manager, emphasizes the need to find new ways to support reading culture, especially with the rise of online book purchases.
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Secondhand Booksellers’ Doubts: Some secondhand booksellers doubt how many books will actually be sold to readers through Bookloop. Patrick Kelly of Bookmongers in Brixton believes most secondhand books should be recycled due to relevance, overproduction, or poor condition.
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Zeercle’s Role: Zeercle ensures that books find their way back to readers. However, there’s a point where the market for a particular book may become saturated, and Zeercle handles this responsibly.
Bookloop aims to promote sustainability and support independent bookshops while offering an ethical alternative to Amazon.
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