Bookseller Digest UK

Changes to Maximum Delivery Speeds

This message is to inform you of an upcoming change to the AbeBooks shipping matrix.

Our research indicates that the maximum delivery speeds available in the shipping matrix are very high, with the consequence that the large majority of AbeBooks booksellers have defined much shorter delivery times.

In order to make our shipping matrix maximums more realistic and to improve the buyer experience in this regard, we will be reducing the maximum delivery speeds available within the shipping matrix. These changes will impact less than 1% of all AbeBooks booksellers.

Here are the details of the new maximum available speeds:

• International Standard and Priority: 60 business days maximum
• Domestic Standard: 30 business days maximum
• Domestic Priority: 14 business days maximum

Due to technical reasons, these changes have been postponed to the 27th April 2010.

If your shipping speeds will be affected, we advise you to update your speeds prior to 27th April. You can check your current shipping speeds through your shipping matrix. We also have detailed information on updating your shipping matrix in our help pages. Please note that any changes made to your shipping matrix may take 2-3 days to be reflected in the search results, however they will take immediate effect in the shopping basket.

We would also like to confirm that the shipping speeds are based on business days. For example, the new International maximum of 60 business days will calculate an estimated delivery date approximately 84 calendar days from date of order processing.

We are certain that more realistic shipping speeds will increase the trust of buyers, ultimately resulting in more sales for all.

If you have any questions or concerns about the new maximum shipping speeds or if you need any help updating your shipping matrix, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Reach more buyers - Update your shipping matrix!

Customers are increasingly sensitive to the costs of shipping and delivery times. These two factors play an important role when a buyer is deciding between offers from different sellers.

Ensuring that your shipping rates and speeds are accurate for each country will ensure that your listings are more competitive and that buyers return to buy more of your books.

You can access your shipping matrix at any time to make changes and updates, including:

• Adding more countries to your matrix. All countries not included in your matrix would come under the International shipping rates and speeds. However, you also have the option to add more countries to your matrix with the appropriate rates and speeds. We recommend that you add those countries from which you regularly receive orders.
• Increase or decrease the shipping rates according to the shipping services you use (both standard and priority). AbeBooks has a default shipping rate that all booksellers are welcome to use. However, those rates can be changed at any time to be more accurate to the services you offer.
• Change the shipping speeds according to the shipping service you use. You know best what delivery times your shipping services offer.

 
More information on adjusting your shipping matrix can be found on our help pages.

Sell yourself through your customised storefront

Your AbeBooks storefront is a great way to showcase your business, especially for buyers who may find your items through a search engine.

Several customisation options are available to ensure that your storefront gives buyers a clear overview of your offers and specialties:

• Personal choice of colour and style for your storefront
• Overview of your business and specialties
• Presentation of one or two of your catalogs (optional)
• Select an image or upload your own personal image (logo, store photo, etc.)

To access these customisation options:

1. Sign on to your AbeBooks.com Bookseller account
2. In your Members Menu click Your Storefront
3. Click on the link "Change/Update Your Storefront"
4. On this page you will also find the full web address to your storefront

More information can also be found in our Help Pages.

Improved storefronts for AbeBooks booksellers

Since launching in April 2009, the AbeBooks Booksellers storefronts have attracted many new visitors, thanks to their excellent exposure on some of the biggest search engines.

To further encourage their use by customers and to allow for easier navigation of your catalogues, two new features have been added: an advanced search feature and a direct link to the complete list of your offers.

The link "List this Seller's Books" gives the buyer quick access to your full list of books. The buyer can then refine their search or classify books according the criteria of their choice.

The Advanced Search function allows buyers to search from your inventory using all fields of advanced search including binding, signed copies, first editions, etc.

Sellers are encouraged to share their storefront address with their customers, to keep them updated on any new updates.

More information on customising your storefront can be found in our help pages.

AbeBooks’ Most Expensive Sales in January 2010

1. Mundus Subterraneus by Athanasius Kircher -£6,389 ($10,000)
Kircher was a 17th century Jesuit scholar who, among other things, specialized in geology. Mundus Subterraneus was originally published in 1664 and in it he suggested the tides were caused by water moving to and from a subterranean ocean. This edition was published in 1678.

2. The Anatomy of the Horse by George Stubbs - £5,750 ($9,000)
Before Stubbs became a household name for painting beautiful horses, he researched and completed this book of equine drawings, including bones, cartilage, muscles, ligaments, nerves, arteries, veins and glands. Published in 1766.

3. African Game Trails: An Account of the African Wanderings of an American Hunter-Naturalist by Theodore Roosevelt - £5,191 ( $8,125)
First edition from 1910, this is an account of Roosevelt’s 1909 hunting trip made shortly after his presidency. Signed and inscribed to John B. Pratt, a journalist who often traveled with Roosevelt.

4. Original sketches by J.K. Rowling - £5,159 ($8,075)
Sketches by Rowling from before Harry Potter was published, including an illustrated invitation to Jessica Rowling’s 3rd birthday. The invitation was in the form of an old western “wanted” poster; it shows a collection of cowboys and indians above a guitar and a cactus and says ' Please leave all guns, bows and arrows and tomahawks at your ranch/wigwam'.

5. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger- £5,110 ($8,000)
A first edition, first printing of Salinger’s great novel from 1951.

6. Nine Stories by J.D. Salinger - £4,152 ($6,500)
A first edition of Salinger's second book and first collection of short stories from 1953.

7. Linda Tressel by Anthony Trollope - £3,513 ($5,500)
First edition from 1868 in two volumes. Linda Tressel and its companion book, Nina Balatka, were published without the author’s name as part of an experiment by Trollope to determine whether the public were buying his books because of the author's fame, or the quality of his writing.

8. Les Diners de Gala / The Dali Cookbook by Salvador Dali - £3,193 ($5,000)
A first edition of this out-of-print cookbook published 1973 signed by Dali.

9.  The Botanical Magazine: or, Flower Garden Displayed - £3,181 ($4,981)
Published by William Curtis beginning in 1787 it was the premier journal for early botanical illustration. This set included eight volumes bound into four from 1790-1796

10. Codex Aureus. Das Goldene Evangelienbuch Von Echternach - £2,882 ($4,511)
Facsimile of the 11th century Gospel Book. The Codex Aureus is one of the most lavishly illuminated Ottonian manuscripts and became famous due to its golden letters.