Vendor Queries

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Vendor Queries

Authors, publishers, and other vendors: Do you think that Mindbird Maps & Books would be a good outlet for your work? Before sending samples or promotional materials, read this page first!

First, this store is a small, one-man business with very little walk-in traffic. It is primarily an internet business now, and maps and related materials make up most of my online sales.

Author readings, signings

Because the store is so small and is primarily an internet business, I am not interested in author readings, signings, or other public events; I simply do not have the space or the time.

Books

Since books are slow sellers in this store, I am not interested in stocking new titles any time soon. An exception might be scientific field guides (whether directed to a lay audience or specialists) to groups of organisms of any specific region---for example, "A Field Guide to the Wildflowers of the ABC Mountains." Even in this latter category, I could take books on consignment only. If you are sure it would sell for me, you should be willing to share the risk. (Realistically, two copies per title per year is a fast-selling title here.)

I am not interested in New Age subjects (for example, channeling, astrology, crystal-healing, pop-spirituality, etc.) even if I had the budget. This store is science and secular-Buddhist based, and does not promote indiscriminate spirituality or faith-based belief systems.

Maps

If you publish a quality map, whether of trails, roads, or for general reference, I may be interested. As you can see by reviewing this website, I have a nationwide selection of trail and topographic maps, a worldwide selection of country maps, and display maps of the world and many nations, and am interested in developing my stock. A map that sells two copies in a month is selling very briskly, and some sell only one or two copies per year. I am much more likely to begin selling your map if it is stocked by my prime map distributor, Map Link. This is because if you have a minimum order for a decent discount (40% is the minimum I should receive from you) of, say, ten copies, and I expect to sell an average of one copy per month (based on sales of similar items), it will take me many months before my investment is recovered, and I simply do not have the funds to do that.

On the other hand, if you distribute it through Map Link, I can buy one or two copies at a time (combined with maps from other publishers) for a satisfactory discount without the risk of carrying more stock than I am likely to sell. You would have to give a larger discount to them than you would to individual stores, but you will get more stores to sell your map.

Alternatively, I could accept larger quantities directly from you on consignment. I pay you once the maps are sold, or perhaps quarterly.

I am not interested in selling maps or related products that promote the use of off-highway vehicles.

At any rate, you could mail or email samples of your map; doesn't have to be a copy of the full map, an image that gives me sufficient information to judge the quality for myself may work.

Map-related items

I am also interested in stocking new items related to maps, such as scales. Same conditions as outlined above under Maps.

Bookmarks, novelty items

I am not interested in stocking bookmarks, handmade or otherwise, and do not stock novelty "impulse" items.

Cards, postcards

I may be stocking some new notecards or postcards soon, though I don't expect brisk sales since I expect light walk-in traffic. If I were to stock your products, you should think in terms of sales of one or two items per month, and it may not be worth your while to try to stock them here.

Mindbird Maps & Books

601 Hall St. Suite C

Kingman AZ 86401

question@mindbird.com

Phone inquiries from vendors are not welcome, unless I have requested a call from you.


	Mindbird Maps & Books \| home Vendor Queries Authors, publishers, and other vendors: Do you think that Mindbird Maps & Books would be a good outlet for your work? Before sending samples or promotional materials, read this page first! First, this store is a small, one-man business with very little walk-in traffic. It is primarily an internet business now, and maps and related materials make up most of my online sales. Author readings, signings Because the store is so small and is primarily an internet business, I am not interested in author readings, signings, or other public events; I simply do not have the space or the time. Books Since books are slow sellers in this store, I am not interested in stocking new titles any time soon. An exception might be scientific field guides (whether directed to a lay audience or specialists) to groups of organisms of any specific region---for example, "A Field Guide to the Wildflowers of the ABC Mountains." Even in this latter category, I could take books on consignment only. If you are sure it would sell for me, you should be willing to share the risk. (Realistically, two copies per title per year is a fast-selling title here.) I am not interested in New Age subjects (for example, channeling, astrology, crystal-healing, pop-spirituality, etc.) even if I had the budget. This store is science and secular-Buddhist based, and does not promote indiscriminate spirituality or faith-based belief systems. Maps If you publish a quality map, whether of trails, roads, or for general reference, I may be interested. As you can see by reviewing this website, I have a nationwide selection of trail and topographic maps, a worldwide selection of country maps, and display maps of the world and many nations, and am interested in developing my stock. A map that sells two copies in a month is selling very briskly, and some sell only one or two copies per year. I am much more likely to begin selling your map if it is stocked by my prime map distributor, Map Link. This is because if you have a minimum order for a decent discount (40% is the minimum I should receive from you) of, say, ten copies, and I expect to sell an average of one copy per month (based on sales of similar items), it will take me many months before my investment is recovered, and I simply do not have the funds to do that. On the other hand, if you distribute it through Map Link, I can buy one or two copies at a time (combined with maps from other publishers) for a satisfactory discount without the risk of carrying more stock than I am likely to sell. You would have to give a larger discount to them than you would to individual stores, but you will get more stores to sell your map. Alternatively, I could accept larger quantities directly from you on consignment. I pay you once the maps are sold, or perhaps quarterly. I am not interested in selling maps or related products that promote the use of off-highway vehicles. At any rate, you could mail or email samples of your map; doesn't have to be a copy of the full map, an image that gives me sufficient information to judge the quality for myself may work. Map-related items I am also interested in stocking new items related to maps, such as scales. Same conditions as outlined above under Maps. Bookmarks, novelty items I am not interested in stocking bookmarks, handmade or otherwise, and do not stock novelty "impulse" items. Cards, postcards I may be stocking some new notecards or postcards soon, though I don't expect brisk sales since I expect light walk-in traffic. If I were to stock your products, you should think in terms of sales of one or two items per month, and it may not be worth your while to try to stock them here. Mindbird Maps & Books 601 Hall St. Suite C Kingman AZ 86401 question@mindbird.com Phone inquiries from vendors are not welcome, unless I have requested a call from you.