What To Say When You Contact The Schools

You should paraphrase something similar to what follows when you contact your selected school. This script will work regardless of if the contact is made by telephone, in person or by email.

“Hello. My name is (your first and last name here) . I’m a book recycler calling to see if you currently have any surplus book inventory that you may need to clear from your book room”.

Because almost all textbooks rooms have loose agreement with larger corporate book company representatives your inquest may be met with a response like this:  “No. We have someone to handle our books.”

Keep in mind that in almost all cases the book room person only believe  that they have someone to handle their books. What they most likely have is a disingenuous corporate rep who stops by periodically for what equates to a book booty-call. The rep drops in for their visit when they want to get particular books with value and is missing in action at all other times.

 

If the book room person says no a second time it does not mean no forever. The book room person does not have the authority to just give you the books or throw them away. She has to get approval from school administrators before doing anything with the inventory entrusted to her.

Your next step will be to allow a week to go by. Then go to the school in person and introduce yourself to the book room staff.  In the seven days that you allow to pass between your initial contact and when you actually show up to introduce yourself the book room person will have had time to think over your offer. They will have thought it over a lot.  Dependent upon how disorganized and overstocked their book room is. The book room person can and will get approval from whomever necessary to do whatever they see fit with the book inventory if they are properly motivated.

When you actually meet the book room person I recommend you say something like this: “I was in the area and thought I would stop by and put a face to the voice on the phone” (or put a face to the email, whichever is the case).  Then you should remind the book room person that you can come in and cart off their problem inventory at their convenience.

By presenting yourself in person you are in a better position to get your hands on the books. In addition it will give the book room person needed familiarity with you. They will gather that you are serious about providing

So if you get a response like the one above you will follow up and say something like this: “Yes, I felt you might. But I guarantee that I able to serve and assist you better. I can make your job as a book room manager a lot easier. For instance, if you need to clean up and organize your cluttered book room I can come out, at no cost, and take away most if not all of your unwanted material. I’m available to do this whenever you need me. You tell me when and I will be there.”

prompt and enthusiastic service when required. Your intention is to impress upon her that you are different from the corporate textbook representative. You will be there when she needs you. On her schedule. Your willingness to cater to her needs will be important to her success as a book room manager. If the book room person feels excessive loyalty to the corporate textbook representative you can suggest that she allow you to only take away a portion of her overstocked inventory. There are enough books in the school book room for everyone. You just have to help her come to this realization.  Be persistent with the book room person but don’t become a nuisance. If she does not make arrangements for you to carry away books after you have made your personal appearance leave your business card. You should also remind her that she can reach you by telephone, email or text message at anytime. Touch bases with her by telephone or in person again a month or so later. Don’t allow her to forget you. She might if forget her. It will only be a matter of time before she calls in need of your services. Once she does your foot most likely will be in the door forever.

If you secure a take-all appointment while you are there, during your in-person visit, make an effort to get a list of ISBN numbers from the books to be carried off.  If you can get ISBN numbers then and there you can look the value of those books up on Amazon.com, Half.com or Bigwords.com before you are due back to execute the take-all. If you know in advance which books have value you can go directly from the school to the paper recycler. You can then be fully aware of which books are okay to discard. Whatever is left can go home with you to be sold.