Used book business help parents and pupils<\/p>\n
By Apriadi Gunawan<\/p>\n
MEDAN, North Sumatra (JP): A luxurious red Peugeot 206 cruised
\nslowly to Titi Gantung (the hanging bridge) area, the second-hand
\nbook center of the city, came to a halt nearby the market. A
\nwoman and three children emerged, walked along the corridor
\nconnecting rows of kiosks all selling books and entered one of
\nthem.<\/p>\n
\"Do you have a history book for second graders?\" the woman
\nasked a young man sitting in front of the kiosk. The question was
\nquickly responded by another question, \"Who's the publisher?\"<\/p>\n
The moment the young man, dressed in a funky style, got the
\nanswer, he soon rushed to another nearby kiosk and shortly
\nreturned with the book.<\/p>\n
The 20-year-old Daniel is just one of the sales agents in Titi
\nGantung. He started doing his job 10 years ago, since he was in
\nfirst grade at junior high school. He simply attracts customers
\nand provides them with books that they request. He doesn't even
\nhave to invest in a new kiosk.<\/p>\n
\"I just get a tip for each book sold,\" he said.<\/p>\n
At the beginning of each school year, Daniel can make between
\nRp 20,000 (US$2.5) and Rp 30,000 daily profit.<\/p>\n
The student at North Sumatra's Islamic University school of
\npedagogy runs his business to pay for his studies.<\/p>\n
People from Medan have long been familiar with Titi Gantung,
\nthe oldest pedestrian bridge here, although some of the latest
\npublished books are also available. The number of kiosks have
\nbeen increasing in the past few years.<\/p>\n
M. Syafii has been selling books since 1977. The increasing
\nnumber of kiosks started in the early 1990s, mostly as a result
\nof newcomers from around Jl. Jawa.<\/p>\n
\"In the 1970s there were only five people selling books here.
\nWe didn't sell books in kiosks but just spread them out on
\nplastic sheets,\" said the 42-year-old man.<\/p>\n
He described the situation in Titi Gantung in the past as not
\nas beautiful as it is today.<\/p>\n
\"I have heard stories told by the older generation that Titi
\nGantung was built during the Dutch colonial days to enable
\npedestrians to cross the railway track. The bridge is naturally
\nlocated next to the train station.<\/p>\n
\"Originally, the bridge consisted of several large ropes tied
\ntogether. It was really in a hanging position with wooden planks
\nas its base. But the Dutch colonial government realized the
\nimportance of better trade during those days. Therefore, the
\nbridge was renovated and built as a permanent structure.\"<\/p>\n
The Titi Gantung, located on Jl. Stasiun, is right at the
\nheart of Medan and indeed a strategic business location.<\/p>\n
Spreading out merchandise at Titi Gantung is not hampered by
\nthe hassles of red-tape nor by any other financial obligations,
\nexcept the Rp 1,000 daily fee for the services of night guards.<\/p>\n
When he started his business, Syafii had to put up Rp 20
\nmillion. \"This large amount was for building the kiosk and for
\npurchasing both second-hand and new books.\"<\/p>\n
To collect used books, the book sellers frequently \"hunt\"
\nevery corner of the city, visiting residents and even contacting
\nscavengers. But sometimes, people come to them offering their
\nbooks to buy.<\/p>\n
The value of used books depends on their weight. The average
\nprice is only Rp 2,000 per kilogram but newer books are priced at
\nRp 5,000 per kilogram. The difference in the price is due to the
\nfact that newer books sell quicker.<\/p>\n
New books<\/p>\n
Beside used books, the kiosks at Titi Gantung also offer new
\nbooks although the seller needs more money to buy them.<\/p>\n
But Syafii said the profits were not much as he could only
\nearn a five percent profit margin from the price he sold new
\nbooks at. He also opted to sell new books at a lower price so
\nstudents would prefer to buy them from him instead of their
\nteachers.<\/p>\n
\"Customers tend to buy used books as long as they are in good
\ncondition. New books are very expensive now, especially those
\npublished by Airlangga and Grafindo. The cheapest book for a
\npupil at primary school, for instance, is Rp 8,900,\" he said.<\/p>\n
But customers still need to buy new books as the used ones are
\nusually out of date due to changes in the new curriculum. The
\nfact doesn't only trouble parents financially but also has an
\nimpact on the book dealers resulting in lower sales of their used
\nbooks.<\/p>\n
\"Every year you have to dump books published the previous year
\nbased on changes in the curriculum. Consequently, new books need
\nto be bought,\" complained Komariah, a housewife and mother who
\nwas busy buying books for her children.<\/p>\n
Influenced by the prevailing conditions, many Titi Gantung
\nsmall-scale businessmen consider their activity seasonal.<\/p>\n
At the start of the school year, they call it the \"book
\nseason\", all kiosks open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. but when it ends,
\nonly a couple of kiosks remain in operation.<\/p>\n
\"March and April are normally restless periods for us, because
\nit can take several days before even a single book is sold,\"
\nwhispered Syafii.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/used-book-business-help-parents-and-pupils-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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