Used book business help parents and pupils

Used book business help parents and pupils

By Apriadi Gunawan

MEDAN, North Sumatra (JP): A luxurious red Peugeot 206 cruised
slowly to Titi Gantung (the hanging bridge) area, the second-hand
book center of the city, came to a halt nearby the market. A
woman and three children emerged, walked along the corridor
connecting rows of kiosks all selling books and entered one of
them.

"Do you have a history book for second graders?" the woman
asked a young man sitting in front of the kiosk. The question was
quickly responded by another question, "Who's the publisher?"

The moment the young man, dressed in a funky style, got the
answer, he soon rushed to another nearby kiosk and shortly
returned with the book.

The 20-year-old Daniel is just one of the sales agents in Titi
Gantung. He started doing his job 10 years ago, since he was in
first grade at junior high school. He simply attracts customers
and provides them with books that they request. He doesn't even
have to invest in a new kiosk.

"I just get a tip for each book sold," he said.

At the beginning of each school year, Daniel can make between
Rp 20,000 (US$2.5) and Rp 30,000 daily profit.

The student at North Sumatra's Islamic University school of
pedagogy runs his business to pay for his studies.

People from Medan have long been familiar with Titi Gantung,
the oldest pedestrian bridge here, although some of the latest
published books are also available. The number of kiosks have
been increasing in the past few years.

M. Syafii has been selling books since 1977. The increasing
number of kiosks started in the early 1990s, mostly as a result
of newcomers from around Jl. Jawa.

"In the 1970s there were only five people selling books here.
We didn't sell books in kiosks but just spread them out on
plastic sheets," said the 42-year-old man.

He described the situation in Titi Gantung in the past as not
as beautiful as it is today.

"I have heard stories told by the older generation that Titi
Gantung was built during the Dutch colonial days to enable
pedestrians to cross the railway track. The bridge is naturally
located next to the train station.

"Originally, the bridge consisted of several large ropes tied
together. It was really in a hanging position with wooden planks
as its base. But the Dutch colonial government realized the
importance of better trade during those days. Therefore, the
bridge was renovated and built as a permanent structure."

The Titi Gantung, located on Jl. Stasiun, is right at the
heart of Medan and indeed a strategic business location.

Spreading out merchandise at Titi Gantung is not hampered by
the hassles of red-tape nor by any other financial obligations,
except the Rp 1,000 daily fee for the services of night guards.

When he started his business, Syafii had to put up Rp 20
million. "This large amount was for building the kiosk and for
purchasing both second-hand and new books."

To collect used books, the book sellers frequently "hunt"
every corner of the city, visiting residents and even contacting
scavengers. But sometimes, people come to them offering their
books to buy.

The value of used books depends on their weight. The average
price is only Rp 2,000 per kilogram but newer books are priced at
Rp 5,000 per kilogram. The difference in the price is due to the
fact that newer books sell quicker.

New books

Beside used books, the kiosks at Titi Gantung also offer new
books although the seller needs more money to buy them.

But Syafii said the profits were not much as he could only
earn a five percent profit margin from the price he sold new
books at. He also opted to sell new books at a lower price so
students would prefer to buy them from him instead of their
teachers.

"Customers tend to buy used books as long as they are in good
condition. New books are very expensive now, especially those
published by Airlangga and Grafindo. The cheapest book for a
pupil at primary school, for instance, is Rp 8,900," he said.

But customers still need to buy new books as the used ones are
usually out of date due to changes in the new curriculum. The
fact doesn't only trouble parents financially but also has an
impact on the book dealers resulting in lower sales of their used
books.

"Every year you have to dump books published the previous year
based on changes in the curriculum. Consequently, new books need
to be bought," complained Komariah, a housewife and mother who
was busy buying books for her children.

Influenced by the prevailing conditions, many Titi Gantung
small-scale businessmen consider their activity seasonal.

At the start of the school year, they call it the "book
season", all kiosks open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. but when it ends,
only a couple of kiosks remain in operation.

"March and April are normally restless periods for us, because
it can take several days before even a single book is sold,"
whispered Syafii.