A flawed business method

An interesting example of a potentially backfiring business method just came up, so I thought I'd run through it. I'm not sure whether it's ironic, or just downright funny.

We were phoning round second hand bookshops to get rid of some books (I've got too many and they've taken over the house).

When we phoned one of the nearer ones we had a very interesting conversation. Apparently, they are having trouble competing with charity shops, so they will only take the best quality books. They only wanted as-new books - which they stated included no signs it had ever been read and no page browning. I did ask how a ten year old book was supposed to avoid page browning: apparently they don't want ten year old books no matter how pristine or rare. Likewise any new books printed on creme, no-go. Unfortunately most people selling books are trying to clear space, not make money.

One big problem with their method: the number of people who go into the store, sell what books they can, and then drop the rest off at the nearest charity shop.

Why am I not surprised the charity shops have a better range of stock? On the bright side, I suppose they must be grateful for the steady supply of good reading copies and brand-new-but-printed-on-creme books that keep coming through their door courtesy of their competition.