Consignment Guidelines for Inventory at Bookfairs & Booths

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Hospital Bookfairs can be highly successful. They do require a commitment on the part of the consultant(s)/supervisor taking part in the event, a commitment of time, energy and possibly $'s. Before you plunge into this area, please discuss the possibilities with your supervisor and maybe also your spouse, as support is helpful.

Much of this information would also apply to Corporate Bookfairs, a book sale within a large company.

Where should I set up at the hospital?

One time they put the display in a room way down a hall - they sold about $200 a day. Other times when the display was outside the cafeteria they sold $1500-$2000 a day. Location, location, location - SO important! Have the hospital supply the tables - tell them how many you'll need...maybe 4 or 5 - it's nice to have plenty of space.

How long should I be set up?

We've been set up for 2-4 days. Set up in a high traffic spot - like outside the cafeteria. Advertising is very important - we made flyers for elevators and for posting around, email sent to all employees that we were coming and then again was sent each morning we were there. We were there over shift changes - like 9 or 10am to 5pm each day. Sometimes we accepted paycheck deduction as a form of payment.

How do I write this up?

It depends on whether the hospital wants free books or cash. If they want books, then probably a bookfair is the best way to write it up. See our group Fundraising Options page for more information about cash possibilities.

Who do I contact at the hospital?

You may make a contact at a home show, booth, bookfair or other event. These are a few of the groups who benefited: Ronald McDonald House, Family Care Network, speech pathology unit, women's auxiliary, pediatric floor, etc... Each hospital is different, but many have numerous departments that do their own fundraising.

Should I do a free book drawing to help book shows and recruit?

Find out if they mind if you do a drawing for a $25 gift certificate - some don't like that but others are fine with it.

What about inventory?

On a large scale event, such as this, it is best to have books people can purchase and take home with them. You want to be cautions about making large purchases of inventory unless you have a couple/few events lined up at which you can sell them, just incase the first event doesn't go as you have planned for some reason.

The Home Office does have an consignment inventory program in place. Complete details are available from the home office - call the home office if you're serious about this and they can send you a packet. Basically, you would guarantee the retail value of the books on your credit card. The home office sends you the books. You would have 30 days to sell the books. You would write up the order and pay for the books. You can return up to 20% of the inventory in salable condition, if you absolutely have to. There are more restrictions, but I wanted to give you the general idea.