Retail booksellers: An urgent request, please give thought

[yy4me]

to putting your price stickers on the back of the book jackets. I bought several books for Christmas gifts and have spent about an hour trying to get your non-removable stickers off. When I carefully fingernail remove the stickers, a residue is still visible, These are new books and I'd like them to look like new books. It is no problem for your customer to turn the book over to see the price. Now I have 5 with smudgy marks on the jackets and about an hour of time wasted in trying to carefully get the darn things off without ruining the jacket.

Now to cope with the smudges, I'll try an art eraser. So much for getting up early to wrap so that I can do my chores for today and ship these things tomorrow.

[peacefreak]

1. Long time problem.

Unfortunately, when we used low glue labels it made it easier for shoplifters to switch labels. So there in lies the dilemma.

eidted for possible solution....try a little goo gone. It works wonders.

[yy4me]

2. Can the tickets be placed on the back? I understand about the

shoplifting problem, was in retail most of my life in one capacity or another. The jacket fronts are the first thing the recipient sees and it looks funny with a scraped off label or as sometimes happens, a small tear in the paper.

Hope you are having a good season.
Peace

[peacefreak]

3. Do you shop at a chain or an indie?

If it's a chain, it's probably a corporate decision. If it's your local independent, talk to the manager or owner. Most times they are more than willing to listen & act on your concerns.

[LostinVA]

6. Borders and Book-A-Million do place them on the back -- but, they are easy to remove

Read my post down thread.

[kath]

12. I second the recommendation for GooGone.

[justabob]

4. windex works

spray a bit of windex on a towel and rub over the gummy smudges. It won't hurt the book jacket and works in all but the most stubborn circumstances.

[LostinVA]

5. Use a hairdryer -- they peel right off with zero trace in 15-24 seconds

I was a big-box bookstore manager for several years, and would have to remove thousands of stickers after Xmas, etc.

Get a blowdryer, aim at the sticker for about 15 seconds and start peeling up a corner. If it starts to stick, stop peeling and keep aiming the dryer. It'll come right off with no residue.

Trust me on this one.

[yy4me]

9. I just tried the hairdryer, could not believe my eyes. Used the

edge of a paring knife to get under the corner and the stickers slowly lifted and peeled off. I did keep the dryer 8 inches or so away from the books. Great help!

Peace

[LostinVA]

10. It's like a little heat gun, isn't it!

Glad it worked for you.

[jane_pippin]

7. 1. Windex works. 2. The prices are printed in the jackets anyway

so at some point they're going to see a price. (I understand, though, that if you bought it off the bargain table you're going to want to take off the sticker. In which case, see #1) :hi:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

8. I cover the price tags with decorative stickers

Saves time, looks nicer...Works on pre-printed prices too. :hi:

[Dangerously Amused]

11. If for some reason you don't have a hairdryer available,

scotch tape also works pretty well to remove the residue left from price stickers or other labels, on most items, without leaving any marks. Make it into a little circle with the sticky part on the outside, and sort of dab at the residue until it is gone.

[dem629]

13. Lighter fluid works great. Smells a little, but.....

Then a good thing to do is put a book in a somewhat sealed container with a fresh stick (or stalk or whatever they call it) of vanilla and leave it in there for a couple of days.

This works GREAT if you have old musty books or if you get a used book that smells like cigarette smoke or something like that.