Book Membership Program

[MSham]

Avid readers,

I'm doing a survey about the appetite of book reading of Malaysian, particularly in the Subang area. As you know we are not a well-read lot as compared to other nations. Thus, it would be very helpful if you guys could help out and share your reading habits and experiences with me. There's no reward but all of this effort is geared to map out a trend among readers living in the Subang area. With the solid data that I hope to achieve, I plan to provide a service that gives you the opportunity to read the latest best-sellers in the most convenient and cheapest way. Now that is a reward to the reading community, wouldn't you say?

Well the questions would be brief and straight forward and there's only seven of em.
1. Average time taken reading a book?
2. Amount of money spent on getting books (either buying or renting)?
3. Types of books that interest you (eg. fiction, self-improvement etc.)?
4. Where do you get your books?
5. Would you like to be able to read the latest best-sellers at a fraction of their purchase price without stepping out of your doorstep?
6. Do you have many friends that share this 'dream'(no.5)?
7. Finally, what would you pay for a service like that? Bear in mind, that book rental establishment charges at least rm5.00 minus the home delivery, excellent selection and very good condition books.

The objective of this survey is to get a good indicator of the reading habits of Malaysian and their aspirations in wanting an alternative way to secure a good read. This survey would be the guideline for a book membership program that I have in mind. This book membership program is aimed at getting the latest book to the members in the most convenient and cheapest way.

I hope that you all would help me by giving honest answers to the questions above. By the way, if you have book reading friends, it would be nice if you'd ask them to chip in their views too. Thanks in advance. Hopefully this would be the first step in launching the ultimate way to get a good read.

[Vixey]

1. Average time taken reading a book?
- Really depends on the thickness and pace of the book. But usually a fast reader, anywhere between 3 - 7 days.
2. Amount of money spent on getting books (either buying or renting)?
- Usually buy from Payless bookstores for around RM10 per book
3. Types of books that interest you (eg. fiction, self-improvement etc.)?
- psychological thrillers, travel stories, autobiographies, crime stories
4. Where do you get your books?
- Payless

5. Would you like to be able to read the latest best-sellers at a fraction of their purchase price without stepping out of your doorstep?
- Yes
6. Do you have many friends that share this 'dream'(no.5)?
- Wouldn't be able to speak for my friends.
7. Finally, what would you pay for a service like that? Bear in mind, that book rental establishment charges at least rm5.00 minus the home delivery, excellent selection and very good condition books.
- Hard to say as the "service" provided isn't detailed enough. What if my reading interests do not include just the latest best-seller lists? Do you provide a catalogue where we can e-choose and u deliver? Do you procure titles for us that we can't find elsewhere? Are the books hard cover or soft cover ? IMHO, it would be much better if you give us full details on the kind of book membership service you envision and tell us the $$. Then we can tell you if we are willing to pay that much for it. Details like, yearly membership, monthly etc..Frequent Rental Rates...etc

[jessi24]

1. Average time taken reading a book?

1 - 7 days (average thickness of book 300 pgs)

2. Amount of money spent on getting books (either buying or renting)?

Depends. Eg. last year RM500+. This year to date RM1000+

3. Types of books that interest you (eg. fiction, self-improvement etc.)?

Fiction

4. Where do you get your books?

MPH or Kinokuniya

5. Would you like to be able to read the latest best-sellers at a fraction of their purchase price without stepping out of your doorstep?

Who doesn't?

6. Do you have many friends that share this 'dream'(no.5)?

Unable to answer on their behalf.

7. Finally, what would you pay for a service like that? Bear in mind, that book rental establishment charges at least rm5.00 minus the home delivery, excellent selection and very good condition books.

Depends on the "books" and the "service". So called book rental establishments do not get "latest" best-sellers. They only get it a few months after.

[mon]

1. Average time taken reading a book?

at least 2 days for me (average thickness 100 pages..)

2. Amount of money spent on getting books (either buying or renting)?

buy mostly, never rented. this year ~ estimate about rm700-800

3. Types of books that interest you (eg. fiction, self-improvement etc.)?

only music related books for now

4. Where do you get your books?

Kinokuniya, Chambers, MPH

5. Would you like to be able to read the latest best-sellers at a fraction of their purchase price without stepping out of your doorstep?

ya

6. Do you have many friends that share this 'dream'(no.5)?

never asked them but i think, yes

7. Finally, what would you pay for a service like that? Bear in mind, that book rental establishment charges at least rm5.00 minus the home delivery, excellent selection and very good condition books.

can't answer that yet. :)

[syltel]

1. Average time taken reading a book?
- about 1-2 days

2. Amount of money spent on getting books (either buying or renting)?
- I usually buy my books...roughly around $1000++ per year

3. Types of books that interest you (eg. fiction, self-improvement etc.)?
- Mostly fictions and autobiography

4. Where do you get your books?
- Mostly from MPH and sometimes at the new Times bookshop in Carrefour

5. Would you like to be able to read the latest best-sellers at a fraction of their purchase price without stepping out of your doorstep
- I normally dont go for all the latest bestsellers.But it would be heavenly to be able to get books delivered that is cheaper.A lot of books that I want is always out of stock or unavailable. The other alternative is ordering from Amazon.com but it is sooooooo darn expensive!!

6. Do you have many friends that share this 'dream'(no.5)?
- Probably Yes

7. Finally, what would you pay for a service like that? Bear in mind, that book rental establishment charges at least rm5.00 minus the home delivery, excellent selection and very good condition books.
- Cant really say....I guess depending on the book selections that is available, and the price of the book itself.

[possumposies]

1. Average time taken reading a book?
1 to 2 days

2. Amount of money spent on getting books (either buying or renting)?
rm40-150 per purchase

3. Types of books that interest you (eg. fiction, self-improvement etc.)?
historical fiction, fiction, auto-biographies, religion, philosophy.
4. Where do you get your books?
Kinokuniya, Borders
5. Would you like to be able to read the latest best-sellers at a fraction of their purchase price without stepping out of your doorstep?
Yes.. that would be a Dream Come true for me!
6. Do you have many friends that share this 'dream'(no.5)?
I guess.. not so sure!
7. Finally, what would you pay for a service like that? Bear in mind, that book rental establishment charges at least rm5.00 minus the home delivery, excellent selection and very good condition books.
depends .

[twohands]

1. Average time taken reading a book?
between 1 to 4 days


2. Amount of money spent on getting books (either buying or renting)?
i normally like to own the books that i read as i read them more than once, so therefore i'm not into renting books. i spend between lowest priced at rm7 (second hand bookstores) to highest at around rm300 (new books). the average price for my books are around rm16 at second hand bookshops and about rm37 for new paperbacks.


3. Types of books that interest you (eg. fiction, self-improvement etc.)?
i am a voracious rojak reader. i read all sorts of books


4. Where do you get your books?
anywhere that i happen to see a book that i like


5. Would you like to be able to read the latest best-sellers at a fraction of their purchase price without stepping out of your doorstep?
i'd like to buy a latest bestseller at a fraction of their purchase price without stepping out of my doorstep


6. Do you have many friends that share this 'dream'(no.5)?
duh. who wouldn't like to get a bargain?? :rolleyes:


7. Finally, what would you pay for a service like that? Bear in mind, that book rental establishment charges at least rm5.00 minus the home delivery, excellent selection and very good condition books.
like i said above, i'm not into renting books.

[sherrygin]

1. Average time taken reading a book?
1-7 days (I have this bad habit of reading several books at a time)

2. Amount of money spent on getting books (either buying or renting)?
RM 1000 a year (household purchase, mostly during warehouse sales)

3. Types of books that interest you (eg. fiction, self-improvement etc.)?
Fiction, all genres except horror.

4. Where do you get your books?
Warehouse sales, MPH, Times.

5. Would you like to be able to read the latest best-sellers at a fraction of their purchase price without stepping out of your doorstep?
That would be great but I don't usually bother with the latest best-sellers when they are still in hardcover.

6. Do you have many friends that share this 'dream'(no.5)?
I know 5 other bookworms.

7. Finally, what would you pay for a service like that? Bear in mind, that book rental establishment charges at least rm5.00 minus the home delivery, excellent selection and very good condition books.
I have never rented books - I either swap with friends or buy my own and then lend to my friends.

[lynndhia]

1. Average time taken reading a book?
Depends on how good the book is, but an average of a five days.

2. Amount of money spent on getting books (either buying or renting)?
100 a month or more.

3. Types of books that interest you (eg. fiction, self-improvement etc.)?
Chick lit, fiction, designs, biographies

4. Where do you get your books?
Mostly borders and pay less books

5. Would you like to be able to read the latest best-sellers at a fraction of their purchase price without stepping out of your doorstep?
Definately. But hardcover price or paperback price?

6. Do you have many friends that share this 'dream'(no.5)?
Hmmm, i'm not so sure about them.

7. Finally, what would you pay for a service like that? Bear in mind, that book rental establishment charges at least rm5.00 minus the home delivery, excellent selection and very good condition books.
Depends on what kind of book, how long is the lease for the book, and other issues which may be of concern at that time.

[yvonnefoong]

1. Average time taken reading a book?
One week and below.
2. Amount of money spent on getting books (either buying or renting)?
RM30 average
3. Types of books that interest you (eg. fiction, self-improvement etc.)?
fiction and non-fiction.

4. Where do you get your books?
MPH, reader shacks (http://www.readersshack.com), college library
5. Would you like to be able to read the latest best-sellers at a fraction of their purchase price without stepping out of your doorstep?
yes, but not online because it spoils my eyes.

6. Do you have many friends that share this 'dream'(no.5)?
don't know, but any cost saving ways will do.

7. Finally, what would you pay for a service like that? Bear in mind, that book rental establishment charges at least rm5.00 minus the home delivery, excellent selection and very good condition books.

RM3. Otherwise I don't mind patronising readers shack.

[iml109]

1. Average time taken reading a book?
Depends on how interesting that particular book is. I can finish a book in half a day when it really gets me going (400 pgs)

2. Amount of money spent on getting books (either buying or renting)?
Roughly RM200/mth

3. Types of books that interest you (eg. fiction, self-improvement etc.)?No particular types.

4. Where do you get your books?
Borders, online.

5. Would you like to be able to read the latest best-sellers at a fraction of their purchase price without stepping out of your doorstep?
Considering books prices in Malaysia? Its no wonder that not a lot of ppl read. Books are too expensive over here, but how much of a fraction we will be given?

6. Do you have many friends that share this 'dream'(no.5)?
Perhaps, sure have a lot of friends who read.

7. Finally, what would you pay for a service like that? Bear in mind, that book rental establishment charges at least rm5.00 minus the home delivery, excellent selection and very good condition books
For rental or buying? If renting them, I would not pay RM5 as for a mthly membership of RM20 or so, u can read as many books as you want (HQ).

[MSham]

Firstly, I would like to say thanks to all the replies...... keep them coming :-)

Wow! rm200pm and the likes spent on books. Man, there are sure a lot of deep pocketed book readers in our area.

Actually, the book program that I'm trying to initiate is aimed at book lovers that have unlimited appetite for books (especially for recent and latest best- sellers) and limited funds to cope with that appetite. The program would require members to submit a list of books that thay would like to read from our catalogue. Then, the books would be sent one by one to the respected members.
I am still deciding the no. of books that members could request in a month (hence the first question) and the monthly fee (hence q no.7). In short, the subscriber pays xx amount of monthly membership fee and will get to enjoy x no. of books sent to them. There was one reply stating rm3 per book. Come on-lah - good conditioned books, latest titles and delivered to your doorstep some more. rm3 would just be commercial suicide don't you think? readershack charges rm5 but got to go get the books yourself. Even if I charge 40% more it would be more than worth it...save a lot of time, energy and rm. btw, according to their website, they are temporarily closed.

I will be concentrating on paperbacks. hardcovers are too bulky and heavy. Plus, there are easily damaged. I figure future subscibers would rather have paperbacks..... I would.
I would also like to offer a wide variety of books to members. But that will depend on the reception of this program.

Basically, this program is geared to offer:

1.Variety - the latest paperback best sellers. As soon as they rea
2.Quality - good conditioned books (no stains, no discoloration, no smell.. get my drift)
3.Convenience - real books delivered to your doorstep. Absolutely no extra cost for members.
4.Affordability - for those with shoe string budgets.

Any views and comments? Keep the feedbacks coming.

[sumosan]

1. Average time taken reading a book?
depends on lenth and also amount of quiet time i have to enjoy reading in peace. However, some interesting reads can be finished in 3 days ( novels )

2. Amount of money spent on getting books (either buying or renting)?
Prefer to buy. Have a library in the house and these are my most precious assets! average RM 100 per month. Sometimes more if it's from a fair.

3. Types of books that interest you (eg. fiction, self-improvement etc.)?
Mainly self-imrovement, even inspirational or on healthy living. Presently, buying lots of children's books.

4. Where do you get your books?
MPH, POPULAR, BIG BOOKSHOP, PAY LESS. Sometimes warehouse sales or book fairs.

5. Would you like to be able to read the latest best-sellers at a fraction of their purchase price without stepping out of your doorstep?
Definitely.... but not too keen readin e books. still prefer hard copies....
6. Do you have many friends that share this 'dream'(no.5)?
yess...

7. Finally, what would you pay for a service like that? Bear in mind, that book rental establishment charges at least rm5.00 minus the home delivery,
excellent selection and very good condition books.

again, depends on quality of nmaterials but for a fraction of what i pay usually.... hmmm... somethin to consider...

[ghj]

1. Average time taken reading a book?
From 5 hours 4 days to 1 Week OR Infinity @@ I love to read many books at one time too :D

2. Amount of money spent on getting books (either buying or renting)?
I always buy my books and not renting them,pricing? as cheap as Rm4 (Best Value items) to About Rm50 per books, well if many books then maybe about Rm100 and above

3. Types of books that interest you (eg. fiction, self-improvement etc.)?
Animal Books, PHotography Books, Strange/Normal Hobby Books, and i prefer page turning Non-fiction books aka Self-Help (Eg. WHo Moved My Cheese etc)

Used to like fiction books when i was young, but now prefer Non-fiction

4. Where do you get your books?
Popular, MPH

5. Would you like to be able to read the latest best-sellers at a fraction of their purchase price without stepping out of your doorstep?
Of Course eh ;)

6. Do you have many friends that share this 'dream'(no.5)?
Oni a Few

7. Finally, what would you pay for a service like that? Bear in mind, that book rental establishment charges at least rm5.00 minus the home delivery, excellent selection and very good condition books.
If i like that book very MUCH :p