Hey Teves will see chassidim everywhere heading to their bookstores to shop for their favorite titles or new publications. In this interview, we explore the other side of the coin: The world of the seforim seller, as experienced by Shlomo Goldman, founder of SeforimDeals.com.
From Anash Magazine – published by Anash.org
Hey Teves will see chassidim everywhere heading to their bookstores to shop for their favorite titles or new publications. In this interview, we explore the other side of the coin: The world of the seforim seller, as experienced by Shlomo Goldman, founder of SeforimDeals.com.
SeforimDeals.com is a unique store. Although they have a large warehouse in the heart of Crown Heights – they don’t actually have a brick-and-mortar store. All orders are received online and are shipped out across the USA. Hei Teves is the only time that their warehouse is open to the public for people to come in and browse.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START A SEFORIM BUSINESS?
Nearly ten years ago, I found myself grappling with financial challenges while immersed in Kollel. Fueled by the necessity of parnassa, I ventured into the world of Seforim. This journey, initially a personal pursuit, evolved into a significant enterprise within our community, bridging the gap between holy and parnassa.
HOW DO YOU CHOOSE THE SELECTION OF SEFORIM FOR YOUR STORE?
The Seforim selection process is a delicate balance between classic texts and new releases. We always
try to focus on the new releases of both Chassidus and Nigleh, with a keen emphasis on staying current to meet customers’ interests and the newest releases. This commitment to offering a diverse range ensures that the Seforim store is not just a repository of tradition but a dynamic hub of intellectual exploration. While there are certain Seforim that become classics and continue to sell over the years, the majority of sales tend to be the new releases.
WHAT CHALLENGES HAVE YOU FACED IN RUNNING A SEFORIM BUSINESS, AND HOW HAVE YOU OVERCOME THEM?
Running a Seforim business isn’t without its hurdles. Managing inventory, particularly with titles that see only a single printing emerges as a recurring challenge. While we aren’t able to control the number of books printing, when something comes back into print we try our best to anticipate our customers’ needs and alert them when a title comes back into print that they have been looking for.
HOW DO YOU STAY UPDATED ON NEW RELEASES AND TRENDS IN SEFORIM?
Generally all the book/seforim publishers and distributors send out emails on a frequent basis with all the new and back-in-print Seforim. However, customer inquiries play a pivotal role, often serving as an early indicator for books not yet available in the American market. This symbiotic relationship between store and customer highlights the interconnectedness that defines the Seforim market.
IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU ENGAGE WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND SUPPORT THEIR NEEDS FOR SEFORIM?
While physically located in Crown Heights, we largely operate outside of Crown Heights. The annual Hey
Teves sale is really the only time that we engage face to face with the local Crown Heights community, an aspect that I would love to have throughout the year as well. Although currently we do offer pick up and free delivery in Crown Heights for orders over $67, we don’t have the retail traffic coming in to browse.”
HOW DO YOU HANDLE INVENTORY MANAGEMENT TO ENSURE A DIVERSE AND WELL STOCKED COLLECTION?
Our main clientele are Anash all around America, that being said we definitely do have customers in
many other communities, such as Lakewood and others, and we cater to their particular interest as well. Of course, many customers from other communities are also looking to purchase Chassidus, something which isn’t so easy for them to get there or they don’t want to be seen purchasing there. But we try to carry a selection that everyone can find something for their needs, be it Chassidus, children’s books, Nigleh, Shaalos U’Teshuvos, practical Halacha seforim, and so on.
SHOPPING FOR SEFORIM ONLINE CAN BE DIFFICULT, NOT BEING ABLE TO PERUSE THROUGH THE SEFER. HOW TO HELP YOUR CUSTOMERS WITH THIS?
We endeavor to bring the whole Seforim store experience online, by uploading pages from each sefer so customers can sample and by providing real-time recommendations for customers via live chat. We also take the time talking to customers on the phone helping them choose exactly what they need, and coordinating the shipping details so everything runs as smoothly as possible. While we are a digital business, we place great importance on customer interaction and work hard to ensure each customer’s experience has a personal touch.
DO YOU SEE THE BUSINESS AS A SORT OF SHLICHUS?
Certainly! While it is a business, it is an Avodas Hakodesh of supplying our customers with seforim to learn more Torah. I always remind myself of this.
WHAT PLANS DO YOU HAVE GOING FORWARD?
Looking ahead, we’re looking at the possibility of establishing a permanent retail location, providing the Crown Heights community with year-round access to the world of SeforimDeals.com beyond the Hei Teves sale. Perhaps it might be opening up the warehouse showroom to the public. The future will tell.
This article first appeared in Anash Magazine – published by Anash.org.
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