Becoming Who You Want To Be

Oxfam is under fire from second hand book dealers. It is rare that organisations feel the need criticise such a well loved charity as Oxfam. But things have got so bad for second hand book dealers that they are willing to speak out and claim that Oxfams charity bookshops are putting them out of business.

Book dealers claim that Oxfam is the “Tesco of the second hand book market” and that the unfair competition from Oxfam is responsible for the closure of many seconds hand book shops in recent years.

Oxfam opened its first bookshop in 1987 and now has 121 bookshops in different parts of the UK. Oxfam has sold over 19 million pounds worth of books in the last year, and is currently the largest retailer of second hand books in Europe.

Book Dealers are arguing that Oxfam is able to compete unfairly in the marketplace due to there charitable status, they get free staffing from volunteers , they do not have to pay for stock and they get an 80% reduction on business rates.

Oxfam have responded by stating that in an open market there are many other factors currently affecting the viability of second hand book sellers, such as lower new book prices, and the ability to purchase second hand books online. To single out Oxfam for blame and the decline of the industry is unfair.

Dealers are unclear about what measures should be taken. Do they want Oxfam prohibited from selling books? Do they object to an obvious charity receiving charitable status? Do they wish for free product and staffing to be donated to themselves by general populace so they can make personal profit?