Bookstores should have the option, when using industry-wide ordering systems, to place orders either with a publisher or wholesaler depending on the store's need. Wholesalers, as customers of publishers, should not be excluded from placing orders with publishers via industry-wide ordering systems. For the industry to continue to grow, publishers and wholesalers must begin to address the issues of ordering, freight and returns to maximize efficiencies at all levels of the book industry. The ability to purchase thousands of different titles from various publishers. One order, one package and one invoice.
Wholesale discounts are often as competitive as direct purchasing.
Avoid the headache of saving orders until you meet the discount requirements, thereby losing sales while titles are out of stock. You can depend on wholesalers to keep you in stock. Consolidation of orders into one shipment from one source reduces freight charges. Neither the AWBA nor any committee, conference or activity of the AWBA shall be used for the purpose of bringing about, or attempting to bring about, any understanding or agreement, whether written or oral, formal or informal, expressed or implied, among competitors with regard to prices, terms, or conditions of sale, discounts, distribution, volume of sales, territories or customers. No AWBA activity or communication shall include discussion of or action concerning prices or pricing methods, quotas or other limitations on sales, or involve allocation of territories or markets or customers in any way.