Self employed book seller trialling new life in Spain needs help and advice!

Hi, I've just signed up to EOS. I'm planning to do 3 months in Spain over the winter with a view to relocating more pemanently if it looks like it could work out. I'm self employed selling books on markets and on the internet in the Uk and would like to try tapping into the ex-pat and long stay readers of the Costa del Sol and Costa Tropical. This is something I've wanted to do for years and have the chance to try now. I'm intending to be in or around Nerja (Yes I know they've got a brilliant bookshop) for 3 months from early December.

I'd like advice from anyone self employed, working markets or car boots, selling on the beach (!!) and especially anyone who has done this as a temporary thing rather than a permanent move - I'm sorting out tax and National insurance, health cover (I think) but could use some advice on formalities on the Spanish end of things for temporary living and working, banks which can transfer money to an HSBC account in the UK, how to get pitches on markets, and probably decent vehicle hire - I'm looking into one way hire for getting there and back but would need something smaller and reliable for use whilst there. 

Anyone help? Anyone want any books??? 

Just be aware that you'll be competing with the mighty amazon now as they deliver free to Spain on orders over £25.

Ah, Sanchez again! Thanks for this one too, yes don't I know it, I compete with them here already (and sell on there too when it's viable) but some people will always want to browse physical stock and have a chat while they do, that's how market bookstalls are still surviving in the UK now. I just don't like the weather any more!

Don't know about the CDS, but up here on the Costa Blanca there are a number of  Market Stalls around that sell very good quality and Current english language books - bestsellers :  Ian Rankin, Dan Brown, Robert Crais etc...  for 4 Euros each - with a  3 Euro refund when you exchange it for another book. Don't suppose they can be making all that much ?

Thanks, sounds like they get theirs new from big warehouses in the UK? There are stalls over the UK doing this but the new books don't attract part exchange here - I guess in Spain they need to be recycled! I try to offer the full range rather than just the latest and most famous (got them too) and second hand as the only way to put together a decent selection across the board. All input gratefully received.

As the parent of a Toddler, the one thing I can tell you is that there seems to be a market for Early Learner type books in the English Language. There are very few about and those that are seem to be priced quite highly.

Thanks so much, that's really useful to know! I had been wondering about children's books.

Hi Janet - I buy second-hand books regularly from a British supermarket and only pay 1€ - and this includes the bestsellers.  I spoke to the owner just last week and she gets her books delivered from the UK and makes a profit on the 1€ price, although it is not her main income.  She is looking to increase her range to include cookery books and specialist titles and may be able to charge more for these, but she felt that she could not charge more than the 1€ for fiction due to the amount of competition around here (southern Costa Blanca). 

Depending on the area, you might wait years to get a pitch on a council market so your best bet may be car boot sales.  However, some councils are closing these down as they compete with the council markets (in their opinion).  As for selling on the beach - you will be arrested!!

Sorry to be so negative, but I feel that there is a lot of competition and margins will be very low.  Good luck though and do let us know how you get on with your business! 

Thanks Claire, all information (however gloomy) gratefully received.

I guess I can always ask anyone who wants a book or books they can't get to let me know before I arrive then, advance order or whatever, I built my business on English markets by having what the others didn't, which means sometimes NOT the bestsellers (or not just the best-sellers) but the authors other sellers don't keep, or haven't heard of.

So anyone want anything specific, let me know, or at least tell me what they find in short supply where they live in Spain.

For me, its good non fiction I find hardest to get hold of - biographies, travel, history..... Trouble is it's such a wide subject!

Thanks, shame you are not near where I am going to be, I have plenty of biographies and travel biogs, also history to some extent, though I was wondering whether to leave this lot behind in favour of more fiction - maybe I'll reconsider after what you've said.

Anyone else finding it hard to get what they want? Especially  if they are anywhere near Nerja??

 Good luck with your business. I could give you many ideas of how to reach public in our area: Campo de Gibraltar, Tarifa, Sotogrande....

I do think that books for english early learners is a great idea and maybe to try to have some connection with the Culture department of the Local Council or any coffee-shop and organise readings, games... for kids.

Try to add some interaction and fun and it is possible it will work much better.

Look for the Spanish public too..: neighbours associations..... everyone in Spain is trying to learn English and books are generally expensive.