Kay Withers -----Original Message----- From: kaywithers <kwithers@kih.net> To: Bob Francis <darby@visi.net> Date: Friday, June 25, 1999 1:24 PM Subject: Re: [KYHARRIS-L] Perrin Project--a few thoughts >Bob, >Even though I did not order since I already have a copy, it pleases me to >see all the names of those who are taking advantage of this opportunity. I >am deeply grateful to you for all the time you have devoted to this effort. >We need more like you. You are providing others many hours of enjoyment >when they delve into their new family heirloom. It is something they will >treasure and pass on for generations. >Thank you, >Kay Withers >-----Original Message----- >From: Bob Francis <darby@visi.net> >To: KYHARRIS-L@rootsweb.com <KYHARRIS-L@rootsweb.com> >Date: Friday, June 25, 1999 1:27 PM >Subject: [KYHARRIS-L] Perrin Project--a few thoughts > > >>To one and all, >> >>I am at a bit of a dilemma and need your help in deciding what to do. I >>feel obligated to send a Perrin Book Project update to the group in >>spite of the very vocal objection of one individual. His tone and >>wording was ugly, ugly, ugly! Believe it or not, I'm a rather sensitive >>fellow who doesn't do all that well when lamblasted. However, I do >>understand the fellow's genuine concern that our genealogy groups remain >>"non-commercial;" i.e., no selling of books for the sake of making a >>profit. >> >>Now, many of you know me well by now (though we may never have met in >>person) and understand that my motives for introducing this project were >>as white as the driven snow. I never intended, nor will I ever intend, >>to make a profit off of the group for the sake of making a profit. I >>took on this project because I wanted the Perrin book to come back into >>circulation. My reason for wanting the book back into circulation was >>practical and pragmatic. I tried purchasing the book through >>out-of-print booksellers and was told that the going price for the book >>was $395.00. Recently, one of our group was able to get an offer at >>$325.00--still WAY too expensive for the average buyer. I reasoned at >>the time that perhaps I could find a way to bring the book back into >>print at a reasonable price. I worked with a local book store owner in >>Paris, Kentucky, with the hopes that we could bring the book back into >>print through her. She called me after a couple of months and said that >>she would have to charge at least $65 for the book, not counting >>shipping costs and sales tax. She then offered to bow out of the deal >>and let me contact the publisher directly. We both reasoned that since >>I was not in the bookselling business, I could offer the book at a much >>cheaper rate. As it turned out, she was right. I guess I could have >>charged $65 for the book and reaped a nice profit from it, but making >>money was not my purpose for having the book published. >> >>The publisher was willing to do a reprint, however, his deal was that I >>had to purchase the books upfront. This meant that I had to pay the >>full amount for the books, including shipping, before he would even >>begin to print them. The cost was $6290.00 for 250 books. Now, that's >>a lot of money! At this juncture, I turned to you, my fellow >>genealogists, and asked if you were interested in helping make this >>dream an actuality--and you overwhelmingly responded YES. It was then >>and only then that I proceeded ahead. I did so NOT TO MAKE MONEY but to >>bring this great classic back into publication. >> >>Now, did I make a profit on it? Yep. I did. I guess our fellow would >>have been happier if I took a loss on it? Perhaps losing my shirt would >>somehow make me a less greedy fellow? What he is not taking into >>consideration is the time and energy that I have put into this project, >>not to mention the many long hours I have to look forward to when the >>shipment arrives. I will be up to my ears in Perrin books that I will >>have to box, label, and ship. I have had to buy supplies, sit down >>every night for a couple of hours at a stretch writing out mailing >>labels, not to mention maintaining the order list and making sure >>everything is accurate and everyone taken care of. >> >>So, tell me fellow genealogist, should I post the Perrin update to our >>lists or should you write to me to find out where you stand on the >>order? Help me out here, because frankly, I'm at a loss. I know what >>my friend Bill McCray and some others will say--Bob, don't worry about >>it! But sadly, it's in my nature to be liked and loved. >> >>Well, that's all folks. I would suggest that you respond to me >>privately because I know what happens in these situations. Folks >>sometimes go on a "flame-out" campaign. I don't want the fellow who >>sent the nasty gram to receive, in turn, nasty grams from any of you. >>That only purpetuates ugliness. Always, and at every moment, be kind >>and considerate. >> >>Thanks for your time. >> >>Bob >> >>The "nasty-gram" in all its ugly glory: >> >>> From: Donald L. Furnish <donlfurnish@copper.net> >>> To: Jo Thiessen <jog1@ix.netcom.com> >>> Cc: Bob Francis <darby@visi.net> >>> Subject: Francis & Perrins >>> Date: Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:45 AM >>> >>> Ms. Thiessen, >>> I would hope that Bob Francis has abused his privileges enough by now. >> >>> Isn't his role at this site to help maintain the info instead of >>selling >>> it or has the Harrison-L gone commercial? >>> I need the info that is, or should I say was, available at this site, >>> but I do not need to see his Perrin sales or anything about it again. >>> I do not think that the charter for the Gen Web includes this or his >>way >>> of getting and maintaining the site info. >>> TWENTY-THREE messages are twenty-two too many! >>> He has his own web site, WHY ISN'T HE USING IT??? >>> >>> Don Furnish >>> Whose GGGGrandfather came to Harrison Co. in 1784. >>> >> >> >