Questions for Distro Owners

[Mab]

I've thought about starting a zine distro before and I'm not 100% sure that I'm organized enough to run one, so I'm giving this a lot of hard thought and research before I even consider it. I tried starting a review zine in high school that BOMBED and I don't want to start a distro just to have to close it a few months later. This is probably a down-the-road kind of deal, but I'd like to ask questions of some of the distro owners here if you don't mind...

* How many hours per week do you spend doing distro tasks (reading zines for consideration, mailing out orders, organizing inventory, etc.)?

* How do you keep track of payment coming in, orders going out, what you're paying to zinesters, and other important information?

* Is it better to run on consignment or pay up front?

* What is the typical start up cost for a distro?

* How do you keep your physical inventory organized?

* Do you do most of your promotion through the internet, paper catalog, zine events...?

* Most distros I've worked with accept assembled zines only, but does anyone have experience with accepting flats to photocopy?

Sorry for the numerous questions, and I'll probably come up with more! Any other tips or ideas are greatly appreciated! Thank you!

[zeraph dylan]

You can pick up a copy of the postage zones pricing book at your post office, for both domestic and international mailing. You would need, of course, a scale at home to weigh the mail with.

Brittney said:

I know how to mail a package thank you I was wondering if there were cheaper places, because I just get my envelopes at Wal-Mart. And I just go to the Post Office to mail it, I was just wondering if there were some people out there who use stamps.

NicoleIntrovert said:

Sorry if this sounds completely rude... but if you don't know where to purchase envelopes and you don't know how to mail a package, do you really think starting a zine distro is a good idea?

Brittney said:

Where do you get the envelopes? Like Office Depot?

Zeraph said:

I take packages to the post office. Figuring out the logistics of postage on larger packages is a bit daunting to me. :)

I use regular manila envelopes, full size and half size. That said, I find them a wee bit too small.