M38 Reference Guide Book

[Ryan_Miller]

Most businesses have to double the price to make money after taxes, and overhead costs.

I am running small batches of 100 books at a time so it is harder to get a good price from the book printing companies.

Keeping track of the orders is the hardest part, orders come in spurts. Some of the overseas shipping was more difficult to calculate, so I broke even or lost on some of those, but the goal was not to make money but to help people, fund some research to learn more and keep it fun.

My other issue is that I have taken on too much over the years and the Army reserves expects more of your free time as you advance in rank. Not to mention I have 13 year old twin boys and a clinic to keep running.

[whydahdvr]

I know what you mean about the USAR. I've seen a dramatic increase in time and task demands between BAs - training assembly's. Most of our annual briefings as well as NCOERs and OERs now have to be done on our own on our own time - plus company and BN level briefings and meetings, training planning and logistics now that the Training NCO position is gone, etc. etc.

I was thinking if there was a way we could help out.... Sounds like there's a lot of variability though. What about selling via Amazon or eBay and having the shipping priced automatically through them and added to the customer's bill directly at checkout?

[wesk]

That would leave the wholesale end of the book keeping and shipping still at Ryan's end of the chain. Ryan would still have the retail physical packaging and posting in his lap as well.

[Ryan_Miller]

You are darn right about the reserves - cheapest deal for the country with us working more and more on our own time for free and getting rid of more AGR positions at the units.

I have been looking into using a publisher, but it would take away alot of the freedom we have with the book now.

[1stSgtUSMC]

I love the book, great peice of gear! Your a great American for putting it together.

S/F

Kevin