Joining the PBFA - the criteria

If you are a seller of antiquarian and/or secondhand books, you may wish to think about joining the PBFA.  You do not need to trade full time, although we do ask you that you have been trading for at least two years.  These two years should have given you:

Knowledge of the terminology used in the trade, the necessary skills for identifying the condition of books that you buy or sell, and an understanding of the ethics and etiquette of the trade.  

You will be asked to provide the names of two sponsors, who are current members of the PBFA and who have been full members for at least four years. This is normal procedure for most professional organisations.

Joining the PBFA - the benefits

Reasons for joining the PBFA include:

Exhibiting at PBFA fairs

Only PBFA members can exhibit at PBFA fairs.  

Financial benefits

Heavily discounted Parcelforce rates for UK, European and worldwide services, with costs reduced by up to half the published tariff.

Booksellers insurance – professional and specialized, at very competitive rates.

Reduced credit card processing rates.

Membership of our own Credit Union.

Free publicity

Free inclusion on this site and in our regular printed publication, the PBFA Directory of Antiquarian and Secondhand Booksellers – widely distributed to the trade and public.

Free inclusion in catalogues for fairs at which you are exhibiting.

Free referrals from the PBFA office and other members.

Welfare

The PBFA has its own Registered Charity dedicated to helping members and their dependants discreetly and confidentially. The PBFA also has a network of voluntary regional welfare officers.

Finally

PBFA members have a respected position in the trade and are required to uphold our Code of Practice.

Joining the PBFA – how to

If you have been trading for two years and can provide the names of two existing Full Members of the PBFA who know you, have traded with you for at least two years, and are willing to sponsor your application, then email info@pbfa.org and we will send you application forms and an information pack.  

The annual subscription to the PBFA is just £175 including VAT. There is an additional once-only joining fee of £58.75 including VAT.

Applying for membership does not guarantee acceptance. In the event of your application being refused, you may reapply after a certain period of time.