Shipping and fulfillment were essential operational aspects of David Irving’s bookstore business, involving order processing, packaging, and delivery to customers worldwide. The diaries reveal a constant need to manage inventory, deal with shipping delays, and coordinate with assistants like Kathy.
The process involved receiving orders (often through eBay or directly), fulfilling them, and dispatching packages. Irving frequently mentions the workload and financial concerns related to shipping, alongside the reliance on assistants to handle order fulfillment. The diaries highlight the challenges of international shipping, dealing with customs, and managing customer expectations regarding delivery times.
* 2019: Kathy located a storage locker, ten miles away, requiring a drive to view. A delivery driver was instructed to leave books in Slough. Storage * 2021: Orders were regularly mailed, with Kathy assisting in fulfilling orders. A customer from North Dakota (Miss Gustafson) placed an order. Customers * 2021: BT was to receive a payment of $1000 from Kathy for US orders. BT * 2022: Kathy handled orders and payment monitoring. A customer from Sweden wished Irving a happy Easter and requested part 2 of "Himmler." Customers * 2023: Orders were received overnight and daily. Kathy was frequently tasked with fulfilling orders, including sending books to Finland and Aberdeen, Scotland. Irving ordered 500 copies of "Royal Navalese" and requested slipcases for "Hitler's War." Padded envelopes arrived via UPS. A customer requested a signed copy of a book. Orders * 2023: Shipping delays were a recurring issue, with one order from China being cancelled and reordered. Delivery by eBay was expected by July 18. Delays
The reliance on Kathy for order fulfillment appears consistent across the diary years. The increasing volume of orders, as evidenced by the number of emails waiting to be read, suggests a growing business. The emergence of online platforms like eBay significantly impacted the order process and delivery logistics.