Independent Online Booksellers Association

Interested in joining the Independent Online Booksellers Association?

Before filling out the application form for Associate or Professional Level Membership, please take a few moments to read about our requirements. Most new members spend one year at the Associate Level, although this step may be waived at the discretion of the Membership Committee Co-Chairs.

Our primary concern is for professional listings and standards. This means full and accurate descriptions of the book in hand with all defects noted; conservative grading; and no blanket statements about condition or other repetitive boilerplate. Your bookselling business website returns policy must clearly state that customers may initiate a return for any reason, and that you will provide a full refund in that event. The IOBA Code of Ethics further stipulates that you will pay for return shipping costs if the item was misdescribed, and that the seller is responsible for items that are lost or damaged during shipping.

The following factors are positives. Bibliographically correct descriptions; images available of books for sale; professional pricing; having your own website; specialization; good feedback; and anything that customers and fellow professional booksellers would find reassuring and admirable about your business.

The following factors are negatives. Boilerplate; poor descriptions; stock images that are not noted as such; bizarre pricing on the high end; poor communications; poor feedback; and anything that customers and fellow professional booksellers would find suspicious or disturbing about your business.

We recognize that entry-level booksellers may need a little help to take the next steps toward professional status. If it is clear that you have some work to do before applying, please navigate our website and consult some of the helpful pages you will find there for guidance. We also suggest visiting the websites of IOBA members. If you do apply and fall short in some areas but are close to meeting the requirements, we have a Mentorship Program that may give you an opportunity to work with a professional member of IOBA toward the goal of re-applying.

The Independent Online Booksellers Association's membership year begins August 1st, and all membership category dues are prorated by $5 monthly for new members joining later in the membership year.

Associate Membership - (Membership dues of $50.00 per year)

1. A given business may not be an Associate Member for more than one year and must apply for Professional Membership. This process is to occur on the first anniversary of acceptance.
2. Must be an owner/partner/member of an online bookselling business which is not a publicly traded corporation.
3. Current, primary online business is selling books.
4. A minimum inventory of 200 books.
5. At least 90% of books offered are currently in stock.
6. No more than 10% of all books priced at $5 and under. There is some flexibility in this and the two preceding standards; if you don't quite meet them please explain in your application why this business model works for you.
7. Stated bookselling business website policy that customers may initiate a return for any reason, and that you will provide a full refund in that event.
8. Policy of paying return shipping for misdescribed items, and policy of seller responsibility for items that are lost or damaged during shipping.
9. Books are correctly described by author, title, place, publisher, date of publication, edition, binding type, etc., with all defects noted. Description must be about the specific book in hand.
10. Membership is granted to only the business name applied for.
11. Agrees to conduct business in accordance with the IOBA Code of Ethics.

• May serve on a committee
• May display "IOBA Associate Member"
• A link on the IOBA member directory to the member's website
• A subscription to the IOBA Discuss email list
• A subscription to the IOBA Trade Books email list
• Participate in member benefits, services and programs
• Eligible to list books at IOBAbooks.com

Professional Membership - (Membership dues of $50.00 per year)

1. Minimum of one year as an Associate Member.
2. Must be an owner/partner/member of an online bookselling business, which is not a publically traded corporation.
3. Current, primary online business is selling books
4. A minimum inventory of 200 books.
5. At least 90% of books offered are currently in stock.
6. No more than 10% of all books priced at $5 and under. There is some flexibility in this and the two preceding standards; if you don't quite meet them please explain in your application why this business model works for you.
7. Stated bookselling business website policy that customers may initiate a return for any reason, and that you will provide a full refund in that event.
8. Policy of paying return shipping for misdescribed items, and policy of seller responsibility for items that are lost or damaged during shipping.
9. Books are correctly described by author, title, place, publisher, date of publication, edition, binding type, etc., with all defects noted. Description must be about the specific book in hand.
10. Membership is granted to only the business name applied for.
11. Agrees to conduct business in accordance with the IOBA Code of Ethics.

• May hold elected office
• May chair or serve on a committee
• May display "IOBA Professional Member"
• May display "IOBA Professional Member" graphic logo
• A link on the IOBA member directory to the member's website
• A subscription to the IOBA Discuss email list
• A subscription to the IOBA Trade Books email list
• Participate in member benefits, services and programs
• May vote in IOBA official elections
• Eligible to list books at IOBAbooks.com

Please contact IOBA's Membership Committee for more information.