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In conjunction with attending Iowa Gas this year I met with a printing firm in Minneapolis that PCM has worked with for years, a company that has printed all of our self-published books. We thought we had a game plan for the creation of a printed update to the Gas Pump Globes, based on the format of the 2012 edition e-book. As we have continued to research this matter, however, we cannot get comfortable with the selling price we would have to ask for a printed version of the book. As it stands now, our internal use updated copy runs 602 pages in an 11" x 17" layout, and there is no good way to make it any smaller or less expensive. However, we have been discussing one potential solution and would like the hobby to comment.
E-Readers, tablet like devices similar to early Nook and Kindle book readers, are available reasonably for limited use (not a lot of apps) publications. We are considering finishing the update and pre-loading it on one of these devices, along with copies of all 20 years of PCM Magazines, and a yet to be created sign book in the format of the globe book, an all-encompassing encyclopedia type digital book. Using the e-book format preloaded on a reader keeps the unlimited page count and search functions possible, which was a plus for e-books, while eliminating the two negatives that we heard, that it wasn't for someone who didn't own a computer or smartphone, and that it was difficult for some folks to load on their device.
This would not be an inexpensive "book". It would, in its initial offering, include the device, the globe book, the sign book, and 20 years of PCM. There would likely be a price point of around $200, although a great deal more research would go into how to give the most value for any particular price. To answer a question that has already come up, the books would still be available on a CD for anyone who had there own device. We may also go back a recreate some of our earlier, out of print books, for use on this device, as well. Anyway, what do y'all think? We welcome your comments.

Globe e-book and reader multiple choice

I'm interested at any reasonable price. (14%, 7 Votes)

I'm interested if the price doesn't exceed $200. (8%, 4 Votes)

I'm interested if the price doesn't exceed $150. (14%, 7 Votes)

I have my own device and would want only the data on CD or flash drive. (45%, 23 Votes)

I'm not interested. (20%, 10 Votes)

Total Votes: 51 Voting on this poll ends: Wed Jan 07 2015 01:17 PM

Wayne, I don't want the 20 years of pcm. I don't want a hard back book either. I am up for a cd.

Why not make packages like globe book for a price then globe and sign then all 3? Maybe offer one of each separate?
Most people will already own a computer or iPad style device.
Maybe even offer the globe or sign book in a 3 ring binder? Printed off and put in a binder for guys that don't want to use a computer.

Each one would be a custom made to order? I know you can't stock all of it but made to order?

I know I would only want the globe cd update that I can load on my computer,iPhone and iPad.

Again just my opinion.

What Jarvis said

I am not one of them, but I know there are people in the hobby that do not use any type of electronic device. Printed is all they do. How much would the printed book run? 600 pages is a ton though!

So if a globe and sign guide on a pre-loaded device would run $200, what would print versions of a globe book and a separate sign book be?

What's the life expectancy of the device you're considering selling?

I am a book person, would prefer a book but understand it would be expensive. (How much would it be?) I am not up on Ereaders, could I load pictures of my collection on it through a USB port? How would I get monthly or annual updates of PCM? Always interested in more info on the hobby.

Also, Could you sell it as a download on the internet? Like Ebooks and streaming movies like Amazon etc. That way you don't have to store tons of media... Also putting it on a flash drive is good too, they don't take up much space.

I agree with Jarvis

I can see the new globe cd printed and put in s 3 ring binder. Nothing fansty but works great. Not as good as a PDF file that is searchable.

I have the globe books, and use them all the time. I bought the version on cd when it came out. Rarely used it. The cd drive broke in my computer so then I could not use it. Have a new computer now and it has no cd drive. I bought an external cd drive so I can use the cd but found I just don't. I like books, they are tangible.

John, If someone is going to print it and put it in a binder it needs to be a 5 or 7 ring binder so the pages don't tear out so easily. A bound book (or two books like they did before) would be much better.

Theres just something missing when its on electronic media. Many times, I find it faster to reach over and grab the globe book, instead of waiting for the CD to load. Its tough to outdo the old fashioned printed media!

Although I have a computer, an ipad and an iphone 6 on the way, I would agree with Kevin - that it is still nice to reach over and grab a book and browse through it. I do have the globe cd on my pc - and need to get it on my ipad and phone too for portability. Maybe I didn't spend enough time with it but I found the interface to be less than ideal in terms of ease of use/ user friendliness? I guess in a perfect world, I'd like both electronic for use on the go and printed for use at home.
I have no problem paying for an expensive oversize book if that's what it takes. Look what Jack's gas pump books are selling for these days

I like the idea of the 20 years of PCM electronically - there is a lot of valuable information there. The sign books sounds intriguing, and I believe that per item purchasing with package discounts is best method of sale.

My kids have nooks and kindles and to me they are not good for anything other than reading text - unless you are talking about more of a full color tablet type device? Personally, I think most people (me included) who are willing/able to use this type of technology do not want another device -they want to be able to put it on the one(s) they already have.

Wayne, I appreciate you and Scott's efforts on these projects and look forward to whatever you work out.

If you have an iPhone or iPad and have not put the globe cd on it your missing out. I loaded the cd in my computer then my iPhone and iPad. Since doing that I have not looked at it on the computer nor have I picked up the books again. It's just to easy to do a search in my phone. And since i always have my phone I always have the globe book.

I'd be interested in knowing what a book is worth and would pay whatever it took to own a book.

I bought the CD when you first came out with it. I haven't loaded it and used it yet...if it were a book I would have read it cover to cover immediately.

I believe in the KISS principle and believe the more options you create the more headache you will have. At the end of the day...the product will sell itself.

Not a techno guy, but with a CD or flash drive...whats stopping people from allowing their friends to download it onto their computers? This is lost revenue for you. Much more difficult to photocopy and share a book.

I agree with Shawn. I've always got my phone with me, so I always have the globe book with me, but I do use the down loaded copy on my computer also.

I guess maybe I need to clarify something. A printed book is simply not possible. Even a series of books would be impractical and expensive. And I am fully aware of all of the limitations on the existing 2012 edition of the globe book. Add "it didn't sell" (at least in enough quantity to make with worth the time that went into it) to the list of its limitations.
I, too, am a book person, rather than favoring any kind of digital media. I am of the in-between generation, who uses computers and related devices, but not to the degree that those younger than we do. A book would be my first choice. However, I have studied the practicality of the project and here are the facts.
We did confirm that it had finally become a technical possibility to create a book that had over 600 pages that were twice the size of a normal piece of printer paper. Its physically possible, a change from just a few years ago. However, to do so we would have to invest something like $140,000 to create a book in a quantity that would allow it to sell for somewhere upwards of $200 and still make enough from the project to make the project worthwhile. It would have weighed roughly 11 pounds, twice what my Hundred Years book weights, and would cost more to mail than most of our previous books have sold for. Are there 700 people who would pay $200 for a book (plus something like $35 first class shipping) just for us to break even. Simply put, no. A year into selling One Hundred Years of Gas Stations and sales are still around the 1000 mark, and that's at $55 retail, and most have sold for wholesale discounted rates. Even if it would be profitable, if we wait around for us to be able to afford a $140K investment, , it would put this project off for many years, maybe forever. Furthermore, the pre-selling of books is used to pay the printing bill with most books, and most pre-sales are to resellers who, in the trade, generally buy at 50% off cover list. Putting us further from the target. Working through this set of facts since August, I have come to the conclusion that there is no practical way to print and market something this size where the potential customer base in limited, and where it would be obsolete before it actually was committed to print - remember we discover new globes every week.
I'm not on a crusade to sell some new type of device or rewrite the bookselling business, I'm just trying to get my information out for others to use. Some combination of concepts from everyone's input is the only practical way I can see to get there, and this inquiry is simply to get everyone's take on the good and the bad of it. To answer questions that have come up, I offer the following:
First off, what I envisioned is not a Nook or Kindle specifically. Older versions of those devices are obsolete and do not work with photos.
Secondly, I'm not even certain what I have proposed is technically possible today, as we are still looking into it. This is theoretically fact-finding only.
Thirdly, anything we do would be available, separately, on CDs, for those with existing devices. Bundling it all together was simply a way to add value to the project, making it more palatable.
Finally, anything we do would be printable. However, a black and white copy that I had Kinko's print locally cost me about $40, printed in poor quality on 8.5" x 11" size paper, where the globe images are approximately 1" square. A color copy, still on 8.5" x 11" paper would cost something like $150 to print at a copy shop. When you look at that number, then over $200 for a professionally printed book is not so bad, but its still not a price most folks, including me, would pay.
If someone's got a better way to do this, I'm willing to listen to anything. Without a mechanism to get this information in everyone's hands, information that I have and that others would enjoy is simply hidden away in this computer, waiting for a way to package it for sale.

Wayne, I was looking at your CD its 398 mb (of a 700 mb CD) very little space left if you wanted to put the original program + any additions on it.The PDF format is good.. Might I suggest to go to a DVD which can hold over 4 gb of data and don't cost any or much more than the CD.(a DVD can hold more than 5 cds worth of info)That way you could add about anything you want without that much of a price jump. And keep the fancy cases for regular retail sales but sell at shows in paper sleeves would be ok with me ( I know those fancy plastic cases cost ya quite a bit.}I just thought id throw that out for ya...Anyway I love your books and CD... Thanks for your and Scotts work.

I need to do this, gonna try and dig out the CD tonight and see what I can do

love the globe cd on my computer... rarely use it on my phone - just takes way too long to do a search (find) in a PDF that large.

if it were me... I would look into creating an app to put into apple's app store and google's play store. this would prevent the unauthorized duplication that may occur with the current format (pdf). and users from everywhere could easily download on any device. lots of apps can be created within a reasonable cost. just a thought.

No dvd! I want the pdf so it's searchible. Sucked bad enoug looking for globes in the 2 globe books.

Wayne, I would rather buy a $39 cd with a few dollars shipping than a $200 book with $30 shipping.

I would be interested in the CD only. I have it on both my computer and ipad but use the ipad much more frequently. I also printed it out but its the size of a phone book and too cumbersome to haul around. Besides, I would probably go mad trying to find independent globes in a book of that size. Thank heavens for the Search feature!

John, You must have missed the part where he said the CD hasn't sold well enough to make it worth the effort.
That speaks volumes about what people in the hobby want (or more accurately what they don't want).

The CD vs book cost comparison isn't valid unless you include at least part of the cost of the electronics needed for the cd.

Wayne, I thought the 2 volume set was outstanding! I don't like the idea of an 11X17 book, but a multi-volume set of 8 1/2 X 11 books would be fine with me.

It's interesting that nearly half of the respondents to your poll chose the CD or flash drive option, yet the current CD isn't selling well. Perhaps your poll should have included different options like....

600 page 11x17 book

Multi volume set of 8 1/2x 11 books.

The current CD format.

The preloaded reader concept.

Or maybe some other option that hasn't been mentioned.


IMO the reader idea won't work. Globe guys won't want to pay for the sign portion, sign guys won't want to pay for the globe portion, and some won't want to pay for the PCM portion.

The 11X17 book is just too big.

According to you the 2012 CD hasn't sold well enough to make it worth the effort it took to create. That says all that needs to be said about a CD only option right there.

Why get away from what has worked so well for you in the past? Seems like EVERYONE that is interested in globes bought the two volume set of books. Many of us have multiple sets of those books. Instead of the giant 11x17 book why not print a 4,5 or 6 volume set based on the current CD+ the updates you've come up with. You could still offer a CD version for those that want to use their electronics.

I also don't see the $140 investment as a roadblock. It's more of an obstacle. There are ways to finance the 140K. If you don't want to go with traditional sources of capitol, you could likely find someone in the hobby to put up the money for a piece of the action.

Bob... To many old people like you in the hobby that don't like technology. LOL

If you had 8 books and had to find a globe.. It would be an all night event. I can search a globe on my iPad in minutes with the search feature.

I see globes collectors that have bought book that decided they don't need anything else.
You can't compare globe book sales to cd sales or even another globe book sale. I agree sales might be down to the old guys rather thumb through a book.


I have now had the cd... No more books for me. LOL

John, you're overlooking the fact that Wayne said the CD sales weren't worth the effort to make them. I don't expect anyone to do all the research and write a book without making a return on their investment of time.

It wouldn't be a problem for me to find a globe in a well written multi volume set of books....I know how to use books.

Careful who you call old. I'm not that much older than you. LOL

LOL you will always be older than me!

Wayne said cd didn't sell well.... Is he comparing it to the globe books?

Bob... Order your cd and then tell me you would rather own the books. By the way you can't load it on your flip phone. LOL

Bob your still caring a flip phone and it works