SAN FRANCISCO -- A man looms in the doorway of Ocean Avenue Books, lugging a big cardboard box stuffed with books he wants to sell to Diane Goodman, owner of the used bookstore.From her perch behind her book-strewn counter, the 48-year-old Goodman figures her store provides her a pretty good window on an economy spiraling downward: These days, she sees more and more people like this man -- all seeking cash for their used books.The man with the books is Chris Martin, a 43-year-old carpenter who works for a small construction company. He studies Goodman's face as she explains she gives only store credit for books. Then, a customer may use half store credit and half cash to buy any books at the store. She suggests the man try some other used bookstores to see if they will pay cash.Before Martin leaves with his box of books, he pauses and talks about the struggles the economy is inflicting on the construction industry."Right now I am in fear," he says. Just recently, his construction company lost a commercial remodel job when the client firm ran out of money.Now work is sporadic, and many plumbers and carpenters he knows need work. Martin takes small jobs he used to pass up. A friend of his is thinking of moving to Las Vegas, where he hears there is more work.Martin says he knows one thing about the government: "It's not going to bail me out."After he leaves, Goodman says, "The increase in calls for cash for books is unbelievable. They want cash and nothing but cash, and often are quite upset and alarmed when learning they can't get that."Other used bookstores have also noticed some increase in customers seeking cash for books. Others said the ailing economy generally benefits used bookstores."I think as a used bookstore we do better when the economy takes a downturn because used books are less expensive," said Doris Moskowitz, owner of Moe's Books in Berkeley.To make ends meet, Goodman works six days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and her husband takes the seventh day. He also holds down jobs at two other bookstores."I am barely afloat," Goodman says. She doesn't own a car or cell phone. "Each month I am stressing to know if I am going to be able to pay all my bills."She is focused on the future, and where the economy is going."I think the economy will get better, but when?" she asks. "It's like riding out a storm. How long will this go on? I know it will end. Life gets better, right? Of course, it can get worse, too."(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)
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