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Exploring China’s ‘Pay What You Want’ Bookstore: An Honesty Experiment

Vodka Man01 mins

Innovative Reading Promotion by iBestTravel

Honor System Bookstore in China

Popular Bookmall, which operates eight bookstores in China, runs a streetside shop that operates under the honor system. The company hopes it will encourage locals to read more.
Popular Bookmall, which operates eight bookstores in China, runs a streetside shop that operates under the honor system. The company hopes it will encourage locals to read more.

Encouraging Community Engagement

“If they can really finish the books, it doesn’t matter if they took the books for free,” says Zhu Yu, the marketing director of iBestTravel. Consequently, witnessing so many people taking books from the honesty bookshop brings great joy to the team.

If they can really finish the books, it doesn't matter if they took the books for free,
If they can really finish the books, it doesn’t matter if they took the books for free,” says Zhu Yu, the marketing director of iBestTravel. “In fact, we are really happy to witness so many people taking books from the honesty bookshop.

The Value of Honesty

A sign at the store conveys a powerful message: “Honesty is as precious as gold.” It also suggests an amount to pay — 30% of the original cover price, thereby promoting fairness and encouraging patrons to support the initiative.

Honesty is as precious as gold,
Honesty is as precious as gold,” says a sign at the store. It also suggests an amount to pay — 30% of the original cover price.

A Long-Term Commitment

Zhu expresses a determined vision for the bookstore, aiming to establish it as a long-term project. The shop is open every day, except when it rains, and is secured each night to ensure the safety of the books and the integrity of the honor system.

Zhu says he's determined to make the store a long-term project. It's open every day, except when it rains, and is locked up each night.
Zhu says he’s determined to make the store a long-term project. It’s open every day, except when it rains, and is locked up each night.


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