Borders is closing
 

If anyone has been following this for the past year knew that this was an inevitability. Anyone in the MD/DC area the following locations are closing

Kensington
Bowie
Largo
Downtown DC (18th and L)


If you know any that are closing in your area, feel free to post as they are offering up to 20% to 40% off on books and can only get 'better' as the stores get closer to closing.

I hate that they are closing. It's one of my favorite places. Here in the Dallas area, they are keeping 3 stores open (Arlington, Frisco, and the one at DFW airport) and closing the rest - 7 or 9 stores.

I was shocked they are closing the store at West Village - it is always busy.

I was told by a Border's employee (at one of the stores going out of business) that there will be only 3 left in all of North Carolina -- one in Raleigh, one in Charlotte and I'm one not sure where. Greensboro or Winston-Salem maybe. Four in the Traingle (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill) are closing.

It was inevitable, but I hate to see it.

There will be no good sales at a Border's closing. Don't fall for it. You can get 20-30% off of cover price STANDARD at book stores/Amazon, and what Border's will sell will be the "bargain books." They can make more money shipping best sellers and such to discount stores OR back to the publisher. You won't be getting the latest *insert author here* for 75% off. They'll ship it to stores that are staying open first.

Just covering that.

On the one hand I really hate this, but I must confess that I am part of their problem. I used to purchase all my books from there, but in the last few years have been an almost exclusive amazon shopper. With better prices and shipped to my door (or my gift recipient's door) in 2 days via amazon Prime, it just was a better option for me.

I recognize that amazon is becoming the wal-mart of the book business, and this conflicts me greatly. I fear that few book stores can survive against them, but they do have a great business model.

While you have a very valid point, there are still some deals. And everything is on sale, including magazines. If there are some you usually or sometimes buy off the newsstand, it can be a deal.

Several of my friends live(d) in Uptown, so when I'd hang out with them, I'd often end up at that Borders. There was always a good amount of traffic going in and out of the store. I didn't know which stores were staying open, but those 3 locations seem pretty random.

The "business school" in me feels the same way -- A_mazon recognized trends and acted on them. It sucks that the brick and mortar stores are feeling the pinch, but they should have recognized the shift in consumer behavior (I feel the same way re: BBV vs Netflix vs Redbox, etc).

A very good friend of mine is the manager of the Bethel Park Borders, which is closing. Well, actually, I'm friends with his wife. But I digress. He told me what Borders was going to do with the stores, and I can remember saying, "Noooooooooooooooo!" but darned if I can remember. He did say that they knew about it months ago, and weren't allowed to stock some really standard items. The cafes are all closed (in the closing stores).

He has appointments with every type of medical personnel his current Borders plan provides, and to stock up! I can't say that I blame him.

The Borders in my hometown is closing, so I went last weekend when I was visiting my parents. HOLY CHAOS. It was like black Friday x 1000. Second day of the liquidation and all new releases, anything from well-known authors, etc. was extremely picked over (but they definitely were on sale, Drollefille). I got some magazines and a few books that aren't available on my nook, and waited an hour in line to pay. There are definitely some deals as EVERYTHING is on sale, from magazines to stationary to calendars to books.

I asked the cashier how long they expected to remain open and she said they were told 4 weeks, but that she doubted they would last that long.

This would be a good time to stock up on the expensive, export magazines like French Vogue or the various photography magazines. I also saw a lady with am armful of quilting magazines and other craft related stuff.

I'll be going again this evening to see what's left at my favorite one. Last Saturday, at the beginning of the sale, it wasn't bad. Went on Wednesday to another one -- still not bad. I expect a different story tonight, but we'll see.

I got an e mail reminding me that the store is closing...on my way there now before this meeting...sigh.

Thing is they're selling a very tiny amount of stock at the "crazy discount prices." Generally stuff is 10-20% off there anyway, especially new releases. It's not that stuff isn't on "sale" it's that it's unlikely that it'll be worth your while to go. Books in particular.

Overall it's just not worth the omg black friday craze, is all I'm saying, we're not talking 50% off, we're talking 10-20 off list. None of the stuff worth reading will make it to the lower prices before getting returned to publishers or shipped to other Borders stores. Unless you have eclectic tastes.

Just not worth it for me, I suppose. I wouldn't call anything a "good deal."

I've gotten great books from the bargain racks before. No idea why they made it there since I really liked them :p I'm going to check out the one that's closing near me and see if I can pick up anything good! When I don't have something specific in mind, I go to a book store so I can actually look at the books. It's easier for me to do than online.

It depends on "worth your while." I really like to buy architecture magazines from different countries--they're expensive! If they're 50% off, that makes it a bit more manageable. For that, I think it'd be worth my while.

The Barnes and Nobles near my hair salon was closing (they lost their lease) and everything was 50% off--even though there's another BN really close by and it really wasn't a "liquidation sale."

Half Price Books for the win.

Yeah I can see it for specialty things I suppose. The only real way to get good deals on books is to buy them used either locally or online it seems.

I hope the Seattle Airport location stays open, I need a place to buy reading material while traveling and that is where I buy quite a bit.

I still love libraries though, so many small ones have a paperback exchange I have serious relationships with.

I am not surprised that Borders had to close up shop. Their prices are sky-high! When I went the other day to check it out, their prices with the 20-40% off were still more expensive than B&N and Amazon. I saw some DVDs for $30... I don't think anyone has paid that much for a DVD since 1999. There were a ton of people in line, but there were still a lot of good books and best-sellers left. I hope that their prices will come down even more, because if not, I can't imagine that they'll be able to get rid of their inventory.

I work at Borders so I am now out of a job :( A lot of our regular customers are extremely sad to see us leaving some customers were crying. I'm so bummed I absolutely LOVED working there.

As for the prices, they will most likely not go down, we have been selling out like crazy. Everything left over will most likely be sent to another store.
If you are going to a Borders sale its better to go to in the morning or before they close so the lines aren't long. I worked the first day of the sale and the lines were TWO hours long! And please remember to be nice to the people who are working there! We are all out of jobs and still have to deal with rude people all day and clean up huge messes in the store after.

I usually don't go to Borders but, today, after I left school, I decided to stop by. It was really, really dead in there. A few years ago, it was always busy, especially on the weekends. I don't expect them to be around too much longer even after they reorganize.

I was there just prior to Christmas, and was amazed by the lack of items that they usually carried. Of course, I know now why - they were already non-stocking, but I also felt my time had been wasted.

I love ALL bookstores. I love the smell of new books, and the surprise of what you'll find. I miss ones that close. I think that's why places like Amazon.com will never take their place. I hope.

I noticed a book that I wanted over a year ago and, the same "one" book is still on the shelf. Maybe it's not the same exact book but, it was still unwrapped and it was in the same exact spot, so, that gave me the impression that it was the same one. I would buy it but, I still thought the price was too high for having mostly pictures and not a lot of reading material.

The closing stores are accepting Borders Bucks, right?

Just not coupons?

I don't know. I do think honeychile is right -- they have been preparing for some stores to close by not stocking items. But the store nearest us that is staying open is usually well-stocked and is almost always very busy, both with true customers and, particularly on weeknights, as a "Third Place." One night a few weeks ago, I counted about eight tables with people around them playing games.

I'll tell you what - I was talked into a Barnes & Noble membership card a few weeks ago when I was there, and this may end up being deadly to my bank account (especially the no min. order free express shipping)...and this is one of those things where Borders is falling behind. B&N now automatically has my loyalty for the next year. I was previously mostly an Am@zon person.

The one near me isn't closing but, they don't seem to have gotten anything new in within the past year or so. At least not in the astronomy section. I remember when I used to buy some of my astronomy books there, a few days later, they would have new copies of the book I bought back on the shelf. I think it's been about a year and, I haven't seen any restocks of a couple of books I bought. I mean, it's near campus, and it's still dead in there which is really surprising to me. I just think that they're eventually going to close the whole company or someone is going to buy them out. Who knows? It's pretty sad, though. I guess I'll have to order my books online.

Actually, I can see how being near campus would hurt them -- lots of other options in the area.

As for the books, it's always possible that they haven't been restocked because they weren't selling well enough. They were glad somebody (you :p) finally bought the copies they had. They're not likely to put books on teh shelf that they think will stay there.

I dunno.

Border's has nearly the same thing now (I actually think it may be better than B&N, I just refuse to pay for it).

I went to the non-closing Borders near my apartment yesterday and it was packed as usual. It almost seems like a location thing. This Borders is always well-stocked, and I ALWAYS have to wait in line to pay. I'm glad it's not closing because if I have to go to a brick and mortar store, I prefer Borders. I just hate the way B&N sets up their stores.

They were always busy with students about a year ago and, there hasn't been anything new that's opened in the area.

The second part of your post made me laugh really hard. lol (But I agree with you)

Yeah, well it was a guess.

And laughter will help you feel better. See how I helped?

You're probably right, MC. There's probably some other option I'm not aware of.

lol
Yes, laughter is very, very healthy.:) And yes, you did help.:p

Today was the last day for our local Borders. Everything was 4 for a DOLLAR or 90% off (which ever was lower). I got an armful of books for me and the kids. I couldn't believe the good stuff that was still left! I've been checking now and then over the last few weeks, and I was pleasantly surprised by the discounts. Sorry to see them go but lovin' the 25 cent books.:p

Mine is closing on Saturday. I went two days ago and came out with 8 items for 27 bucks. Six books, a DVD and a blu-ray. I don't know if I will be back on the last day but if EVERYTHING is gonna be that cheap (and it probably will be because the liquidators seem to follow a national plan) then I think I will go.

(There was SHITLOADS of books left in the Sci-Fi section when I went. I would go back just to try some books out.)

We all know how I feel about it
 

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Though I'm super sorry about your job, Madeline. :( That totally sucks, especially when rude customers make the last days unpleasant. Working at a bookstore is such an AWESOME experience but when customers get cranky, they hold the power to ruin eeeeeverything.

I may go to a sale if the prices are that awesome. I almost NEVER go to Borders but I do remember them having a pretty decent selection. I'm already in need of a bookcase but I'm sure I could poke around and find more books I don't need. :p

Ours closed on Sunday. We went on Saturday night when everything was 1.99 and it was empty. Maybe a couple hundred books left, but that's it (literally, the shelves and tables were gone as well). Sad.

I got an email today that the one near me that is closing has five days.

It has been about two since my Borders stores closed. Here is what life is like for me now.

When Borders sends me a 40 percent off coupon is the only time I will shop from Borders.com. My Borders Rewards Plus (or Gold?) takes an additional ten percent off. And actually, one day in May I got a DVD for free because it was already less than ten bucks and I had Borders bucks.

However, the significant coupons are few and far between, it seems. Amazon.com has by far the best deals on EVERYTHING.

One day, I had an itch to go to a bookstore so I went to Books-A-Million. The one in DuPont Circle has the feel of a Borders but the location of an old Crown Books. But I went in there and didn't spend a dime. It just didn't feel the same.

I went up the street to Kramerbooks, a place from which I've never purchased a book. Their layout sucks. Fuckin hipsters. Still didn't buy a book.

However, I must say that I have found a new permanent music and DVD home in Melody Records on Connecticut Ave. Their sales are comparable to Borders, without the bonus bucks.

But like I said before, in general I will be switching to Amazon. I put the Amazon app on my blackberry to price things I'm browsing for and it's always cheaper.

Sorry, bookstores....

I have a 15 dollar gift card to borders that I keep trying to use, but with their shipping it is NEVER worth it, I once applied a coupon code and my price went up. Yeah, no thanks Borders, I'll stick to BN for my Nook and back and forth between them and Amazon for my physical books.

I think that it's just the area you were looking in... Kramerbooks has its niche, like Busboys does. If you're looking for a travel book to go to Nepal or a ridiculously expensive book that looks somewhat interesting but in reality is a waste of money, KB is your place. The only time I would ever go in was during some late-night semi-drunken perusal of the shelves, but that was about it. I kind of like BAM, especially its magazine section, because they'd have some really random things in there.

I happened to be out in Springfield the other day and saw that their Borders (right by the metro station) is still running with no signs about closing down. I'll have to keep an eye out to see if I can snag some discounts when it actually does. Then again, I've been a Kindle user since the first generation (my bookshevles are way too full as it is), and so I've pretty much been an Amazon-only user for awhile. I do quite like Amazon's Prime service, which for an extra $60-or-so per year, you get free two-day shipping on just about everything they sell (and it sometimes gets to my house in one day). Great for instant gratification when I'm being super lazy. :)

I just found out that the one closest to me is closing...I'm shocked...

Whenever I go to that location, I always stop in borders and purchase something....

My all-nighters for the release of my HP Books....

dangit!

But I do shop at A m a z o n more regularly.