Borders is closing

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

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.

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.

Originally Posted by Kappamd

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.

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."

[sceniczip]

I've gotten great books from the bargain racks before. No idea why they made it there since I really liked them 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.

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

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.

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."

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

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."

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.

[VandalSquirrel]

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.

[cheerfulgreek]

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.

[honeychile]

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.

[cheerfulgreek]

Originally Posted by honeychile

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.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by cheerfulgreek

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 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.

[AlphaFrog]

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.

[Kappamd]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

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.

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.

[cheerfulgreek]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

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.

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.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by cheerfulgreek

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.

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 ) finally bought the copies they had. They're not likely to put books on teh shelf that they think will stay there.

I dunno.