Borders vs Barnes & Noble - Page 3

33girl · #1 06-23-2010, 11:16 AM

I really don't see much difference between the 2. If we're talking about crack though, Half Price Books is it. Not only do they have the books BUT records and tapes. Woot.

As far as online, I prefer Alibris to Amazon.

MysticCat · #2 06-23-2010, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 33girl

I really don't see much difference between the 2.

Here, at least, the Borders are roomier and seem to be have a bigger selection. They also have more chairs so you can browse and then sit and read. The BNs tend to feel cramped, like they're trying to cram too much into the space.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Senusret I

That coupon has gotten me into so much trouble....they count on me to spend more than i had planned because I'm saving more. AND I DO IT EVERY TIME.

Anyway, I got that book you suggested. Haven't started it yet, but it looks really good

Cool. Let me know what you think.

And ditto on the coupon.

I do the library, too. Probably 2/3 of the books I buy are for the kids. They also do the library, but I'll gladly buy them books if it means they read more. For me, I only buy the books I really want to own.

honeychile · #3 06-23-2010, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Senusret I

Senusret I does not borrow books. He owns them.

So does honeychile.

Between the B's, I prefer Barnes & Noble, but usually shop Borders, because the husband of one of my friends works there, and gives me coupons when I forget them.

But I also love HPB. I have been taking books in at least every over week, and have garnered at least $200. You have to figure out their logic on which books they'll buy, and which they're just taking them off of your hands. I've learned to say, "If you're not giving me at least $1 for a book, please give me a chance to reconsider," and they're happy to do so. They also allow me to bring the puppy, as long as he stays in a cart. Yes, he's a therapy dog, but I can hardly drive to a store, and then claim I need a seeing eye dog!

Bottom line: I love books. I am currently designing a headboard for my guest room that incorporates 3 bookcases and would be able to store roughly (counting...) 250 books. That's not counting my genealogical books!

thetygerlily · #4 06-23-2010, 12:35 PM

I really have no preference between B & BN- whichever is closest. I do love Half Price Books though, and walked away with 4 books I believe on Saturday.

We don't have a custom bookcase headboard, but we do have a small closet-like nook in our basement. It almost perfectly fits two 6' tall bookshelves on each side. It's my mini-library- you can walk in and look at books on either side of the little nook

Unfortunately I need another closet or two to fit what we have. In addition to reading books, I also have every single book from my undergrad, husband's undergrad, and husband's MBA & accounting program.

Kappamd · #5 06-23-2010, 02:42 PM

I am a Borders addict. I can spend hours in there.

Not a huge fan of B&N because I don't like the layout and organization of their stores. Also, it really irritates me that you have to pay for a membership in order to receive the good coupons and shipping deals. However, they do have a good reselling section online that I've used to order textbooks (ie. like Amazon, but cheaper in my experience).

I like HPB too, but their summer selection is always terrible here and it's ALWAYS packed.

NutBrnHair · #6 06-23-2010, 02:53 PM

I like Borders best (probably because there's not one in my hometown!). B&N will suffice for most things, but I could spend hours in a Borders.

Little32 · #7 06-23-2010, 03:13 PM

I only buy books that I want to own too. But I have a great collection of the "great works" that everyone should probably own.

Periodically, I go through my books, pull out the ones that I am never going to read again or don't want to have for my collection and donate them. Right now, I have several boxes of books that are waiting for their bookshelf homes (I need to figure out the route that I want to go with the shelving: Custom/mass produced)

The library is great for authors that I am trying out.

<---Unabashed bibliophile.

AXiDMeesh · #8 06-23-2010, 03:24 PM

Um, Barnes & Noble all the way

pomplemousse12 · #9 06-23-2010, 03:31 PM

I love Borders way more than Barnes and Noble, but because of my Nook (way handier for traveling!) I have been going on their website more often. I like Borders better because I have a rewards card and you don't have to pay for it like B&N, and it is easier for me to navigate most of the time. I get frustrated every time I go to the B&N near college, because I keep forgetting they don't have a DVD section in that store.

tinydancer · #10 06-23-2010, 03:56 PM

This former librarian is drowning in books. I like Borders even if I do have to drive across town.

B&N seems like they have employees that aren't too familiar with their product. They just have a retail job. I must look like a librarian because people walk up to me and ask about books.

The closest B&N closed during the re-routing of traffic on I35 while Jerry World was being built in Arlington. You just couldn't get there from anywhere.

tld221 · #11 06-23-2010, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

B&N for sure. There are a zillion here in Manhattan; I can think of maybe 3 Borders. I do have a Borders Rewards card--worth it alone for the 40% off coupons I get maybe once a month.

Books-a-Million dominates in my parents' town. Oh it sucks.

Books-a-Million is a really corny name for a bookstore, sounds like something made up for a movie.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinydancer

B&N seems like they have employees that aren't too familiar with their product. They just have a retail job. I must look like a librarian because people walk up to me and ask about books.

I've never had that experience at B&N. ive been to many here in NYC, LI and one in the DC area, and 9/10 employees were helpful in finding products for me.

I will say, Borders does have more space - they seem to make better use of their space than B&N.

Lastly, does anyone remember Waldenbooks? I liked that store. I also like the Strand - any NYC area folks a fan?

MysticCat · #12 06-23-2010, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tld221

Lastly, does anyone remember Waldenbooks?

Waldenbooks is a division of Borders. K-Mart bought Waldenbooks in the 80s, then bought Borders in the 90s. A few years later, it spun the two off.

Likewise, BN owns B. Dalton.

tld221 · #13 06-23-2010, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Waldenbooks is a division of Borders. K-Mart bought Waldenbooks in the 80s, then bought Borders in the 90s. A few years later, it spun the two off.

Likewise, BN owns B. Dalton.

ohhhhhhh. good to know. *files info in "Who Wants to be a Millionaire knowledge" folder*

Munchkin03 · #14 06-23-2010, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Waldenbooks is a division of Borders. K-Mart bought Waldenbooks in the 80s, then bought Borders in the 90s. A few years later, it spun the two off.

Likewise, BN owns B. Dalton.

Didn't B&N close all of the B. Dalton stores? I think that, by the end, all the stores left were pretty crappy.

33girl · #15 06-23-2010, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinydancer

The closest B&N closed during the re-routing of traffic on I35 while Jerry World was being built in Arlington. You just couldn't get there from anywhere.

OK, have to know: what's Jerry World? All I can think of is a theme park dedicated to either Jerry Seinfeld or Jerry Lewis.