Comments on: Borders Books Ponders Selling Out http://decaturmetro.com/2008/03/25/borders-books-ponders-selling-out/ An Independent Voice in an Independent City Sat, 19 Jul 2008 11:41:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU By: John http://decaturmetro.com/2008/03/25/borders-books-ponders-selling-out/#comment-1283 John Wed, 26 Mar 2008 04:13:48 +0000 http://decaturite.wordpress.com/?p=507#comment-1283 Unfortunately, I've all but given up on buying certain books in Decatur, and I have friends who feel the same way. Only once has the item I needed actually been in stock (at Wordsmiths in this case), and I bought it. Most recently, I went on a deliberate hunt to find a long-time bestseller that's been out for over 15 years. I needed it for a book group and figured if the library had it, surely one of our stores would. It wasn't available at any of the new or used bookstores in Decatur (nor at Eagle Eye). It was, however, available at Borders, where I reserved it online for immediate pickup at the counter, used a 30% off coupon to purchase it, and earned Borders Rewards points for the purchase. My only complaint was having to pay Atlanta tax. I realize that stores serve different needs for different people. I'm grateful for the wonderful authors that Wordsmiths brings into town, and I'm happy to pay full price for those works. I enjoy buying great cards, pastries, and coffee at Indie Coffee & Books, and I appreciate the events they have there. I love to buy (or trade) stacks of old books at Books Again. But perhaps there are some functions that the big box stores simply do better? Since I only buy items at Borders that are on clearance and/or deeply discounted, they are providing a valuable service to me (and perhaps one which the indie stores could not afford). Unfortunately, I’ve all but given up on buying certain books in Decatur, and I have friends who feel the same way. Only once has the item I needed actually been in stock (at Wordsmiths in this case), and I bought it. Most recently, I went on a deliberate hunt to find a long-time bestseller that’s been out for over 15 years. I needed it for a book group and figured if the library had it, surely one of our stores would. It wasn’t available at any of the new or used bookstores in Decatur (nor at Eagle Eye). It was, however, available at Borders, where I reserved it online for immediate pickup at the counter, used a 30% off coupon to purchase it, and earned Borders Rewards points for the purchase. My only complaint was having to pay Atlanta tax.

I realize that stores serve different needs for different people. I’m grateful for the wonderful authors that Wordsmiths brings into town, and I’m happy to pay full price for those works. I enjoy buying great cards, pastries, and coffee at Indie Coffee & Books, and I appreciate the events they have there. I love to buy (or trade) stacks of old books at Books Again. But perhaps there are some functions that the big box stores simply do better? Since I only buy items at Borders that are on clearance and/or deeply discounted, they are providing a valuable service to me (and perhaps one which the indie stores could not afford).

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