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News & ArtsFriday, November 7, 2008
Books Breaking Borders
Posted by Paul Constant on Fri, Nov 7, 2008 at 12:06 PM
Borders Books & Music, which I have written about in the past, is having problems paying its distributors, according to Galleycat:
GalleyCat has received a copy of a "special alert" sent from a major book distributor specializing in independent publishers to its clients, warning them that Borders, whose financial difficulties are widely recognized, "now tell us that they will not be paying us for two months due to anticipated excessive returns," a situation the company views with understandable concern.
This is not good news for the bookseller, heading into what could be the most dismal retail Christmas in a very long time.
2
I agree with #1, their Holiday sale will be a going out of business sale as well.
But Borders did it to themselves. I much prefer Barnes and Noble to Borders (if I have to go to a chain bookstore) or better yet, "Unabridged" in Chicago is even super duper better!!!
3
Except for Sarah Vowell's new book and a new collection of Stephen King short stories coming out next week, I pretty much wait to buy my books (and records) used or cheap online.
Related: I went to the Silver Platters at Northgate last week and their selection of new music sucked. And did a hurricane hit the place recently because the floors and racks were a mess?
I think the days of new book and record stores are over, but good used bookstores and record stores will still thrive.
4
Borders is headquartered in Ann Arbor, where I lived until recently. This news just adds to the already dreadful economic issues there. The Big 3. Borders. Michigan is rapidly becoming Michissippi.
5
I worked at Borders when they were transitioning between the small business they were originally and the hell mouth they've become today. I left about 8 years ago because I saw that it was becoming something that I hated. It's very sad to see that it's now become THIS, but frankly they did it to themselves. Many many booksellers were opposed to the changes that started this disaster, but the higher ups refused to listen or stay true to the vision of the Borders brothers. They're getting what they deserve. I just wish they didn't have to take down so many jobs with them.
6
Borders is reaping the results of years of terrible management; an example is the store they operated in downtown Bellevue for a few years. Absolutely terrible layout and inventory, totally non-competitive with the well-run Barnes & Noble two blocks away.
Borders management will blame their demise on the economic mess we're all in. But the mess is just accelerating their departure.
7
what always killed me about Borders was the fact they felt the need to destroy the back cover of a book by putting their ugly orange barcode sticker on the back.
You want me to pay for this thing you've put a sticker on? fuck you.
8
This is why you should buy your books from a local non-chain bookseller instead.
If you have to economize, buy paperbacks.
9
@5
Remember BINC numbers?! Ha!
I remember back in 97 when my Borders manager showed me amazon.com for the first time and said, "Holy shit, we're finished."
10
@5 & 9 Remember when Borders was going to put kiosks in stores that let people print out of stock books themselves?
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