Most brick-and-mortar stores don't excel in personal customer service.
Tom Send a noteboard - 17/02/2011 09:57:07 PM
Have you been in a store recently? Brain-damaged morons work in them most of the time, people who have a hard time speaking their native language and who can't find a product even if it's right next to them. I said that small, specialized bookstores have smart people working for them. Other places don't.
Also, books are of course different. Think about how easy it is to shop for books online:
1. You don't need to "try on" a book, unlike clothes and shoes.
2. Books don't spoil or break in shipping, unlike electronics or food/drink.
3. Books are inexpensive, so you don't need to worry about fraud (as with jewelry or other luxury items).
4. Books are small and lightweight, so shipping costs tend to be low (try shipping weightlifting equipment)
5. Books do not need installation like major appliances
Right there you have five reasons why other stores don't work as well online. Sure, online shopping is increasing in each of those areas, but books (along with music, movies and games) are the ideal thing to buy and sell online. I don't think clothes stores are going to shutter their doors anytime soon - women like to wander, pick through clothes and find "deals". Grocery stores are not going anywhere, either, nor are liquor stores, electronics/appliances stores or jewelry stores.
Also, books are of course different. Think about how easy it is to shop for books online:
1. You don't need to "try on" a book, unlike clothes and shoes.
2. Books don't spoil or break in shipping, unlike electronics or food/drink.
3. Books are inexpensive, so you don't need to worry about fraud (as with jewelry or other luxury items).
4. Books are small and lightweight, so shipping costs tend to be low (try shipping weightlifting equipment)
5. Books do not need installation like major appliances
Right there you have five reasons why other stores don't work as well online. Sure, online shopping is increasing in each of those areas, but books (along with music, movies and games) are the ideal thing to buy and sell online. I don't think clothes stores are going to shutter their doors anytime soon - women like to wander, pick through clothes and find "deals". Grocery stores are not going anywhere, either, nor are liquor stores, electronics/appliances stores or jewelry stores.
Political correctness is the pettiest form of casuistry.
ἡ δὲ κἀκ τριῶν τρυπημάτων ἐργαζομένη ἐνεκάλει τῇ φύσει, δυσφορουμένη, ὅτι δὴ μὴ καὶ τοὺς τιτθοὺς αὐτῇ εὐρύτερον ἢ νῦν εἰσι τρυπώη, ὅπως καὶ ἄλλην ἐνταῦθα μίξιν ἐπιτεχνᾶσθαι δυνατὴ εἴη. – Procopius
Ummaka qinnassa nīk!
*MySmiley*
ἡ δὲ κἀκ τριῶν τρυπημάτων ἐργαζομένη ἐνεκάλει τῇ φύσει, δυσφορουμένη, ὅτι δὴ μὴ καὶ τοὺς τιτθοὺς αὐτῇ εὐρύτερον ἢ νῦν εἰσι τρυπώη, ὅπως καὶ ἄλλην ἐνταῦθα μίξιν ἐπιτεχνᾶσθαι δυνατὴ εἴη. – Procopius
Ummaka qinnassa nīk!
*MySmiley*
Borders (chain bookstore) files for bankruptcy, will close some stores, and restructure
- 17/02/2011 06:58:36 PM
958 Views
The only book store I have near me is a Borders.
- 17/02/2011 07:01:25 PM
617 Views
You should move to Edinburgh
- 17/02/2011 09:15:45 PM
622 Views
Uh, no it doesn't.
- 18/02/2011 12:54:43 PM
718 Views
Wales doesn't count. *NM*
- 18/02/2011 12:56:24 PM
330 Views
It's a natural evolution.
- 17/02/2011 07:14:29 PM
656 Views
It's not just bookstores.
- 17/02/2011 08:55:32 PM
615 Views
Most brick-and-mortar stores don't excel in personal customer service.
- 17/02/2011 09:57:07 PM
618 Views
Re: Most brick-and-mortar stores don't excel in personal customer service.
- 18/02/2011 01:38:27 AM
666 Views
Re: Most brick-and-mortar stores don't excel in personal customer service.
- 18/02/2011 02:50:06 AM
605 Views
You are the exception though, at least in terms of the book selection.
- 18/02/2011 02:21:46 PM
709 Views
I am not a fan of chain bookstores
- 17/02/2011 07:43:08 PM
648 Views
I actually prefer the chains.
- 17/02/2011 09:12:05 PM
590 Views
``Consistent experiences'' are the bane of my existence
- 17/02/2011 09:14:24 PM
525 Views
Have you seen Dave Gorman's America Unchained?
- 18/02/2011 11:48:50 AM
640 Views
5 of the 6 Borders stores near me are closing, and, I have to say, I'm not a bit upset.
- 17/02/2011 09:23:01 PM
673 Views
*NM*
B&N tends to have the better selection for my tastes, but I prefer Border's atmosphere. *NM*
- 18/02/2011 02:17:49 PM
464 Views
