Re: It's funny, I have almost exactly the opposite experience. - Edit 1
Before modification by Craig at 17/02/2011 10:06:37 PM
I'm sure this varies by location, but every Borders I've seen has been nothing but an inferior version of B&N. They always seem to be a little bit smaller, and a little less classy (atmosphere/decorations/furniture). Worse still, Borders' sci-fi/fantasy selection is generally awful. The two Barnes and Nobles near me have four two-sided shelves full of sci-fi/fantasy stuff. The Borders stores near me have one each. I haven't been in nearly enough Borders to say this is the same nationwide, but I've been in ten or twelve of them scattered over a few different states, and it's always the same.
Without getting into specific comparisons, everything you cite about the Borders you've been to is my experience with (almost) every B&N I've ever been to.
And B&N's online shopping experience is awful. I've sworn off it completely, to the point where I've asked relatives not to get me B&N gift cards.