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Borders going-out-of-business sale begins
By adamg on Fri, 07/22/2011 - 9:31am
Soon, no more comfy chairs. Photo by John Keith. More photos.
The giant banner went up this morning. 10% off "most" fiction. 10%, really?
Alison Thompson tweets:
Really. I was in Borders this morning, and not only is fiction 10 percent off, but it's hard to find stuff, staff preoccupied.
Robby Grossman adds:
So. ... Still cheaper on Amazon. What a perfect metaphor for why they're going out of business.
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Comments
liquidation sales
When chains like Borders go out of business, the task of liquidating the inventory is handed over to an outside company, in this case Gordon Brothers, which is one of the oldest such companies and is based right here in Boston.
When the liquidators start these sales, the discounts start meager and gradually increase. Think of when the Tweeter stores closed a few years back—-Gordon Bros. handled that sale as well, along with the first round of Borders closing sales several months ago.
In order to get good deals, you have to wait and play the percentages regarding whether the books you want will still be there. Or you could choose to support to an independent bookstore.
not only that
but prices are market up to their highest MSRP (historically) and sometimes even beyond. Then discounts are applied on that.
Often times, there really are no deals to be had until 2-3 weeks before the doors shut.
I also don't see the liquidators having better deals than Amazon.
Usually, stuff that has very slim profit margins are the stuff you'll find the best discounts on later on, since they couldn't re-raise the price much from the start.
They're stilling honoring gift cards and sending coupons
If you're on their emailing list, there was a letter from their CEO that explained why they're shutting down. It was a combo of bad economy, eBook revolution they didn't prepare well for, and just changing market appetites for online sales verses brick and mortar.
Though, it is good to see that they will be honoring border gift cards throughout the liquidation, and they're still sending out coupons and discounts to their members. Those won't expire until July 31st and August 5th for all their members.
It is sad as now only B&N is left, and even their future isn't so secure. Brick and mortar stores are become rare as we continue with eCommerce.
"only B&N is left" - Not true!
We've still got Trident Books on Newbury Street, Brookline Booksmith in Coolidge Corner, Harvard Book Store in Harvard Square, Porter Square Books, Book Ends in Winchester, The Concord Bookshop, Newtonville Books, and other local independents (whose names I don't remember right now) scattered around various places such as JP, West Roxbury, and Waltham.
(For this purpose, I'm listing only stores that sell general new books.)
Another store selling new books
The Hallmark Store on Centre Street in West Roxbury. Yes, really. Although it's obviously not primarily a bookstore, it has a pretty large book section that sells more than the sort of stuff you might expect in a Hallmark store, large enough to serve in a pinch if you need to get a book for a present but don't have enough time to run up to the Barnes & Noble on Rte. 9. The last time I was there, they even had Tim Wakefield's autobiography :-).
Sorry, I meant national book chain stores
The regional and local bookstores are doing fine for now.
The comfy chairs are already
The comfy chairs are already gone, replaced with extra bookshelves, to move inventory faster. Sigh.
basic business points that Twitter-er misses.
"Robby Grossman adds:
So. ... Still cheaper on Amazon. What a perfect metaphor for why they're going out of business."
What a lame comment.
How many jobs does Amazon provide in Massachusetts? Borders went under partly because of the brick and mortar they have to pay rent (where employees in Mass. work) on opposed to Amazon which is based in Utah or wherever. That's why Amazon charges less.
It's not a lame comment at
It's not a lame comment at all, its a realistic comment!
What we've seen is that in an increasing number of markets, the meatspace paradigms are no longer working because, to a good degree, of the advantages they have in being in cyberspace, i.e. much less rent. (Not no rent, or no physical infrastructure - all those servers must still be placed and maintained, not mention the warehouses.)
What we need to do, honestly, is start taxing cyberspace businesses with tariffs. While this has been proposed several times the argument has always been, "No, you can't do that. The Net is still too young and fragile with the general public." Well, that argument hasn't held water for several years now, and Boarders closing is one of its many results.
how many jobs
Di9d borders provide? How many independent bookstores did they put out of business in their stint here?
My guess is we got less back for them being here, then when they were not.
A lot of small, struggling mom and pop's still left have been jumping for joy at this news.
I agree
I agree with you but I was talking about Borders v. Amazon. I don't really buy new books (I'm a second hand buyer and library goer).
I hope this turns out to be good for the little guys!
And to add to the point about servers and warehouses, Borders has to have these things in addition to bricks and mortar, unlike Amazon.
The slow shift to digital is another factor...
It's slow, but inexorable. I've bought more digital content recently than hard-copy.
I'd love to make the switch..
But I hate the idea of digital downloads that are only licensed to me, and not owned. They can be taken away at any time, at their discretion, and there's no guarantee they'll work in the future or with future devices.
And from browsing, there's not much of a discount over physical books.
i visited during the lunch
i visited during the lunch hour and the place was mobbed.
like vultures feasting on a dying carcass. (of course i include myself in that)
Comfy Chairs
I have bought numerous books at the Downtown location over the years. Particularly books on birds and photography. I look at the photo and I remember watching these folks sit there, reading something, then getting up and putting the book, etc. away. They would then head for the door. Empty handed. Too bad. I'm already missing the place.