# Sorry, Barnes & Noble, I really want to like your store, but you aren't even trying **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 6, 2014, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorry-barnes-noble-i-really-want-to-like-your-store-but-you-arent-even-trying/690167 "2014-06-06T01:17:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2014, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorry-barnes-noble-i-really-want-to-like-your-store-but-you-arent-even-trying/690167/61 "2014-06-08T15:06:32Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Did you even read what you posted? Would you like to rephrase your post? It makes no sense at all and looks like something and elderly relative would send out in an glurge email. Are you unfamiliar with the concepts of predatory pricing and monopolization? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2014, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorry-barnes-noble-i-really-want-to-like-your-store-but-you-arent-even-trying/690167/62 "2014-06-08T17:09:27Z")
> [@Calatin](#): > > I think I remember hearing some story about Best Buy’s online kiosks (so that you could check on-line prices while in the store) displaying amounts more expensive than if you would access it from your computer or smartphone. > > Am I remembering wrong? Best Buy ran two parallel websites. Their public site would show better prices. People would come in to the store to buy a product for the price they had seen. Then the store would say _“Sorry, you must have misread the price. The product you thought was $599 is actually $799. Look, I can even show you.”_ And they would pull up a website and show the customer that the price was indeed the higher one. Most customers would just accept that they were mistaken. The website, after all, was right there in front of them. And a customer who had already come to the store and was probably feeling a little embarrassed about their mistake would often buy the product even at the higher price than they had expected. What was eventually discovered was that Best Buy had a second website. This one was only accessible by employees. And it was that website that showed the higher prices. The public website was used to lure customers into the store and then the in-store website was used to raise prices. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2014, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorry-barnes-noble-i-really-want-to-like-your-store-but-you-arent-even-trying/690167/63 "2014-06-08T18:25:54Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Are you unfamiliar with the concepts of predatory pricing and monopolization? They have been turning a profit for years now. You appear to have posted mistakenly about that above. ---
**Author:** ![Antigen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2014, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorry-barnes-noble-i-really-want-to-like-your-store-but-you-arent-even-trying/690167/64 "2014-06-08T18:53:32Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > what exactly do you expect them to do in the face of a hundred such demands a day? Say, “You know what? You’re right. Go ahead and paw away… we’ll match Amazon/BN.com prices on anything you want”? Yes, actually, I DO expect them to be able to match _their own online prices_. To the average consumer, the website and the store are both faces of the exact same company. It is completely reasonable to be confused and frustrated when the store insists on selling you the item at twice the price even as you’re showing them the web price on _their own company’s website_. It’s one thing to have an “online only” sale on certain things. It’s another to consistently have the same products in stock in-store and online, but at entirely different prices. ---
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2014, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorry-barnes-noble-i-really-want-to-like-your-store-but-you-arent-even-trying/690167/65 "2014-06-08T21:03:57Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > Huh. Funny - _I was at a B & N the other day to pick up the new Dresden book_ and a ( impulse buy ) Bay Area shoreline guide and the person ahead of me in line had a pretty much identical rant while talking to the cashier. The phrase “bait and switch” came up and I’m sure the cashiers get that a lot. Yeah, it’s a stupid if somewhat explicable policy. Wait, what? There is a new Dresden book out and I missed it? :eek: I rarely buy books, mostly because I read 2 or 3 a week and our home doesn’t have enough bookshelves. When I do buy a new book, its because I want to support a new author. I always pre-order it so that its sitting at the book store with my name on it on its release date. I know that this is much more expensive than buying online, or requesting it from the library, but first day sales for new books really help the author’s numbers. When I buy a book from a brick and motor store, I understand that I’m paying extra for the convenience of getting it in my hands right away. I’m good with that. However, B&N staff don’t really know their stock or their customers. If I ask a B&N clerk about books, they point me in the general direction and never seem to recommend anything. When I buy a book from our local Mom and Pop store, the clerks tend to be fellow bibliophiles who seem to love their job and will often recommend other books that they think I’d enjoy. I pre-order all of my books from them and honestly, the only reason I go to B&N is because I’m in BFE and need something right away. When I go to our local library, the lovely library lady who knows me and my taste in books, will ask me how I liked the last one she recommended. If I say that I didn’t like it because there was too much kissy stuff, but the story line was good…she will order up other books that have the same sort of story line, but not so much kissy stuff. So, for me, library is best, Mom and Pop stores are good…B&N just gets money when its a book emergency and I’m out of town and have nowhere else to go. ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorry-barnes-noble-i-really-want-to-like-your-store-but-you-arent-even-trying/690167/66 "2014-06-09T01:02:21Z")
> [@Space\_Vegetable](#): > > Since you’re only willing to pay up to $10 more for that ability, it’s not something you _need_, really. It’s something you’d like to be able to do, as long as you don’t have to pay very much for the privilege. It sounds like you’re willing to at least “consider” paying 20% or so of the cover price to handle a book before purchase. Any more than that and you’ll still check out the book at a brick and mortar store, but you’ll buy it online. > > And I suspect you’ll also require your brick and mortar bookstore to be in a convenient mall, not a distant warehouse like Amazon would use, and to be welcoming and friendly. If a bookstore tried to seriously cut its expenses to compete better with online pricing, you wouldn’t go there. > > The higher prices at brick and mortar stores are a surcharge for convenience. The more people check out books in brick and mortar stores but buy online, the higher the surcharge brick and mortar stores will have to collect to cover their fixed costs and stay in business. Eventually it’ll get so high that they’ll all close. And books without Walmart-level mass appeal will only be available online. I’m all for supporting my local b&m stores, as I have indicated about my musical and photo gear. Convenience has a cost, and I don’t buy my guitar strings or cords or other musical paraphernalia online, though it would be cheaper, because I like the guys at the store, they help me out, answer questions, recommend stuff. It’s super nice that they match online prices for big dollar items such as guitars and amps, but buying a few sets of strings is probably comparable with buying a book. That said, the convenience of B&N is apparently worth 60% of the online cost. Sorry, but I don’t buy it, no pun intended. Besides, I enjoy the anticipation of an Amazon box in the mail. ---
**Author:** ![DZedNConfused](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dzednconfused/32/15991_2.png) [@DZedNConfused](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DZedNConfused)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2014, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorry-barnes-noble-i-really-want-to-like-your-store-but-you-arent-even-trying/690167/67 "2014-06-11T01:05:05Z")
Pfft, I haven’t bothered with B& N since the Starbucks manager (yes I know they are two different companies, I just feel that they are “guilty by association”) threw us out because someone complained about our dolls on the table (I’m a BJD collector). Not that I shopped there much anyway, I resent having to pay to get better prices, the selection has gone into the toilet, except in manga, I was impressed with that the last time. And I was in line so long, I had read one of the mangas already and was seriously considering putting everything on the table and going home to order online. The only thing that stopped me was them opening a second cash register. Way to do those CS skillz B&N. ---
**Author:** ![actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/actualliberalnotoneofthose)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2014, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorry-barnes-noble-i-really-want-to-like-your-store-but-you-arent-even-trying/690167/68 "2014-06-11T06:03:30Z")
Red Laser always tells me the wrong prices. I use it often at Target, and it says the Walmart across the street is lower, but it never is. ---
**Author:** ![actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/actualliberalnotoneofthose)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2014, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorry-barnes-noble-i-really-want-to-like-your-store-but-you-arent-even-trying/690167/69 "2014-06-11T06:06:05Z")
> [@DZedNConfused](#): > > Pfft, I haven’t bothered with B& N since the Starbucks manager (yes I know they are two different companies, I just feel that they are “guilty by association”) threw us out because someone complained about our dolls on the table (I’m a BJD collector). > > Not that I shopped there much anyway, I resent having to pay to get better prices, the selection has gone into the toilet, except in manga, I was impressed with that the last time. And I was in line so long, I had read one of the mangas already and was seriously considering putting everything on the table and going home to order online. The only thing that stopped me was them opening a second cash register. Way to do those CS skillz B&N. There are B&Ns with Starbucks? I thought they all had “B&N Cafes.” I tried to use a Starbucks card there once, because I thought it was a Starbucks. I was informed that B&N Cafes are B&N stores that just happen to serve Starbucks products. ---
**Author:** ![syncrolecyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f08c70/32.png) [@syncrolecyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/syncrolecyne)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2014, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorry-barnes-noble-i-really-want-to-like-your-store-but-you-arent-even-trying/690167/70 "2014-06-11T06:27:59Z")
I used to visit a Barnes and Noble cafe when I lived in a suburb with no downtown/coffee shops/hangouts. It was the closest thing to a public gathering space we had. I always cringed when I saw people try to use their Starbucks cards or promotions in the cafe. “I am sorry, we do not honor Starbucks promotions.” “But the sign says its a Starbucks…” “Barnes and Noble proudly serves Starbucks coffees” “Well not much to be proud of there eh” This happened, without fail, every day. Also, the passive-agressive announcement “We would like to remind you that Barnes and Noble Cafe seating is for our customers only…” when there was clearly just one guy there who was camping for the day. Ahhh the memories. I hope to never go to B&N again as long as I live. ---
**Author:** ![DZedNConfused](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dzednconfused/32/15991_2.png) [@DZedNConfused](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DZedNConfused)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2014, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorry-barnes-noble-i-really-want-to-like-your-store-but-you-arent-even-trying/690167/71 "2014-06-11T12:38:47Z")
Ahh, you are probably right then, I only went there because it was an easy place to meet an out of state friend. We both bought drinks There were TWO empty tables that had bags left on them we talking quietly But we were apparently disruptive:smack: ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2014, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorry-barnes-noble-i-really-want-to-like-your-store-but-you-arent-even-trying/690167/72 "2014-06-11T13:38:08Z")
> [@flatlined](#): > > When I buy a book from a brick and motor store, I understand that I’m paying extra for the convenience of getting it in my hands right away. I’m good with that. However, B&N staff don’t really know their stock or their customers. If I ask a B&N clerk about books, they point me in the general direction and never seem to recommend anything. > > When I buy a book from our local Mom and Pop store, the clerks tend to be fellow bibliophiles who seem to love their job and will often recommend other books that they think I’d enjoy. I pre-order all of my books from them and honestly, the only reason I go to B&N is because I’m in BFE and need something right away. > > When I go to our local library, the lovely library lady who knows me and my taste in books, will ask me how I liked the last one she recommended. If I say that I didn’t like it because there was too much kissy stuff, but the story line was good…she will order up other books that have the same sort of story line, but not so much kissy stuff. > > So, for me, library is best, Mom and Pop stores are good…B&N just gets money when its a book emergency and I’m out of town and have nowhere else to go. There’s a different dynamic in place for all three entities. Local bookstores and librarians tend to be bibliophiles who got into it because they are bibliophiles; it’s a deliberate choice on their part. On the other hand, your average big-box retail employee works somewhere between ten to 15 hours a week. Unless the employee is already into electronics or books or whatever, there just isn’t enough time to really get to know the inventory to be able to answer complex questions or make good recommendations. Tack on any assigned tasks and the need to stick to the script that comes down from Corporate, and it’s almost impossible to provide good service. Believe me, employees hate it, too, but it’s a choice between paying the rent and not being able to pay the rent. That said, shopping at mom-and-pop stores isn’t always a guarantee that you’ll get good service. Some people really love what they do and they’ll bend over backwards. Others… not so much. Where I live, we have some second-generation business owners who took over from Mom and Pop and they keep the business running because there’s a demand for it and because it’s self-sustaining and it beats having to find a real job. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2014, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorry-barnes-noble-i-really-want-to-like-your-store-but-you-arent-even-trying/690167/73 "2014-06-11T15:28:07Z")
> [@Max\_Torque](#): > > Target, for another data point. Poked around online, saw a humidifier I wanted to get for the kids’ room, went to the store to get it, and it was $15 more in the store than online. I looked it up on my phone just to be sure. Went over to the customer service desk, pointed it out, they confirmed it, and discounted the price right there. I feel bad for the people who don’t do the research and end up paying way too much, but apparently that’s how retail works these days. This is interesting because when I was at Target (granted it WAS 4 years ago or so now…) they would tell me to tell customers that we can’t match internet pricing because its always cheaper online because of most of the things stated in this thread: No shipping, warehousing, wholesale pricing etc. Wonder if they changed because of conversations like this one ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorry-barnes-noble-i-really-want-to-like-your-store-but-you-arent-even-trying/690167/74 "2014-07-25T16:09:50Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > They have been turning a profit for years now. You appear to have posted mistakenly about that above. Their profits are pretty thin compared to other enterprises of their size and compared to industry competitors like Apple. And you might find that their book sales, which is where they are squeezing publishers, are not the source of that profit. And predatory pricing doesn’t require a _net_ loss in order to be effective in monopolization. And in the news today—Amazon investors are getting antsy about meager profits — [http://www.salon.com/2014/07/25/mutiny\_of\_the\_amazon\_shareholders/](http://www.salon.com/2014/07/25/mutiny_of_the_amazon_shareholders/) ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorry-barnes-noble-i-really-want-to-like-your-store-but-you-arent-even-trying/690167/75 "2014-07-25T18:17:49Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > A short while ago I was in the market for a new iPod. Walmart had the best price. > > So I go to my local Walmart and find the price is nearly $40 more than the online price. The clerk suggested I buy it online and pick it up in-store. So, while standing in front of her, I ordered the thing from my phone. Once she got notice of the purchase, she walked over to the case to grab my new iPod for the cheaper price. > > If anyone can explain to me why this is not ridiculous I’m all ears. > mmm Same thing happened to me at Papa Johns. A pizza special was only valid for “online ordering.” So I hung up the phone, ordered it online and it was delivered. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorry-barnes-noble-i-really-want-to-like-your-store-but-you-arent-even-trying/690167.md?page=3)