Quote:
Originally Posted by porkupan
I am surprised, however, that so many people who visit this forum and seem to love to read are exhibiting such a nonchalant attitude towards possible liquidation of a major bookstore chain.
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Borders was my last resort for anything. The ones near me are not nice and their selection is terrible. One time I went to the bother of having them order a book for me... it took 6 weeks to come in and I had to go pick it up. Or I can order from Amazon and have it in a couple days.
Quote:
Originally Posted by porkupan
Bookstores have been a major part of culture for so many years, centuries even, and in some ways they replaced libraries as places where knowledge could be obtained without necessarily paying for it.
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First, book stores in this sense haven't been around for "centuries". Why do you call it a place where knowledge can be obtained for free? If this is the way you feel, then YOU are a large reason why the stores are doing poorly. Many people I see in bookstores today don't
buy anything, they just sit there and read the books
for free while sipping their $5 coffee.
Quote:
Originally Posted by porkupan
Personally, I am saddened by the fact that the majority of book lovers are resigned to get their books from a price cutting catalog, which is Amazon. I guess, price-shopping is "the American way", but I wish people cared more about the local economy and the local jobs. After all, many urban and suburban book lovers are not destitute, and could afford to spend a few extra bucks for the privilege to have a real bookstore in the neighborhood.
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"Real" bookstore? Versus... what, a fake one? I do prefer Amazon, but only part of it is to do with price. I like the convenience, the quickness and their customer service. Borders can't match them on any of those points. I will not buy local just for the sake of protectionism. If a company wants my business they have to offer me something of value. And in today's world, that means being able to compete globally.