Quote:
Originally Posted by rkomar
So, was that your first visit to the shop? Did you not know what kind of service you were going to get? Did you go anyway because actually being able to browse books in person was something you value? Do you not realize that that commercial space for you to browse in costs money, whether the cashier gives you advice or not?
From many posts here I've been reading rationalizations for why those B&M stores deserve to be used and not rewarded. Obviously, many find browsing in person valuable or they would just go to Amazon and the other online stores without leaving their homes. However, they are also okay with not helping to keep those browsing spots in business, despite being worth visiting. It all sounds penny wise and pound foolish to me. Or cynical.
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You are assuming that I feel Barnes & Noble IS a service to me in that way. As far as I am concerned, the only service I NEED from them is the ability to actually BUY A BOOK.
I have visited Barnes & Noble a number of times. Sometimes I just go to browse and kill time. On occasion I even buy from them.
Either way, they have not lost anything, even the possibility of a sale.
More importantly, though, I believe I have the right to change my mind about whether or not to buy from Barnes & Noble at any point up till I have already given them my money. Barnes & Noble will be open whether or not I browse, and it's nice to have them, but I can do just as well without. Usually I have plenty of books to read while I wait for Amazon to ship me new books (although I tend to rely heavily on the local library, unless I really want to keep a book forever). Rarely do I need to buy a book "right this minute!!!" and I prefer having them delivered to my door, and usually cheaper as well, but primarily just because I AM LAZY.
On the occasion that I visit Barnes & Noble, with NO intent to buy anything, are they losing anything by my presence? No, they would pay money and keep that store open even if I didn't exist. The only reason why I might feel impelled to buy from them in that case is to support their continued presence for the principle of the thing. And honestly, I can easily live without it. They really don't provide me with anything other than instant gratification when I can't find a certain book on the shelf at the nearest library. Why wait if it's right there and I have time to spare? But if Barnes & Noble closed down (no doubt solely due to my refused patronage) I will cheerfully wait for the library and/or Amazon to ship to me, while I attempt to make a dent in my large reading list of books that were suggested to me by friends and which I may actually read someday. Or read Harry Potter, Discworld, The Dresden Files, or The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy for the 28th time. I am by no means dependent on Barnes & Noble for anything.