Amazon's First Bookstore Opens in Seattle

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by Dazrin

Not a lawyer, but here is one link: http://azlawhelp.org/viewquestions.c...&sc=34&qid=231

Here is the basic idea according to them:

Transportation systems operating solely on tokens have been around since forever. Before that, company towns operating on script. And, of course, online...

So it seems to be perfectly legal.
Odd but legal.

[Dazrin]

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

I could find nothing in the Washington law help.
The previous link was for Arizona.

The code cited was the US code, not a state code, so it should apply in Washington. There may be something else specific for Washington, but I doubt it.

Treasury.gov says much the same thing: http://www.treasury.gov/resource-cen...al-tender.aspx

For Washington specifically, I go there quite often and lived there for 15+ years, I know that some of the State services don't accept cash as a payment method so I highly doubt that they have added anything in the WAC saying that it must be accepted.

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by Dazrin

The code cited was the US code, not a state code, so it should apply in Washington. There may be something else specific for Washington, but I doubt it.

Treasure.gov says much the same thing: http://www.treasury.gov/resource-cen...al-tender.aspx

For Washington specifically, I go there quite often and lived there for 15+ years, I know that some of the State services don't accept cash as a payment method so I highly suspect that they have added anything in the WAC saying that it must be accepted.

Thanks for the new link.

[tubemonkey]

Does the store have wifi?

[murg]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Does the store have wifi?

From what I've read, the answer to this is: yes.

The real question is: is the WiFi available to non-store devices?

If yes to that, and since having internet access is a requirement to shop in the store, then the question becomes: how much does Amazon 'listen' in on the rest of your internet traffic while you're in the store?

For example, do they note that you price check the book at B&N/Kobo/Google?

[Connallmac]

Originally Posted by Gotadimple

One can sit at home and click through the book-selling web sites looking for something to read and find it - popular or not - well-reviewed or not - trending or not.

Or

One can wandering the bookshelves in a book store (new or used or both), take in the colors of the spines and the covers, and inhale the scents of the surroundings. Get the atmosphere and then find something you were not expecting - because you are on your feet, moving your eyes, and hands, and touching the real thing.

Technology may be a fast way to deliver, but it is not better than the tactile senses.

You're free to romanticize bookstores, but I have to drive at least a half an hour to get to one. It has continually cut book space to sell more non-book bric-a-brac like dvds, musical instruments, novelties, etc. So now they're even less likely to have what I want. Plus the last several times I ventured in there was no one working the book desk if I had a question or needed assistance; and from the yard sale like appearance of the book section it's clearly not a priority. Now if I drive an hour I can find a bookstore that's only slightly better.

You can keep the bookstores, I'll take an instant download or two day shipping if I'd prefer paper and save my gas, time and frustration. My life-long love affair with physical bookstores is as dead as the bookstores themselves nearly are.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Connallmac

You can keep the bookstores, I'll take an instant download or two day shipping if I'd prefer paper and save my gas, time and frustration. My life-long love affair with physical bookstores is as dead as the bookstores themselves nearly are.

[GA Russell]

Regarding the legal tender issue, I think that

1) It is a federal matter, not a state matter; and

2) The relevant law would probably be either the congressional act which established the Federal Reserve System in 1913; or perhaps a second law was required in the mid-60s when the "silver certificates" were discontinued and replaced by the Federal Reserve Notes.

The dollar bill I hold in my hand says, "This note is legal tender for all debts, public and private."

Perhaps before you have purchased a book there is no debt. I would like to see an American lawyer chime in.

[Fbone]

Originally Posted by GA Russell

Regarding the legal tender issue, I think that

1) It is a federal matter, not a state matter; and

2) The relevant law would probably be either the congressional act which established the Federal Reserve System in 1913; or perhaps a second law was required in the mid-60s when the "silver certificates" were discontinued and replaced by the Federal Reserve Notes.

The dollar bill I hold in my hand says, "This note is legal tender for all debts, public and private."

Perhaps before you have purchased a book there is no debt. I would like to see an American lawyer chime in.

I'm not a lawyer but I believe you are correct. By purchasing a book you are entering a contract (although a brief one) with the merchant. They are not obligated to accept the terms of the contract by accepting your cash.

[Apache]

Originally Posted by GA Russell

Regarding the legal tender issue, I think that

1) It is a federal matter, not a state matter; and

2) The relevant law would probably be either the congressional act which established the Federal Reserve System in 1913; or perhaps a second law was required in the mid-60s when the "silver certificates" were discontinued and replaced by the Federal Reserve Notes.

The dollar bill I hold in my hand says, "This note is legal tender for all debts, public and private."

Perhaps before you have purchased a book there is no debt. I would like to see an American lawyer chime in.

The problem is not that it is legal tender and the law states you have to accept it. The problem would be getting the authorities to act to force a business or person to accept the money. I find it improbable that the Secret Service would act upon such a request.
We have a local business that is stuffing flyers in mailboxes. It is considered mail fraud and definitely illegal. But, the US Post Office as a matter of course does nothing to enforce the law.
Apache

[fjtorres]

Here we go, at last somr meaningful words from Amazon itself, via Publishers Weekly:

http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/b...to-happen.html

Once a location was chosen, the Amazon Books team began gathering information about who shops at University Village to help develop its inventory. For example, because the area has lots of families and children, Amazon Books has an extensive children’s section.

All books carried by the store have at least a four-star rating from Amazon customers. And though Amazon uses other data in selecting titles, staff members make the buying decisions, Cast said. Amazon’s main objective in using the data is “to surface great books,” she noted—even if those books are not necessarily new titles. The result is a store that has a large share of books by authors who have won a range of writing awards, and where older books may be displayed next to a brand-new ones. Cast said the store will carry most bestsellers for a few weeks, but if a title doesn’t receive positive feedback, the store will drop it.

That sounds like "no payola".

While most bookstores display some titles face out, all titles are displayed this way at Amazon Books, a tactic Amazon is using to improve discoverablity. The store has been laid out so as to create a “discovery mecca,” Cast said, adding, “We want people to bump into books that they hadn’t been thinking about.”

While Amazon has certain goals in mind for the store, Cast acknowledged that “we have no idea what is going to happen.” She said Amazon Books is fully prepared to make changes to the store based on the feedback from the community, in typical Amazon fashion. “We are in the learn-listen-adapt mode,” she added.

Feedback from the community will affect what types of events the store will have. At present, no author signings or readings are scheduled, and Cast said that she doesn’t expect any to take place until after the holiday season. She made clear, however, that she expects Amazon Books to be very open to making the store a place where customers will feel comfortable.

Most telling:

Although it is very early days for Amazon Books, Cast said she is “very, very hopeful” that the Seattle store will only be the first of a number of Amazon bricks-and-mortar outlets.

More at the source.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Apache

The problem is not that it is legal tender and the law states you have to accept it. The problem would be getting the authorities to act to force a business or person to accept the money. I find it improbable that the Secret Service would act upon such a request.
We have a local business that is stuffing flyers in mailboxes. It is considered mail fraud and definitely illegal. But, the US Post Office as a matter of course does nothing to enforce the law.
Apache

I don't know if it's the same in the US, but in British law, when you buy something in a store, the legal situation is that you're making the store an offer for the goods, which they are free to accept or decline as they wish, so that's what gives them the option of whether or not to accept cash.

[tubemonkey]

U Village is a very upscale mall. Apple and Microsoft also have stores there.

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

U Village is a very upscale mall. Apple and Microsoft also have stores there.

Boutique territory, no?
That was my first impression.
They probably have an LP music store in the area, too?

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

Boutique territory, no?
That was my first impression.
They probably have an LP music store in the area, too?

I'm not sure what else they have. In all the years I've lived here, I've never been there. It's north of me and out of my way. I'd have to fight Seattle traffic to get there. Additionally, I hate malls, especially upscale malls. Those places rarely have anything I'm interested in.

Chances of me ever visiting the bookstore at this location? Zero! If they were to build one south of the I5-I405 interchange, there's a chance I may visit.

U Village Store Directory


edit: ...and yes, there is a vinyl record store in the area. These places (University District, University Village) get their names because the University of Washington is located here.
.