Borders files for bankruptcy protection

[DavidRoss]

And yet a friend who's a fairly successful small businessman is considering starting an antiquarian bookstore.  No doubt there's a future in books as collectibles, but is it too soon to make a go of it outside of major urban markets?

[The Diner]

I haven't read this whole thread. No time.

The reasons I'll miss Borders:

1. Free Rewards card.

2. Great coupons in your email.

3. Timely magazine shelving.

[Szykneij]

And yet a friend who's a fairly successful small businessman is considering starting an antiquarian bookstore.  No doubt there's a future in books as collectibles, but is it too soon to make a go of it outside of major urban markets?

I bemoan the loss of all my favorite area used bookstores that have gradually disappeared.

I think the few that remain successful are those that maintain both a brick and mortar as well as an on-line presence. You have to keep the books somewhere, so if the rent is cheap enough, why not display your inventory in a retail shop and list it on line at the same time? If a walk-in customer buys the book, remove it from the on-line listing. If someone orders it on line, walk over and take it off the shelf. I know of one such antiquarian shop that does it that way. His location is off the beaten path, but it's pretty much a destination business so that doesn't really matter.

[(poco) Sforzando]

Wow, not one of the four within a short driving distance to me is closing.  I guess I live in an exhuberantly literate part of the country.

Or you live in a part of the country with lower expenses. Two stores in Manhattan are closing, including the one on Park Avenue and 57th that is always busy when I go. Must cost a fortune to operate there.

[PaulSC]

I mentioned the imminent closure of the Borders here in Santa Cruz upthread; I should have mentioned that a major factor in my not giving a hoot is the existence of a well-stocked, locally-owned bookstore just down the street from Borders which, from all indications, continues to thrive. I try to buy from them a few times a year just to ensure they stay in business; I would miss them!

[Todd]

Or you live in a part of the country with lower expenses.

I think you missed the point.

[(poco) Sforzando]

I think you missed the point.

NYC is as "exuberantly literate" as any area in the country you are likely to find, and yet two large stores are closing there. So perhaps the reason your four stores are not closing is otherwise.

[Mirror Image]

I think you missed the point.

No, I think you missed the point which is Borders will be going out-of-business completely in a matter of time. According to that web link provided they are closing 30% of their stores, the unfortunate part about all of this is when they do this, you can almost guarantee that more closings will follow.

[drogulus]

     I buy many of my books at the Harvard Coop, which is affiliated with Barnes & Noble. The Borders I go to will remain open, so it looks like I won't be affected in the short term. As for living in a literate zone, I have no worries there. And I will and do pay more for the privilege of sitting at a table reading a book, or just browsing.

     How to tell if a bookstore is worth spending time in: it doesn't have a section called "Philosophy & Spirituality". In the Coop these are at opposite ends of the 3rd floor, far enough for propriety but close enough to throw rocks if the need arises.

[Scarpia]

NYC is as "exuberantly literate" as any area in the country you are likely to find, and yet two large stores are closing there. So perhaps the reason your four stores are not closing is otherwise.

Any claims of superiority due to your Borders not closing seem dubious.  I'm sure it is a matter of how close any given store is to another Borders, ratio of population to number of stores, competition, and other economic factors.  The store I normally frequent is closing and another I visit infrequently is remaining open, despite the fact that the one closing is in the more prosperous, "sophisticated" district.  In any case, in the long term there is a lot of skepticism that Borders will survive in the long run. 

[Florestan]

If TV stations exist in Florence showing Italian programs and dubbed American ones (and of course they do), then there have to be plenty of Italians watching them.

Of course --- but I was speaking (admittedly not very explicit) from the POV of a tourist.

[Satzaroo]

Two of the five Border's stores in the outlying districts of Oahu will be closed. The remaining ones are conveniently located near me. I am very fond of Borders, not just because of its discount coupons. Before I buy a book, I have to see how dark the print is--the darker, the better for my finicky eyes. And I have difficulty with very small print. I even am particular about the texture and smell of the pages. Purchasing a book on line is too much of a crap shot. Give me a place like Borders or give me dearth!

[Mirror Image]

Two of the five Border's stores in the outlying districts of Oahu will be closed. The remaining ones are conveniently located near me. I am very fond of Borders, not just because of its discount coupons. Before I buy a book, I have to see how dark the print is--the darker, the better for my finicky eyes. And I have difficulty with very small print. I even am particular about the texture and smell of the pages. Purchasing a book on line is too much of a crap shot. Give me a place like Borders or give me dearth!

You must make plenty of money to afford such outrageous prices. I have no doubt that all the Borders stores will be out of business soon. I won't miss them.

[Grazioso]

You must make plenty of money to afford such outrageous prices. I have no doubt that all the Borders stores will be out of business soon. I won't miss them.

It's interesting how the advent of online shopping has changed our perceptions: now MSRP is considered outrageous.

[Bulldog]

It's interesting how the advent of online shopping has changed our perceptions: now MSRP is considered outrageous.

Only to those without perspective.  Besides, Mirror Image loves to use the word "outrageous".

[Grazioso]

Interesting article: "The Decline and Fall of Physical Media Retailing: A Timeline"

http://technologizer.com/2011/02/17/borders-bankruptcy/

[Scarpia]

It's interesting how the advent of online shopping has changed our perceptions: now MSRP is considered outrageous.

It is certainly true that I can get a CD for half the price (on average) that I would probably have to pay at Borders.  But I would likely purchase more judiciously (I certainly did back the days when I was purchasing at retail stores) and might end up having more music enjoyment for less money in the end (and smaller piles of media at home). 

[The Diner]

So what about the prices at Borders? They sent out great coupons for 30 and 40% off nearly every week.

[Scarpia]

So what about the prices at Borders? They sent out great coupons for 30 and 40% off nearly every week.

That limits you to one CD per week (they were single item coupons).

I think that was their undoing.  The theory is that it draws you into the store and you buy other stuff at retail.  In practice, you grab one item and that's it.  With the 40% discount they don't clear enough to pay the rent and salaries.  My typical Borders purchase, use a coupon on the web site, along with a few "borders bucks" get free shipping by having them send it to the store instead of to home, then I skulk in and grab it on the way to the supermarket.  That's no way for them to make a profit.

[Mirror Image]

It's interesting how the advent of online shopping has changed our perceptions: now MSRP is considered outrageous.

I have only been collecting for about 10 years, so buying from stores has never really been something that crossed my mind that much.