Archive Borders Closing All Stores

[Joyce]

I heard this morning that Borders is going to completely close all their stores. I hate to hear that since I am such an avid reader. Before I moved I used to go to the one down the road all the time... now I have a Barnes and Noble down the street. My fiance bought me a Nook so it is much more convienent. I have to admit that I found a Borders that was in the first wave of closures that I stocked up on some of my favorite reads and I have found another that is in the current wave that I will probably visit just to stock up on books. Should I feel guilty that I only visit in the wake of their demise? Or should I feel more guilty that I need to stock up on "real" books?

[Carolyn F.]

I know what you mean, going out of business sales are great but I hate to see any bookstore close. I go to mine, but very seldom. I saw another discussion re this where the person noted a lot of people sitting and reading but not in line buying and I do see that too. they have a coffee bar in the one I go to and I see people grabbing books from the shelf and just sitting there reading and drinking coffee. I just saw that they're promoting their e-reader so I'm wondering if they'll keep their online store open. Circuit City did that, closed the stores but kept the online business open.

[Joyce]

I was wondering the same thing Carolyn. A friend had asked me about ereaders and I told her that I love my nook and kindle seems a favorite of others but what about the Kobo? Will they give that to another company to upkeep or keep the online store. I guess if they don't have to pay rent in brick and morter stores they might be able to pull that off. Its a shame that people just go there to read and not buy. I do love a good sale but not at the expense of employees jobs.

[Carolyn F.]

I could never do that myself. I would be too afraid of getting something on it and it takes me much too long to read and I need to put my feet up. But some people would grab a book and read it in the cafe. Sometimes every table was packed with people reading at the tables and around the cafe and most with no bag in sight.

[Joyce]

Just FYI... I talked to a woman at Borders yesterday and asked if they were keeping the online business. She said they were shutting competely down and all the stock in the warehouses would be shipped to the stores. They still had a good amount of books at my location but were out of some of the more popular series and authors. She said to keep checking back as more stock would be arriving. She also stated that if you owned a KOBO that you would need to go directly to KOBO website for help and download Amazon or other ebook sites to now get books as they were not supporting it after they close.

[Carolyn F.]

I saw someone say that her Borders was only giving 10% off right now at the store near her. I'll wait until it's closer to 50%.

[Joyce]

Well, the stores are giving up to 40%. Its like 10% for fiction, YA, mystery. 20% for bio, blu-rays, DVD's, CD's. 30% on romance. 20% on comics, magazines. It varies but if they will still be getting shipments then the supply will be there for a while. I think they are hoping to be closed by September.