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One of the main reasons I'd go to a brick-and-mortar store is to be able to pick up a book that day rather than get it shipped. Borders has nice kiosks you can
by dangrover 16y ago
One of the main reasons I'd go to a brick-and-mortar store is to be able to pick up a book that day rather than get it shipped.
Borders has nice kiosks you can use to look up where a book is, but at Barnes and Noble you have to talk to someone at the information desk and watch over their shoulder to make sure they're spelling the name of the book right, etc. Inconvenient.
Also, usually at brick-and-mortar stores, if they don't have something they'll say "but we can order it for you", which has never made sense to me. If I wanted to order it, I'd do so more cheaply online.
Bookstores also need to focus on the browsing experience and the immediate gratification aspect if they want to compete with Amazon.
- code_duck 16y agoThe B&N I go to has touchscreen kiosks. I don't know if you can order straight from it or only check local inventory.
- gwern 16y ago> Also, usually at brick-and-mortar stores, if they don't have something they'll say "but we can order it for you", which has never made sense to me. If I wanted to order it, I'd do so more cheaply online. I did this when I was younger. The point was, I did not have a credit card. By ordering in the store, I could pay cash or use gift certificates. (Ask a parent? Buy a prepaid debit card? Oh, you funny funny people.)