29 ms·

I wouldn't go long on Barnes & Noble or Borders either.

cabalamat 16y ago
Well, Borders in the UK went bankrupt a year ago, but I don't think bookshops are going to go away any time soon. When I buy a book, either I want a specific book (in which case Amazon is the most convenient way of getting it) or I want a book on a particular subject, but I don't know which book I want. In a book store, I can easily and conveniently browse several books, and decide which I like the best -- this is harder online.
- vaksel 16y ago
  i kinda feel the opposite way, in the bookstore you base everything on the cover/thumbing through it...with Amazon you can actually read customer reviews and see if the book is worth it.
- HeyLaughingBoy 16y ago
  I really think Amazon is going to rule them all. I recently received a Barnes & Noble gift card and it wasn't until I tried to use it online that I realized how reliant I had become on Amazon simply having everything . B&N has a more limited selection, more stuff is "ships in 2 weeks" as opposed to Amazon's "ships in 24 hours" and their recommendations are useless. As a brick&mortar store, I love B&N even though the closest one is half hour away (and do I ever miss browsing the 17th st one in NYC after work!!), but I'm never going to buy online from them again.
robryan 16y ago
It would be a sad day if you couldn't go to a local bookstore and randomly browse/ buy books. Not that I'm against ebooks or online purchasing of physical books as well as bookshops.
- ja27 16y ago
  I'm really going to miss them. My closest Borders has looked like it's either about to remodel or close since January, with big empty spaces of damaged carpet. I wish someone would start a chain of places to just sit and work. Sure, stick in a small selection of books, gadgets, and I guess some light food and drinks if you need to, but make the place primarily about comfortable tables and chairs plus wifi and I'd gladly pay for it.
- maw 16y ago
  Definitely agreed. I think physical books are a losing proposition for a variety of reasons, but for me, there's nowhere better than a good bookstore -- be it a large chain or a knowledgeably-staffed local -- to unwind for an hour or three. I'll be sad to see them go. On the bright side, being the believer in markets that I am, I'm reasonably confident that something else will pop up to occupy that niche. I have no idea what it could be, but people rarely do.
- WillyF 16y ago
  Barnes & Noble and Borders aren't "local" bookstores. They already put most of the local bookstores out of business. Now it's their turn to get run out of business. Right now I can't imagine someone running Amazon out of business, but I'm sure the day will come.
  - robryan 16y ago
    I guess it's possible once those stores are run out of business and smaller operators can fill the need again for a niche space.
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Maro 16y ago
My favorite thing to do when visiting the US is to get lost in Borders and BN stores for hours.

Well, Borders in the UK went bankrupt a year ago, but I don't think bookshops are going to go away any time soon. When I buy a book, either I want a specific book (in which case Amazon is the most convenient way of getting it) or I want a book on a particular subject, but I don't know which book I want. In a book store, I can easily and conveniently browse several books, and decide which I like the best -- this is harder online.

vaksel 16y ago
i kinda feel the opposite way, in the bookstore you base everything on the cover/thumbing through it...with Amazon you can actually read customer reviews and see if the book is worth it.
HeyLaughingBoy 16y ago
I really think Amazon is going to rule them all. I recently received a Barnes & Noble gift card and it wasn't until I tried to use it online that I realized how reliant I had become on Amazon simply having everything . B&N has a more limited selection, more stuff is "ships in 2 weeks" as opposed to Amazon's "ships in 24 hours" and their recommendations are useless. As a brick&mortar store, I love B&N even though the closest one is half hour away (and do I ever miss browsing the 17th st one in NYC after work!!), but I'm never going to buy online from them again.

robryan 16y ago

It would be a sad day if you couldn't go to a local bookstore and randomly browse/ buy books. Not that I'm against ebooks or online purchasing of physical books as well as bookshops.

ja27 16y ago
I'm really going to miss them. My closest Borders has looked like it's either about to remodel or close since January, with big empty spaces of damaged carpet. I wish someone would start a chain of places to just sit and work. Sure, stick in a small selection of books, gadgets, and I guess some light food and drinks if you need to, but make the place primarily about comfortable tables and chairs plus wifi and I'd gladly pay for it.
maw 16y ago
Definitely agreed. I think physical books are a losing proposition for a variety of reasons, but for me, there's nowhere better than a good bookstore -- be it a large chain or a knowledgeably-staffed local -- to unwind for an hour or three. I'll be sad to see them go. On the bright side, being the believer in markets that I am, I'm reasonably confident that something else will pop up to occupy that niche. I have no idea what it could be, but people rarely do.
WillyF 16y ago
Barnes & Noble and Borders aren't "local" bookstores. They already put most of the local bookstores out of business. Now it's their turn to get run out of business. Right now I can't imagine someone running Amazon out of business, but I'm sure the day will come.
- robryan 16y ago
  I guess it's possible once those stores are run out of business and smaller operators can fill the need again for a niche space.

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Maro 16y ago

My favorite thing to do when visiting the US is to get lost in Borders and BN stores for hours.