So... did anyone see Borders coming?

[Calliope]

Ever since I was a teenager I loved to browse in bookshops and buy books Since I retired I only browsed the bookshops to find titles that I could order up in the council library.

Now that I have my Kindle I don't even visit the library any more. Like a kid in a lolly shop I have discovered a whole new world.

Bill has never heard of Borders. I doubt if many school children have heard of William Caxton. He produced the first book written in English in 1473

Caxton showing the first speciman of his printing to King Edward IV circa 1476.

 

[wayneL]

I guess the next question is - will Dymocks follow?

I don't want to live in a world with no bookshop on the High Street.

Here in Napier NZ, the Dymocks has already closed (sad, the owners were lovely people, busted their gut to service, stayed open well past normal hours etc.). Now Whitcoull's (Borders) is swirling down the gurgler.

I like to browse book stores... so often I buy books on topics I never knew I was interested in. Ya can't do that online.

 

[talonsmail]

Being quite young, I can't relate to bookstores. I browse for books online (as well as look at books I wouldn't usually, by browsing by genre).

The biggest upside is that any book that Borders and A&R can offer, is at least 1/3 to 1/4 of the price online. I heavily disagree with the article that online sites didn't put them out of business. They absolutely put them out of business. everyone (and i mean everyone) who is 20 years old or less knows what bookdepository.com is, and that it's the only place to get books!..

I do hold some empathy for the stores though.. I admit I did like the old browse at the local shopping centre whilst waiting for the Mrs..

 

[prawn_86]

Im 23 and have barely ever bought a book online. I would say its 50/50 between new and 2nd hand book stores.

If i want a book i just buy it beacuse i dont usually want to wait for postage.

That being said i still use the local library heaps

 

[awg]

and it gets even worse when you factor in Torrent download sites.

A range of technical manuals, including many excellent investing and trading books, are available for free download.

Please note you may be breaching copyright if you do this

 

[Calliope]

Im 23 and have barely ever bought a book online. I would say its 50/50 between new and 2nd hand book stores.

If i want a book i just buy it beacuse i dont usually want to wait for postage.

That being said i still use the local library heaps

Yes , it takes ages to get a book by post from Amazon. You can download one of their e-books (if available) in seconds. In only a matter of time before all popular books are available in e-book form. The authors still get their royalties, but all classical books are royalty expired and are free.

 

[Mofra]

I like to browse book stores... so often I buy books on topics I never knew I was interested in. Ya can't do that online.

The big players used to rely on volume and the associated cost benefits - that advantage has been eroded by the online players.

There are niche bookshops that should still survive, but they will be few and far between - fortunately those who live in capital cities will still enjoy access to these.

The market nevers stops - just ask "full service" petrol stations.

 

[wayneL]

Yes , it takes ages to get a book by post from Amazon. You can download one of their e-books (if available) in seconds. In only a matter of time before all popular books are available in e-book form. The authors still get their royalties, but all classical books are royalty expired and are free.

I don't know if it's just me, but I find e-books tough going.

When I buy a physical book, I read it phleged out on the couch, in the car waiting for missus, sitting on the loo, outside in the garden with the birds twittering away, in bed before I go to sleep..... etc.

Perhaps there is some technology now that allows me to do that, but nothing beats the charm of a good old paper book.

Maybe I'm just one generation removed from taking advantage of current technology.

The big players used to rely on volume and the associated cost benefits - that advantage has been eroded by the online players.

There are niche bookshops that should still survive, but they will be few and far between - fortunately those who live in capital cities will still enjoy access to these.

The market nevers stops - just ask "full service" petrol stations.

Yes.

Although there is still many full service petrol stations where I currently live, it is generally recognized that Hawkes Bay is 20 or 30 years behind the times. This has both good and bad attributes from my point of view.

Full service petrol station actually feel quite weird.

My favouritest bookshop on the planet is "The Technical Bookshop" in Perth. Though I'm not there and hope I never will be, I hope that bookshop never goes broke.

 

[Tanaka]

Had a browse around Borders yesterday. As previously mentioned by others that’s what you do when the misses wants you to go shopping with her . They had 30-40% off most books. I always buy my books online as much cheaper, but I got thinking, if they are closing up they may reduce books even more in the near future. I’m gonna keep a close eye, it could be a chance to pick up some really cheap books soon. What do others think?

 

[Garpal Gumnut]

Had a browse around Borders yesterday. As previously mentioned by others that’s what you do when the misses wants you to go shopping with her . They had 30-40% off most books. I always buy my books online as much cheaper, but I got thinking, if they are closing up they may reduce books even more in the near future. I’m gonna keep a close eye, it could be a chance to pick up some really cheap books soon. What do others think?

If I were closing up soon, I'd be trying to get out of my lease, letting staff go and selling my inventory back to the publisher or to an online store. Sales cost money, wages etc.

gg