Living Deadpan

Borders didn't exist when he wrote that.

kenbenobi

Ghostbuster

True, but at this point a person will probably save more by purchasing multiple books from Amazon. I have found that Amazon usually offers discounts of about 30%. At the local Borders, the vast majority of books are currently marked 20% off (not many were marked 30-40% off).

Plus, a person ordering at Amazon doesn't have to drive out to a store and then stand in a long line (or worry about a book being out of stock).

greylocke5

Most of these "going out of business" sales have been disappointing to me. Initially the prices aren't as good as the store's sale prices had been. By the time the prices get really attractive the remaining stock is so picked over that you are lucky if you can find that odd-ball item that no one else wants.

Part of the sad irony in all this is that Borders bigbox stores contributed to the bankruptcy of local book and record stores in the past ten years. In the Wash., DC area we lost Olssons a few years ago, because of big stores and, of course, Amazon. I think all this is inevitable, especially now that downloading is replacing hard copies of books, DVDs, etc. No tangible inventory, very few employees, means that the cost advantage is just too much for traditional sellers, large or small, to survive.

To wit, Borders greatly reduced their DVD and CD inventory in the past two years. I have had a hard time using coupons in the stores because of this. (Why "special order" at a brick & mortar store when you can do it at home and at a lower price?) Still, most of the Northern Virginia stores have survived this round of closings - but I predict there will be more.

kyle

I went into my local closing store over the weekend and couldn't believe how packed it was--the parking lot was full. You would think there was some kind of sale going on but most of the discounts were still far less than anything you'd find on Amazon. I don't understand why there were so many people, unless they were the people who actually shopped there before and paid MSRP. I went in to buy the latest Futurama comic (which I knew would have no discount since it was a periodical). However, after they refused to not take a sharpie to the front cover of the comic if I purchased it, I walked out and just went to Barnes & Noble.
Borders had terrible store hours--there were so many times I tried to go there before 10am and they weren't open--it would have only cost them like $20 to have two employees there an hour earlier--lots of lost revenue in the morning! Besides they would have probably sold more coffee then too.

Living Deadpan

Or pay sales tax (unless you live in one of those few states they tax). Whatever discount I get from 10% off coupons at Borders & BN is pretty much added back in taxes.

Books too. They carry much less from small press publishers than Amazon or B&N and they're not as up to date. I can only really speak for publishers of Lovecraftian weird fiction/literary criticism & some esoteric non-fiction.

And I don't think downloading will ever fully wipe out printed books. There are too many people, myself included, who enjoy the calm experience of holding a book & reading in a location away from electronic devices. I can't stand kindle or e-books, and my eyes get dried out if I stare at a computer screen for too long.

Ultimately I think it's the small "niche" companies that will ensure the survival of printed media in all formats. Books of the week are more disposable than literary preservation like the Library of America (whose upcoming Ambrose Bierce collection I'm looking forward to). The Billboard pop charts are more disposable than underground bands with loyal (cult) followings. And I think people who buy Criterion DVDs enjoy the entire physical package they're getting. Just wouldn't be the same watching Paths of Glory VOD with the booklet in kindle format.

These people consider it a bargain to receive a $5 coupon after paying $150 at MSRP. Because they're "Bonus Points", tee hee! Why pay less up front if there's no "bonus" to look forward to? Borders-Rewarders tend to have different concepts of value than Deep-Discounters.

jwstl

This thread is going astray. Most of the recent posts probably belong in the Store forum.
So, back on topic. Below is a store coupon and online code for 33% off one item. It's good through 2/24/11.

33% off list of one item

jimac51

Periodicals at our GOB Borders were 40% off from day one,since periodicals will not be part of the returnable mdse. But,yes,as I stated in an earlier post,the Sharpie thing is an issue to some.
As for opening earlier-that policy is set by corporate.It is not just a case of bringing in two people and unlocking the door.All drawers for the day are set up before opening,security,possible depositing of previous day's monies,etc. The cafe has been leased out to Starbucks for a few years now,under the Seattle's Best logo,so Borders does not see any spike in revenue,it all goes to Starbucks,which then pays rent.

jimac51

My observation about Borders not even knowing how to go out of business still stands.Here,their first day,the day with the most impact for any profit,saw virtually no signs with explanations about how the sale operates(discounts,what may not be included.etc.)Two small signs met the customer at the door:one explaining no checks but taking cash,credit cards,gift certificates,etc. and all sales final.In the meantime,as stated,the few privileged on the clock folk not running register had to verbally explain the discounts over and over(and once,that I saw,one had to remind another co-worker as he got confused and started telling he customer wrong info).Stupidity to the second power. It just does not make not common sense,a quality I found laking for many in my six months employ there over a decade ago.And most of these employees have some sort of college degree(though I would imagine,most have B.A.s,which make them perfect candidates for....retail at $10.00 per hour)so it just makes one wonder. I had no trouble telling the mangager my observation;that's what he gets(got)paid for. I did that retail gig for 30+ years(almost 50,if you include my childhood working in my Dad's store)so I'm qualified and accurate.They blew the biggest day,even with lines around the corner.I'll venture a guess that the confusion cost them at least 10% of the day,no matter how good the end total was. Imagine just the number of people who turned around and walked out,sales you'll never see,when they saw the Mickey Mouse operation going on that day.
A final note about fixtures:current stores need less,not more fixtures. Bankruptcy does affect incoming merchandise.You're not going to see an infux of restocking,ever.They are just getting by.For over two years,these stores have been propping up sections with fillers(empty boxes with signage,turning titles face front instead of spine out)because of the smaller amount of inventory the stores carry today.Stationary,greeting cards,knick-knacks have been taking space and some aisles could have a bowling alley put in as there is much empty space with nothing to sell.And they sure as hell aren't going to open any new stores. The party's over.

jwstl

Borders isn't going out of business; they are closing some stores and liquidating the inventory for those stores. And the liquidation is being handled by a liquidating company so if you have issues contact them.

lordzeppelin

Then it's even worse that you still have no idea what you're talking about. First off, they're downsizing the chain, not completely going out of business. Secondly, expecting a company that filed for re-org/bankruptcy to have store and POS signage ready to go to some 200 stores inside of 72 hours is ridiculous. They are having trouble making payroll and keeping merch on the shelves - and you think Borders has cash for a rush print job on store signage and distribution of said signs? Qualified and accurate my ass.

So if you'd like to look like more of a fool with all of your years of experience, then please continue your poorly formatted blatherings. But you may be better served looking for bargains elsewhere, as this Borders event is clearly not for you.

kenbenobi

Thanks. I may find a use for it online. I can't use it instore anymore, since all 3 of my stores are closing. It's sad that the coupon is cheaper than their clearance prices...

jimac51

If a store is closing,it is going out of business.Like in the dead parrot sketch,it is an ex-parrot. It has ceased to exist.I am well aware of the basics of Chapter 11.Also,be advised that more than a few opinon writers on this story were amazed that Borders didn't pull a Circuit City;that is,throw in the towel now. There are no positive signs for the chain;the party's over. Only GE Financial knows why they only shuttered 200. As for the liguidator,they are truly doing a pi** poor job,but the store sign says "Borders" and they made the agreement with the liquidator.This was not court appointed. Go back a bit to the posting about the recent Princton,NJ store closing(before Chapter 11)and tell me if this ain't a plan based on stupidity or deceit.

RaMMaR

Another coup:
33% off any one item (Valid 2/25/11 through 2/28/11):
BVW1507R

Manzana

I don't know the difference between the various chapters of bankruptcy, but I've heard that some Borders stores are staying open so it's obviously the less severe one. It's really of no consequence to me because Borders carries no inventory of movies to be worth mentioning and their prices of books or movies after 33% or 40% off coupons rarely beats Amazon's normal prices. Last time I was at Borders was when they offered me a free $10 Borders Bucks last November.

The most amazing thing to me will be if more investors provide more financing to them. It's one thing if they get by with existing money, but if I were a bank or investor wanting to loan money I wouldn't invest in a B&M book or movie store knowing Amazon was out there. Maybe banks think they'll still get a government bailout for any bad investment they make? I don't know. It was the same way I could never figure out why people poured additional money into Blockbuster. I just hope when Amazon has killed most of the competition that they don't pull a Walmart and stop their (usually) good prices.

Sessioner

I used the code to purchase Cosmos with gift cards, before they aren't worth the plastic they're printed on.

I had just enough cards to cover the DVD set with the discount.

Thanks!

lordzeppelin

What in the crispy fuck are you talking about? Now you've got a conspiracy theory?

BuckNaked2k

Borders filed Chapter 11, which is known as Bankruptcy Protection. In other words, they are closing unprofitable locations, restructuring debt, and initiating other measures to stay afloat. If this ultimately fails, they will file Chapter 7, which means they will cease operations and disappear outright.

rmw650

Not all Borders stores are closing, just a handful of them that aren't turning a profit for the company.

They're hoping once this is done and over with in the next few months time, they can attempt to return back to business as normal and get out of Chapter 11 but again, they are not going out of business totally, just downsizing the chain...at least for now. Chapter 7 is a last resort.

Sweet Baby James

Closing 1/3 of the chain is a bit more than a handful. I do hope that they can bounce back, but I would be surprised if they aren't completely gone by the end of the year.

g

It did allow them to get out of their worst long term leases that cost too much and were unprofitable. This alone could give them a huge amount of help.

chard31

Is there any free shipping codes still alive?

bhauge

Can you use "Ship to Store" (assuming you still have a local store to ship to)?

jwstl

I don't recall Borders ever having a free shipping code.

lordzeppelin

Rewards plus members get free shipping...that's the only free shipping I've ever seen Borders do