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BORDERS going bankrupt...

Chyron8472Chyron8472
edited July 2011 in General Chat
Borders bookstore is preparing to declare bankrupty...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/12/borders-bankruptcy-detail_n_822128.html

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704329104576138353865644420.html


What does this mean for retail bookstores and ebooks?

Comments

  • Jen KollicJen Kollic
    edited February 2011
    Borders UK went bust in 2009, I didn't realise it was still trading in the US...
  • ShaggEShaggE
    edited February 2011
    *insert 'son, I am disappoint' pic*

    Borders is a great store, I hate to see it come to this. There's no way I'm going all the way out to Barnes & Nobles either... guess it's Amazon or bust now...
  • dumpling321dumpling321
    edited February 2011
    NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! I LOVE going to borders... browsing real books is an experience that amazon.com cannot duplicat.
  • RemolayRemolay
    edited February 2011
    My parents used to work at HQ, my stepmom quit, my dad was laid off.

    They've been screwing up for years (only need two people in the Sysamin group, really?)
    People who used to work there have been expecting this.
  • RibsRibs
    edited February 2011
    This is saddening because Barnes and Nobles is so cramped and blargh ever since they decided 1/6 of their stores' floor space need to be exclusive to the Nook. Borders has always been a great store because I never got that cramped feeling, plus there isn't green everywhere.

    I did just buy 100 dollars of things at a Barnes and Noble today, so I am a massive hypocrit.
  • JuntMonkeyJuntMonkey
    edited February 2011
    Bankruptcy does not mean they are going away. Companies use it these days to restructure debt or some such nonsense.
  • lombrelombre
    edited February 2011
    BLAAAARG! Please tell me my local Borders isn't among the ones closing. Please oh please tell me my local Borders isn't among the ones closing. :(
  • GuruGuru214GuruGuru214
    edited February 2011
    lombre wrote: »
    BLAAAARG! Please tell me my local Borders isn't among the ones closing. Please oh please tell me my local Borders isn't among the ones closing. :(

    This goes for me too, even more so because my sister works there.
  • ShaggEShaggE
    edited February 2011
    JuntMonkey wrote: »
    Bankruptcy does not mean they are going away. Companies use it these days to restructure debt or some such nonsense.

    No, but (at least in this case), it does mean mass closings, and Borders isn't exactly as prevalent as Starbucks.
  • Rather DashingRather Dashing
    edited February 2011
    Ribs wrote: »
    This is saddening because Barnes and Nobles is so cramped and blargh ever since they decided 1/6 of their stores' floor space need to be exclusive to the Nook.
    Wait, really? My B&N stores are massive, multi-level stores with one small booth dedicated to the Nook. It's a prominently-placed booth(usually at the front of the store), but I think it takes up about as much space as the board games they sell for some reason.
  • GuruGuru214GuruGuru214
    edited February 2011
    I'm between the two of you. My B&N is fairly small, single level, and does feel a bit cramped, but only has the small Nook display at the front of the store.
  • IrishmileIrishmile
    edited February 2011
    I hope they do not close the one in my town.
  • SHODANFreemanSHODANFreeman
    edited February 2011
    What are "books"?
  • IrishmileIrishmile
    edited February 2011
    ShepardBook01.jpg
  • Rather DashingRather Dashing
    edited February 2011
    SHODANFreeman wrote: »
    What are "books"?
    An analog form of data storage, one of the last in widespread usage. Words are printed directly onto thin sheets pressed from tree pulp, and are then bound together on one side.
  • LonnieLonnie
    edited February 2011
    Hope the ones in NZ don't close.
  • taumeltaumel
    edited February 2011
    Rather Dashing wrote: »
    An analog form of data storage, one of the last in widespread usage. Words are printed directly onto thin sheets pressed from tree pulp, and are then bound together on one side.

    Contrary to analog music or analog photography the term analog is often misused in combination with normal books as you don't store the relevant information in a continuous way, a character is still a character which again is part of a discrete abstract definition.
  • MolokovMolokov
    edited February 2011
    Borders in Australia is still running. The same company owns Angus & Robertson and Borders in Australia.
  • FriarFriar
    edited February 2011
    I've only ever boughtTwo things from Borders (UK), which were DVDs. One of which had a large scratch on it, which rendered it unplayable. Unfortunately, the store was 16 miles away, so I never got to return it (Petrol cost being greater than the DVD value).

    I guess it's a shame to see bookstores going, but, to be honest, it's not surprising. Books are just so much more expensive instores. The last time I went into a bookstore, I was shocked to see them charging the price on the back of the book, which shows just how used to getting them at nice online prices I am (£2.99 instead of £5.99, for example). I think Borders is suffering from the same fate as a lot of retailers (like HMV). A lot of people visiting them, but not many actually buying stuff.
  • WoodsyblueWoodsyblue
    edited February 2011
    Molokov wrote: »
    Borders in Australia is still running. The same company owns Angus & Robertson and Borders in Australia.

    This is good to know. Borders in Australia is the only decent place to buy books down here and even then it doesn't compare to the stores in America and Europe.
  • MolokovMolokov
    edited February 2011
    Seems I spoke too soon... Angus & Robertson/Borders/The Whitcoulls Group have been placed into administration -i.e., they're close to bankruptcy.
  • GuruGuru214GuruGuru214
    edited February 2011
    Well, my sister's store managed to avoid the cuts. She's still got her job for now, but she's pretty stressed out right now. They've posted a list of things the employees are supposed to say if questioned and told them not to speak to the press. She says people are constantly asking her if they're closing, it's impossible to check the inventory at the stores that are liquidating, and not only is no hiring going on, but employees can't even transfer between stores now.

    In other words, everything's a mess and working at Borders is pretty much hell right now.
  • LonnieLonnie
    edited February 2011
    Friar wrote: »
    I've only ever boughtTwo things from Borders (UK), which were DVDs. One of which had a large scratch on it, which rendered it unplayable. Unfortunately, the store was 16 miles away, so I never got to return it (Petrol cost being greater than the DVD value).

    I guess it's a shame to see bookstores going, but, to be honest, it's not surprising. Books are just so much more expensive instores. The last time I went into a bookstore, I was shocked to see them charging the price on the back of the book, which shows just how used to getting them at nice online prices I am (£2.99 instead of £5.99, for example). I think Borders is suffering from the same fate as a lot of retailers (like HMV). A lot of people visiting them, but not many actually buying stuff.

    I didnt even know we had Border's in Uk, I only ever went to Waterstones.
  • FriarFriar
    edited February 2011
    Lonnie wrote: »
    I didnt even know we had Border's in Uk, I only ever went to Waterstones.
    I've only ever seen one, and it was abig out of town place. With a starbucks in it. Unfortunately, it was opposite a giant Asda-WalMart which sold most of the books cheaper. It was also very near a library too.
  • JedExodusJedExodus
    edited February 2011
    I usually get my books from a second hand shop by the Europa in Belfast, but I think it closed down recently :(
  • AlcoremortisAlcoremortis
    edited February 2011
    I usually try to support the small, independent bookstores so they don't go out of business. Guess I should have been supporting the big, chain stores...
  • WoodsyblueWoodsyblue
    edited February 2011
    Friar wrote: »
    I've only ever seen one, and it was abig out of town place. With a starbucks in it. Unfortunately, it was opposite a giant Asda-WalMart which sold most of the books cheaper.

    Buying books in places like supermarkets, department stores, Walmart, etc, is actually really bad for the book industry. Those places just buy the most popular books in bulk and sell them at a reduced price. Buying at places like these takes sales away from proper bookstores that promote variety. It is true that books cost more at actual book stores but they have much healthier selections and if they don't have any book you're after they can usually order them in.

    Buying books at places like Walmart may save you money in the short-term but in the long-term the whole industry suffers.

    (Just for the record this isn't an attack and I'm not saying you do this, your post just inspired this rant)
  • lombrelombre
    edited July 2011
    Sorry to bump this old thread up, but there's been a new development.

    All Borders stores are closing down. It's a sad day. :(
  • DAISHIDAISHI
    edited July 2011
    Pissed. Their DVDs and CDs were overpriced but I loved book shopping there. If nothing else I'd frequent the cafe and make a good economic contribution on my share of coffee alone. But I did buy books there and I'm sad to see them go. I have a lot of memories at my local Borders. Was where my writing career began.
  • GuruGuru214GuruGuru214
    edited July 2011
    Yeah, I heard about that earlier today. I hate Barnes & Noble, but I guess there's no choice left anymore.
  • DAISHIDAISHI
    edited July 2011
    The thing is there may not be a Barnes and Noble much longer either. They're looking to sell.
  • lombrelombre
    edited July 2011
    GuruGuru214 wrote: »
    Yeah, I heard about that earlier today. I hate Barnes & Noble, but I guess there's no choice left anymore.

    I don't even have a Barnes & Noble near me. Borders was pretty much my only option.
  • AlcoremortisAlcoremortis
    edited July 2011
    Time to support the small independent bookstores, says I!
  • coolsomecoolsome
    edited July 2011
    It was the only place I could buy Doctor Who Yaoi and Coffee in the same place!
  • ShaggEShaggE
    edited July 2011
    "Yaoi and Coffee" would be a great name for a store.

    Also, can't unimagine Doctor Who yaoi. Sonic Screwdriver INDEED.
  • coolsomecoolsome
    edited July 2011
    ShaggE wrote: »
    "Yaoi and Coffee" would be a great name for a store.




    Also, can't unimagine Doctor Who yaoi. Sonic Screwdriver INDEED.

    Borders had this no joke.
    51xKCaBjC6L._SL500_AA300_.jpg
  • DAISHIDAISHI
    edited July 2011
    Unfortunately the natural progress to a paperless society means the end of places like Borders, but it's still sad.
  • ShaggEShaggE
    edited July 2011
    coolsome wrote: »
    Borders had this no joke.
    51xKCaBjC6L._SL500_AA300_.jpg

    I love the "2 NEW EPISODES!" bulletpoint. I'd imagine it's to wrap up the nailbiting plotline where Doctor Screw's "companion" is "abducted" by the Dal-licks and the Cybersexmen, who've joined together to "exterminate" the last remnants of the Time Whoreds of Gal-I'd-lay. Of course, to do this, they use The Master as bait (eh? eh?).

    Either that or it's two more hours of sex in a TARDIS.
  • dumpling321dumpling321
    edited July 2011
    ShaggE wrote: »
    I love the "2 NEW EPISODES!" bulletpoint. I'd imagine it's to wrap up the nailbiting plotline where Doctor Screw's "companion" is "abducted" by the Dal-licks and the Cybersexmen, who've joined together to "exterminate" the last remnants of the Time Whoreds of Gal-I'd-lay. Of course, to do this, they use The Master as bait (eh? eh?).

    Either that or it's two more hours of sex in a TARDIS.

    LOLOL! You sir, just made my day
  • IrishmileIrishmile
    edited July 2011
    Its a damn damn shame... but not a surprising one... I myself have a nook... I read on it a lot for convenience I do still buy more paper copies of books than most people probably do ... but not as much as I used to.
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