Forum - View topicNEWS: Bookstores Struggle, Blockbuster Nears Bankruptcy
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Manic_Monkey
Posts: 27 |
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Border's is the only place I can sit down, pick up a good manga to read, and get a cup of Seattle's Best Coffee so its sad that they are struggling.
Never really cared for Barnes and Nobles. And as far as I'm concerned after selling me a used game that looked like it was put though a cheese grater to only bitch when I returned it Blockbuster can rot for all I care. I feel bad for those who will be axed though. |
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Collectonian
 Posts: 104 Location: Texas |
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I have a Netflix account, but I still rent DVDs from in-store. However, I always rent from Hastings, versus our local Blockbusters, because Hastings just plain out has better rental rates and the don't rent as many trashed DVDs (and if one doesn't play, they fairly replace for the same amount of time).
I buy most of my books online, but I do enjoy browsing the bookstores to find new stuff. I have a B&N membership, it works for me. They usually have a coupon out at any given moment to get another 10-15% off the 10% member rate, which makes it competitive with most online manga sellers, and I can get a frapp while I shop.  My only minor complaint with B&N is that they do 20-30% off most "new" books, except for manga.
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mlisette23
Posts: 96 |
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As of April 30th members no longer get the 10% off online, now they get free express shipping. |
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CCSYueh
 Posts: 2707 Location: San Diego, CA |
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But it's still 300 channels with nothing on them. Reading & tv are 2 different things. There is usually far more in the book than can be in the tv show/movie. A gazillion websites aren't the same as reading a well-written story which sets one's head on edge or speaks to one's soul. When an author turns a phrase that can be stuck in one's head for DECADES vs a wesite where you won't be able to find this thread in 6 months unless you dig for it-how can there be any comparison? I still love CardCaptor Sakura after a decade. I still love Saberhagen's Dracula novels & Brust's To Reign in Hell. I couldn't tell you half the websites I've passed over in the last year outside the regular dozen I visit. |
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Ashen Phoenix
 Posts: 2912 |
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Hmm. That's an interesting idea. I would hardly be against it, as I consider Borders my second home and have purchased 80% of all my books from them over the years, and Barnes & Noble is a fine chain in it's own right. I couldn't stand it if they went away. I don't have a lot of disposable income atm, but I'm trying to buy as much from them as I can to support the industry and the bookstores I love. |
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TsukasaElkKite
 Posts: 3954 |
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LIVE, BORDERS! YOU'RE THE ONLY PLACE I CAN GET MY YAOI MANGA FROM WITHOUT HAVING TO SPECIAL ORDER IT!
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Emerje
 Posts: 7344 Location: Maine |
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I probably wasn't clear, the discount I was talking about was the online discount that's always in place and is often better than the in-store 10% (looking at my wishlist several new titles are 32% off). But the point I was trying to make was the Members coupons in addition to that discount which can take more than 50% off the list price. That plus the free shipping is why I never buy in-store anymore, the only reason I ever go there now is to kill time waiting for a movie to start next door. Also, if I bought online without the membership I would lose whatever I saved to the shipping cost so it really does save money that way. Emerje |
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GATSU
Posts: 15323 |
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I kinda suspected that, even with the recent monopolistic deal in which Suck-Asster got certain studio titles before Netflix, it'd still take a hit from people who'd just wait for those titles when they were available. Here's an idea. Stop charging more than my local store per disc for certain films.
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Anime Remix
Posts: 354 |
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Then again, me and the Borders worker had a weird time... 
Me - I'll like to buy this manga! (Case Closed Vol. 29). Borders Worker - Hmm! Did you see the coupon? Me - No... Borders Worker - *shows the coupon and stats whispering* Say Yes... Me - What? Borders Worker - Say...Yes...O_O Me - YES!!! Borders Worker - There we go! Seems like you get a discount on this book! The total is $6 & something cents! Me - YAY!  *starts handing over the money to pay for the book*
Borders Worker - Now, You WILL be paying extra money to support the kids who are poor, right? 
Me - No... Borders Worker - WHAT?! If you do, your total will go right back to the original cost of this book! You will also be helping poor kids in need! Me - Yeah... I really don't want to... *grab book and starts walking away*. Borders Worker - Have a nice day! 
Me - You too!
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Finny-chan
 Posts: 448 Location: West Virginia, U.S.A |
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meh don't really go to Block Buster anyways since the last time I went was last year in the Fall I think. As for Borders and Barns and Nobel how are people like us without credit cards supposed to buy manga when they both go down cause most online websites only have credit card options and no money order or check options well at least the websites I saw anyways.
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Anime Remix
Posts: 354 |
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Anyways, I support Borders more. Borders and Barnes&Nobel are both on the other side of town. I really don't get to go over there that much (unless I'm going to the mall with my mom). Even at the mall, Borders is next door to it, so, instead of crossing the street, walking straight down until I get to Barnes&Nobel, I could just walk outside the mall and go to Borders!
Also, I just used my birthday money on Manga at Borders and spent $40+. I'm glad to know I help out by buying Manga from Borders. 
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Farix
 Posts: 152 |
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Nearest Borders/Waldenbooks: roughly 30 miles.
Nearest Barns and Noble: roughly 80 miles according to their store locator. (in Christiansburg, VA) I sure hope that Borders will pull through. Because they are quite literally the only bookstore in town. |
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ikillchicken
 Posts: 7272 Location: Vancouver |
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Yeah, this is my dilemma as well. I'd love to support local stores. I prefer shopping in person. However, I can't possibly justify it given the difference in price. Especially with the ridiculously inflated Canadian prices I consistently can save at least 30% by shopping online. As for Blockbusters, I feel for their employees but otherwise I could care less. I haven't rented a movie since I got on Zip (the Canadian netflix) and even if I wanted to, I'd rather go to Rogers. |
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glitteringloke
 Posts: 160 |
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At least in my area, also true! i have NEVER seen a Blu or June' title on their shelves. and when the borders that's so close to me i could walk to it doesn't have something, i go to the borders express in the mall and usually find it there and they have such yummy coupons. nom nom nom.
B&N is equally close, but, it's just not as good IMO. i don't like having to pay for a club card (suncoast used to do that, and it was only good because i was buying $35 anime dvds at the time). all but one of the blockbusters in my area have been gone for quite a while. of course i never did rent movies much. I heard (from someone that tried it) their online service was horrible and a scam. |
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Mushi-Man
 Posts: 1537 Location: KCMO |
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The news of Borders isn't that hurtful to me. I know that for most manga fans Borders is the store to go to, but not for me. I would love to have a large borders near my house but the nearest one for me is a small out-let store in the middle of a strip mall (ironically it's right next to a Blockbuster). But I have a feeling that they'll be able to pull through, I think if they play it smart and cut back a bit they'll weather through this. I think their problem is simply the fact that they expanded beyond their financial capabilities. If they cut back and wait for the economic environment to become more book friendly I think they'll be back.
Personally Barns and Nobel is my book store of choice, simply because they a large store with in minutes away from my house. Though I really wish they would take a note from Borders and expand their manga selection a bit. But for now they work fine. Plus the one near my house has a great selection of indie music on sale so it's great to pick up music there. And the news about Blockbuster is... not surprising at all. Honestly I saw this coming a long time ago. Basically once Nexflix and Gamefly started to take off it was the beginning of the end for them. Blockbuster just couldn't compete with their insanely large selection and their affordability. Plus there's no late fees, and you don't have to go anywhere to pick the dvds or games up. And now Netflixs has the watch instantly thing taking off like a rocket. |
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