Why does B&N suck?

packfan20 · September 2013

I know some people love this store but I always have nothing but issues. A and I went this morning because she got a gift card for her birthday. While there, I decided to grab a book for the fall exchange. They didn't have it. I had to ASK if they would order it. Employee said it would take 4-6 weeks and then walked away. WHAT?!?! This is not an obscure book. Why are they so unhelpful? I swear they see me coming and go "She was a Borders lover. Do not be of ANY help to this girl!". Amazon will be getting my money since we don't have any other book stores nearby.

DD did get 5 new books though. Perhaps one of them will take the place of Brown Bear, Brown Bear and Barnyard Dance.

SnShne322 · September 2013

You'd think 7-10 days would be pretty standard!

I would really hate to see books stores go, but I get so frustrated in B&N. I like going for an excuse to get a frilly drink at Starbucks.

queenofhearts1728 · September 2013

I like B&N when I don't have to ask for help. When I've asked, they were always helpful but it was more difficult trying to find someone than anything.

I've been a fan of Amazon for ages... they are always cheaper than anywhere else, too. If I don't need it IMMEDIATELY, it gets purchased from Amazon.

julie37619 · September 2013

This makes my heart so sad, because I know it's true. I'm dedicated to B&N because A) it's all we have here and

I hate Amazon, but their customer service online and in store is so terrible.

PhoenixRising11 · September 2013

My main goal in life is never to ask anyone for help ever (I have a touch of the social anxiety), so that makes B&N perfect for me! Seriously, my B&N is pretty awesome. I love going there.

When I bought my Nook HD+ and the price was reduced by over $100 because of a Mothers' Day sale less than a week later, I had no trouble getting the difference refunded to me.

booknerd226 · September 2013

I agree. I love going to B&N to get Starbucks and actually walk around looking at books and reading the back covers, etc. But I am always disappointed by their prices and lack of customer service.

booneybear · September 2013

I will buy books at any bookstore, whether it is a chain, indy, used or online. I have never once walked out of any bookstore without at least one book in my hand.

Hoycie · September 2013

These types of stories break my heart. I have never had a problem with B&N ::knock on wood::

84Lauren · September 2013

Hoycie said:

These types of stories break my heart. I have never had a problem with B&N ::knock on wood::

Ditto.

I asked about a book just last week and the girl was super helpful and ordered it for me to arrive in 5-7 business days - they called me in 2 to say it was ready.

I think with big retail of any kind, you're going to get customer service reps who are great, and some who just don't give a shit. I'm lucky that most of the people who work at my B&N are wonderful.

EliStar · September 2013

84Lauren said:

Hoycie said:

These types of stories break my heart. I have never had a problem with B&N ::knock on wood::

Ditto.

I asked about a book just last week and the girl was super helpful and ordered it for me to arrive in 5-7 business days - they called me in 2 to say it was ready.

I think with big retail of any kind, you're going to get customer service reps who are great, and some who just don't give a shit. I'm lucky that most of the people who work at my B&N are wonderful.

Ditto. My B&N is pretty awesome. It's HUGE and if something isn't in stock, there is always someone willing to help.

packfan20 · September 2013

EliStar said:

84Lauren said:

Hoycie said:

These types of stories break my heart. I have never had a problem with B&N ::knock on wood::

Ditto.

I asked about a book just last week and the girl was super helpful and ordered it for me to arrive in 5-7 business days - they called me in 2 to say it was ready.

I think with big retail of any kind, you're going to get customer service reps who are great, and some who just don't give a shit. I'm lucky that most of the people who work at my B&N are wonderful.

Ditto. My B&N is pretty awesome. It's HUGE and if something isn't in stock, there is always someone willing to help.

Guess I will travel to Miami or Phoenix the next time I need to buy a book from B&N!

RevJen · September 2013

There isn't a B&N within an hour of me. Amazon gets my money.

Hoycie · September 2013

packfan20 said:

EliStar said:

84Lauren said:

Hoycie said:

These types of stories break my heart. I have never had a problem with B&N ::knock on wood::

Ditto.

I asked about a book just last week and the girl was super helpful and ordered it for me to arrive in 5-7 business days - they called me in 2 to say it was ready.

I think with big retail of any kind, you're going to get customer service reps who are great, and some who just don't give a shit. I'm lucky that most of the people who work at my B&N are wonderful.

Ditto. My B&N is pretty awesome. It's HUGE and if something isn't in stock, there is always someone willing to help.

Guess I will travel to Miami or Phoenix the next time I need to buy a book from B&N!

If it helps, check online to see if the store near you has it in stock before you drive there. I'm lazy and tend to this before I go so they have it ready for me

EliStar · September 2013

Hoycie said:

packfan20 said:

EliStar said:

84Lauren said:

Hoycie said:

These types of stories break my heart. I have never had a problem with B&N ::knock on wood::

Ditto.

I asked about a book just last week and the girl was super helpful and ordered it for me to arrive in 5-7 business days - they called me in 2 to say it was ready.

I think with big retail of any kind, you're going to get customer service reps who are great, and some who just don't give a shit. I'm lucky that most of the people who work at my B&N are wonderful.

Ditto. My B&N is pretty awesome. It's HUGE and if something isn't in stock, there is always someone willing to help.

Guess I will travel to Miami or Phoenix the next time I need to buy a book from B&N!

If it helps, check online to see if the store near you has it in stock before you drive there. I'm lazy and tend to this before I go so they have it ready for me

Or, you know, you could just come to Miami

packfan20 · September 2013

Hoycie said:

packfan20 said:

EliStar said:

84Lauren said:

Hoycie said:

These types of stories break my heart. I have never had a problem with B&N ::knock on wood::

Ditto.

I asked about a book just last week and the girl was super helpful and ordered it for me to arrive in 5-7 business days - they called me in 2 to say it was ready.

I think with big retail of any kind, you're going to get customer service reps who are great, and some who just don't give a shit. I'm lucky that most of the people who work at my B&N are wonderful.

Ditto. My B&N is pretty awesome. It's HUGE and if something isn't in stock, there is always someone willing to help.

Guess I will travel to Miami or Phoenix the next time I need to buy a book from B&N!

If it helps, check online to see if the store near you has it in stock before you drive there. I'm lazy and tend to this before I go so they have it ready for me

I didn't do that today because I was going anyway but I just checked for the book and it says they have it. Huh.

jackiback · September 2013

The customer service at ours really is not that bad, but the selection is so, so awful. They have a giant cafe, a giant cd/dvd section, games, a counter & tables full of nooks, teacher resources, toys (lots and lots of toys) and a huge area for readings & other meetings... leaving very little space for actual books. In adult fiction, there are 5 shelves. It is really just like the top 40 station of bookstores so even browsing is really not so great.

We do go there a lot for sbux and let the kids play with the train table and for storytime, but when I am actually browsing for books, sadly it is mostly online.

CeeCeeSugaPie · September 2013

The nearest B&N to me is at least 45 minutes. I have never had any trouble when I go though. When I lived in SC, the closest one was in Augusta, Ga. It was awesome. I miss it a bunch.

We just recently had a small local bookstore open up. I really like it and try to go to there when at all possible, just because I hate to see the small stores close due to the big retail places.

I also usually succumb to the desire for the frilly Starbucks drinks!

queenofhearts1728 · September 2013

julie37619 said:

This makes my heart so sad, because I know it's true. I'm dedicated to B&N because A) it's all we have here and I hate Amazon, but their customer service online and in store is so terrible.

Amazon has an 'in-store'???

I've never had any bad experiences with their CS. They've actually gone above and beyond the few times I've actually needed to speak to someone.

Skeezon · September 2013

I LOVE my B&N. Of course, we have two here in town, so I split my time between them. I've only encountered extremely helpful and enthusiastic employees. Of course, I do spend a lot of time just sitting in the cafe writing.

My biggest complaint about one of the B&N is that the NEW ROMANCE shelf (where my book will one day be shelved - SQUEE!) is surrounded by Anime and Graphic Novel shelves. Sooo, I'm usually browsing amidst some pretty interesting people. Can we please move this shelf to the Romance section? Dang.

PhoenixRising11 · September 2013

queenofhearts1728 said:

julie37619 said:

This makes my heart so sad, because I know it's true. I'm dedicated to B&N because A) it's all we have here and I hate Amazon, but their customer service online and in store is so terrible.

Amazon has an 'in-store'???

I've never had any bad experiences with their CS. They've actually gone above and beyond the few times I've actually needed to speak to someone.

She means that B&N's customer service online and in store is so terrible.

queenofhearts1728 · September 2013

PhoenixRising11 said:

queenofhearts1728 said:

julie37619 said:

This makes my heart so sad, because I know it's true. I'm dedicated to B&N because A) it's all we have here and I hate Amazon, but their customer service online and in store is so terrible.

Amazon has an 'in-store'???

I've never had any bad experiences with their CS. They've actually gone above and beyond the few times I've actually needed to speak to someone.

She means that B&N's customer service online and in store is so terrible.

Ah. That I would agree with.

cnthrdlywt2bwZ · September 2013

Isn't Half Price Books sort of nearby? West down Rand or something? I forget. I also never even bother going into B & N.

packfan20 · September 2013

Skeezon said:

I LOVE my B&N. Of course, we have two here in town, so I split my time between them. I've only encountered extremely helpful and enthusiastic employees. Of course, I do spend a lot of time just sitting in the cafe writing.

My biggest complaint about one of the B&N is that the NEW ROMANCE shelf (where my book will one day be shelved - SQUEE!) is surrounded by Anime and Graphic Novel shelves. Sooo, I'm usually browsing amidst some pretty interesting people. Can we please move this shelf to the Romance section? Dang.

It's the same way at our store. I was browsing through romance and that was like "What is THIS????" Weird.

packfan20 · September 2013

cnthrdlywt2bwZ said:

Isn't Half Price Books sort of nearby? West down Rand or something? I forget. I also never even bother going into B & N.

@cnthrdlywt2bwz Oh yeah! I never remember that place. I've never been in there. I tried to avoid that intersection of Rand and Dundee - ha! Perhaps A and I will take a trip there to check it out.

ewill7911 · September 2013

I miss Borders too. I have to say most of the B&N I have been too do not compare to my old Borders. I think Borders had a better selection and better deals. Perhaps I am just angry because Borders is gone and it was my one-stop-shop for all of my books.

abt8113 · September 2013

I still love B&N. My only beef with them is if you have a Nook, there is no point to having a membership because there are no discounts or perks for having one. Pick use my discount emails for actual books, and love walking around there.

alithebride · September 2013

I've not been a fan for a very very long time. My local Indy shop is so so so much better its pitiful. Too bad. When bn was only a few great stores in NYC it was awesome.

lizabethann6 · September 2013

packfan20 said:

cnthrdlywt2bwZ said:

Isn't Half Price Books sort of nearby? West down Rand or something? I forget. I also never even bother going into B & N.

@cnthrdlywt2bwz Oh yeah! I never remember that place. I've never been in there. I tried to avoid that intersection of Rand and Dundee - ha! Perhaps A and I will take a trip there to check it out.

That intersection is a nightmare. I used to live very close to that. the Half Price books (In same area as the Walmart there) is very good- I have gone there a ton.

Passanie · September 2013

4-6 weeks? That's bizarre. I swear I've ordered books delivered to the store for way less time than that. I just can't believe I live in a city of a half a million people that doesn't have an independently owned new bookstore.

Skeezon · September 2013

Our only other option besides the small indie shops (which are fabulous) is Books-A-Million. Anyone have these?

jlq2005 · September 2013

Skeezon said:

Our only other option besides the small indie shops (which are fabulous) is Books-A-Million. Anyone have these?

We have a Books-A-Million. I like it. Not that I buy books a ton because I try to get them from my library, but I always stop in when I'm in the mall. I think they have a pretty good selection. They put out this magazine every month that I like to snag. It's free, and always lists new releases and stuff.

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