Top bookstores' gloomy views generate merger buzz

[WanderAimlessly]

Maybe it is because people can get items cheaper on-line than from them.

Top bookstores’ gloomy views generate merger buzz

By Anupreeta Das and Jessica Wohl Thu Mar 22, 12:10 PM ET

NEW YORK/CHICAGO (Reuters) - Top U.S. booksellers Barnes & Noble Inc. and Borders Group Inc. provided lackluster financial outlooks on Thursday, leading some industry analysts to think that a merger or leveraged buyout could be in the offing.

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I usually buy on-line from Amazon since B&N is usually more expensive and most books that I buy are not carried in the . The only thing I buy in the stores is usually music and books I cannot get at a discount on-line.

 

[Dandelion_Wine]

Maybe it is because people can get items cheaper on-line than from them.

No doubt - back at the peak of my book-buying days, I’d search both Amazon & BandN. It seemed at one time BandN was competitive pricing-wise. No longer. I haven’t bought a book from BandN in quite some time.

'course it’s not fair to compare prices to an online store, but I was looking for a book and my wife told me she’s got a card or something to get a discount at Borders next week. 25% off. I can STILL get it cheaper online.

 

[lak611]

No doubt - back at the peak of my book-buying days, I’d search both Amazon & BandN. It seemed at one time BandN was competitive pricing-wise. No longer. I haven’t bought a book from BandN in quite some time.

'course it’s not fair to compare prices to an online store, but I was looking for a book and my wife told me she’s got a card or something to get a discount at Borders next week. 25% off. I can STILL get it cheaper online.

I have $75 in Borders gift cards that I have not used because their selection is awful. I have no idea what to get from Borders. I’ll have to try to find something, as my gift cards expire this year.

 

[WanderAimlessly]

I have $75 in Borders gift cards that I have not used because their selection is awful. I have no idea what to get from Borders. I’ll have to try to find something, as my gift cards expire this year.

I use to like Borders for their religion section, but that has been getting smaller and smaller. B&N is still good for philosophy.

 

[lak611]

I use to like Borders for their religion section, but that has been getting smaller and smaller. B&N is still good for philosophy.

I like Amazon.com better for both. I also find a lot of great old books on E-bay.

 

[didymus]

I have $75 in Borders gift cards that I have not used because their selection is awful. I have no idea what to get from Borders. I’ll have to try to find something, as my gift cards expire this year.

I would be happy to take them off your hands

Seriously, I can’t help but feel a little Schdenfreude. I owned a bookstore for several years that went under at least in part due to a Borders and a Barnes & Noble opening in the area.

 

[didymus]

I have $75 in Borders gift cards that I have not used because their selection is awful. I have no idea what to get from Borders. I’ll have to try to find something, as my gift cards expire this year.

I’ll be happy to take them off your hands

Of course, the chain stores’ “gloomy news” hardly has me crying. I owned an independent bookstore for several years that went under at leat in part because two Borders and a B&N opened in the area.

 

[Mirdath]

I’ll be happy to take them off your hands

Of course, the chain stores’ “gloomy news” hardly has me crying. I owned an independent bookstore for several years that went under at leat in part because two Borders and a B&N opened in the area.

I can’t wait for them to close up shop. I love small, independent bookstores. One down, one to go! (or at least hopefully)