Borders' Bargains

Barnes and Noble has always been my favorite bookstore. But an avid reader, I figured I wouldn't pass up the opportunity to get some books at a reduced price at the expense of Borders going out of business.

I headed to the Borders in Columbia on July 25. One word to describe the environment I saw when I swung open the doors  -- chaotic! There were books everywhere -- on the shelves (that are no longer neatly organized by author or subject), in the bargain section (REALLY cheap books now) and in bins (no rhyme or reason for what books were in there). Calendars, cds, dvds and magazines were also scattered about and on sale.

Most books were 10 percent discounted. Some 20 percent and the not so popular ones 40 percent off. You can no longer search the computer system for a book you want. And if you asked a sales associate to help you, they could only point you in a general direction. The store was filled with kids, parents, teachers and other avid readers. I even got elbowed by a guy in the Religion section. No apology. Didn't even recognize that it occurred. So much for civility or religion!

There is no hard close date for the Columbia store. The sales associate told it was when everything (yes, including book shelves, tables, chairs, etc) was gone. She estimated that time would be in early September. Associates were still stocking shelves with books, so it is clear there is inventory still in the back.

I recommend going once a week. I know I will be. If you see a book you want and there are several copies, hold out. The next week you come in it may be 10-20 percent cheaper than the last week. If the book you are dying to read is all by its lonesome, you might want to grab it. Or whip out your mobile device and check out Amazon to see if you can get it even cheaper. (I saw one associate helping a customer do just that.)

See you are Borders sometime soon. If I accidentally bump into you, I'll be sure to say "sorry."