Borders Books

[Fab Foodie]

It's CDs old Chap, same as it's MPs and ASBOs and PCs. Quite surprising for one of your articulacy.

Sorry RR, you're quite right to point that out! It'd been a gruelling day yesterday!

 

[Fab Foodie]

I disagree, CD's have largely been replaced by MP3 to the extent that many old releases have been converted and most new ones are in MP3 format.

Oh, I agree chap, it's just that CDs are physical items whereas mp3s are ethereal (whatever an mp3 is ). Like with the e-reader debate, some of us still like the physicallity of CDs, books etc... as for LPs! I love book shops, trawling and finding hidden gems, same with record stores. Buying from Amazon or downloading is kind of an empty experience in comparison, effective, but empty.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

I'm with FF on this - leafing through musty tomes in a second-hand bookshop or flicking through racks of old platters is a joy.

I've got quite a reasonable collection of CDs and records (books too) and although I have itunes and have put quite a few CDs on there as MP3s I've only ever downloaded 6 or 7 tracks.

Another benefit of LPs over MP3s is, and I'm way beyond this myself now of course, how on earth do you roll a joint on an MP3?

 

[Fab Foodie]

Another benefit of LPs over MP3s is, and I'm way beyond this myself now of course, how on earth do you roll a joint on an MP3?

MP3s make crap plant pots too, and you can't prop-up a projector on a pile of e-readers...

 

[Cathryn]

i'm gutted, i love borders!! do totally agree their range is dumbed down and that second hand book shops are heaven, but I'll be so sad when borders goes. It's been a little slice of loveliness for me.

 

[dellzeqq]

I used to browse Borders at lunchtime, and it was a handy retreat when dragooned in to shopping expeditions. But I never bought anything except at Christmas, when they'd do a load of large-format books that lazy people like me think will make good Christmas presents.

On the other hand - I'll never leave Waterstones without a book, and sometimes quite an expensive book. I don't know why that is, but Waterstones seem to be going from strength to strength, so I can't be the only one.

 

[Fab Foodie]

I used to browse Borders at lunchtime, and it was a handy retreat when dragooned in to shopping expeditions. But I never bought anything except at Christmas, when they'd do a load of large-format books that lazy people like me think will make good Christmas presents.

On the other hand - I'll never leave Waterstones without a book, and sometimes quite an expensive book. I don't know why that is, but Waterstones seem to be going from strength to strength, so I can't be the only one.

I think it's simply a case of market positioning. Waterstones appears fractionally upmarket compared to Borders catering for a more 'bookish' clientelle rather than just this weeks bestseller and Daily Wail recommendation.

 

[Crankarm]

Oh, I agree chap, it's just that CDs are physical items whereas mp3s are ethereal (whatever an mp3 is ). Like with the e-reader debate, some of us still like the physicallity of CDs, books etc... as for LPs! I love book shops, trawling and finding hidden gems, same with record stores. Buying from Amazon or downloading is kind of an empty experience in comparison, effective, but empty.

George Orwell's view where all information is centrally stored is upon us . Possessing papyrus or any tangible means of storing information such as video/CD/DVD will be a thing of the past and be seen as increasingly subversive .

 

[Gromit]

Mind you when I went in there a week or so ago they didn't have any of the books I needed for my course. Borders used to be the number one bookshop to buy Archaeology books from.

 

[Crankarm]

i'm gutted, i love borders!! do totally agree their range is dumbed down and that second hand book shops are heaven, but I'll be so sad when borders goes. It's been a little slice of loveliness for me.

The store in Cambridge had an excellent basement section devoted to academic reference books. A good law section as well. Bought a few books and CDs there so I am not one of the people who used it merely as reference library or a meeting point. I actually spent a reasonable amount of money there so it's current demise is doubly gutting. Maybe some one will step in to save the more profitable sites as I'm sure some WILL be more profitable than others. Mind you an extra £1.50 compared to elsewhere on Landranger OS maps was a tad steep and indicative of a wider problem of pricing within the shops.

But look on the bright side - SALE time! Grab a bargain ...........

 

[rh100]

It is a shame when jobs are lost; the staff have my sympathies. Conversely, I abhor the store; I am tired of every Tom, Dick, and Harry who sells the items on Richard and Judy's book list proclaiming their-selves a bookshop. The lack of range was lamentable, and just plain embarrassing.

Waterstones is another joke, but they are narrowly let off the hook by their monopoly on the Academic market.

Ultimately, I think the eventual winners shall be niche independents for (unfortunately) expensive books of interest; supermarkets-cum-multi-national conglomerates such as Tesco, and ASDA for effectively supplying what Waterstones does (sans Academic texts) albeit cheaper; and online retailers (chiefly Amazon) who supply what Waterstones and some of the independants do, but cheaper.

Waterstones will get what's coming to it, one cannot expect loyalty after swallowing up shops with integrity to form a behemoth of banality; their only (and short-lived) unique selling point is price.

I agree that Borders was a bit pants for books - just the same as a WHSmith IMO. Although the range of DVDs at the Birmingham branch was quite good last time I went. Borders only appeared in Brum a few years back with the opening of the new Bull Ring monstrosity.

I quite like Waterstones though, they have been in Brum for years. The one on New St is in a lovely old building.

I think Amazon will wipe the floor them all though, you can't beat the price and service really for books, and they stock things like the Microsoft exam guides at reasonable prices that you can't find in town.

 

[rh100]

George Orwell's view where all information is centrally stored is upon us . Possessing papyrus or any tangible means of storing information such as video/CD/DVD will be a thing of the past and be seen as increasingly subversive .

But by demand or design though?

CDs have lost popularity because of the ease of downloading from illegal uploaders.

Whatever happens, the appetite for books and music will remain undiminished, but the format it is acquired on will change with the times. It really is a digital revolution happening at the moment. That said, I do take joy in the ownership of a physical object, but the digital file of the same thing holds no attachment.

I quite like to own the item for the pleasure of it, and the digital format for the convenience, in the case of books they are still so much more convenient than digital, and will remain so for some time.

 

[NickM]

I'm with FF on this - leafing through musty tomes in a second-hand bookshop or flicking through racks of old platters is a joy.

But not an experience you could have in a Borders shop.

It is (was?) a predatory company with a track record of driving rival independent book shops out of business. It won't be missed.

One can feel sorry for the poor sods who worked there... but having once worked in the Oxford Street HMV store, I reckon that they will be better off in every way if they can find some less malign form of employment than working in retail.

 

[NickM]

...an extra £1.50 compared to elsewhere on Landranger OS maps was a tad steep and indicative of...

...their having driven any local opposition out of business, then raised their prices.

 

[marinyork]

There isn't a borders here or in any neighbouring cities. I can't think of it being hugely down to borders driving independents out of business as there aren't really any decent second-hand bookshops round here whereas in two cities in borders there were some quite vibrant ones. That or nobody reads in this city. Who knows.