Browsing at a bookstore but never buying. wrong? - Page 3

Megan · 01-25-2008, 11:40 AM

I have to admit, when I see someone sitting in a bookstore and just reading away, I find it irritating. I don't know that I can explain exactly why though. I do hate picking up a book that I want to buy only to find that it's damaged from someone sitting and reading the whole thing. I don't mind when people skim a book, or even read the first chapter to see if it interests them. But it really bugs me when I have to step over someone in a store because they're sitting on the floor reading a book. If that's what you want, hit up a library.

And I would absolutely never do it in a small Mom and Pop bookstore. Those stores really rely on their customers buying, not just browsing.

kav122 · 01-25-2008, 05:11 PM

I don't think that I have been to a regular bookstore in a long time. I go to the library or half-price books, so all of the books are used anyway. I don't think that I have ever read all or even most of the book in there though, but I wouldn't be annoyed by someone who did.

Scudley · 01-26-2008, 12:38 AM

I found the internet a great place to buy books from, you get a synopsis, reviews, forums, plus the variety is unbeatable. Also i think it may work out to be cheaper- def if you buy a few books.

Tightwad · 01-27-2008, 07:40 PM

I have a big issue with people who go into ANY bookstore and treat it like their own personal library. Browsing and looking through books is great. You can discover new authors and interests. But, when you plant yourself in a chair and read an entire book or smear your fingerprints all over a magazine you put back on the shelf, you are doing a major disservice not only to the owners but other customers as well. As a bibliophile, it makes me sick to browse down a row of brand new paperbacks and see broken spines and other damage caused by people who treat these books as their own property and then put them back on the shelf.

What would happen to a person who stood in the middle of the grocery store eating from a bag of potato chips they did not buy and had not intention of buying and then put the empty bag back on the shelf? They would definitely get kicked out of the store and very well could be arrested for theft. Big chain stores that encourage reading and snacking are making up for damaged inventory with their $5 lattes. The bad customer behaviour they cultivate trickles down to smaller shops. Just because you can sit and read a book in a comfortable chair and cover pages with your sticky muffin fingers and drip mochachino on the cover doesn't mean you should.

iceclone · 01-27-2008, 08:35 PM

I feel so guilty. I do this when I'm going to B&N or Borders. I go find something and read in a quiet place. Sometimes I buy coffee, sometimes I don't.

I love books so much that I have spent a lot last year on books alone. I found out that most books found in B&N and Borders are more expensive compared to Amazon... even if you're using the membership discount with them. And since I love buying books, I joined the Amazon Prime so I can take of the advantage of lower rates and free 2-day shipping. So anyway, to get to my point... I do get some titles that I like when I browse books in the stores... then I look them up online and buy them there instead.

Livingalmostlarge · 01-27-2008, 08:43 PM

Someone suggested it's like trying on clothes. Do you buy every piece of clothing you try on?

01-25-2008, 11:40 AM	#21
Megan Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 308 Reputation: (63)	I have to admit, when I see someone sitting in a bookstore and just reading away, I find it irritating. I don't know that I can explain exactly why though. I do hate picking up a book that I want to buy only to find that it's damaged from someone sitting and reading the whole thing. I don't mind when people skim a book, or even read the first chapter to see if it interests them. But it really bugs me when I have to step over someone in a store because they're sitting on the floor reading a book. If that's what you want, hit up a library. And I would absolutely never do it in a small Mom and Pop bookstore. Those stores really rely on their customers buying, not just browsing. __________________ Counting My Pennies

01-27-2008, 07:40 PM	#24
Tightwad Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 39 Reputation: (16)	I have a big issue with people who go into ANY bookstore and treat it like their own personal library. Browsing and looking through books is great. You can discover new authors and interests. But, when you plant yourself in a chair and read an entire book or smear your fingerprints all over a magazine you put back on the shelf, you are doing a major disservice not only to the owners but other customers as well. As a bibliophile, it makes me sick to browse down a row of brand new paperbacks and see broken spines and other damage caused by people who treat these books as their own property and then put them back on the shelf. What would happen to a person who stood in the middle of the grocery store eating from a bag of potato chips they did not buy and had not intention of buying and then put the empty bag back on the shelf? They would definitely get kicked out of the store and very well could be arrested for theft. Big chain stores that encourage reading and snacking are making up for damaged inventory with their $5 lattes. The bad customer behaviour they cultivate trickles down to smaller shops. Just because you can sit and read a book in a comfortable chair and cover pages with your sticky muffin fingers and drip mochachino on the cover doesn't mean you should. __________________ '16 tons and what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt...'

01-27-2008, 08:43 PM	#26
Livingalmostlarge Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 36 Reputation: (10)	Someone suggested it's like trying on clothes. Do you buy every piece of clothing you try on? __________________ LivingAlmostLarge Blog

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01-25-2008, 05:11 PM	#22
kav122 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 510 Reputation: (238)	I don't think that I have been to a regular bookstore in a long time. I go to the library or half-price books, so all of the books are used anyway. I don't think that I have ever read all or even most of the book in there though, but I wouldn't be annoyed by someone who did.

01-26-2008, 12:38 AM	#23
Scudley Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 7 Reputation: (9)	I found the internet a great place to buy books from, you get a synopsis, reviews, forums, plus the variety is unbeatable. Also i think it may work out to be cheaper- def if you buy a few books.

01-27-2008, 08:35 PM	#25
iceclone Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 11 Reputation: (10)	I feel so guilty. I do this when I'm going to B&N or Borders. I go find something and read in a quiet place. Sometimes I buy coffee, sometimes I don't. I love books so much that I have spent a lot last year on books alone. I found out that most books found in B&N and Borders are more expensive compared to Amazon... even if you're using the membership discount with them. And since I love buying books, I joined the Amazon Prime so I can take of the advantage of lower rates and free 2-day shipping. So anyway, to get to my point... I do get some titles that I like when I browse books in the stores... then I look them up online and buy them there instead.