Browsing at a bookstore but never buying. wrong?

katlady · 12-29-2007, 11:39 AM

This is what one independent bookstore owners has to say:

Quote:

Does it bother you when you see customers come into your store and write down titles that you have displayed, only to go buy them online later?

I can't help but be bothered by it, but I definitely don't let it frustrate me. Part of me wishes that these people would see the value in my bookstore and understand [the impact] of their actions.

Before you owned a bookstore, were you guilty of using stores to do research before making online purchases? Would you ever do it today?

I never did that and never will. My favorite bookstore was Borders on State Street in Ann Arbor. Of course, that was before Borders became corporate. At the time, it was operated as independently owned store.

I've been guilty of spending hours at a Borders and not buying anything. I consider it legitimate research before buying my books. (Though if I browsed the books at a Borders B&M store, I will also buy it from their online store if I decide to buy the book, just to be fair.)

The story is a bit different when you talk about local mom and pop stores. They really can't absorb the impact of browsers who never buy. On the other hand I know a lot of students who rely on free browsing at these stores because they don't have big chain stores or decent libraries around their neighborhood. Is it unethical for them to browse but never buy?

Will · 12-29-2007, 11:59 AM

Stores like B&N and Borders can write off the losses from their B&M stores because

Their coffee shops make a killing.
Their stores are giant branding advertisements which helps their online sales.

frozemud · 12-29-2007, 12:57 PM

Just walking into a store and browsing/reading does not obligate someone to buy anything. Writing down titles doesn't count for much either. Sitting down with a book for hours and reading it cover to cover and taking notes and camping out is a different story.

markster 32 · 12-29-2007, 05:11 PM

What if the bookstore charge a very tiny fee so you can read all the books you want in one afternoon? Maybe $1 or $2? That's low enough not to financially impact students but it will also discourage just general browsing.

imagine girl · 12-29-2007, 05:16 PM

I know some comic book stores charges by the hour.

sassyfras · 12-31-2007, 08:28 AM

I don't have any local bookstores near where I live, so I usually go to B & N or Borders. I do spend a couple of hours in those stores on a quasi-regular basis browsing mags and books. However, I almost never leave without buying something, although it's usually just a coffee. I would feel bad just spending hours there on a regular basis w/o buying anything, and I'd feel REALLY bad not buying anything at a local store. However, I also have a bit of disposable income. I can't judge others. Also, I think the store benefits by encouraging all traffic. You never know when someone who's been a browser for years will come into some bucks and spread them around.

hollyvangogh · 12-31-2007, 06:04 PM

Why are you buying books at all? Go to a library. No moral issues, and it's a lot cheaper. Only buy books when the library can't request them from another library, and then, buy 'em used. Or try paperbackswap.com...love that site!

glasscastle · 01-01-2008, 08:48 PM

I have no problem browsing in a bookshop and writing down titles to reserve at the library later. I support my local independent bookseller by buying books for my child and for gifts. It's rare that I buy myself new books and I "harvest" new titles on my PDA for my library reserve list.

I am totally ok with it

Joanne · 01-01-2008, 09:02 PM

Bookstores are a weakness for me and I usually end up buying something. My daughters & I enjoy browsing book shops but buy most of our books at our library's used book store. We have so many books we could probably open our own book store! lol

will1363 · 01-02-2008, 11:44 AM

I would argue that it depends on the subjective intent of the browser. I know people who go to Borders with the intent of getting information for nothing. It is one thing to browse and decide whether to buy something (either in the store or from the same company online), or to generally look at things to see if they are interesting or not, but it is disingenuous to use the store as a library for substantive reading. Just like illegal downloading of music, it takes money from the authors/artists. Also, it adversely affects librarians' budgets, which are in many instances partially dependent on the amount of activity that occurs at the library.

12-29-2007, 11:59 AM	#2
Will Administrator Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 385 Reputation: (19)	Stores like B&N and Borders can write off the losses from their B&M stores because Their coffee shops make a killing. Their stores are giant branding advertisements which helps their online sales.

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12-29-2007, 12:57 PM	#3
frozemud Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 50 Reputation: (10)	Just walking into a store and browsing/reading does not obligate someone to buy anything. Writing down titles doesn't count for much either. Sitting down with a book for hours and reading it cover to cover and taking notes and camping out is a different story.

12-29-2007, 05:11 PM	#4
markster 32 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 5 Reputation: (10)	What if the bookstore charge a very tiny fee so you can read all the books you want in one afternoon? Maybe $1 or $2? That's low enough not to financially impact students but it will also discourage just general browsing.

12-29-2007, 05:16 PM	#5
imagine girl Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 46 Reputation: (10)	I know some comic book stores charges by the hour.

12-31-2007, 08:28 AM	#6
sassyfras Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 4 Reputation: (10)	I don't have any local bookstores near where I live, so I usually go to B & N or Borders. I do spend a couple of hours in those stores on a quasi-regular basis browsing mags and books. However, I almost never leave without buying something, although it's usually just a coffee. I would feel bad just spending hours there on a regular basis w/o buying anything, and I'd feel REALLY bad not buying anything at a local store. However, I also have a bit of disposable income. I can't judge others. Also, I think the store benefits by encouraging all traffic. You never know when someone who's been a browser for years will come into some bucks and spread them around.

12-31-2007, 06:04 PM	#7
hollyvangogh Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Utah Posts: 30 Reputation: (10)	Why are you buying books at all? Go to a library. No moral issues, and it's a lot cheaper. Only buy books when the library can't request them from another library, and then, buy 'em used. Or try paperbackswap.com...love that site!

01-01-2008, 08:48 PM	#8
glasscastle Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 2 Reputation: (10)	I have no problem browsing in a bookshop and writing down titles to reserve at the library later. I support my local independent bookseller by buying books for my child and for gifts. It's rare that I buy myself new books and I "harvest" new titles on my PDA for my library reserve list. I am totally ok with it

01-01-2008, 09:02 PM	#9
Joanne Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Originally from New York City, now in Florida since 2002. Posts: 131 Reputation: (43)	Bookstores are a weakness for me and I usually end up buying something. My daughters & I enjoy browsing book shops but buy most of our books at our library's used book store. We have so many books we could probably open our own book store! lol

01-02-2008, 11:44 AM	#10
will1363 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Chicago Posts: 5 Reputation: (10)	I would argue that it depends on the subjective intent of the browser. I know people who go to Borders with the intent of getting information for nothing. It is one thing to browse and decide whether to buy something (either in the store or from the same company online), or to generally look at things to see if they are interesting or not, but it is disingenuous to use the store as a library for substantive reading. Just like illegal downloading of music, it takes money from the authors/artists. Also, it adversely affects librarians' budgets, which are in many instances partially dependent on the amount of activity that occurs at the library.