Bookstore Face Off: Borders Vs Barnes and Nobles

Allow to first say that I enjoy shopping at both Bookstores. I have a Membership Card for both Book Retailers. However, one is my major Book Supplier while the other only gets to fill in case of need. Find out what makes one the favorite while the other comes in an honored second.

And the Runner up is: Borders

Borders quiet a few locations, regardless of that fact their Book Selection in the Stores doesn't seem as varied as I need. I have many different interests and often need to find a large selection on different subject matter to be able to do my research. Their Employees seem to be less trained as that of their competitor. The over all atmosphere is clean, respectful and mostly professional. Like their competitor they offer an online store as well, but even there the selection leaves a bit to be desired. When applying for a Membership Card you are not requested to pay anything for it. That is their bonus point, on the other hand however there are no instant savings either. If you purchase enough you will be eligible later on to receive a Gift Card to be spend in the Store at a later date. You receive $5.00 of Borders Bucks for each $150.00 of eligible purchases spent. You can purchase Books, CD's and Movies at Borders. Their website allows you to sign up with your rewards card and start tracking your purchases hence knowing when you have achieved you $5.00 of Borders Bucks. This tracking system makes it very convenient.

And the Winner is: Barnes & Nobles.

The overall atmosphere is very professional, but on the other hand their clerks are very friendly and willing to help you out. I have been in several locations all over the US and have yet to run into an unfriendly Customer Representative or Cashier. There Shelves are often stocked with a wide variety of different books on even the harder to find subjects. If you have a special request they will order it in for you, to either be delivered to your house or to pick up at the store. Their Membership Discount card has an annual fee of $25.00 and most of the Time it has paid itself off within my first shopping trip. You get 10% of each purchase you make that includes discount and final chance books. For Bestsellers you can take anywhere from 20% to 40% of. Often that makes a big difference. Their Bargain Section has never failed to yield at least one or two interesting finds up to me. The Store is easily sectioned off and very simple to navigate. In most locations you can find comfortable reading coaches encouraging you to leaf through your potential purchases.

What was the deciding factor?

Since I make a lot of Book Purchases, I need to have a large variety on hand and it is very important for me to have instant savings. At any given times my family has been known to drop up to $400 in Books, which means I have saved anywhere from $40 on up for those Books. Those kinds of savings make a big difference for me.

Borders has teamed up with Amazon.com, which will make the online shopping at a larger variety, but the in Store is still my favorite way to shop. I guess I am just a Barnes & Nobles kind of Girl.