With this many books, you won't be BORDERS. (Borders in general)

Member Name: TheViolinist

Product:	Borders in general
Date:	10/07/08 (52 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Huge selection of books, nice layout, friendly staff, seating available, cafe upstairs.

Disadvantages: Items are sold at RRP and no attempt is made to compete with online retailers.

This review is based around the BORDERS store at Teesside Retail Park. Although based on my rare visits to other branches I have notices that most factors are consistent.


-Shop-

Teesside Retail Park's branch, like many of the other BORDERS stores, plays host to a coffee shop; in this case, Starbucks. The cafe is positioned on the second floor directly above the entrance. This is so you can be lured in and enjoy the delightful aroma of freshly brewed coffee from the instant you walk through the door. If, however, you don't like the smell of coffee, I would recommend avoiding this store like the plague. Personally, however, I find it a pleasant touch.

The store has a sensible and clean layout, and also provides various seating areas so it's easy to forget that you're actually in a book shop instead of a library. To be honest, I can't really be sure 'why' the seats are there but they make for a nice touch anyway, and if you're especially lazy it allows you to sit down while looking for the book you want on the shelves.

There is also a colourful themed area for kids books on the top floor; not only is it pleasant for kids, but it is in a part of the store that is furthest away from the front doors making it relatively safe. I wouldn't recommend leaving kids alone unsupervised however.


-Staff-

If for whatever reason you are unable to find what you are looking for despite the excellent layout and organization, friendly and helpful staff members are usually close at hand. I have always been served with a smile and for once I can say that I am impressed; in my experience, the staff are readily available but not pushy. I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking that the dreaded 'Can I help you?' questions faced in pretty much every store these days is completely redundant, and frankly, really annoying; thankfully, you seldom have to worry about that happening here unless you happen to look particularly bemused.


-Prices-

The prices of books, like many high-street bookstores, are generally the recommended retail price printed on the books themselves. There are the occasional special offers but I can't say that I've ever found any of them useful. Price-wise, it's much more prudent these days to buy books online if you're prepared to wait. It's also helpful if you don't have the internet; but then you probably wouldn't be reading this review in the first place.

BORDERS also sell other things too such as a small range of DVDs and CDs, collectibles, stationary and gift products; these items are generally of a very good quality, but at the same time they are also generally quite expensive.


-Conclusion-

BORDERS sells thousands of books and the logical layout makes each of them easy to find. The staff seem genuinely helpful. Seating and a Starbucks cafe are available which is a nice touch. However, like many other book stores, BORDERS cannot (and makes no attempt to) compete with the discount prices available online.

Summary: A pleasure to visit, but I'd rather buy online.