My issues with Borders (Borders in general)

Member Name: jennikitten

Product:	Borders in general
Date:	07/02/09 (89 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Open space, good selection

Disadvantages: Prices

Borders sells mainly books, but also DVDs, CDs, games etc. A lot of them also have a Starbucks and/or a Paperchase tucked away, and I've also noticed they are beginning to introduce mini GAME sections.

One thing I like about Borders is that the shops are always big and airy with high ceilings, as they are often found on retail parks. They are modern and spacious; however they don't have the old world book/library feel the way Waterstone's does. Many Borders are two or more stories tall, though the upper level is often dedicated to things like Starbucks.

I found that Borders stock a good range of books and the staff are always polite and helpful. Occasionally there are quite substantial queues but they move quickly.

They also have a good website you can order from, and it's worth looking around for discounts. My order arrived promptly and was adequately packaged.

However, there are two main problems I have with Borders. Firstly, my boyfriend complains about their book categorising - in my local Borders they have put large numbers of science fiction books in the romance section which we both think is odd and not helpful to people who may just assume that the book they want isn't there.

My biggest bug bear is the prices however. I understand that 'proper' bookshops are more expensive than online, second hand shops and supermarkets. However, at Borders, after buying books and pulling their barcode stickers off, I've found that the RRP is actually quite a bit lower than what they are selling the book for. Now this doesn't happen all the time, but I've found it on more than one occasion and I really think it's a sneaky thing to do. I don't believe shops should sell things above the RRP AND then try to hide it from the customer, especially when it's something they have tons in stock of.

For this reason I do prefer other bookshops and usually only head to Borders if there's no alternative or I'm shopping nearby. Even then I usually don't buy something unless I really want it straight away, because I know that it will be cheaper in other bookshops, and most likely half price or less online.

Summary: I don't really shop there any more