Posted on 08/21/2004 3:33:04 PM PDT by AC86UT89
I wrote a note to Borders to complain that I couldn't find Unfit for Command at a store in Manhattan. here's the reply:
Thank you for writing to Borders with your concerns about a book in our title selection.
“Unfit for Command” is Borders’ #1 nonfiction bestseller. This means that contrary to recent media reports, we carry John O’Neill’s book. Available stock is limited from the publisher so we are doing our best to get additional copies for our stores. The publisher is reprinting and we hope to see a new shipment available in the next week. In the meantime, all Borders stores are taking reservations for customers. Your patience with this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Just like other major national or international events, we expect that our customers will turn to Borders to educate themselves on the candidates and national topics of the 2004 election year. We believe in the basic right of our customers to choose what they want to read and buy, and we feel that it is important for us not to take any political stance. Borders will remain a neutral store where customers can gather information about any topic and any opinion. We do not practice preferential treatment to authors based upon the author’s political views, we simply carry and market all titles we feel our customers will buy.
Primarily, our inventory is based on what Borders shoppers have shown they are interested in purchasing-only 50% of the titles in our stores are common to every store and the other 50% is driven entirely by the shopping habits of our customers. As a result, inventory varies greatly from store to store. All of the hot sellers (which a majority of the election and candidate-focused titles happen to be) are stocked in every Borders store.
We believe that our customers are intelligent, curious people who enjoy exploring all types of books. They come to Borders because they know we carry a variety of titles that vary in political views, tastes and interests and our selection of titles is as diverse as the customers that we are proud to serve.
We appreciate the time you have taken to bring your concerns to our attention. You are always welcome to let us know if you have any other questions or comments.
Thank Kerry and his press allies for making sales and demand soar through their excellent campaign to push the book! The publisher should send Kerry a complimentary copy signed by all the Swift Boat vets who contributed...I'm sure they would love penning Kerry a note.
Told you all to expect a formal statement from Borders contradicting the reports in the news.
In all fairness, I think the publisher only printed 300,000 copies in the first run. But I also think that if there were 5M copies in the first run Borders would have "run out of stock" anyway.
Our Borders had 4 copies the other day.
Our Barnes and Noble hasn't gotten any yet and don't expect to till Sept. 1st (they're blaming it on the publisher releasing the book earlier than scheduled).
Did they intentionally "under" purchase this book, believing nobody would buy it, or did they do it because they didn't want people buying it.
Seems to me that being a retail merchant, they are going to want to make money....no matter what their political persuasion.
They have to know people will get the book one way or the other...I got mine from Amazon. And they can't expect to hold up the book long enough so people wouldn't get it before the election.
So, maybe they didn't think it would be as "hot" as it is...and it wouldn't be as "hot" as it is if Kerry weren't screaming so much about it.
Just MHO.
I ordered my copy from Amazon on 8/14. Just got notice today that I will not receive my copy until 8/28 at earliest.
"...and it wouldn't be as "hot" as it is if Kerry weren't screaming so much about it."
So at long last we have actual evidence of a self-inflicted wound. Heheheheh
Went to B&N to by this book specifically on Thursday. They told me it was sold out and wouldn’t be available until September. I got a call yesterday saying it was in. ?
I go the counter at B&B today and the lady looks at it and asked if I ordered it special. I said nope. She gets a puzzled look on her face. Then she looks at me and asked "I wonder why these guys didn’t come out before and say anything"
This little lady behind me in line pipes up and says “Because the SOB wasn’t trying to President until now missy”
I turn around and smile at her and she said “isn’t that right sonny”.
“Yes mam”
Went to B&N to by this book specifically on Thursday. They told me it was sold out and wouldn’t be available until September. I got a call yesterday saying it was in.
I go the counter and the lady looks at it and asked if I ordered it special. I said nope. She gets a puzzled look on her face. Then she looks at me and asked "I wonder why these guys didn’t come out before and say anything"
This little lady behind me in line pipes up and says “Because the SOB wasn’t trying to President until now missy”
I turn around and smile at her and she said “isn’t that right sonny”.
“Yes mam”
whoops posted twice - stupid internet
The B&N in Rochester NY (Greece Ridge store) has "Unfit" on the first display as you walk in from the parking lot. If you come from the mall entrance you have to walk through the store but it's not hard to find. Gen Franks book is there also.
The word is getting out...
That's exactly what happened. My book from B&N came on August 13th; I had called the week before that.
I called when I heard on TV that the book was being released early. They were completely taken off guard by the demand.
I went over to the Borders on Six Forks "just checking." They seemed exasperated because they couldn't get it.
I got mine at the new B&N at Briarcreek......I don't think many people know that is there!
That's OK. Some things are good to hear twice :-)
I just went to Hastings this evening. They were sold out and had more ordered.
I chatted with a salesbabe who proclaimed, "I had it in my hands! I saw the front cover! It was in my posession!"
I axed her if she read it! She said - "No!"
Apparently, the waiting list has gotten smaller. I hope to get a call in a few days. They should hold my book for two weeks - until I pick it up...
If you keep calling, they will extend the time if you can't get there.
The only down side is that there may be another spotted owl soon living in a cardboard box in Pioneer Square because all the trees were cut down to publish all the political books this year. Oh, well.
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