Posted on 08/19/2004 9:38:39 PM PDT by GretchenM
Are you having difficulty finding Unfit for Command locally, for reasons other than the publisher didn't print enough copies?
The thread linked above has numerous examples of book store employees standing in the consumer's way when they try to find this book.
Perhaps if FReepers list their experiences in one place we can see where the bottlenecks are (they seem to be scattered) and take action as appropriate to help the liberals now suppressing sales to see the error of their ways.
mystery1 wrote on the above-linked thread:I live in San Diego and just called 2 Borders stores. I was told they don't have it in stock. When I asked why they wouldn't have a book in stock that was Number 1 on Amazon... I was told by one, that the book had errors in it and had to be sent back for corrections, and the second store told me that the book was pulled due to slander and they would get a revised book in soon.
I asked to speak to the manager in both cases and were told in both cases that they had just reprimanded the employee who told me that story.
After further conversation I was told by one of the managers that they had been getting repeat calls from someone who was saying the book was slanderous and not to sell it.
I have contacted their corporate offices and relayed my experience with their outlets, in a voice mail and asked for a return call.
I also contacted a Barnes and Noble store and was told they didn't have any and they blamed the publisher. I also spoke to the manager of that store and was told they only ordered 5 copies because they didn't expect that there would be that big demand for it.
Once I informed him that it was number on Amazon 2 weeks ago, and surely all stores would have known it was popular way in advance... he had no reply, except to refer me to the website for B&N where I could find contact info for their corporate offices.
137 posted on 08/19/2004 6:52:36 PM PDT by mystery1
Thanks, you are a trooper yourself.
FYI - I noticed your thread, "Calling All Bookstores." http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1189677/posts
I ordered a couple copies from speculators, one of whom was asking $30, but ships from CA, so figure I'll get it sooner without paying for expedited shipping, same difference.
I'll hold them for requests from overseas troops.
Somewhere on this thread is a link to the publisher. You can direct order from them...that's what I'm doing in the morning.
Yesterday I went to the local Borders* book store to get "Unfit for Command". I was told by the cashier "we don't have it." He then asked another employee who said "No. We don't have it yet." He then yelled over to a man in a white shirt walking 30 some yards away and repeating the inquiry "When are we getting 'Unfit for Command'?" 3 times, this man who seemed to be in charge lamented that, "I wish I knew." I informed him that it was "# 1 on Amazon" he said, "Yah. Wish I had it. I'd be selling 'em." I asked if he knew when they might arrive. He said, "For some reason the publisher sent them all back east. We didn't get any here in California. I can't say when we'll get 'em."
I thanked him and left.
This morning my glasses broke. I went to Lens Crafters to get them repaired and on the way I stopped at Barnes and Noble, the store on Stevens Creek1. There I was told the same story almost word for word. The publisher had shipped them all back east. I proceeded to Lens Crafters at Westgate Mall2. They couldn't repair my glasses but recommended a repair shop, Optico on South Bascom (I recommend this place highly if you need to get your frames welded).
Anyhow, before leaving Westgate2 I stopped into the Barnes and Noble2 located there and received the same story again. The publisher had shipped them all back east. I thought to myself - how stupid the publisher was because everyone I spoke with said that they had many inquires for the book and wished they had some to sell. I figured well being such a big seller maybe they just ran out due to a limited 1st printing.
I left there and went to Optico to drop off my glasses (that pair is only used for the computer, lest you think I was driving while visually impaired). I left Optico and realized I was fairly close to The Pruneyard3 shopping center. I had an hour to kill before my glasses would be ready so I went there. When I pulled into the parking lot I noticed another Barnes and Noble3 book store. I went in to browse around (by the way, as in all of the other stores, I noticed stacks and stacks and rows and rows and piles and piles of "My Life by Bill Clinton").
I struck up a conversation with the lady at the information booth. I mentioned to her that everywhere I go I see mountains of "My Life" in stacks on the floor. She grinned when I commented on how well they must be selling. We chatted for a few more minutes I told her to have a nice day and as I turned to leave I asked, almost as an after thought, if she had any idea of when they would be getting in "Unfit for Command". She turned around and reached behind her somewhere turned back around towards me and handed me a copy. I was stunned - speechless. I thanked her and went to the front counter, got in line to wait to pay for it. I felt uneasy as I was standing there in line, I opened the book, took off my driving glasses and brought the book up to within inches of my nose (remember my reading glasses were in the repair shop) so I could read the cover liner. After about 30 seconds a lady behind the counter looked over at me (her facial expression got very "serious" when she saw what I was holding up - in front of God and everybody) she quickly called to a young kid said something to him as she pointed to me. He practically ran to a vacant cash register off to the far end of the counter and called me over. I don't know if I was getting the "bum's rush" or what, but as I left the store I think I did actually look up to make sure there was no black helicopters waiting. It was very surreal.
Tonight I checked FreeRepublic.com (as I do every evening) and noticed this thread. It got me thinking.
Just for kicks, I called the Barnes and Noble store on Stevens Creek1, who knows maybe that got their shipments in this afternoon and it was all just coincidental. I asked if they had "Unfit for Command". I was once again told how the publisher sent them all to the east coast. The person that answered said that he had had "...827 people ask for it today...".
I told him to send them all to The Pruneyard3 store because I just bought a copy there. When I pushed him for an answer as to why all three of their store where telling everybody this "east coast" story he sort of hemmed and hawed and thanked me for letting him know. He then hung up!
Make of this what you will - but I got mine!
Sorry for being so long winded - but it was a very strange day...
I gotta go read now...
|
| 1 |
Barnes & Noble Booksellers Stevens Creek Blvd 3600 Stevens Creek Blvd San Jose, CA 95117 408-984-3495 |
9-11 Every Day |
| 2 | Barnes & Noble Booksellers Westgate 1600 Saratoga Avenue San Jose, CA 95129 408-370-0444 |
9-10 Every Day |
| 3 | Barnes & Noble Booksellers The Pruneyard 1875 S. Bascom Avenue, Ste 240 Campbell, CA 95008 408-559-8101 |
9-10 Every Day |
At first I thought there was some big conspiracy too. But after calling around I realised that freepers have just done their job too well.
1) Borders got them in. The guy at the local one in Montclair, California told me they got 19 copies in and they were gone in about an hour. He reccommended reserving a copy as the publisher didn't anticipate the demand and is having trouble meeting it. He said the warehouse had about 20 thousand backorders.
2) Borders apparently was NOT planning on stocking it and it would be a special order item. So they never got any in. I think maybe their plans have changed, however. They plan to carry it as soon as the publisher can get them.
Also several employees referenced e-mails that they had gotten from the coporate office or publisher they described the the incredible demand and the difficulty they were having getting copies. One lady from B&N said the publisher was backordered 70 thousand copies, and this was a few days a ago.
That book is like a cabbage patch doll.
Barnes and Noble definately dropped the ball
A FReeper with a mission is a marvel to behold. Your post at 105 is just what I was looking in posting the thread -- I hadn't been 'collecting' the accounts scattered all over FreeRepublic but there were just so many of them that it seemed something needed to be done to put it all together.
Amazing day - I'm glad your broken glasses resulted in purchase of the book and expose' of the pea-and-shell game.
Loved the footnotes, and the call back to B&N on Stevens Creek.
There are links earlier on the thread to other web sites that have it in stock at very reasonable prices.
Er..I should have said Barnes in Noble wasn't planning on stocking them.
http://www.regnery.com/regnery/regnery_direct.html
But we know you may prefer to order by phone, and talk to a real live person! And whenever you order through Regnery Direct, you save 10% or more off the jacket price - plus free shipping and handling.
So, if there’s a Regnery, LifeLine, Capital Press, or Gateway book you want, simply call us toll-free at 1-888-219-4747.
Group Discounts
If you are interested in making a bulk purchase for a group or class, we offer substantial group discounts on quantities of 25 books or more. Email us at special_sales@regnery.com, or call our group sales coordinator at 1-202-216-0600.
You reenforce my belief that Democrats are stupid people. The handful of demonstrators outside the Bush rally in Minneapolis the other day looked like they had just rolled out of a halfway house. They can not discuss issues...all they can do is scream obscenities, raise their middle finger, or spout some canned statement with no supporting facts. I have yet to meet a democrat who can state any clear facts supporting their absurd claims against this administration. They are just stupid! jmho
Thanks for the info; but like I said, I'm willing to pay extra to a nearby scalper so I can get a copy quickly. Then if I get a request, I can get it out faster to someone serving overseas.
The other book I ordered was selling for a dollar less than Amazon, the only speculator who hadn't gotten the word that he could get away with charging more.
I'm gonna call the publisher in the morning and see what prices they're offering for group discounts.
I, of course, am a Gramma. Not a scalper.
FRmail.
Unfit for Command- Freedom to buy a book? Not in Kerry's world.
Local Barnes & Noble Store ^ | 8/19/04 | abner
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1195120/posts
"Tonight, on our way home we were listening to Mark Levin talking to people give anecdotes from people trying to buy the book and the troubles that people were having with that. We decided to stop by Barnes and Noble since it was on our way home. Here is what followed ... ."
Please read conshack's post at 29: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1195207/posts?page=29#29 in case you know of someone who can help out.
Gretchen, Got it worked out. The book should be in the mail to me shortly. I sorta guessed that one of the fine folks here would help me out. Thanks FReepers
Can someone clue me in on how to get this thread into the sidebar topic of "General / Chat / Literature / Books" category?
My request was met with a scowl from the clerk who snarled that he didn't know when, if ever, they would have the book.
I don't know for sure, Gretchen, about moving a thread, but I DO know that you can hit Abuse on yourself and type in your request that way. The mods see it faster than FRmailing them.
OK, all....I'm OUTTA here for the night!
Yeah. They store it there, right next to Hustler, Penthouse, etc.
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