Posted on 09/16/2004 12:01:26 PM PDT by BlueNgold
I wrote to Border's regarding the comments found on BordersUnion.org about Unfit for Command.
Their Response: Thank you for contacting us with your concerns about postings at www.bordersunion.org.
First, I'd like to stress that as a company, Borders is absolutely apolitical. We take no stance whatsoever, and for over 30 years we have been committed to our customers' right to choose what to read and what to buy. Our stores are highly regarded for featuring a very deep and diverse selection of titles in hundreds of subject areas--including politics--representing a wide range of thought.
We take great measures to communicate this on an ongoing basis to employees and to emphasize the importance of not expressing political viewpoints while working in our stores. In fact, Vin Altruda, the President of Borders Stores Worldwide, has personally communicated strongly to all employees that it is not appropriate to share their personal political viewpoints in any way while at work- through conversations with other employees or customers, by wearing T-shirts or buttons of a political nature, or by taking any actions to express a political viewpoint.
That said, with more than 32,000 employees worldwide, it is challenging to manage the actions of each individual. And of course we cannot control what employees say or do on their own time outside of working in our stores. This includes posting their thoughts on websites that are not associated with our company. It is important to note that the site you've referred to is not accessible to our employees at work, nor are any of the statements on it a reflection of our company policy.
Of course, we realize that this particular posting is claiming that an employee has taken actions of a political nature while on the job. At the current time we have no evidence that any inventory in our stores has been diverted or destroyed by an employee. I assure you that this type of behavior would not be tolerated under any circumstances. Should we become aware of specific actions and can verify that a specific individual has indeed taken these actions, we will certainly take appropriate disciplinary action.
On the subject of the book "Unfit for Command," it is in Borders stores and continues to be a top-seller. The publisher of this particular book underestimated the popularity of the title and therefore did not print enough copies to meet the initial consumer demand. Although it has been challenging for Borders to secure a continuous supply of this book, we are working with the publisher to meet ongoing demand and are doing our best to assure that our stores have appropriate quantities in stock .
As for me, this response is sufficient to descide that I will continue to do business with them.
I have always preferred Border's to 'B. . . the other one.
P.S. . . .Good for you that you 'let them hear' as well!
Do you have a link to their e-mail? I've been waiting a month for my copy. I'm beginning to wonder if I wasn't "forgotten" in some way. Especially in light of their employee's web postings.
Nice letter from Borders. Seems like they're interested in selling books.
Which is a good thing...since they're a bookstore.
In other words, they're not going to do anything about it.
I wrote to them at:
ccare@bordersstores.com
I found the link at:
http://www.bordersgroupinc.com/about/contact.htm
Considering the tattered parade of dweebs, wimps, freaks and outcasts seen behind most bookstore counters, one shouldn't be surprised at any of their purported actions.
i don't buy books at either borders or barnes and noble because i resent their liberalism.
i buy my books on the internet. often i get better deals.
At a local borders here in Madison (I have no idea if we have more then one) they had tons of Unfit For Command.
I did have trouble finding The Connection by Stephen Hayes and asked for help, explaining that it was probably right in front me and I just couldn't see it.
It was and I couldn't.
Do not blame Borders because there are some rotten apples in the barrel. I am sure they will deal with this internally.
Article by Jay Nordlinger in 9/27/04 issue of National Review
What would you have them do??
I e-mailed them as well regarding the same subject matter, and got the same response as you.
Aren't the owners of Borders big friends of the Clintons?
Generally a good response from Borders, but one thing I take exception to.
"At the current time we have no evidence that any inventory in our stores has been diverted or destroyed by an employee"
Yes they do. An employee said they did it. That's evidence.
Supermarkets regularly send fake shoppers through the store to see how everything's going. There's probably a term for it in the trade.
Corporate should be checking to see if the NY Times #1 bestseller is prominently displayed at every bookstore, and not hidden in the back.
Actually, my husband was working at a bookstore when I met him. :) He managed to amass a rather large and impressive collection of books about guns, lawmen, and the old west because of it. We're still bibliophiles, and our most cherished possessions are our books.
And he's MUY conservative!!
"I know nut-tink! La la la la la, I can't hear you, la la la la la!"
I still sent them an e-mail. I want them to know that not all their customers are aging butch dykes.
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