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 .
My basic point in this thread is that the response Borders gave via email was appropriate and well-reasoned. Could they do more...sure, we all could in whatever job we do.
How did that work? I mean, he had some sort of employee ID card identifying him as The Boss... I know my employer's CEO by sight, but that's because we're a small company and I work in the same building.
Since Border's does have a union, I wonder if the collective bargaining agreement expressly forbids the use of secret shoppers.
The union doesn't represent all of Borders' employees. In fact, IIRC, the union is pretty well limited to the Michigan stores.
No idea; I did not think I led a secluded life; but I never have heard of that 'practice'. . .it fits a Lib MO; for sure; just never thought or heard of it.
This appears to be is a stock reply with no mention of your original issue per book destruction -- no mention about what they intend to do.
Wow! Do you and I share the same email address?? Cos I got exactly the same response. While it is a nice, logical letter, it did not address my concerns. Guess corporate will have to deal with it.
Good to have brought this to their attention. Luckily, the book burners are not going to win this one.
I was in the Palm Beach Gardens Borders store Monday night and there were plenty of copies of Unfit to Command. 30% off, too. (The only conservatives here in Palm Beach County are me and Rush, and both of us are part time residents.)
I'm satisfied with that reply.
I bet you anything a "memo" goes out that this has been brought to their attention. Borders, like all other business, is all about the bottom line and I bet they're going to be watching.
They know we are.
Secret shoppers. We had them all the time when I worked briefly at a grocery store in SoCal. We had to assume every customer we talked to was a secret shopper, and had a checklist of dos and don'ts to keep in mind when we were dealing with them.
bump
Those behind-the-counter losers at Borders think that they're 'in' literature the way Tower Records employees thought that they were 'in' rock 'n roll.
Pathetic.
LOL . . . Just read the thread and see others had the same idea . . . Sorry, when out for lunch and when I came back and saw your post, I wanted to responds asap so you wouldn't think I was one of those hit and run posters! :-)
Regarding your point about not being able to catch everybody -- or maybe not even being able to catch one person -- it's sort of like laying mines: You make everybody behave and be cautious, including the minority who are doing this stuff.
Why do you think B&N & Borders don't seem to mind people buying their coffee and snacks and "browsing" all day? They know that if someone should accidentally spill a Latte or "accidentally" damage a book they don't like...all they have to do is send it back to the publisher.
Do I think we should continue to write to Borders about things that are posted on that site--absolutely! But I also think credit should be given to them where it is due. A bunch of conservatives b*tching at them to restructure their entire industry's culture isn't going to move the pile in our direction...
Ultimately, the $$$ talks...if you don't like their policies...buy directly from the publisher or buy online or whatever.
I live in Nashville--home of the Ultra-liberal Davis-Kidd stores. When I went to purchase Unfit for my 12-year-old (his request!!), they had it buried in the back and at full price (no "bestseller discount")....When I saw Molly Ivins rag with the discount, I decided to take my money elsewhere. I ended up buying the book at Borders for 30% off retail from a snarky Vanderbilt goth-wanna-be. I would have preferred to buy it from someone who would be as excited as I am that my pre-teenager is interested in this type of reading....but that's part of my utopian dream. ;)
I've got to wonder how many customers Borders has lost over the years because of crap like this? A lot, I think. If their financial objectives don't include stopping that hemorrhaging, for heavens sake, it's proof positive in my mind that they are hopelessly liberal (and in today's world we know what that means) and need to be boycotted.
Don't doubt that at all; but if I had to do a ranking of book stores; would place Borders above B&N as to 'books stocked'; think Borders carries far more titles; that otherwise have to be ordered/requested at B&N; which follows a much tighter prescription - so to speak.
Bottom line; their shelves are more interesting!
Maybe, maybe not. But folks at Regnery have seen the site also, they were pinged via e-mail, with a link.
I imagine, if damaged coppies seem to be in excess of norms, that some feet will be held to the fire (if they have not already).
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