[LibWhacker]

Make a serious attempt to catch the culprits, additional surveillance cameras, etc. Doesn't have to cost a fortune. Surveillance cameras are available for every budget. Also, I think it would cost virtually nothing to walk into their own franchises once in a while posing as conservative customers (with big Bush buttons on their lapels!) who are looking for Unfit for Command, say, just to see how their employees react to such customers. There have been some horror stories here. But as far as I can tell from this letter, they're going to do nothing, which furthers my suspicion that that outfit is liberal from top to bottom.

[TnMomofTwo]

Something a lot of people don't know about the book business is how the distribution works. A basic overview: The publisher sells the books to a distributor or wholesaler (typically Ingram) at a 45-55% discount off retail...the publisher also pays to ship the book to the wholesaler. The bookstore buys the book from the wholesaler also at a discounted price. The wholesaler typically pays the freight on this. If the bookstore doesn't sell the book or the book is damaged, they can return it to the wholesaler who then returns it to the publisher. Thus, the books you see in the store are basically there on consignment.

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.