Open letter to Barnes and Noble #2


Dear Barnes and Noble,

Since I have written to you before, it may seem that I am trying to establish a pen pal relationship with you.  As this is not my intention, please continue reading without feeling any obligation to send a note in return.

Based upon my shopping experience at your store, I imagine that your employee handbook states something along the lines of:

can i buy Pregabalin in spain “Cashiers:  After greeting your customer, take note of each item they are purchasing and find a way to connect with them regarding that item.  No subject is considered taboo, so be creative.”

 I thought you’d like to know that the cashiers in my local Barnes & Noble store are going above and beyond when trying to connect with me.  Here are the last three of many exchanges I’ve had this passed *past year.

1:

Book purchased:  The Only Grammar Book You’ll Ever Need

At the register, the cashier scans the book and pauses while she reads the cover.  She then leans  over the counter, bringing her head within my 2 foot perimeter of personal space.

undoubtedly CASHIER:   “Great book.  I am somewhat of a grammar Nazi.  I correct my step kid’s textis all the time.”  

ME:

 

 

 

 

 

2:

Book purchased:  How to be a Woman 

Cashier scans the book, pauses for a second while she reads the cover and then holds the book up and calls out to the 2 other cashiers to look her way.

CASHIER #1: “Whoever this is, she is my new hero!  Look at how she rocks the Boho Chic style.”

ME:  “Um, Caitlin Moran is a columnist in the UK and this is a book on feminism.”

CASHIER #2:  “Love the boots with the dress.”

CASHIER #3:  “Yes, to the boots!”

ME:  “Can I just pay?”

 

 

3:

Book purchased:  The Old Man and the Sea 

 

Cashier scans the book, pauses while reading the cover. She then looks up at me and blinks three long and what seem to be intentional blinks.

CASHIER: “I read this book when I was in Junior High School.”

 ME:  “Hmmm.  This book hadn’t been written yet I was in Junior High School.”

CASHIER:  “Oh. (long pause)   Well it’s a great book.”

ME:  “I was only kidding.”

 

 

In closing, I think you should consider rewriting your employee manual.  Clearly, if other patrons are “connecting” with your cashiers too, you’re probably missing out on sales.  I imagine that titles like The Sex Starved Marriage, Travelers’ Diarrhea  and The Complete Guide to Adult Diapers aren’t flying off the shelves.  For me, I decided to buy my copy of 50 Shades of Grey online because I just wasn’t sure I was ready for what cashier #2 might have to say.

 

 

*I was able to select the correct “past” by using The Only Grammar Book You’ll Ever Need

Disclaimer:  Obviously you all know this, but I need to write it anyway…… the copy on the books, highlighted with the arrows, was photo shopped by me and not part of the actual book cover.

 




Open letter to Barnes and Noble


Dear B&N,

I must confess that as far as bookstores go, I’ve realized, I’m a fair weather friend.  The Borders across town was my favorite place to shop up until about a month ago.  Honestly, prior to that, I tried to like B&N but always seemed to leave your store annoyed for one reason or another.

Yes, you were the prettier store and had more to offer, but Borders seemed more genuine, easier.    When they closed their doors, it was like my best friend was moving away.  And there I was…. left with you, the other friend, that I didn’t really like that much.

I stayed away for as long as I could but this morning I needed a bookstore fix, so I ventured over to your place.

As of today, Barnes and Noble is my new best friend favorite book store.  You’ve changed and I love what you’ve done with the place.

Adding a larger game/toy section is genius.  When I am there with my boys and they are tired of looking at the books, they now have a second stop at the games before hunting me down and begging me to leave.

Removing all those comfy seating areas where inconsiderate people would sit for hours reading your books and magazines without purchasing them.  That drove me insane….I wasn’t there to buy used reading material and hated seeing all those books and magazines left on the floor.

Now, the only thing left for you to do to cement our friendship, is to tell the lady at register 5 to be a little less snooty when it comes to asking me if I am “a member“.   She need not look down on me just because I am not ready to plunk down $25.oo a year to be in your club.  My old friend Borders got me for $20 and then a couple months later…well, you know.