How Jeff Bezos Will Put Barnes & Noble Out of Business - Page 4 - Politics and Economics

Yeah, add even more noise to the quest. That'll get you the good stuff.

I have never seen an algorithm that does a better job of recommending media than a well staffed B&M store.

12-18-2017 , 11:28 PM

#78

Johnny Truant

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Quote:

Originally Posted by zikzak

Yeah, add even more noise to the quest. That'll get you the good stuff.

I have never seen an algorithm that does a better job of recommending media than a well staffed B&M store.

Reviews tho.

12-19-2017 , 02:21 AM

#79

PocketInfinities

veteran

Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 2,921

Quote:

Originally Posted by Former DJ

Here's a hoot ... I received a Barnes & Noble email with the following subject line earlier this morning:

Your Extra 30% Off Coupon is Here - Holiday Savings in Stores and on BN.com

Maybe that store manager took a look at my purchasing record after I left Saturday night. Who knows?

I've been getting the same email offers from B&N as you. Same % off, and at the same frequency (weekly). I've spent only ~$50 this year at B&N, and I only used gift cards.

It's extremely unlikely that your loyalty to B&N has distinguished you in their eyes.

Nice Amazon score though.

12-19-2017 , 02:46 AM

#80

MrAdvantage

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Posts: n/a

Quote:

Originally Posted by DVaut1

Not sure what I like more about this post, that it took you until two thousand and seventeen to realize what everyone else knew about Amazon's business model 15 years ago, or that you tried to negotiate with a Barnes & Noble clerk for an ad hoc volume discount. Or that you were even in a Barnes & Noble at all, I mean wtf. I assumed Barnes & Noble were all closed and the storefronts were just liquidation centers. They still sell merchandise? People go in there?

I can walk to a B&N in Myrtle Beach and it does extremely well, possibly because of the # of retires in the area .

12-19-2017 , 02:51 AM

#81

MrAdvantage

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Posts: n/a

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monteroy

The Monty Hall problem.

Anyway, I agree with Kodak - film is here to stay.

Polariods are making a major comeback.

12-19-2017 , 02:58 AM

#82

cuserounder

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LOL at all of us who LOLed at him. He got $25 off for sending an e-mail.

****, if I could average $25 per e-mail, I'd retire tomorrow.

12-19-2017 , 03:17 AM

#83

MrAdvantage

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Posts: n/a

Quote:

Originally Posted by fuluck414

I'm a bookstore fan and don't mind paying a small premium. There's something special about wandering around and finding books you didn't even know you were interested in.

Probably a quarter of the books I bought in the last year I never would have knew about had I been searching on Amazon.

Lots of hotties at the book store too.

12-19-2017 , 03:17 AM

#84

borg23

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Former DJ

max:

One of the nice things about being old is the certain knowledge that sooner or later all you youngsters will be "old" and listening to 20-year-olds telling you how smart they are - and how clueless you are. You'll just smile and let out a small laugh. (I remember when I was 17 thinking that anybody in their 40's was old. Now I'm in my 60's!)

I look at the bright side. While you "youngs" are slogging away every day in the rat race, I'll be playing bridge with rich widows.

he's not wrong though. old people still pay for aol service. until a few years ago my grandfather was still renting a phone and paying like 80 bucks a month for a house phone. it doesn't mean they're stupid- usually just ignorant or resistant to change. i'm sure i'll be the same way.

also odd the op wrote his post in 2000 and decided to post it now.
i do remember ordering baseball books as a teenager from hamilton books mail order "catalog" ,i had no idea they were still around.

Last edited by borg23; 12-19-2017 at 03:23 AM.

12-19-2017 , 07:05 AM

#85

Money2Burn

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Quote:

Originally Posted by zikzak

Yeah, add even more noise to the quest. That'll get you the good stuff.

I have never seen an algorithm that does a better job of recommending media than a well staffed B&M store.

Pandora does a pretty good job.

12-19-2017 , 07:47 AM

#86

mosdef

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Quote:

Originally Posted by MrAdvantage

Lots of hotties at the book store too.

Possibly you meant this sarcastically, but when I was single a million years ago one of the best places to meet women was the cookbook section of the bookstore.

12-19-2017 , 07:19 PM

#87

Former DJ

old hand

Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 1,394

Barnes & Noble (Round Two)

Now here's a hoot ... Suddenly, out of the blue, I get an email from Barnes & Noble requesting some input. They want me to fill out a "Customer Service Satisfaction" survey. (I wonder if the space in their survey form will be large enough for my entire original OP?)

12-19-2017 , 10:39 PM

#88

Lawnmower Man

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 4,546

OP,

Beware of the hordes of Chinese fakes on Scamazon. You might think that book was a steal at $16.99, but u gonna be in real deep if you have to replace product before Chapter 3.

12-19-2017 , 11:55 PM

#89

zikzak

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Alan's criteria for passing the Turing Test seem to be rather lax.

12-20-2017 , 12:32 AM

#90

uDevil

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I used to live across the street from a nice 2-story BN store. I miss it.

12-20-2017 , 12:55 AM

#91

Former DJ

old hand

Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 1,394

Quote:

Originally Posted by dth123451

Olds are amazing. Through sheer belligerence and cluelessness, a free $25!

Maybe what you folks are mistaking for "old and clueless" is actually urbane and sophisticated.

12-20-2017 , 09:33 AM

#92

pvn

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Posts: n/a

but nahhh

12-20-2017 , 04:47 PM

#93

markksman

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Former DJ

Definitely write it up and mail it to their headquarters. They likely have someone who still reads actual mail and they probably get few letters.

This means for a price of a stamp you can get a gift card or at least a nice discount coupon to go along with all your other book booty. You might also pen a separate missive to their bulk sales staff and ask them about signing a contract to purchase a minimum amount of books a month for a discount.

If you agree to buy 10000 books a month, they might be able to help you out. If you get it written up they can’t renege on you later.

12-21-2017 , 11:56 AM

#94

Lilu7

Made 2+2 Great Again

Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 2,123

Quote:

Originally Posted by DVaut1

Lol this. OP must be trolling. When I saw the thread title I thought it was gonna be a bump from like 12 years ago bragging about being right about Amazon or something lol

12-22-2017 , 12:04 AM

#95

pvn

Guest

Posts: n/a

hey guys I haven't been in a B&N in like at least 10 years and I just got a 30% off coupon in the mail from them today. They must have gotten me confused with one of them big swinging book traders like alan.

12-22-2017 , 06:27 PM

#96

cardiobunny

newbie

Join Date: Dec 2017 Posts: 26

The shipping on Barnes and Noble is brutal. I would like to support them.

12-22-2017 , 06:45 PM

#97

Johnny Truant

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Went today. Saw this.

Your move, Amazon.

12-23-2017 , 06:45 AM

#98

Former DJ

old hand

Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 1,394

A Q&A Session With Jeff Bezos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpDUiDQigO8

I was pleasantly surprised when Amazon's customer service rep, without a second of hesitation, granted me a $25 promotional certificate on my next purchase. (This was in sharp contrast to the manager at Barnes & Noble who refused to even consider a possible deal.) After listening to this discussion with Jeff Bezos, it's clear why Amazon is killing their competition.

12-23-2017 , 11:08 PM

#99

capone0

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Weird that most brick and mortars or any store negotiate with someone trying to buy a few items... you live in the us, are you shocked by this fact? Do you try and negotiate at walmart and other retailers as well? There are places that negotiate, but most companies don’t with end customers even to loyal ones. I think your moves might work with mom and pop shops at a higher rate than giant retailers.

12-23-2017 , 11:58 PM

#100

Johnny Truant

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My buddy got his Christmas shopping done earlier than usual this year--tonight. I took him to B&N and he got advice for books for three nieces and a nephew as well as a lego set. They had games and all kinds of stuff, in and out in less than an hour.

Also, you would be shocked how many places will give you a discount or apply a coupon if you just ask. It was an excersise in a sales class I was a part of to make people more bold and comfortable negotiating. People got al kinds of discounts that would not be expected.

I still don't do it though.

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