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Bookstore etiquette...

A

AStar617

Diamond Member
When you go into a bookstore, particularly the cafe-style ones like Borders, what's the etiquette regarding sitting down and reading? Are people reading books they just bought? Books they brought (not likely)? Or are they looking to mooch like I am by taking an unbought book, pulling up a seat, and turning to page 1? Does the staff get upset? Is there some limit to the time you can do this?

File this under "Often wondered, seldom asked"... 🙂
 
I read books that I havn't bought from Borders all the time. I see a lot of other people do it too. None of the staff ever got upset at people who did that.
 
i know this, don't take the large coffee table type books into the restroom, or they'll make you buy the book
 
Originally posted by: pinkeywear
I read books that I havn't bought from Borders all the time. I see a lot of other people do it too. None of the staff ever got upset at people who did that.
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My primary question is whether people take unbought books off the shelf and feel comfortable reading them there.

I can't see how they'd have a problem with bringing your own book--I figure it'd be easier to just read that at home tho 🙂

 
I thought that was the purpose of the table and chairs, for you to read unbought books so you're interested in them and you buy them. I think they might get angry if you read the whole book, finish and don't buy it.
 
I often sit down to read books at B&N. They've never said a word about it to me and I've never seen them say anything to anyone. It would seem pretty silly to provide comfortable chairs and books and not expect people to sit down to read.
 
I have read many unbought books in my local Barnes and Nobles, it's actually kinda fun when it's all nasty outside. I doubt very much they care, thats probably why there are all those chairs to begin with.

-spike
 
I've read several books in Borders cafe that I haven't bought. I always buy a coffee though. Sort of my way of "evening things out" 😛
 
The chairs are there so that you can sit and peruse their wares and entice you into buying, just like everyone else has said.
 
I figured as much, but decided to check the consensus anyways. With my luck, someone would be standing in front of the "no loitering" sign and the rest would be history 😛

I've kinda rediscovered the local Borders lately, mostly due to some good 30% off coupons floating around the net... I'll definitely be there even more now.
 
They actually want you to sit down and read a book. The logic is that the longer you read the book, the more engrossed you'll become. Eventually, people end up buying the books after they've read a few pages or a couple of chapters. It's unlikely that anyone will sit down and finish a novel in one sitting and then the customer will be more likely to purchase the book rather than put it back on the shelf.

Don't feel self conscious about reading a book in the store even if you have no intention of buying it. They expect people to do that. It's just that they're marketing research shows that it helps sell books more often than not.
 
Originally posted by: icepik
They actually want you to sit down and read a book. The logic is that the longer you read the book, the more engrossed you'll become. Eventually, people end up buying the books after they've read a few pages or a couple of chapters. It's unlikely that anyone will sit down and finish a novel in one sitting and then the customer will be more likely to purchase the book rather than put it back on the shelf.

Don't feel self conscious about reading a book in the store even if you have no intention of buying it. They expect people to do that. It's just that they're marketing research shows that it helps sell books more often than not.
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:thumbsup:
 
I worked at a Barnes & Noble when I was in high school. The answer to your question is: no, none of the workers care.

I personally rarely buy a (fiction) book without at least reading the introduction.
 
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