Disgruntled bookshop owners

[the facade]

I have to say that some of the most impolite people I've met in my life were running bookshops.
Yesterday a guy refused to help me because he wasn't just gonna list recommendations to see me leave empty handed - so I left, empty handed.


Bring forth theories as to why this may be and share stories on the subject :)

[Mallorie]

I worked at a used bookstore when I was a younger woman, I have never seen more pretense and unsupported ego in my life. I too was guilty of this, its just the culture.

I don't know if this might contribute to your unpleasant experiences, but I have seen it in nearly every (non-chain) book store and coffee shop I have ever been in.

[soundofmusic]

It's funny, every bookshop and video store I go to has someone who thinks they need to come up and tell me what I like...I hate it:flare: Now, if they want to tell me whether or not they have what I am looking for...that would be nice. People somehow always think I want to watch those mindless everybody dances in the end movies or something profound about some entire group of people who get slaughtered...no thank you, I'll take my vampire movie and go home; and no, I don't want to buy popcorn either...or you 20 dollar bookmarkers (my unpaid bill is doing fine marking the place)

[papayahed]

I only have one experience that really stands out. I was in Podunk, Wyoming (pop. 9000), and found a used bookstore. When the lady behind the counter asked I told her I was looking for some Hunter S Thompson, specifically Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. She did an initial search but couldn't find any. The lady was positive she had some Thompson and would search in the backroom when her help came in. She asked me to leave my phone number in case she finds anything. The next morning the lady called to say she located several books and I could come in to take a look.

[Scheherazade]

I was in Podunk, Wyoming (pop. 9000), Funny! I don't remember being in Podunk, Wyoming at all!

:goof:

[Pecksie]

Several years ago, in Spain, I went to the counter of a Salamanca bookstore with a pile of books I intended to purchase. While the shop attendant (or owner --- not sure) was adding up the total for me to pay, I remembered another book I wanted, and asked if he had it. 'Maybe, but you'll have to come back tomorrow', he grumbled, 'it's almost closing time'. Needless to say, I turned on my heels and left without buying anything. That guy lost quite a few Euro for being rude. (I should also add that I have seldom seen people as unfriendly as the inhabitants of that supposedly culture-drenched, cosmopolitan city).

[dfloyd]

A book store near me charges $10 for a card which gives you 10% off for a one year period. I suggested that he provide a discount without buying a discount card. Amazon.com usually provides that much discount plus several free shipping options such as free shipping on every order over $25. In addition, I avoid paying the state sales tax of 7%. After uttering some expletives about people who shop on the internet, he walked away.

[kiki1982]

Haha, funny topic. I cannot say that I have ever had this experience. Not in Brussels, nor in Flanders where I often went to the bookshop. Here in Germany people are even nicer! A we go in there so often, the whole of the regular personnel says hello when one of us go in. Although they have strange quirks like only wanting to order English books and my hubby wants to read the summary on the back first, which isn't possible then... Other than that, never had a bad experience of the sort everyone else mentions...

[Seasider]

I used to frequent Hampstead High Street in London in my student days because of its abundance of 2nd Hand bookshops. I found the owners, and they mostly were both owners and staff, delightful, happy to recommend even the cheaper over the more expensive editions. Almost all I met were true bibliophiles who knew, even in the apparent chaos of their shops, where a book could be found. Are they, or their ilk still there, I wonder.

[Propter W.]

This thread reminds me of Black Books.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnRqIdy46Pg&feature=related

[Mudkip]

I had a great bookstore experience the other day. I went in looking for untranslated Chaucer, and the owner overheard me asking the cashier. He pulled me over and they actually had a Chaucer section. He offered me a special deal if I decided to get a bunch, but most of the books were analysis rather than the actual text so I didn't end up getting anything...

[Drkshadow03]

All Those Years Shopping at Independent Bookstore Wasted! (http://www.theonion.com/articles/all-those-years-shopping-at-independent-bookstore,18080/)

[Rores28]

George Orwell actually has an essay about working in a bookstore.... and my roommate always seemed really pissed off while he worked at BandN

[Aragorn Elessar]

I usually go to Books-a-Million, and I've never had any problems there, regarding courtesy. In fact, I bought a book on atheism once, and was almost sure, being in southern Mississippi, that I would have a hard time buying it, but believe it or not, nothing prevented me from purchasing it.

People in the south are generally nicer in the community compared to other places, though.

[Jazz_]

I have never had a terrible experience with a bookshop owner - the woman who runs the second-hand bookstore near my house is particularly friendly (it probably helps that I never leave without buying something ;))

I do sometimes feel like they "can't be bothered" checking if they have a specific book. And once when I ordered a book I returned a month later to find they hadn't ordered it in the first place - so I went and bought it from somewhere else. Very annoying...

[.Kafka]

When I was in Majorca, Spain, desperate for decent English literature, wandering through the sprawling streets, passing the cafes and absorbing the aroma of coffee, soaking in the the open air music, I came across a three story book-store tucked inconspicuously into a tiny alley. The owner, and the only attendant, an elderly English gentlemen was extremely welcoming. He took a considerable amount of time helping me with my selections. I went through each floor and the store was extensively equipped, it is probably the largest of its kind in Spain. His store also serves as his house. There are vintage art pieces littered across the walls and on the tables. The equipment he uses to mend old books is strewn across the main counter. We talked about his time in the theatre. About his travels. About Spanish women. And more of Spanish women. As I was leaving, he gave me a first edition of Dostoevsky's 'Crime and Punishment' as a parting gift.

[JBI]

Here in China there are about 5 times as many shop clerks as necessary, and they don't do anything at all, just stand there (this country seems to keep unemployment down by creating tons of useless jobs, and piles of unnecessary paperwork to create jobs). They won't approach you ever, and won't do anything. also, the book stores, especially the big ones stock fantastic collections of literary books, which are published in fantastic volumes that have extensive notes and tons of commentary. Of course, not of interest to those who don't read Chinese, but I guess what my teachers told me about the trend since the 80s of super-literate well-read Chinese people (this is, of the generation that is about 40-50 now) perhaps caries some weight. Then again, just chatting with people here seems to suggest people from a young age are far better read than people back home (that is, in Chinese novels, as most Chinese students have limited knowledge of non-Chinese literature if any).

As for bookstores back home, I gave up on small chains except for BMV which is near my university and essentially deals only in used books. The reason is that BMV sells cheap paperback classics that would be similarly priced on Amazon but would have a shipment charge stuck to them making them more expensive. Chapters-Indigo and their stores have awful collections and ridiculous prices, and an unhealthy atmosphere. The only thing of interest in there are the Penguin and Oxford classics, and even those can be acquired cheaper on line. Generally, if I want to browse, I do a web search for my library (Robarts, which, being the third largest library in North America, has virtually anything anyone could need except for some specific texts). And go check the book out there, browse through it, and if it is interesting, buy it online. It saves much money, much time, and lets me preview books at my own pace at a desk, perhaps over night or over a week.

[LitNetIsGreat]

When I was in Majorca, Spain, desperate for decent English literature, wandering through the sprawling streets, passing the cafes and absorbing the aroma of coffee, soaking in the the open air music, I came across a three story book-store tucked inconspicuously into a tiny alley. The owner, and the only attendant, an elderly English gentlemen was extremely welcoming. He took a considerable amount of time helping me with my selections. I went through each floor and the store was extensively equipped, it is probably the largest of its kind in Spain. His store also serves as his house. There are vintage art pieces littered across the walls and on the tables. The equipment he uses to mend old books is strewn across the main counter. We talked about his time in the theatre. About his travels. About Spanish women. And more of Spanish women. As I was leaving, he gave me a first edition of Dostoevsky's 'Crime and Punishment' as a parting gift.

That's a great story.


Here in China there are about 5 times as many shop clerks as necessary, and they don't do anything at all, just stand there (this country seems to keep unemployment down by creating tons of useless jobs, and piles of unnecessary paperwork to create jobs). They won't approach you ever, and won't do anything.

:lol:
Hope you're finding your feet over there.

I know this great bookstore with two floors crammed full of second-hand treasures - it's great. There are piles of books everywhere and the place has great character. They also sell original artwork and a little music - they even sell the furniture; a few old chairs with price tags on them are dotted around.

There are three owners, I think, middle aged chaps though they mostly just sit in the back playing crazy jazz records at full volume. It sort of fits with the place.

[Drkshadow03]

My experiences in used bookstores have always been wonderful. I like to buy cheap, really, really cheap!

We have this place called Einstein's, which is an "alternative" bookstore back in NY that had classic editions for $1.99 - 3.99 and then it was 60% off that price. So I was getting these books in new condition for $1 - $ 2. As well as some newer books such as the Savage Detective by Robert Bolano, which on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Savage-Detectives-Novel-Roberto-Bolano/dp/0312427484) used is going for $3.98 for paperback plus tax and shipping. This place was selling it for $5 with 60% off that price. So with tax about $3. No shipping price. I love that place! And it's not a Used Bookstore as the books are new and in perfect condition.

We have a used bookstore here in RI that offers one free book for every $ 10 you spend in cash. So the last time I went in I spent $50 and got 5 free books on top of the ones I actually bought.

Then our local libraries have book sales held by the Friends of the Library. I went to a massive one last week. Books were 50 cents for paperbacks and $1 hard cover. I bought about $35 worth of books at those prices, filled up 2 boxes worth of books.

I tend to buy in bulk.

[Madame X]

When I was in Majorca, Spain, desperate for decent English literature, wandering through the sprawling streets, passing the cafes and absorbing the aroma of coffee, soaking in the the open air music, I came across a three story book-store tucked inconspicuously into a tiny alley. The owner, and the only attendant, an elderly English gentlemen was extremely welcoming. He took a considerable amount of time helping me with my selections. I went through each floor and the store was extensively equipped, it is probably the largest of its kind in Spain. His store also serves as his house. There are vintage art pieces littered across the walls and on the tables. The equipment he uses to mend old books is strewn across the main counter. We talked about his time in the theatre. About his travels. About Spanish women. And more of Spanish women. As I was leaving, he gave me a first edition of Dostoevsky's 'Crime and Punishment' as a parting gift.

Great country, isn’t it? I was browsing through the open-air book market in Madrid and came to a particularly interesting stall just as a storm was beginning to break; all the other sellers began rapidly packing up their merchandise but the guy at my stall assured me there was no rush. When I finally asked him what he’d recommend, he plucked out his favourite García Márquez short story collection and then advised me where I could buy an umbrella to keep it (and, presumably, myself) safe…the rest of his stock fluttering wildly in the wind all the while. :D

[.Kafka]

Great country, isn’t it? I was browsing through the open-air book market in Madrid and came to a particularly interesting stall just as a storm was beginning to break; all the other sellers began rapidly packing up their merchandise but the guy at my stall assured me there was no rush. When I finally asked him what he’d recommend, he plucked out his favourite García Márquez short story collection and then advised me where I could buy an umbrella to keep it (and, presumably, myself) safe…the rest of his stock fluttering wildly in the wind all the while. :D

Superb, nothing like it. The streets of Barcelona write their own poetry. What a man! What did he recommend? And your experience reminds me of a magical realist text, perhaps the final pages of One Hundred Years of Solitude, the whirlwind, the words...

[Madame X]

Superb, nothing like it. The streets of Barcelona write their own poetry. What a man! What did he recommend? And your experience reminds me of a magical realist text, perhaps the final pages of One Hundred Years of Solitude, the whirlwind, the words...

Creepy, eh? :brow: I wanted to take my Spanish for a spin so he recommended Los funerales de la mamá grande, particularly for La siesta del martes. A colourful but quick read. I also bought some book on European languages which, in two years, I have yet to touch but at least it looks mighty impressive sitting there smugly in my bookcase all the while. :yesnod: