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Vanishing Bookstores?

 
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Vanishing Bookstores? - 10/16/2011 7:28:25 PM   
Joe D.


Posts: 3156
Joined: 8/31/2005
From: Stratford, Connecticut
Status: offline 		I've already lamented how hard it's become to find retail computer games on the store shelves, but now bookstores are disappearing from my community, or so it appears.

When Borders recently closed, a local Waldenbooks bought their books, but now it went out of business to make way for a new Toys R Us.

Although I've seen more Kindles during my train commute to work, I can't believe ebooks are putting bookstores out of business.

No retail computer games, no books: what's next to go?

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Post #: 1
RE: Vanishing Bookstores? - 10/16/2011 7:42:11 PM   
JW

 

Posts: 944
Joined: 8/12/2000
From: Monroe, LA, USA
Status: offline 		A couple of thoughts.  People buy books online.  I would much rather buy online than try to find something in Barnes and Noble or some place like that.  Easier to find things and the prices are often better.  Also I have a Kindle now. 

I would also suggest, though I have no data, that we have fewer people now who read books.  Too many other distractions now.

(in reply to Joe D.)
Post #: 2
RE: Vanishing Bookstores? - 10/16/2011 7:51:02 PM   
Perturabo


Posts: 2003
Joined: 11/17/2007
Status: online 		I get physical books mostly either online (less expensive, much more titles available) or from a library (for free, no permanent loss of storage space). I rarely buy books in a bookstore. From what I've seen, some local bookstores allow to order a book from affiliated stores even from abroad without paying for postal. I stopped using this service, though they very often lack stuff that I want to buy and my tastes are getting more and more niche as I get older.

I buy ebooks only for stuff that is extremely niche and doesn't get into physical print without high cost print-on-demand. I don't like to read from screen.
Anyway, are there any cheap e-bookreaders that work like normal MP3 players and aren't tied to any online service?

< Message edited by Perturabo -- 10/16/2011 8:04:31 PM >

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Post #: 3
RE: Vanishing Bookstores? - 10/16/2011 8:37:39 PM   
warspite1


Posts: 10773
Joined: 2/2/2008
From: England
Status: offline 		I prefer to buy books at a physical store because you can spend as much time as you need thumbing through and ensuring the content - and just as importantly, the author's writing style are what I am looking for. I have had a few disasters in recent times - all books bought online where I have relied on the reviews and thought I would get something I ultimately didn't.

But fact is, online is the way its going and do not see that process being reversed unless something very unforeseen happens.

< Message edited by warspite1 -- 10/16/2011 9:05:50 PM >

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Post #: 4
RE: Vanishing Bookstores? - 10/16/2011 10:03:17 PM   
parusski


Posts: 4468
Joined: 5/8/2000
From: Wyoming, Even Liberals Welcome
Status: offline 		As much as I like to browse a bookstore, enjoying the aroma of books and coffee, I must admit to being a slave to Amazon. I have not purchased a single book from a bookstore in 8 or 9 years. Occasionally I go to my local Books-A-Million to browse and find titles to buy online.

< Message edited by parusski -- 10/16/2011 10:04:46 PM >

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Post #: 5
RE: Vanishing Bookstores? - 10/16/2011 10:18:39 PM   
Titanwarrior89


Posts: 2877
Joined: 8/28/2003
From: arkansas
Status: online 		Let's hope books and bookstores never go out of business.  I as well like to browse thru books.....there is something about them.  E-books may replace, but it would never be the same.

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Post #: 6
RE: Vanishing Bookstores? - 10/16/2011 10:23:59 PM   
Prince of Eckmühl


Posts: 2448
Joined: 6/25/2006
From: Texas
Status: offline 		I visited Barnes & Noble yesterday afternoon, and was really kind of disappointed. I don't drink coffee, and I'm not really sure why else anyone would go there. I buy most of my books online, and have them delivered to my home.

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Post #: 7
RE: Vanishing Bookstores? - 10/16/2011 10:42:55 PM   
redcoat


Posts: 644
Joined: 8/31/2005
From: UK
Status: offline
Nearly all of the books I’ve purchased recently have been bought online. I can get them for less than I would pay in a shop and few bookshops have the military books I want on their shelves in any case.

Sometimes I check out a book before purchasing by ordering a copy through my public library.

I don’t have any plans to buy a kindle.

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Post #: 8
RE: Vanishing Bookstores? - 10/16/2011 11:10:09 PM   
Perturabo


Posts: 2003
Joined: 11/17/2007
Status: online 		I never understood the concept of bookstores selling coffee. Wouldn't it risk damaging the books by any accidental spill?

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Post #: 9
RE: Vanishing Bookstores? - 10/16/2011 11:11:37 PM   
ilovestrategy


Posts: 3628
Joined: 6/11/2005
From: San Diego
Status: offline 		No Kindle for me. I browsed the Kindle store last night for David Eddings books and they have audio books for the Kindle for $14.95 each. A brand new paper back is $7.00. No regular ebooks of the same titles.



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Post #: 10
RE: Vanishing Bookstores? - 10/16/2011 11:14:10 PM   
Perturabo


Posts: 2003
Joined: 11/17/2007
Status: online 		Generally, from what I've seen, ebooks tend to be unreasonably expensive. They tend to cost the same as physical books. I don't think they'll be able to replace paper books unless they'll get to the point when they cost less than the cost of a paper book - cost of printing and cost of long supply chain.

< Message edited by Perturabo -- 10/16/2011 11:16:51 PM >

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Wonderland - my AB mod in progress:
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Post #: 11
RE: Vanishing Bookstores? - 10/16/2011 11:49:47 PM   
David Heath


Posts: 3358
Joined: 3/29/2000
From: Staten Island NY
Status: offline 		Book stores are today are like the video stores a few years back..... going going gone. I really never buy a book now unless I get it for my iPad. I really love having all my books and PDF on one device.

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Post #: 12
RE: Vanishing Bookstores? - 10/17/2011 12:10:46 AM   
jomni


Posts: 2518
Joined: 11/19/2007
Status: offline 		Audio CD stores are also dying.

As for the bookstores... It is not an e-book thing. Though it helped in the process. People who want to buy physical books also go online since it is more convenient.

< Message edited by jomni -- 10/17/2011 12:13:13 AM >

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Post #: 13
RE: Vanishing Bookstores? - 10/17/2011 12:35:15 AM   
apathetic lurker

 

Posts: 1342
Joined: 3/1/2006
From: Buffalo,ny
Status: offline 		The only books that grace my house are real life physical books....Paper,ink and glue......
Ebooks? Crap

I prefer going to a bookstore but do get a lot online. Whatever savings for online purchases is counterbalanced by shipping costs so its pretty much the same, just a bit more convenient especially here in the northeast.....

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Post #: 14
RE: Vanishing Bookstores? - 10/17/2011 12:41:03 AM   
Joe D.


Posts: 3156
Joined: 8/31/2005
From: Stratford, Connecticut
Status: offline 		Most bookstores require a good deal of room to display a large selection of books; apparently that's not cost effective when compared to the bandwidth that an on-line catalog requires.

It looks like the Inet is now doing to books what it did to the daily newspaper; as a former journalist, I think we're both becoming extinct.

_____________________________

Stratford, Connecticut, U.S.A.

"The Angel of Okinawa"

Home of the Chance-Vought Corsair, F4U
The best fighter-bomber of World War II

(in reply to jomni)
Post #: 15
RE: Vanishing Bookstores? - 10/17/2011 12:50:50 AM   
Perturabo


Posts: 2003
Joined: 11/17/2007
Status: online 		I also buy Audio CDs online as the ones in audio CD stores tend to be 1/3 more expensive and audio CD stores tend to have very a limited offer. They almost never have bands that I listen to.
And the weirdest thing is that I don't even have a CD player. I listen to everything from mp3s anyway. I simply treat physical as merchandise.


quote:

ORIGINAL: apathetic lurker

The only books that grace my house are real life physical books....Paper,ink and glue......
Ebooks? Crap

I prefer going to a bookstore but do get a lot online. Whatever savings for online purchases is counterbalanced by shipping costs so its pretty much the same, just a bit more convenient especially here in the northeast.....

I generally pick the cheapest book available. I have bought my first untranslated Osprey recently - it costed me 37PLN together with shipping while the price on the cover is about 50PLN (+shipping). It's still a lot - a translated version would cost me 20PLN, but not enough to be an instant deal-breaker unlike with the basic price.

And generally, even when it comes to illustrated books like Osprey, I strongly prefer to buy myself a physical copy to using ebooks. Even with something like kindle but with colours, they would be subpar.

< Message edited by Perturabo -- 10/17/2011 12:59:38 AM >

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Post #: 16
RE: Vanishing Bookstores? - 10/17/2011 1:02:58 AM   
wodin


Posts: 6503
Joined: 4/20/2003
From: England
Status: offline 		Way more choice online. Verr rarely a bookstore will have something I want.

(in reply to Perturabo)
Post #: 17
RE: Vanishing Bookstores? - 10/17/2011 1:12:49 AM   
bairdlander

 

Posts: 1376
Joined: 3/28/2009
Status: offline 		What about comic books?

< Message edited by bairdlander -- 10/17/2011 1:14:34 AM >

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Post #: 18
RE: Vanishing Bookstores? - 10/17/2011 1:20:20 AM   
Perturabo


Posts: 2003
Joined: 11/17/2007
Status: online 		It depends. When it comes to manga, the titles that get translated usually cost 17-20PLN which is low enough to buy it in a store. When it comes to comic books, in most cases they don't even have what I'm looking for.

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Armored Brigade - a freeware moddable RT wargame. My favourite game to play.
Wonderland - my AB mod in progress:
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(in reply to bairdlander)
Post #: 19
RE: Vanishing Bookstores? - 10/17/2011 1:25:49 AM   
bairdlander

 

Posts: 1376
Joined: 3/28/2009
Status: offline 		I should have said,I meant graphic novels and manga.Think they will ever go digital?

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Post #: 20
RE: Vanishing Bookstores? - 10/17/2011 1:32:14 AM   
Perturabo


Posts: 2003
Joined: 11/17/2007
Status: online
quote:

ORIGINAL: bairdlander

I should have said,I meant graphic novels and manga.Think they will ever go digital?

They went digital long time ago. There are even sites where you can browse digitalized manga for free. Still, it isn't the same as the real thing, so I buy physical version even though I can read the digital ones for free.

_____________________________

Armored Brigade - a freeware moddable RT wargame. My favourite game to play.
Wonderland - my AB mod in progress:
www.armoredbrigade.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=14

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Post #: 21
RE: Vanishing Bookstores? - 10/17/2011 1:37:46 AM   
jomni


Posts: 2518
Joined: 11/19/2007
Status: offline 		Well in Japan, print media is still thriving to a certain degree.  Those online manga sites are kinda illegal.

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Post #: 22
RE: Vanishing Bookstores? - 10/17/2011 2:07:02 AM   
Perturabo


Posts: 2003
Joined: 11/17/2007
Status: online 		Legal or illegal, people still use them. And those of them who become fans of some series usually still want to get the paper version. Since a large enough number of people wants to buy them even when having access to a free electronic version, I don't think there's a chance of physical comic books disappearing due to electronic versions getting sold.

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Armored Brigade - a freeware moddable RT wargame. My favourite game to play.
Wonderland - my AB mod in progress:
www.armoredbrigade.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=14

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Post #: 23
RE: Vanishing Bookstores? - 10/17/2011 3:32:58 AM   
Jeffrey H.


Posts: 2502
Joined: 4/13/2007
From: San Diego, Ca.
Status: offline 		TBH I don't go to bookstores any longer. I didn't like the crowds but it was a nice way to spend an afternoon now and then. I buy everything online, especially true for obscure old technical books, which I never would have found without modern technology.



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Post #: 24
RE: Vanishing Bookstores? - 10/17/2011 4:30:32 AM   
apathetic lurker

 

Posts: 1342
Joined: 3/1/2006
From: Buffalo,ny
Status: offline 		Books in the Osprey and Concord style can only be savoured as physical copies......

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Post #: 25
RE: Vanishing Bookstores? - 10/17/2011 4:41:39 AM   
JW

 

Posts: 944
Joined: 8/12/2000
From: Monroe, LA, USA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Joe D.

Most bookstores require a good deal of room to display a large selection of books; apparently that's not cost effective when compared to the bandwidth that an on-line catalog requires.

It looks like the Inet is now doing to books what it did to the daily newspaper; as a former journalist, I think we're both becoming extinct.


However, I find the local newspaper an invaluable source of local info I can't get anywhere else, not even with the online newspaper. Browsing through the Sunday paper I see ads and notices and small local stories that I would miss just looking online.

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Post #: 26
RE: Vanishing Bookstores? - 10/17/2011 11:21:54 AM   
redcoat


Posts: 644
Joined: 8/31/2005
From: UK
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: apathetic lurker

Books in the Osprey and Concord style can only be savoured as physical copies......


+1

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Post #: 27
RE: Vanishing Bookstores? - 10/17/2011 1:56:04 PM   
Joe D.


Posts: 3156
Joined: 8/31/2005
From: Stratford, Connecticut
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Jeffrey H.

TBH I don't go to bookstores any longer. I didn't like the crowds ...


Crowds aren't a problem any more.

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Stratford, Connecticut, U.S.A.

"The Angel of Okinawa"

Home of the Chance-Vought Corsair, F4U
The best fighter-bomber of World War II

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Post #: 28
RE: Vanishing Bookstores? - 10/17/2011 2:00:03 PM   
Joe D.


Posts: 3156
Joined: 8/31/2005
From: Stratford, Connecticut
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: JW

However, I find the local newspaper an invaluable source of local info I can't get anywhere else, not even with the online newspaper ...


Even the local rags here are on-line, but sometimes they run stories only available in print to justify those who pay subscription fees.

_____________________________

Stratford, Connecticut, U.S.A.

"The Angel of Okinawa"

Home of the Chance-Vought Corsair, F4U
The best fighter-bomber of World War II

(in reply to JW)
Post #: 29
RE: Vanishing Bookstores? - 10/17/2011 2:40:38 PM   
Perturabo


Posts: 2003
Joined: 11/17/2007
Status: online 		I don't like reading newspapers - their paper articles don't have a comment section that would call them out on any lies that they write.

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Armored Brigade - a freeware moddable RT wargame. My favourite game to play.
Wonderland - my AB mod in progress:
www.armoredbrigade.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=14

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Post #: 30
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