The inventory simply vaporizes? I think not, something will happen with it. It seems that they are closing several stores around us here in the DC area, so I suppose we will find out before too long. (Anything about how soon it is to happen? Maybe I should walk around the corner and ask.)

I would guess that they'll either liquidate the inventory in those stores or will simply ship it to the remaining stores. They might opt to do a combination of both. That said, if they liquidate inventory, realize that chances are they won't accept coupons, they won't participate in the rewards program, so you won't receive credit for your purchase, and they probably will not accept gift cards as a form of payment.

You can find a list of the stores they plan to close at http://www.bordersreorganization.com...osure_List.pdf

Besides those two possibilities there is the return-it-to-the-publisher one. I don't know the details of the arrangements between booksellers and publishers, but I know that the former does not take all the risk that books, especially new fiction, will sell. So, I expect a combo of in-store sales, ship to remaining stores, and return to publisher.

Not sure what you mean by "won't accept coupons." They will have no choice but to discount from publisher's price, and for that purpose they will almost certainly be putting out 30%, 40%, 50%, etc. coupons. No? Perhaps they will have in-store pricing too, so not everything storewide subject to same flat discount. All speculation on my part to be sure, but how many ways can they go about it?

Will go look at that website for more info, in particular if they say when the stores will close. I'm sure that small booksellers, that is those who have survived this long, won't mourn for the closed stores. Of courses, there are still a good many remaining Borders stores for them to compete with, plus all the B&N stores, and the huge monster that is Amazon. Property owners will, of course, take huge hits not only on the closing stores, but on the remaining ones because they will be looking at renegotiated leases at lower rates.

[QUOTE=itsme;15881410]
Not sure what you mean by "won't accept coupons." They will have no choice but to discount from publisher's price, and for that purpose they will almost certainly be putting out 30%, 40%, 50%, etc. coupons. No? Perhaps they will have in-store pricing too, so not everything storewide subject to same flat discount. All speculation on my part to be sure, but how many ways can they go about it? QUOTE]
My experience with stores that are closing is that often, they turn everything over to a liquidation company. That company will run the store until it closes, and they'll offer discounts, usually a percentage off of everything, but will no longer accept retailer coupons or retailer gift cards.

[QUOTE=kipper;15882077]Yes, I think that's the usual way, but I wonder if it won't be different in this case because of the nature of the business. Rather than call in the all-purpose liquidators, why not leave the current staff, people who regularly sell books, in place for awhile to continue at it?

They may, or they may decide that it's better to take the cash from an all-purpose liquidator and get the labor costs (and any benefit costs) off of their books.

Speculation can end now; Borders has released a statement: http://ebm.e.borders.com/c/tag/hBNXH...id=SA_20110216

Basically, all operations continue as normal, except that some stores will close. Not a big impact.

Some of the answers are in today's Washington Post. They say they will continue to honor their rewards program and coupons, and it seems they plan to sell off their own inventory rather than look to liquidators to do it for them. (Nothing was said about returns to publishes, or the financial consequences for publishers.)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...T2011021606803

Until they fail entirely, which the market is betting will be the outcome. Too bad that small bookstores were so devastated by the advent of these superstores (after Crown Book here in DC led the way) and Amazon, and now in turn these superstores are foundering.)

I wonder what % of the American public had "reach out," that is walk to (as I can) or drive to within say 10 miles a Borders or a B&N. I bet a pretty substantial number, since they are scattered about in so many places. (The amazing Internet being what it is, I expect that a clever person, which is to say not me, could find a map or listing with all Borders location and combine it with data from the Census Bureau or other source(s) to come up with an answer to my question. Or, I expect Borders could say what it was, is, and will be soon.)

I'm sorry, I know that this is about redeeming coupons/inventory. So my concerns are a distraction. But today on the local SF Bay area TV news, they say that 6,000 employees will go, nationwide, 200 stores closing of the remaining 488 (per various sources), eleven stores closing in the Bay Area. This is to be "...by April".

But today I received an email from the CEO (rather long to transcribe, and I can't copy and paste it) saying that everything will be status quo at the surviving stores.

Outside sources put it in the same boat as Blockbuster.

Keep in mind that getting out of retail space leases entered into during more frothy days is way more of a concern than labor-related costs from employees at retail sales locations. [Book stores are a bit player compared to apparel companies when it comes to having expensive retail space.]

Borders was primarily shifting inventory amongst stores/warehouses, returning inventory or liquidating itself at stores that it closed last year or earlier this year (before the filing). The in-store discounting at stores shut down varies by item category, some having greater discounts while others have lower or no discounts -- decisions based on the financial arrangements already entered into and upon how bankruptcy proceedings may impact upon that.

True. In my area, they're closing 1 of 3 stores, and the one they're closing is the one that was the most challenging in regards to navigating to/from their parking lot. It is also the one in the area with road construction that's been going on for probably almost 2 years.

To get back on the discounts theme, BHL5794Y is good for 33% off of 1 item, valid 2/18/11 through 2/21/11.

Yes, back on topic, "Nothing to see here..." So, in that spirit:

Received an email from Borders saying that my closest store in Boston will close, and that everything is on sale. Haven't been in because I'm on the road, but suspect that this could either be a real opportunity or not (as with other business closings where there are other stores to take up the inventory, as the point has been made above).

Reason for this post is to note that usually coupons don't work for sale books. The bargain rack ones with the red and white stickers, and the red and white stickers with the felt tip line through them, yes, because I've been told by staff that "that's how they came in the door". But not temporary sale ones.

Your experience? And therefore any knowledge and/or experience with how they'll work on the current special-circumstance sale? Thanks.

The email I received today announcing the closing of the downtown DC store said, "20-40% off list price--everything--limited exceptions." In the fine print at the bottom it says "No Coupons."