Borders store-closing sale draws overwhelming response Saturday at Ann Arbor's Arborland
“This is insane!”
I lost track of how many times I heard people exclaim that in awe as they caught their first sight of the line at Borders in Arborland Mall in Ann Arbor on Saturday afternoon.
The store's liquidation sale began Saturday, just days after the book seller filed for bankruptcy and announced that its Arborland store would be one of four in Michigan and 200 across the U.S. to close.
Most discounts at the closing Borders in Arborland are 20-40 percent this weekend, with additional specials on some merchandise. The $1 calendars sold out early, shoppers said.
AnnArbor.com files
Last night the imposing “Store Closing” sign was going up as the moon also rose. By this morning, multiple signs were strung throughout the store and held up on street corners, all promising “Everything Must Go, Nothing Held Back”… “Store Closing, 20-40% off.”
But I have to wonder: 20-40 percent off? Isn’t that the going discount for a Border’s coupon or for a discounted book at amazon.com?
I have written about Black Friday shoppers and new store revelers, but I am not sure I have ever seen a bookstore as packed as Border’s was on Saturday. What pulls people into a store that is so packed the line promises a two-hour wait?
My neighbor, Barb McRae, admitted that she was there because she was sad and surprised the store was closing. “We like the place (and) it’s a sunny day.” She agreed that it felt like the right thing to do.
“I am looking for some art books” says Mary Wiland of Whitmore Lake, who was not expecting huge sales but decent sales. “Usually when there is a going out of business sale… as time goes on it gets cheaper and cheaper.”
Wiland and her three younger shopping collaborators were in the neighborhood, so thought they might as well stop at Arborland.
Katherine Blankenship of Ann Arbor, age 11, added: “I’m looking to see if there are any new young teen books like Legend of the Guardians.”
Edward Lenoir of Ann Arbor estimates that he and his family spent about three hours and $170 on graphic novels, science books and other great finds.
“It was an adventure. They should have T-shirts here: I survived the Borders line!” He was chosen by his family to wait in line while his wife and kids did additional shopping at Michael’s and other shops in Arborland.
Borders store at Arborland, shortly after the announcement it would close.
AnnArbor.com files
She got it for 20 percent off the retail price, and did not seem to mind her three-hour shopping experience. Her advice: “If you really want to get a certain book, now is the time to do it, because tomorrow it may not be here.”
One customer wisely mentioned that if they were to do this four times a year, they would never go out of business. Border’s employees seemed surprised by the overwhelming response to the sale as well. No one was able to tell me how long the sale would last, but I was told that store events would not continue as the liquidation process carries on.
I remember when my husband and I started dating. As poor college students we would often make the local Borders our Friday night date spot. We could go and hang out for hours perusing magazines and new fiction, sometimes catching a free open mic concert or splurging for coffees and pastries from the cafe.
When we moved to Ann Arbor, we were happy to see the Arborland Borders bookstore nearby. Close enough to walk to with our kids, and continue our Friday Night tradition, we’ve been regulars for many events and on many a Friday evening.
Border’s is more than a bookstore to Ann Arbor — it is a cherished piece of history. And while they are still able, people will come out in droves to hold onto it a little longer.
Angela Smith covers retail news for AnnArbor.com.
Comments
jns131
Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 4:09 p.m.
When Borders announced that they were closing our child said hey mom lets go! I told our child forget it. The sales are not all that good. Besides the day before they really close? Is when the feeding frenzy begins. I really wish that Borders would close the one on State. I hate going anywhere near UM and student ville. Arborland in Canton is the one we go to because it is closer to our home. We will miss seeing the anchor Borders at Arborland. What with a bowling alley going away and now Borders. Going to be fun seeing empty buildings. I really wish it was Barnes and Noble going away. They have the worst customer service and selection ever. Good luck Borders. We grew up on you.
gemsbarb
Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 5:03 p.m.
I have to say while I hate the traffic and all, I really do love the downtown A2 Borders. But jns - I am completely with you on the B & N comment - their selection is lousy & their customer service is awful (why do they have to act snooty, for goodness sake??). But I admit, I never turn my daughter or my nieces or nephews down when they want to go to a bookstore... or the library... I feel very fortunate to know that they share my love of books!
Sallyxyz
Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 3:33 p.m.
The "up to 75% off" banner shown in the photo for this article is a bit misleading. The deep discounts were only for non-book merchandise at this point, not books, as noted by other posters. Borders can move unsold books to other locations, so they may not actually liquidate their books at deep discounts. Time will tell, though I doubt we will see 75% off for books.
Sallyxyz
Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 3:29 p.m.
Maybe I'm missing something, but why would anyone want to buy a hardback book, fiction, for $25 or more, and read it once. What happens to the book at that point? It collects dust on a shelf and has destroyed trees. The library is a much better option for this kind of book if you don't have access to a digital format for this kind of book. A specialized, highly illustrated book (art, cooking, travel, etc) is a different story. Those books are collectible, and something that is perused and read and referenced many times over. I think that text only fiction is better read in electronic form, an environmentally-friendly choice. Save your money for the unique books that do not translate well to an electronic format. I loved Borders when it was thriving, but the world changed, and Borders didn't keep up. Bookstores became "big box" antiseptic experiences rather than staying smaller and focusing on unique, specialized inventory.
A2comments
Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 1:26 p.m.
But I have to wonder: 20-40% off? Isn't that the going discount for a Border's coupon, or for a discounted book at amazon.com? Would have been interesting if you picked 4 or 5 books and compared total price to Amazon.
Doug
Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 3:43 a.m.
The article calls Borders a "cherished piece of history." Wrong. The real losses are the original, pre-chain Borders (on State St.), the Shaman Drums, the Thackerayses (Toledo), and other indies that were destroyed in part by the antiseptic Barnes & Nobleses and Borderses. It is those indies, not the chain/conglomerates that supplanted them, that were their respective communities' true "cherished pieces of history."
Doug
Thu, Feb 24, 2011 : 3:09 a.m.
By way of update: The Toledo newspaper (hey still have one) hit the nail on the head with masthead editorial from yesterday's edition. Go to <a href="http://beta.toledoblade.com/Editorials/2011/02/23/Bankrupt-Borders.html" rel='nofollow'>http://beta.toledoblade.com/Editorials/2011/02/23/Bankrupt-Borders.html</a>
EcoRonE
Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 3:35 a.m.
Yes, we know you can get your books cheaper at Amazon. Tell us something new. I can walk to Borders/Arborland and often did. They supported our community here and downtown. Readings for children, authors, book clubs. Originally, they provided CD's of local artists and promoted them. The biggest events I remember were Margaret Atwood and Al Franken - both filled the Michigan Theater, for free. Living and shopping online is a sterile, unsatisfying experience for me. I browsed for an hour at Borders picking up a dozen books that I knew I could get cheaper with my Borders Rewards coupons - or on line at Amazon. I joined the line at 11:20 and checked out at 1:20. I read about a 1/4 of one book. I talked to the people around me. There were a surprising number of young children in tow. It was fun to watch. Who knew so many people liked to read? I found the Arborland Borders to be much warmer than B&N. I liked the staff. They were knowledgeable and obviously liked reading and music. The staff picks often sent me down reading lanes I otherwise would not have traveled. I will miss them. I wish them luck and good fortune.
Jon Saalberg
Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 3 a.m.
annarbor.com: this story is interesting, but hard to read - this does fall under your usual editorial guidelines, yes? "I have wrote about Black Friday" doesn't help readability, along with a host of missing commas, mixed tenses and more. Ugh. The event itself was more a statement about how people will respond to dire events with little common sense. 20% off? So what? You can go to half.com or Amazon and find virtually any book for a fraction of its cover price - certainly a lot more than 20% off.
G2inA2
Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 2:20 a.m.
"I have wrote about Black Friday." Come on annarbor.com. I have NOT commented, but really? from a community contributor? PLEASE edit! Isn't it "I have written . . ."
Tony Dearing
Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 2:17 p.m.
Thanks. That has been corrected in the story.
ShadowManager
Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 1:59 a.m.
People are cheap, and if most of these cheapskates who showed today has supported bookstores when they were still viable, we'd have alot more of them of the ones that have closed. It reminds me of when Haab's in Ypsilanti has their 39 cent dinner once a year and the line goes around the block...with people who only eat there on that one single day all year. They never patronize the rest of the year.
Macabre Sunset
Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 12:33 a.m.
I hope people have learned the lesson that a going-out-of-business sale with publicity attached will never garner you more than the normal every-day price. I might check this out in a couple of weeks, but given the ability to move inventory across town if needed, I doubt there will be a single bargain at a price lower than Amazon's at any time during this sale.
bedrog
Sat, Feb 19, 2011 : 11:36 p.m.
i came, i saw, i left....... gee, how different the ancient world would have been if julius caesar had said the same.
visiongirl
Sat, Feb 19, 2011 : 11:28 p.m.
I totally agree with Mike H. I went to Borders this afternoon to get a few books that I saw were available yesterday afternoon. After getting in there and seeing the line wrapped around the store, I realized that I could not stand in this line with other things I had to get done on today. I just checked Amazon for the titles I wanted and saw that they are much cheaper than what I would have paid for these books. I am glad I decided to put the books back and study and spend the time studying for my exam on Wednesday. But I will go in there periodically to see what scavage until close. But for right now, Amazon.com is still cheaper than Borders.
John B.
Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 5:23 p.m.
...and if lowest price is the only consideration, then we end up with nothing but WalMarts (which actually aren't the cheapest source on many things, they just want you to think that they are).
Mike H.
Sat, Feb 19, 2011 : 11:15 p.m.
20 to 40% isn't much of a deal. Borders almost always has their classic "33% off coupon" available for shoppers. Not only that, last weekend Borders released a 40% off coupon. I didn't see an overwhelming response last weekend, so what's the big deal now? I suppose you can still slap a "store closing, everything must go!" sign up and people will think they're getting a great deal, even though the sales are mediocre/standard at best. As for me, I think I'll avoid the mass of humanity and 2-hour long lines to checkout, and stick with Amazon.com, which is more convenient and cheaper.
John B.
Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 5:16 p.m.
I think it's an emotional response to the closing announcement. It doesn't really have anything to do with the discount percentage. It's more like wanting to take home 'a piece of the store' in my opinion. I see nothing wrong with it (although personally I didn't run over there and spend three hours shopping and checking out, but I don't live near that Borders...).
xmo
Sat, Feb 19, 2011 : 10:34 p.m.
The people saw blood in the water and started a feeding fenzy!