General Discussion

Xithras

(16,191 posts)

13. This is the right answer. Its computerized inventory management, not RW idealism.

Wed Dec 4, 2013, 01:10 PM

Dec 2013

Like virtually all large modern chains, they use inventory control systems that track sales trends on both a national basis and store by store. Each store has a slightly different inventory, because each store sells the type of books (and individual titles) that sell the best. If a store is only going to sell one or two copies of a particular title a month, they wont waste shelf space on it if there is another title that can take its place and sell more.

This is why the Barnes and Noble in Bakersfield California (conservative bastion) is stocked with right wing tomes, while the Barnes and Noble in Emeryville (just outside of Berkeley) is a bastion of liberal goodness. The computers have figured out what sells at each store and stocks them accordingly.

If you walk into a B&N and can only find right wing tomes, it says more about your hometown than it does about your Barnes & Noble.

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Ok, DU buddies...I need help. I had a very depressing visit to Barnes and Noble this morning. [View all] kelliekat44 Dec 2013 OP

It's not on the NYT Bestseller list GladRagDahl Dec 2013 #1

They don't stock books they can't sell? Capt. Obvious Dec 2013 #6

Oh come on GladRagDahl Dec 2013 #8

Captain Obvious GladRagDahl Dec 2013 #11

This is the right answer. Its computerized inventory management, not RW idealism. Xithras Dec 2013 #13

I doubt that any human lying was involved. Orsino Dec 2013 #2

Or someone is walking around the store with it in their hands, Ms. Toad Dec 2013 #83

be sure to let B&N know if you buy it somewhere else renate Dec 2013 #3

YES. Complain. Let Barnes & Noble know. calimary Dec 2013 #81

I am so sorry you went through that. Awknid Dec 2013 #4

RWers hid them ...... oldhippie Dec 2013 #5

This!!! SeattleVet Dec 2013 #43

Some DUers also brag about doing that to RW books. nt tblue37 Dec 2013 #48

Yes, but they do it for ..... oldhippie Dec 2013 #59

Bingo! I have seen people do this. RC Dec 2013 #52

I doubt it's intentional Scootaloo Dec 2013 #60

I saw it done on purpose. RC Dec 2013 #64

Well, there's that, yeah n./t Scootaloo Dec 2013 #65

You probably are making too much out of this. Ranchemp. Dec 2013 #7

common sense GladRagDahl Dec 2013 #9

Too bad the book business has gotten to this. Cleita Dec 2013 #18

A big problem is the E-Books. Ranchemp. Dec 2013 #26

i love ebooks, you get to get such a choice and authors you have never heard of before loli phabay Dec 2013 #27

It's not just that the gadgets are cool Pakhet Dec 2013 #31

I love my kindle because it doesn't take up avebury Dec 2013 #39

I guess I'm just old fashioned, Ranchemp. Dec 2013 #42

I totally understand why some people like the avebury Dec 2013 #45

Books? Yes, we have books... LuvLoogie Dec 2013 #79

I'm with you Amaril Dec 2013 #95

You may be right but I saw a lot of other books that aren't on the top 25. kelliekat44 Dec 2013 #72

Order online abelenkpe Dec 2013 #10

$15.89 at Amazon. Faux pas Dec 2013 #12

You beat me to it. Some here seem to hate Amazon but ... spin Dec 2013 #62

I imagine the ones who hate Amazon Faux pas Dec 2013 #86

For me it's a 40 mile round trip to the nearest big box store, a Walmart. ... spin Dec 2013 #88

Yeah, I have a 56 mile round trip IF Faux pas Dec 2013 #89

For me, nearest Walmart/Costco/even Barnes Noble is 70 miles ONE WAY, so love Amazon. DeschutesRiver Dec 2013 #90

I also like Amazon's rating system. ... spin Dec 2013 #92

They probably just didn't have it. I would get it online anyways. Dash87 Dec 2013 #14

this could be hugh, the question is... snooper2 Dec 2013 #15

Or, they're sold out B2G Dec 2013 #16

His book isn't popular at all, ergo they probably don't stock it. Dreamer Tatum Dec 2013 #17

Support independent book sellers. City Lights Dec 2013 #19

Your username is one of the most famous independent book stores CrawlingChaos Dec 2013 #49

Yes, just a coincidence. City Lights Dec 2013 #66

Yes. Go out of your way to support independent bookstores. If there isn't one in your area, find LuckyLib Dec 2013 #78

Barnes and Noble didn't have a book you wanted? Vashta Nerada Dec 2013 #20

Definitely right wing Capt. Obvious Dec 2013 #21

You went to a bookstore and they didn't have the book you were looking for DesMoinesDem Dec 2013 #22

I'm sorry that you are depressed about this. HappyMe Dec 2013 #23

I think you are reading things into this Marrah_G Dec 2013 #24

For what it's worth.... a third thing could have happened... Chiyo-chichi Dec 2013 #63

I'm sorry you couldn't get the book you wanted. Cleita Dec 2013 #25

Alternative explanations: Their inventory system showed that they had a copy of the book, PoliticAverse Dec 2013 #28

My first thought was Phentex Dec 2013 #46

I refuse to even go into B & N. spartan61 Dec 2013 #29

Is The Villages a RW area? Capt. Obvious Dec 2013 #33

I think it is. RebelOne Dec 2013 #50

Then I'm stunned B&N plays to their audience Capt. Obvious Dec 2013 #51

RW and libertarian utopia. Raine1967 Dec 2013 #71

Very much so. spartan61 Dec 2013 #75

A lot of the book signings are set up by HQ. Are_grits_groceries Dec 2013 #41

The Villages is also a stop for every wingnut politician. The problem is your neighbors. LeftyMom Dec 2013 #82

Why do you think Palin did/is doing her book tour at B&N's? WinkyDink Dec 2013 #30

I think you are making too much of this. LionsTigersRedWings Dec 2013 #32

That's why people order books online BainsBane Dec 2013 #34

deep breath Puzzledtraveller Dec 2013 #35

Barely Noble Blue Owl Dec 2013 #36

amazon will sell it to you cheaper. TeamPooka Dec 2013 #37

I was skeptical of e-books at first, because I love dead-tree books, ZombieHorde Dec 2013 #38

I am still resisting the change to e-books Gothmog Dec 2013 #54

I resisted it until my wife bought the Hunger Games trilogy ZombieHorde Dec 2013 #55

You'll probably be surprised by how much you will like e-books. ... spin Dec 2013 #67

I like them too. B Calm Dec 2013 #58

I was the same way ... oldhippie Dec 2013 #87

I worked at BN for 10 years. Are_grits_groceries Dec 2013 #40

Get used to it customerserviceguy Dec 2013 #44

The first I knew of this book was when I saw it in the bookstore ... eppur_se_muova Dec 2013 #47

I have a rule: Never ascribe to malice Proud Public Servant Dec 2013 #53

I like Barnes & Nobel and hope that they stay around Gothmog Dec 2013 #56

Yep, same here. TDale313 Dec 2013 #69

If you have an independent bookstore in your area, they will probably have it. mnhtnbb Dec 2013 #57

I shop at one particular independent TBF Dec 2013 #61

I have to remember not to take Powell's for granted. Lizzie Poppet Dec 2013 #68

I worked at Waldenbooks (Borders) ten years ago, and for B&N briefly ProudToBeBlueInRhody Dec 2013 #70

Other people mentioned this, but there was no lying involved Godhumor Dec 2013 #73

Try the hated Amazon. The company deal with many booksellers as their shell. bluestate10 Dec 2013 #74

Amazon, and cheaper too. Yo_Mama Dec 2013 #76

Costco didn't have it, either. Warpy Dec 2013 #77

Oh my GOD! That is so horrible! Beausoir Dec 2013 #80

That's okay, the Dollar Tree is full of Palin and Beck. :D LeftyMom Dec 2013 #84

They're incompetent MFrohike Dec 2013 #85

I miss Borders so much. Still, I don't mind B&N and there are many explanations for such a thing. Xyzse Dec 2013 #91

I just had to order a book. leftyladyfrommo Dec 2013 #93

Bet it was a freeper just having fun at the store legcramp Dec 2013 #94