8 Reasons to Buy Books at a Local Independent Bookstore Instead of at Wal-mart
I thought it might be fun to come up with some reasons why someone would actually buy books at the local bookstore instead of at Wal-mart. Especially since Wal-mart will almost always offer a better price on their books. Here's what I came up with:
- Local independent bookstores offer a better selection of books than Wal-mart. I operate a small, niche bookstore with only about 1000 square feet of space, but I'd estimate that we carry 5000 different titles. (And we're an all-horror bookstore.) A typical Wal-mart carries only about 200 titles.
- The employees at your local independent bookstore have usually read some of the books on their shelves. I won't hire someone to even help me part-time at the store without insisting that they read at least one book a month. Most independent bookstore owners are probably more strict than that. Some of the folks working at Wal-mart might be very well-read indeed, but I wouldn't go there looking for a book recommendation, because I think that number is probably relatively small.
- You can actually find a customer service person to talk to at your local independent bookstore. Depending on the size of your local independent bookstore, you'll probably be receiving customer service directly from the manager or owner of the store. If not, you'll be dealing with someone who reports directly to the manager or the owner. But in either case, you'll be able to find someone to talk to about what you need almost immediately. Have you ever tried finding an employee at Wal-mart when you need one?
- Local independent bookstores tend to be quiet and not crowded. I hate noise. I hate crowds. I'd prefer not to suffer through both at Wal-mart in order to buy my books. Does that mean I might pay a little bit more? Well, yeah, maybe. But on the other hand, books (even at full price) are the cheapest entertainment you can find.
- Local independent bookstores offer programming related to books. When's the last time your local Wal-mart hosted a lecture from a visiting author? Or a book club meeting? How often does your local Wal-mart offer storytime for the kids? Or open mike poetry night? Or writing workshops?
- Some local independent bookstores offer used and new books. You can't buy used books at Wal-mart, but at my bookstore, I have all of our used paperbacks on special for $1.50 per copy. You can buy a copy of Stephen King's The Stand for $1.50, and you've got commercial free entertainment every night for a whole week. That's not even 20 cents per night. Compare that with the cost of going to the theater, renting a movie, or even paying your cable bill.
- Staff picks can provide you with lots of ideas for new reading. Almost all independent bookstores have a section in their store where the staff's favorite books are featured. Personalized recommendations like this aren't available at Wal-mart. And if you come to my store, and tell me that you really enjoyed reading The Rising by Brian Keene, then I'm going to suggest that you take a look at Monster Planet by David Wellington. Wal-mart probably doesn't even carry those two titles, much less have employees who can make the connection between what you already like and what you might also like.
- Local money stays local. I live and work in the same place, and when you buy books from me, you're helping to support the local economy. And I also buy local as much as I possibly can, which also helps keep money circulating through our town's economy. Buy from Wal-mart if you want to support the Bentonville, Arkansas economy.
There are my 8 reasons to buy books from your local independent bookstore instead of from Wal-mart. Can you think of some reasons I missed that we should add to this list?
This entry was posted on Monday, October 26th, 2009 at 12:13 am and is filed under Horror Fiction. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
For who does not love to smell the pages of a brand new book, and caress it’s folds, as we sit down to discover what secrets it holds. -SSHartman
I couldn’t agree more with all 8 reasons to give your business to local shops over corporate monster stores! Supporting and interacting with your local community and shop owners can make or break a project or business for someone. I have recently had my first novel, Between Heaven and Hell published. I’m forced to work with larger stores like Borders and Barnes & Noble to get the book sold worldwide, but that’s not the enjoyable part for me. The most fun i’ve had promoting this book, has been dealing with local, Mom and Pop bookstores in local towns around where i live. The owners always speak to you personally, they do more promotion for a signing and they seem honestly excited that you’re there and what you’re doing for the store. That’s why i’m glad my publisher has a direct site set up to purchase the book without having to go through some big chain store to get it.
I love the website by the way and your store sounds amazing. I wish i lived in Texas because i don’t think you’d be able to get me out of there! I hope you check out my site and if you have any questions or think the book may have a place in your store feel free to contact me.
Michael DiMura
myspace.com/betweenheavenandhell2009