Barnes & Noble vs. Borders - Which Is Better?

[azgal81]

Borders since it's right down the street it has everything including a cafe!

 

[daisyduck123]

I love Borders because they e-mail me coupons all the time.

I NEVER go to Barnes & Noble, although there is a nice one not too far from here.

 

[Planogirl]

B&N for us. The Borders stores here are much smaller and have rinky dink cafes IMO. I love getting a Starbucks while browsing B&N. Plus some of our B&N's have separate music or video game shops.

 

[AuntieM03]

Borders is my favorite, with Border Rewards you get coupons for 20-30% off and you don't have to pay to join.

 

[BostonTink85]

I used to go to either, and sometimes still do, however I now tend to lean more towards Borders since they have a free rewards program

 

[honeymom]

I've been into many Borders and many Barnes and Nobles stores in different parts of the country. I have to say that it really depends on the store, not the brand. Some stores are just bigger than others and can therefore stock more than the smaller stores. Where I live now, I have to say that Barnes & Nobles is better than Borders. But, the stores are bigger so they have more. Plus, we have two Barnes & Nobles that we go to. The first one is closer so we go more often. But, the second one is a good deal larger and has an even better selection.

 

[Dana49]

According to Consumer's Report, by price, the top four are rated accordingly:
Amazon.com
Border's
BN.com
Barnes and Noble

 

[Figment22]

I miss Borders a lot. When I lived in NJ, we had both B&N and Borders close to our house and I definitely preferred Borders. Here in SC, no Borders.
We have B&N within reasonable distance but I actually prefer Books A Million, which is about a 35 minute drive. I like their cafe better too (Joe Muggs.)

 

[Crankyshank]

For me, B&N all of the way. The stores themselves are more serene, better stocked, better organized, and the employees are a lot more helpful and knowledgeable. The cafe is Starbucks, so no complaints there. They also have a faster ship time when you order things.

They carry textbooks, and they have better rewards. For example, I just got a $25 book for 45% off with my membership card and a coupon. Their coupons are always in addition to other discounts on the book, unlike borders who does it in lieu of any discounted price existing on the book, so I use it more. They also apply the coupon to the most expensive item, unlike borders who takes it off the least expensive item.

Sure it costs $25 a year for membership, which is my birthday present to myself, and I easily earn enough in discounts to pay for it within the first month by textbooks savings alone.

 

[DisneyDotty]

I used to like B&N until Borders came out with a free rewards program. Now it just makes more sense to shop there. Okay--and I also work for one!
By the way-- Did you know if you register your Borders card online you'll get a coupon for a free dessert from the cafe on your birthday, plus all kinds of other freebies? And don't forget to redeem your Borders Holiday Savings Rewards by the end of this month--after which they expire for the year!
Agree that some Borders are better than others in customer service--it's often very hard to find someone to help you in the really busy stores.
And Crankyshank--the computer always takes the discount off the most expensive item--if you haven't found that to be the case, definitely ask for an adjustment!