Online Shopping Raises Ethical Dilemma

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I can't think of a single industry that hasn't been effected by the internet. I've seen many independent bookstores close since Amazon.com came on the scene. Now, the recording industry has taken to suing music fans in order to deter further profit losses due to file sharing (some people call it "culture sharing"). I sympathize with Mr. Iskandar's predicament, and I hope he finds a way to remain competitive, because independently owned businesses are important in this economy. These businesses need to remain flexible and lean, at the very least, in order to remain competitive. The old business models just aren't viable any longer.

Erik Sandall of CA 10:08PM December 29, 2007

Unless there is a sign on the door, stating that entry into the store constitutes a promise to purchase something, then: no, it is not 'unfair' to do that.
Even if they had the sign, it would be unenforceable, but then it would be 'unfair' to browse without buying.
Plus ,the storeowner assumes that the customer will buy the books online, then gets upset over what he assumed. He should try assuming that the guy forgot his wallet but has found the book he wants and does not want to forget where he found it.

of NE 5:20PM December 29, 2007

I buy online if the product isn't available at my local bookstore. I did quite a bit of online shopping for the holidays because it was so much easier than fighting crowds and squeezing more time out of an already packed schedule. Mostly, though, I will find something online and then go to one of my local bookstore to see if it's there rather than buying online, because I prefer going to a bookstore.

barbara trumpinski-roberts of IL 2:30PM December 29, 2007

Mr. Iskandar says: "We are increasingly becoming selfish, cultureless, bargain shoppers. Independent bookstores may only be able to thrive in high-income areas with culture and tradition. Also, independent bookstores have to offer a high [level of] service in addition to selling books. Offering a cafe is one of these services."
I would offer a (possibly more hopeful) counter-argument.
Economic choices in our society are rapidly polarizing. Some of us are "increasingly becoming selfish, cultureless, bargain shoppers." Others are increasingly discriminating, demanding, social-value-judging shoppers. The middle ground, who will happily and indiscriminately shop at Wal-mart one day and the local independent grocer the next, is rapidly falling out. Small brick-and-mortar stores are doing best where they offer an alternative to corporate stores, not a competitor: personal, engaged, highly competent service and high-quality product that can be handled and experienced.
Another way that an independent vendor can do is to operate out of a brick-and-mortar in a community that highly values the product, as he says, but extend reach farther through internet sales as well - especially if the product is highly specialized. I do virtually all of my online shopping through independent vendors - if I can't find something through a local business, I'd much rather log on to eBay or Etsy or see a product recommendation on a blog, find a small business I like, and buy directly from the seller's website, than buy from an online box store. So I'm in Colorado, but my camera supplies come from Pennsylvania, my coffee from Vermont, etc. If Mr. Iskandar had an online catalogue, I would probably happily buy from him; as it is, I buy my books from Powell's or Denver's Tattered Cover, not Amazon.

Beth of CO 1:00PM December 29, 2007

I am a Young Adult Librarian and I am always on the lookout for books to purchase for the collection. I can only purchase through our designated book wholesalers, Baker and Taylor or BWI.
When I see a selection of books I will write down the isbn# so I can then order them. This works for me in two ways, one is I get to see titles that I might not otherwise see and I also get to see if it is right for the collection.
When I purchase for myself I usually buy a good deal. If the book is discounted and I think that the price is a good deal but if it is not discounted I will check on line and then purchase the book.
I know that I am using the bookstore but I never thought about the ethics before. I mostly purchase reference books for my collecting habit and those are usually not available in regular stores. Yeh, I know that that sounds like rationalization.

Kenneth Kugler of NY 11:48AM December 29, 2007

If the big online discounters drive the small indies out of business, you think you'll still get those discounts? Think again. (And indies can't discount the way the big-volume stores can because they don't get the discounts from the publishers - they're already skirting a zero profit margin.)
But they have an edge. It really is about knowing your neighbors so you can offer what they want, offer what they don't even know they want until you offer it, and yeah, serve a good cup of coffee if that's what draws people into the store and gives them a reason to spend time there.
It's more than service - it's community. It's providing a place where you can get together with friends who know one another, or where you can be around people who at least have a clue what's going on locally - and, in the case of booksellers, love books the way I do. I'll gladly pay a slight premium for that (especially when the bookseller is footing the postage bill).

Barbara Fister of MN 10:43AM December 29, 2007

I have two comments on this. I am a librarian and a compiler of bibliographies. I often write down information about titles that have some interest to me as a bibliographer but which I will not be buying, either in the store or online. To be approached in a bookstore as I once was and told that I should either buy something or leave is extremely insulting and does not give me credit for being a cultured individual who spreads information about books by creating useful bibliographies that people use to find and buy those books.
Second, I support the trade sales of Baha'i Publishing by buying their books in bookstores. But I found that every time I went to the bookstores very soon after the publication, whether large chains or small stores, they would simply tell me "these books aren't in print yet", even though they were as I had already been given a copy and when I myself searched the book lists, the book was listed as available.
So you cannot assume that a person taking notes in a bookstore is undercutting your business. And you cannot assume that people are getting informed service from your staff. That said, I will still do business in bookstores except in those where someone has confronted me about taking notes.

Bill of VA 10:00AM December 29, 2007

This really is a dilemma, particularly for independent bookstores because the pricing model is entirely different from, say, clothing. Those commenters who say the bookstore just needs to suck it up and lower their prices to compete with online booksellers don't seem to realize that the products being sold have a built-in profit margin. The price of a book is set by the publisher and the merchant receives a discount (say 30%) from a wholesaler. One can only discount so far before overhead can't even be covered. In contrast, Barnes & Noble or Amazon buy the same title in huge bulk directly from a publisher, negotiating deep, deep discounts (60% or more) which allow them to sell those books much cheaper. It just isn't an even playing field.
In contrast, clothing is bought at a wholesale price and marked *up*, which gives independent clothiers a bit of wiggle room not afforded booksellers.

Scot Colford of MA 9:21AM December 29, 2007

Support your local library!
Powell's is the largest independent bookseller and they offer online ordering.
Without independent bookstores we will soon find our choices limited, as we already do in the news media.
Ingram the giant book distributor, does not even carry The Therapies of Literature, by professor Richard W. Wiseman, and a search of the WorldCat will only show about 4 libraries owning this title, which should be of interest to literature, philosophy, and psychology buffs. It is to be found on Amazon. Finding quality requires passion, not just a trip to the best seller's list or shelf.

J. R. H. - Chicago of IL 8:50AM December 29, 2007

I work at a medium sized public library and often hear from my patrons that they have already been to a bookstore and knew which book they wanted to borrow, but weren't sure that they wanted to purchase it just yet. So don't assume that everyone who browses in your bookstore is then going home and purchasing online. Many are headed straight to their local library!

Kathy of OH 7:55AM December 29, 2007