nook at B&N Stores

[Tkd]

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According to Wikipedia, Barnes & Noble operates 777 retail stores. Instead of sending out 777 demo units, they are sending those 777 units to people who ordered them. Seems like the pro-consumer thing to do.

Unfortunately, you didn't check before you went out this morning.... Here on the forum, and in many other places it has been reported for the last week or so that the demo units were pushed back to 12/7.

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The pro-customer thing to do is not to hype up a product and let down everyone who pre-ordered...hiding your product doesn't generate greater demand but keeps the fence sitters on the fence. I'm for one peeved that CNET wasn't able to at least review the product and put out a proper review. Instead of filling 777 orders it would have been in their best interest to send those to stores to generate more pre-orders. Bad move on B&N's part, Amazon is eating them for lunch...customers remember when they are let down... 

[vinnyc]

You actually had one in your hands!, dude, you have to tell us more. Did you look under the hood and kick the tires?

[Planethill]

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dylanzeppelin wrote:

My store in Pennsylvania actually had demos out since Black Friday. It was amazing to see it in person. Yet I feel like I would be betraying my 300 + books I currently have in my house. But it was quite nice to see it in person and in my hands. Hopefully everybody else gets to see it soon!

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Well, there ya have it.   Nook ≠ Vaporware.

[pidgeon92]

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Tkd wrote:

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Instead of filling 777 orders it would have been in their best interest to send those to stores to generate more pre-orders. Bad move on B&N's part, Amazon is eating them for lunch...customers remember when they are let down... 

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More pre-orders for an item they already knew they wouldn't be able to ship on time? That doesn't sound like the best solution, either.

While customers may remember a bad incident or two, they generally don't end up boycotting a store or a product. They can certainly complain to their friends that B&N has screwed up their e-reader order, but a majority of the people don't know or care about e-readers, and aren't going to understand why they are upset in the first place.

[want2know]

You're very lucky.  I was just in a B&N store that was to be one of the 100 that was orginally to have a few to sell.  The store was notified this morning that not only will they not have any to sell they will not have any demo's until Jan.  The reason is that B&N will get all preorders before Nov. 20 out before Christmas. 

[Delegate725]

I disagree. Just as, due to the failures of Amazon, it is one of my last choices, so does the lack of performance by such an established company like B&N weigh heavy on my future choices. (Anyone Google "eBook"? Many more than those two for sources...and note that they can be read. In fact, so can many that are "not" Kindle friendly, by changing the last three on the file extension...)

Customer Service is all about trust. I would think that their (B&N) first requirement was to make the demo available in every store. THEN announce it, take orders, without a definitive ship date except upon order placement, and in "real" terms based on available inventory. Finally, treasure future sale, vs. Immediate holiday results. Be honest with the customers, and treat them like they are of utmost value. Instead of it's all about the sale.

Whatever. I'm looking forward to getting my Nook, and showing it off in my local store. Which will not have it's own demo...

[dylanzeppelin]

Well they had a few but they were all in cases, so I wasn't technically touching it, but only holding it. It's a nice size and it was right when you walked into the store, a big set up with a nook person to answer any questions. But they did have something on the back of the big sign that the covers and accessories will be in stores December 7th. 

[pidgeon92]

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dylanzeppelin wrote:

Well they had a few but they were all in cases, so I wasn't technically touching it, but only holding it. 

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But was it a working unit?

[pennicat]

That's what I was wondering as well - was it an actual working unit, or just an empty shell.  I stopped in at what's most likely the largest B&N in Seattle the other day and they had a display model, but it was a non-working unit and basically had no inards. It was several ounces lighter than the real deal will be.  It was good to get the look and feel in person, but no way to test the functionality.

[dylanzeppelin]

Yes, sorry for the confusion. It was only a display, not a working one. I wish it was! But regardless, just to get a sort of feel how big it is in comparison to the site, was at least good to start off with!

[EmmettSnape]

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pennicat wrote:

That's what I was wondering as well - was it an actual working unit, or just an empty shell.  I stopped in at what's most likely the largest B&N in Seattle the other day and they had a display model, but it was a non-working unit and basically had no inards. It was several ounces lighter than the real deal will be.  It was good to get the look and feel in person, but no way to test the functionality.

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My local is one of the big stores (2 story).  They have 2 nooks in plastic cases.  However, they were either empty shells just for display or very nice cardboard mock-ups - can't remember.  They've shipped some covers, so that's a comforting thought.  If they weren't going to be able to ship nook at all, they would have stopped any accesories going out.

[JoeChristmas66]

Empty shells????  Cardboard mock up????  Wow, that's just pathetic.

You gotta believe a few people have been sacked over this fiasco.  They went all out to have this product ready by Christmas, built up a lot of buzz, and then..... no units.

[Planethill]

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JoeChristmas66 wrote:

Empty shells????  Cardboard mock up????  Wow, that's just pathetic.

You gotta believe a few people have been sacked over this fiasco.  They went all out to have this product ready by Christmas, built up a lot of buzz, and then..... no units.

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Pro Tip:  Christmas isn't here yet. 

[mysteryfanBebo]

I agree with you 100%.  I ordered my nook for the flexibility.  I will never stop buying actual books, but I will also have many in my e-library as well now!

[greatjava]

Remember the Nintendo Wii!  That one drew out for several months.  Lesson learned, if you want a nook just pre-order it soon...

Mark (http://nooktalk.net)

[JAin-NYC]

Just went to the local B&N (large NYC store) for coffee and the sign saying nooks will be in the store on Dec. 7th now has a sign across the date saying the nook is sold out pre-order and get one in late Jan.

[Braveman13]

if you were to go pre order you nook now the ship date isnt even till jan 15. talk about a wait

[want2know]

They also just announced that only the highest volume stores will have Demo's of the Nook on Dec. 7.

[want2know]

They have now posted that all stores will have a demo.  For the fun of it I called 6 in my city to see.  Yep they all say they will have them Monday.

[athenagwis]

I can’t wait to try one in stores!  I am so glad they will get their demos on Monday.  I am sad I won’t be able to buy one there, but I knew I was taking a chance by not pre-ordering sooner.  Mine ships on January 4th.