Jun 14
Agent Michael Scarn commented on Dear Elliott Bay Books: Please Be Open the Hours You're Open.
Agent Michael Scarn commented on Dear Elliott Bay Books: Please Be Open the Hours You're Open.
@36: awful, self-entitled people are what happened to "the customer is always right."
Jun 14
Agent Michael Scarn commented on Dear Elliott Bay Books: Please Be Open the Hours You're Open.
Agent Michael Scarn commented on Dear Elliott Bay Books: Please Be Open the Hours You're Open.
If they can order a book for you, they should, even if it means getting it from Amazon into your hands. Service like that is how you keep loyal customers, and keep them happy.
As for the 9:57 gripe, I agree with most of the commenters here... bush league all the way. In my experience, almost everyone who enters a retail establishment just before close says they'll be quick, but they rarely are. Maybe you're an exception, but I think it's understandable that most folks want to shut down 3 minutes early vs. stay 30 minutes late. I'd expect the Stranger staff to understand that.
As for the 9:57 gripe, I agree with most of the commenters here... bush league all the way. In my experience, almost everyone who enters a retail establishment just before close says they'll be quick, but they rarely are. Maybe you're an exception, but I think it's understandable that most folks want to shut down 3 minutes early vs. stay 30 minutes late. I'd expect the Stranger staff to understand that.
Jun 1
Agent Michael Scarn commented on Is Amazon Trying to Reach Out to Independent Booksellers?.
Agent Michael Scarn commented on Is Amazon Trying to Reach Out to Independent Booksellers?.
@9: Those are all good questions that should be asked. My point was that, based on the above post, the store cited simply said "No, that's ridiculous/impossible." Believe me, there will be booksellers out there that find a way to make it work for them.
Jun 1
Agent Michael Scarn commented on Is Amazon Trying to Reach Out to Independent Booksellers?.
Agent Michael Scarn commented on Is Amazon Trying to Reach Out to Independent Booksellers?.
@8: Good point. I guess I'm most surprised at the out-of-hand dismissal of any potential partnership. I assume Amazon is most interested in selling Kindles vs. selling ebooks through a small indie site, and they do have millions of customers along with ways to get people into my store. So, as an owner, what could I get in exchange for having a Kindle display?
As far as ebook sales, I don't know enough about the indie online book business to have an answer to this, but what do they make off of online sales and would they convert at a higher rate if they sent customers to buy at Amazon and collect a commission that exceeded their current earnings? Could I find a way to get them to send me traffic if I agreed to this?
Again, I understand why Amazon is a sore subject for small bookstores but the fact is that ebooks aren't going away and while it's noble to give them the finger, it doesn't mean it's smart for business. I would think it would be in the best interest of at least some of these owners to investigate new ways to partner (especially if Amazon recognizes they have hurdles to clear to make it happen and is open to new ideas; I have no doubt that their prepared proposals heavily favor Amazon).
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As far as ebook sales, I don't know enough about the indie online book business to have an answer to this, but what do they make off of online sales and would they convert at a higher rate if they sent customers to buy at Amazon and collect a commission that exceeded their current earnings? Could I find a way to get them to send me traffic if I agreed to this?
Again, I understand why Amazon is a sore subject for small bookstores but the fact is that ebooks aren't going away and while it's noble to give them the finger, it doesn't mean it's smart for business. I would think it would be in the best interest of at least some of these owners to investigate new ways to partner (especially if Amazon recognizes they have hurdles to clear to make it happen and is open to new ideas; I have no doubt that their prepared proposals heavily favor Amazon).
May 31
Agent Michael Scarn commented on Is Amazon Trying to Reach Out to Independent Booksellers?.
Agent Michael Scarn commented on Is Amazon Trying to Reach Out to Independent Booksellers?.
I don't understand why the owner would be so surprised, and dismiss the idea out of hand. Yes, Amazon has caused the indie bookseller market to shrink, but there seems to also be a fundamental belief on the part of many sellers that there is only the binary choice of physical vs. digital books.
Many people use both, depending on the circumstance. Why would it be so unreasonable to investigate the possibility of offering both options to your customers? Couldn't that increase loyalty to a physical seller vs. a format? And what might Amazon offer me as an incentive, as a seller?
I admit, it may or may not be the right decision for any particular indie seller, but seems narrow-minded and potentially self-defeating to handle things the way they're cited in the article. Evolution can be a good thing.
Many people use both, depending on the circumstance. Why would it be so unreasonable to investigate the possibility of offering both options to your customers? Couldn't that increase loyalty to a physical seller vs. a format? And what might Amazon offer me as an incentive, as a seller?
I admit, it may or may not be the right decision for any particular indie seller, but seems narrow-minded and potentially self-defeating to handle things the way they're cited in the article. Evolution can be a good thing.
Apr 18
Agent Michael Scarn commented on I Wonder If Avis Is Bummed They Bought Zipcar.
Agent Michael Scarn commented on I Wonder If Avis Is Bummed They Bought Zipcar.
Car2go is perfect for those occasions when I need to get somewhere without bringing anything with me or taking the highway, as well as those days when I simply need some random passerby to think "That guy must have an enormous cock."
Otherwise, I prefer Zipcar, and believe there's room for some form of both services.
Otherwise, I prefer Zipcar, and believe there's room for some form of both services.
Mar 22
Agent Michael Scarn commented on After Howard Schultz's Strong Support of Marriage Equality, Are You More Likely to Go to Starbucks?.
Agent Michael Scarn commented on After Howard Schultz's Strong Support of Marriage Equality, Are You More Likely to Go to Starbucks?.
This is basically like asking if I'm more or less likely to support Starbucks because their CEO has never killed somebody, or doesn't beat his kids.
I can't get too excited about giving anyone or anything, particularly a massive, massively profitable business, credit for operating within the bounds of human decency.
I can't get too excited about giving anyone or anything, particularly a massive, massively profitable business, credit for operating within the bounds of human decency.
Mar 17
Agent Michael Scarn commented on A Rapist's Life Doesn't Fall Apart the Moment They're Convicted of Rape, It Falls Apart the Moment They Decide to Rape.
Agent Michael Scarn commented on A Rapist's Life Doesn't Fall Apart the Moment They're Convicted of Rape, It Falls Apart the Moment They Decide to Rape.
@1: Binge drinking doesn't turn people into rapists. It makes those likely to rape MORE likely to act on it (and maybe more likely to have the opportunity to act on it). Shaping proper behavior, boundaries and respect for others is the responsibility of parents and loved ones, not the president.
More important: let's not forget the real victims here... the two colleges for whom these intelligent, talented young men would have gone on to play football. I'm sure CNN will get to that once they're done mourning this tragic verdict.
More important: let's not forget the real victims here... the two colleges for whom these intelligent, talented young men would have gone on to play football. I'm sure CNN will get to that once they're done mourning this tragic verdict.
Mar 14
Agent Michael Scarn commented on Just the Tip.
Agent Michael Scarn commented on Just the Tip.
Another reason to only use earphones with a flared base!
Mar 2
Agent Michael Scarn commented on The Making of Pulp Fiction.
Agent Michael Scarn commented on The Making of Pulp Fiction.
If you're coming off the same way a pro-lifer or gun enthusiast might, except about Quentin Tarantino, you should probably reconsider your approach.
FWIW, I love his early stuff but am lukewarm on his recent work (including Django). I have also realized that there are a ton of people who go to movies just for the hell of it and not to form any meaningful thought or opinion about what's presented.
FWIW, I love his early stuff but am lukewarm on his recent work (including Django). I have also realized that there are a ton of people who go to movies just for the hell of it and not to form any meaningful thought or opinion about what's presented.
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