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Apr
23 2006 | ||
I’m not even going to give more than a few paragraphs to what surely has to be the most poorly run bookstore in the universe, complete with the surliest manager ever. Here’s a brief rundown:
I arrive at 12:30 as I’ve been advised to do by bookstore girl. “Hi, I’m Lauren Dane and I’ve got a signing here today from 1 – 3.”
Bookstore guy. Blank look. “Who?” (Bwah! This is swell already!) I repeat my name. He calls someone. Looks back to me. “Someone will have a table set up by 1.”
Me – “Well, where will the table be? I’ll need to bring in my books and get set up.”
Bookstore guy. Blank look. (me – inward sigh and prayer for patience). He calls someone (sensing a pattern here?). “They’ll have a table out here in 15 minutes.”
I thank him and grind my teeth and wait.
Manager shows up, shoves a table in my direction, doesn’t introduce herself. “You can get a table from the cafe.” Turns around and walks away.
I actually laughed at that point it was so ridiculous.
Seriously, after dropping the ball and not even ordering my books and making me go to the expense of overnighting them and then trying to shove me to another day AFTER I’d done promotion and ordered books overnight, the least I expected was an actual introduction and a smile from the manager. I don’t think it’s too much to ask. They’re the ones who made all the mistakes, I was courteous the whole time. It’s like courtesy and taking responsibility are dead. I mean, the place sells books, I write them – what a concept!
Suffice it to say, the bookstore SUCKED but for several lovely readers who came by and made my day (two even brought cupcakes!) and the one bright light, Larry the bookstore guy who was totally sweet and made annoucements over the PA about me being there to sign.
April 23rd, 2006 at 8:41 am · Link
Good Gawd. It sounds like you did do this signing in the Northeast. I’m sorry things went so badly, Lauren. People suck. Don’t these employees realize they’re in the book selling business? I wish I would have been there. I’d be your bodyguard. lol! And, I would have said “We want bottled water and a fruit basket, too. OH, and chocolate…lots of chocolate!”
April 23rd, 2006 at 9:10 am · Link
Unbelieveable! I hope the next week of that managers life is blessed with constant phone calls from telemarketers, political campaigners, and poll takers wanting “just a few minutes of their time”.
In seriousness, I hope you write a letter to Borders corporate letting them know what your experience as an author was like at one of their stores. They really do want to sell books… pissing off authors is no way to do that.
{{hugs}} – glad you had a few friendly faces to make it a happier day.
April 23rd, 2006 at 10:37 am · Link
“write a letter to Borders corporate”
Great idea, Karen! Though I’d still demand my fruit basket, bottled water and chocolate. *g*
April 23rd, 2006 at 12:57 pm · Link
Thanks for the commiseration! It sucked large. BUT I have great friends/readers and that was nice to be reminded of.
As for the letter, yep.
April 23rd, 2006 at 4:41 pm · Link
What a joke! This was a chain store? sheesh… You should make a note to the offices there of… You help pay the bills for them. Might be only pennies over all, but that’s what they’re there for.
April 24th, 2006 at 9:06 am · Link
You have extraordinary patience. Me? The second time the guy picked up the I would’ve leaned in all confidential like and told him, “You better be calling God, darlin’, cause from here on you’ll be calling me Satan.” I won’t even mention what I would’ve done to the manager.
April 24th, 2006 at 9:08 am · Link
That should say – picked up the phone… I’m having a really bad Blogger day.