Raul Melendez
1/5
I had high hopes for this nice, little store. Alas, I was gravely disappointed by the absolute lack of service.
First . . . about me: I love books; I buy a lot of books; and I am not shy about spending money on books that I'm interested in. In fact, I spend hundreds of dollars on books (sometimes on a single edition).
A little over a year ago a friend mentioned Timbre Books to me. I actually had no idea that they were even there, and had been for a few years by this time. So I went in to have a look.
First Time: Young woman at the counter focused on her computer. Maybe four other people in the store. I browsed the entire store and NOT ONCE was I approached or even greeted by the young woman. I did find a signed copy of a First Edition Stephen King/Richard Chizmar book I wanted. The woman talked to me enough to ask if that was all I wanted.
Second Time: Same thing. No greeting, no asking if I needed assistance. THIS TIME there were two ladies, one of which I believe was one of the owners. Because I have a hard time leaving any bookstore empty-handed, I found two classics that I was interested in. Again, the only interaction I received was: "Will that be all?"
Third (AND LAST) Time I will go into this store: Once again I browsed most of the categories. I was in the store for about fifteen minutes. Looked like two ladies with dark hair working. I wasn't greeted, nor was I ever asked if I was finding everything okay or if I needed any assistance. And, once again, I was only spoken to when I brought books to the counter to cash out.
Now . . . being a small, independent bookstore competing with a local B&N and Amazon, there are definitely disadvantages. For one thing, having to sell all or most of your books for List Price. I understand that an independent doesn't do the volume that affords them deep (or even shallow) discounts. And, from what I saw, they are not overwhelmed with foot-traffic.
Now . . . the last time I went into B&N (about a week ago), I was asked BY TWO different associates if I was finding everything all right, or if I needed help finding anything.
Here's what I hope to experience when I go into an independent bookstore:
1. Greeting (or at least some kind of contact and offer of assistance). I don't mean you have to hound me, just acknowledge me as someone who has chosen to spend FULL-PRICE money on your product.
2. Maybe ask if I've ever been into your store before. And if I haven't, you can give me a quick overview of what you offer and what sets you apart from others. Why should I come into your store?
3. Customer Service. If I'm NOT going to get personal service from your store, why should I pay full price when I can get the books cheaper at Amazon. And, as I mentioned above, B&N associates usually ask me no less than two times per visit if I'm finding everything all right or if they can help in any way. So even when the books I've chosen from B&N aren't ones on discount (as was the case with my last visit there), I still leave feeling as though someone took a moment to make sure my shopping experience was a positive one.
The employees and owners here at Timbre Books might be really nice people. But I have no way of knowing because none of them have ever made any attempt to engage.
Sadly, I can't recommend this shop.
