ANN ARBOR, Mich., July 23 (UPI) -- Discounts at Borders bookshops were a mixed blessing as reduced prices signaled an end to the national U.S. retailer this week.
Shoppers came out in droves the liquidation sale in at a Borders store in downtown Detroit, The Detroit News reported Saturday.
The sale was taking place at 399 stores around the country, including 26 in Michigan, the News said. Reduced prices were a benefit for customers, but one that will only continue as long as supplies last.
"I can't believe this store is closing. This stinks," said one customer, overheard in a store in Beverly Hills, Mich.
"By September, all the Borders stores will be closed. Isn't that awful?" another said.
The store's demise could be seen as a symbol of the new economy, which has embraced digital media at the expense of traditional, brick and mortar bookstores and books made out of paper.
"Our children will grow up without knowing the value of books or understanding the value of reading," said customer Lakisha Willis of Detroit.
"How am I supposed to teach them how to read? Sit them in front of the Internet?" she asked.
For Friday and Saturday, most books were marked down 10 percent, while magazines and DVDs were selling at 40 percent off, the News said.
But Borders could even do liquidation better, said one posting by an online blogger.
"Sorry @Borders but you're going to have to do better than 10 percent off hardcovers in your close-out sale to reel me in," wrote a blogger named mrsstandupkid.
"Amazon's still cheaper," the blogger wrote.
