Email I sent Barnes & Noble bookstore concerning The US Constitution

[liberal N proud]

I was in Barnes & Noble last night browsing through the isles looking for books of interest. I always browse through the Bargain section, You never know what you will find there.

Find I did, nestled between two books about Hitler was the Constitution of the United States.

Dear Customer Service,
My family and I were browsing through you book store in name removed this evening. I always browse the Bargain Section as you find some interesting books there from time to time.
This time however, I was shocked as I looked over the selection. As I am looking through the stacks of books, I noticed a bright yellow cover titled the Constitution of the United States. The fact that this was on the bargain rack was not totally shocking considering that the President has pretty much made it a worthless document.
What shocked me was the fact that on either side of the book about our Constitution were two books about Hitler. I was more than shocked, I was disturbed by the thought of that.
I know, it was only books on the shelf, but considering the crisis facing this nation this was a serious sign.
I don't know if your store manager or other employee was trying to tell us something, but I feel that a book covering the most important document in the land deserves better placement than between a couple of Hitler books.
Maybe I am just reading something into this that I shouldn't but if that is the message I received, imagine what message you may be sending to many others.
I hope that this is just an isolated incident.

[midnight]

1. WE are so dazed these days.

I understand you reaction. We are hoping this nightmare ends while we have some recollection of what used to be.

[Ufomammut]

6. I know what you're driving at, however...

If you researched it, walked it through, so to speak, you'd find that your "recollection of what used to be" regarding the reality of how power operates and US policy was largely illusory and grounded in denial. Bushco is the grim explanation mark it is only because the entire establishment and "we the people" have allowed for it.

[Minnesota Libra]

2. I can totally understand you being upset - I would have read the..........

.....same thing into that had I found The Constitution between books on Hitler. It could be that someone purposely did it to show the hits our Constitution has taken recently.

BTW, that was a good letter to them.

[darkmaestro019]

3. I think maybe that's EXACTLY where they should've put it.

In the vain hope that somebody would pick up a copy of each and go "Wait one dang minute...."

[AndyA]

4. Hmmm...our Constitution is being squeezed to death by a

new Hitler, named George Bush. There's some irony in there someplace...

[seaglass]

5. You do know that people - customers intentionally screw

with where books are placed in bookstores, right? In fact a number of people on DU do it and think it's funny or they're making some profound political statement.

Do you think it's B&N's corporate policy to do this? Or perhaps one bookseller was trying to make a point? Or maybe even a customer? Or lastly what if it was inadvertent?

This is just silly.

[LostinVA]

7. I managed a big box store,a nd guarantee that either a customer

or a bookseller did this to make a point. The Constitution of the US should eb at the beginning of the US History section; the Hitler books are in the Nazi/Germany/WWII area of the European History section.

You're actually complaining against someone who agrees with you... this was done as a slam to Bush, I guarantee it.

And, like HopeLives says, people on DU do it, too. And it's annoying, because just like in a library, if you can't find the book, you can't use the book.

Agree, HL -- silly. Next time, just take it to the CS desk and tell them it was misplaced.

btw... B&N is a very blue company, originating in and HQed in the very blue NYC.

[liberal N proud]

8. I hope you both are correct.

I did not think it was a B&N policy. But if someone was moving them to make a point, they move a stack of a half dozen books and then moved what ever was in its place to start with.

I do think sometimes I read too much into things but then it is our duty to question everything, is it not?

[blondeatlast]

10. Having worked at a B&N I can say that the bargain racks are

a major pain to maintain. I'm beyond certain that this was an unintentional act.

I don't discount that it may have been done intentionally, but it was the act of an individual if so.

B&N is a very, very Blue company and I can also say that for a retailer they are VERY good to their employees--a true rarity in retail.

FWIW, when a book is moved to the bargain rack, it is what is called "loose-sorted" using BISAC headings (the standard retail cataloging system). That means that all history books will pretty much be grouped together as opposed to the regular shelving where they are somewhat more fine sorted.

It makes perfect sense in terms of using resources wisely.

[blondeatlast]

9. Libraries too, and I agree that it is silly.

I hate reading that DUers do it. Anyone who does ought to have too spend two volunteer hours shelf-reading, which is a pain in the neck, the ass, and anywhere else you can think of.

Literally.