OK, so over the years of being a bookseller, I always thought the single dumbest question I was going to be asked would be, "Where is the NON-fiction section?". (One must remember that a good 65-70% or more of the Book Barn is non-fiction of some type or another...)
However, on Saturday I believe I have, if not in fact a replacement, than a contender:
"So, do you carry Harry Potter books?"
What my actual response was:
"Ah, sure - they are all over in the children's book section along the wall."
What my response should have been:
[*HYSTERICAL LAUGHTER*]
"OK, lets review. You are in the single biggest bookstore in the five-state area. The book series for which you are inquiring is only the single biggest bookselling phenomenon since, oh I don't know, THE BIBLE, with the final and most recent volume having been published only 7 months ago. Ya think that maybe, just maybe, we might have a Harry Potter book or two?!?!
[*DEEP BREATH*]
"They are all over in the children's book section along the wall."
Showing posts with label Retail Stories. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Retail Stories. Show all posts
10 March, 2008
27 December, 2007
Bookseller Stories - #673
A mother and daughter await as I return to the info desk.
"Can I help you?"
"Yes....Well, I am going to be one of THOSE customers - you know, the one you go home and tell your wife about...", the mother says to me.
"You don't mean one of those customers who is looking for a book, but you can't remember the name or author, I saw on a table up front here not that long ago, and it had a green cover?" I replied.
"Exactly, it did have a green cover!", she exclaimed. "But I think I remember the title."
"Really? What is that?"
"The Green Book."
We all laugh.
"Seriously?", I say in that sarcastic way that only I can.
"Yes."
"OK-let me see what the magic computer says..."
[BOOKMASTER SEARCH]
"Well, what do you know - such a book indeed exists, and we should have it. It could be in a few places - let me check while you wait here. Of course, if I never come back it just validates that you are indeed one of THOSE customers..."
[SEARCH FOR BOOK - SUCCESS!]
[RETURN TO INFO DESK]
"Found it - here you are."
"Dude, you're a rock star!"
"Well, I do what I can."
"Can I help you?"
"Yes....Well, I am going to be one of THOSE customers - you know, the one you go home and tell your wife about...", the mother says to me.
"You don't mean one of those customers who is looking for a book, but you can't remember the name or author, I saw on a table up front here not that long ago, and it had a green cover?" I replied.
"Exactly, it did have a green cover!", she exclaimed. "But I think I remember the title."
"Really? What is that?"
"The Green Book."
We all laugh.
"Seriously?", I say in that sarcastic way that only I can.
"Yes."
"OK-let me see what the magic computer says..."
[BOOKMASTER SEARCH]
"Well, what do you know - such a book indeed exists, and we should have it. It could be in a few places - let me check while you wait here. Of course, if I never come back it just validates that you are indeed one of THOSE customers..."
[SEARCH FOR BOOK - SUCCESS!]
[RETURN TO INFO DESK]
"Found it - here you are."
"Dude, you're a rock star!"
"Well, I do what I can."
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