An Insider's Look At The Borders Bankruptcy

While it's easy to feel a little sorry for the failed corporation that is Borders Books, this interesting inside look by Malnurtured Snay, a Borders employee, at his store's liquidation and the company's attitude and treatment of employees puts things into a more realistic perspective.

Not only does Snay help us not feel sorry for Borders, his documentation of the end of his career reminds us that many, many people are losing their jobs and helps reveal perhaps a bit of how the company got itself in this position and leaves one feeling like it's highly unlikely that Borders will be able to  recover from its largely self-inflicted wounds.

1. Borders threatened to blacklist any employees that quit before they were fired.
"Borders is apparently threatening to blackball all employees at closing stores who end their employment before liquidation is complete."

2. Borders offered no severance package to those employees, despite the coerced employment.
"A lot of folks — good folks, people who’d been with the company for decades — found out they’ll be getting no severance pay."

3. Borders executives blame the low-level sales employees for the companies collapse and not their own corporate stewardship.
"...the company’s newly promoted 'Executive Vice President of Operations' said on a phone conference announcing store closures his belief that bankruptcy was not the result of poor decisions by said upper management, but on lack of effort from sales staff."

Source.

Comments

[s jones]

Brass tacks! My store will be no more as of Wednesday. I'm tried of the slander and hateful nature of some fellow employees. It sucks! End of story. I will miss my "family" and my customers. See I was very good at my job and so were my colleges. I will miss conversations about good books and laugh at the times I told a customer not to by a crappy one.

Here's the ending of the end. Coupons are fine, but they bring in only those that buy when a coupon is out. Now I have to say "what are you kidding, we're closing and you're mad you can't use your coupon!" Bite me!

Great free kids events and weekly story time that became a baby siting service to lousy nannies! Tear up the place and bitch about being late and missing the free make a something!

Ron Marshall!!

Here is what worked. Sales persons with passion about books and personality!! Found any personality at other book stores? Nope! Customers that knew you by names and would drop their kid(s) off at the front door and were told to ask the cashier if Ms. Blah was there. If so Ms. Blah took that kid under her wing and got them their book and all was great. It's called trust, respect and appreciation...not GREED!

Keep the damn coupon and book drives driven by numbers that corporate plans and just sell books! And for God's sake, those of you that still have a job, read a damn book! Care about your job and be driven to share your passion with your customer or go work at a dollar store or 7-11.

I hope Borders makes it though this very difficult transition. I hope my fellow employees find jobs. And I so hope always be able to walk into my favorite bookstore! Period.
sad in plano