Signing in Washington D.C. (McLean, VA) on 8/1

[ToddM326]

How would this impact the author's cut of the purchase?

This reminds me of people who buy a big TV the day before the super bowl, and then return it the day after.

[Shecky]

How would this impact the author's cut of the purchase?

This reminds me of people who buy a big TV the day before the super bowl, and then return it the day after.

In principle, it shouldn't. It assumes that the person at the signing will have purchased a copy at some point. But, honestly, I've never heard of a bookstore that accepts returned books at full price.

[Priscellie]

In principle, it shouldn't. It assumes that the person at the signing will have purchased a copy at some point. But, honestly, I've never heard of a bookstore that accepts returned books at full price.

Where do you shop?  The B&Ns and Borders locations I've visited happily accept returns.

That said, buying a book just so you can get a receipt so you can return it immediately afterward is extremely tacky and a waste of the store employees' time and goodwill.  We want the store to profit by bringing Jim in, so the execs will be motivated to welcome Jim back in the future.  Have some respect for Jim's hosts and reward them for their hard work.

[Shecky]

Where do you shop?  The B&Ns and Borders locations I've visited happily accept returns.

Really? Come to think of it, I haven't even tried to return a book in... well, most of your lifetime. So it would make sense if that's become the norm for the modern century.

That said, buying a book just so you can get a receipt so you can return it immediately afterward is extremely tacky and a waste of the store employees' time and goodwill.  We want the store to profit by bringing Jim in, so the execs will be motivated to welcome Jim back in the future.  Have some respect for Jim's hosts and reward them for their hard work.

Agreed. Even though I think that the store forcing signing-goers to purchase there if they want to attend the signing of a book that's been out a while already is a bit grabby.

[iago]

Agreed. Even though I think that the store forcing signing-goers to purchase there if they want to attend the signing of a book that's been out a while already is a bit grabby.

It's an event. Asking folks to purchase a book is how they "sell tickets" to the event. Priscilla has it right, when it comes down to it. It's not grabby; these days it's "hey, I'm drowning here with you perching on my shoulders in order to get a look at Jim -- mind giving me some oxygen?"

[Shecky]

It's an event. Asking folks to purchase a book is how they "sell tickets" to the event. Priscilla has it right, when it comes down to it. It's not grabby; these days it's "hey, I'm drowning here with you perching on my shoulders in order to get a look at Jim -- mind giving me some oxygen?"

Oh, that's very much true. Guess I'm assuming that most people going to the signing would be purchasing it there anyway, and maybe buying other books as well because of the "oh, look" factor.

One question (don't know if it'd apply to anyone who's actually going to the signing, but there's a chance): should it be assumed that the receipt has to be for a book from that particular B&N that day, or would one from a different day, different store or maybe even BN.com suffice? I only ask because I just spoke with a coworker who mentioned in passing that he was able to return a book to one B&N that he had bought at another, and had also returned one he bought at BN.com. Might just be a particular store's attempt towards heavy customer service, but it's worth asking the question here just in case.

[ToddM326]

That said, buying a book just so you can get a receipt so you can return it immediately afterward is extremely tacky and a waste of the store employees' time and goodwill.  We want the store to profit by bringing Jim in, so the execs will be motivated to welcome Jim back in the future.  Have some respect for Jim's hosts and reward them for their hard work.

Thank you.  That is a much better way of wording what I was trying to say.  Ultimately, this is a promotional event for the store to sell books. 

So what would happen if, say, I bought the book, but then donated it to a charitable cause for them to sell it?  Are there "rules" about that?

Ultimately, I'm very excited to see Mr. Butcher, get a couple books signed, and hear him speak.  The B&N rule is changing my purchase from kindle format to hardcover, but it is not a deal breaker.

[Serack]

By the way, I don't condone "renting" as we used to call it when I worked for Best Buy.  (I edited the earlier post to say so)

I ported the post over to collect info from people who had actually called the store about the subject of the enterance requirements.

On a different note:

I don't get things signed often, and in my mind I typically imagine having the signer just scribble their name, but in this case I was considering having Jim write something about my being a WoJ "Guru" or "Rock Star" and I thought I would get input from those more experienced with these type of things to see what kind of format would be typical for something like that.

I'm hoping to get him to sign the back of my Black Nook Simple Touch with a gold paint pen.

[Ink Slinger]

Sadly, we won't be making it to this signing as previously thought.    It would require hubby taking 2 days off work as Sunday he has a show to play for a local theater.

I hope everyone else has a blast though!

[Zheryl]

Tomorrow I will be calling Gordon B's to make reservations for 4:00pm August 1st.  I figure since there are about 10 of us listed, that aiming for a seating of 15 would be best in case others show up.  Unless they catch on and don't let me, I will make them under the name "Harry Dresden".  Please reply in this topic if you think I should increase or decrease the amount of people for the reservation.  Thanks.

[habu987]

Serack hasn't added me to his list yet, but I plan on being there!

I know there are at least one or two other folks who posted on here that they would be attending before the signing after I posted who haven't been added to Serack's list yet, so I'd say 15 would be a minimum...

[GraveyardKing]

Right, so my group is looking at a tenuous 3-4 people coming...

[Myyrdn Eopia]

I've got myself, and anywhere from +1 to +3.  It'll be a definite 2, though.

[Zheryl]

I told them we would need seating for about 18-20 at 4:00pm and the reservation is under the name "Dresden".  Wahoo!

[Serack]

I told them we would need seating for about 18-20 at 4:00pm and the reservation is under the name "Dresden".  Wahoo!

Rock on!

It looks as though LampLighter will be there and will be there early, but I can't find a post explicitly stating he wants to come to resturant.

I see lots of comments from comprex that imply to me great familiarity with the area, but I didn't find one stating intents for the signing... (coulda easily missed it...)

I mighta missed others too for the "list"