Barnes & Noble — Local services in Alpharetta

I recently moved back to Alpharetta so it’s been a while since I’ve been at this location and I’m highly disappointed in my experience while visiting this location.

I am not the type of shopper that expects the associates to greet you immediately when you walk in but I noticed after a few minutes of walking into the store, I was not greeted in a pleasant manner. The first associate I encountered in the planner/journal section checked to see if I was okay and when I told her I was looking a planner, she made a snarky comment and said I was looking at journals… I remained calm and stated yes I know I am currently looking at journals but my purpose was to look for a planner and book browse.

I went to the section where the low inventory of 2025 planners were located next to the calendar and that’s when I noticed two associates following me. I ignored them at the time assuming well that’s a coincidence and grabbed my planner and walked over to the testing materials sections to price the GMAT materials. I noticed one of the two associates from the planner section following me back there as well. Mind you the walk is from the front of the store to all way in the back.

After pricing the materials ( sad to see Amazon has them for a cheaper price) I decided to go to the mystery /thriller section to look for the copy of “The Perfect Marriage” to give to my friend for her upcoming bday gift. In the section, was me and another customer. The same associate that’s been following me around the store comes over and ask me if I need help finding anything. At that point I’m looking like is she talking to me or the other customer because her and I already talked. She’s saying at me and I asked her, “ if she was flaking to me or the customer next to me?” She stated “ I was talking to you, I didn’t even see him” For context, I’m five feet tall and the other customer was at least 5’7. This made me feel like I was being profiled and the joy I usually feel when entering a bookstore went out the window and I decided to check out and leave.

I understand we’re in a world that people steal and shoplift but to only follow the only black customer around was a little overkill. If they would have paid attention, they would have noticed the customer in the thriller section with me was trying to slide paperbacks in his flannel but got nervous because I was over there. I mean if you wanted to stereotype cool, but stereotype everyone including the Charles Mason wannabe in that thriller and true crime section ( see how mean that is to say and think? That’s how I felt about you all stereotyping me).

No matter people’s background, we all have to do better and treat each other with kindness unless proven otherwise. Maybe I’ll return to this location in the future but in the meantime I’ll shop at independently owned shops, borrow from the libraries, and I guess continue to give amazon my coins with...

TL;DR: One cruel worker can ruin it for all. So, it's with a heavy heart that I give this location a one-star review.

After coming to this B&N multiple times over the years, I'm used to friendly workers/booksellers, wonderful service, and the occasional great conversation. But today I experienced nothing short of a nightmare.

On July 22, 2025 between 1-3 pm, I happily carried a book I wanted to buy up to the front desk, only to be dispected, belittled, ignored, and silenced by one of the workers. I'd like to emphasize that every other worker I interacted with today at that location was so kind and beyond wonderful except for this one cruel, rude, and disrespectful older woman with medium-length hair. I don't know if she was having a bad day or if she simply hates melanin, but she proceeded to make this the absolute WORST experience I've ever had at any bookstore in my entire life.

A non-exhaustive list of the things she did to me:

(1) Saw me approaching the front desk with a purchase, made full eye contact with me, and then decided to go do something else for several minutes (reshelf 1-2 books), leaving me standing there waiting. I assumed she was just busy and didn't think much of it until the other things. When she finally returned, she looked me up and down as a means of asking what I wanted. Even with a book right there in front of me.

(3) Got mad when I told her I didn't want to purchase a membership or any of the additional books she was recommending.

(4) Insinuated I cut her sales pitch off prematurely and then silenced me rudely to continue her sales pitch AGAIN because she felt I was rushing her before even after I patiently listened to everything she had to say and politely declined at the end.

(5) When I told her that I wanted to do a split payment between two cards and asked her if that was okay, she responded with a very disrespectful smile that yes that was fine, but then she questioned and belittled me every step of the way, even going as far as to suspect one of my cards (as well as my ownership of it) for a moment for no clear reason. ("What is that? What is that?" That is a card, ma'am.)

(6) After the first payment went through, instead of saying something like, "Your remaining balance is $X.XX," she instead said, "You still owe me $XXX." OWE HER??? Lady... 😤

(7) She tried to tell me to have a good day, and when I didn't respond, she gave me a look like she felt I was the problem. Why on Earth would I respond after I was treated so terribly?

Long story short, this woman did not like melanated individuals, and as long as this store wants to put her front and center at the cash register, they won't see another cent from me. I could feel the contempt coming off of...

I use to come here all the time, but I’ll just go to a different location. I hate asking for help, but in a book store I suck it up and ask once I’ve looked. I asked a lady first for a book, I made a mistake on a title and she looked visibly annoyed.. whatever. Maybe just having a bad day. Then, I go looking for Rich Dad Poor Dad. I’m a good 15 mins into my search so I reluctantly head back over to the help desk.. I see Jeff. Jeff has an even MORE off putting defensive attitude. He points to a display (there’s 2) and says “it’s over there” I said “ope which one because POINTING doesn’t really help.” He then says “it’s right there. Right beside you!” Multiple times before picking up the book that was UPSIDE DOWN on the bottom of the display. lol I know YOU SEE IT and YOU KNOW where it is because YOU WORK HERE but the tone and the just overall just UNHELPFUL vibe is wild. I did nothing to you. I just wanted to go get some books, not be talked down to in the process. I then get the wonderful (sarcasm) opportunity to go check out and meet the third and last person working today. I go to check out my total is $36 and I try to pay with $100 bill this lady (different from the first) Is visibly annoyed I’m paying with cash. Let’s get something right cash is legal tender. She then has to call Jeff over to get more change. Because of their poor planning, Jeff comes over and then has to go to the back to get changed. I am then belittled again because a line is forming behind me. I pretend to be on my phone so this lady will stop talking to me and stop saying rude comments to me but she won’t. She keeps saying things like I guess they’ll just have to be patient and When I replied and said I’m being patient like I didn’t say anything she then goes yeah well there’s a whole line of people behind you. That is not my problem. I do not care. I made it very clear. I did not want to speak to this lady multiple times she continue talking to me and making me uncomfortable to which I had to Turn to the people behind me in line and apologize to them because I felt like it was my fault. I will never be back to this location not that I think they want me back but my God if you’re working here and you hate it quit take this as a sign. You are not meant to work in retail. You’re bad at it. You’re...