Books-A-Million — Local services in Monroe

Store is big and has lots of regular mainstream books. If you want something out of the ordinary like UFOs, conspiracy theories, alternative Christian Church History books, and those pesky financial history books talking about The Fed, forget it. No way. Those won't be here. They may have it online that you can order, just like Barney Noble and Azamon. Or not. And the Barney Noble store in Shreveport is much the same as this store, lots of books, but none that I'm interested in. Even new political books, off the presses 3 weeks ago, neither carry them I guess because they must be too controversial even for the majority right-wing conservative crowd who live in this area, and the respective corporate bosses evidently don't think they will sell in this North Louisiana region. But I can order them online. So why have a big box store? I can order online from 4 other places, and some with free shipping without a membership. And one new book I want neither of these stores carry on their website. ONLY Azamon carries it. I've been trying to support these stores because I think it is important to have a bookstore in town, but I'm now giving up on them. Prices are cheaper online through Discount Books, Thriftbooks, Azamon, and eBay by a dollar or two than either Books A Gazillion or Barney Noble, and some offer free shipping without needing a membership. So why bother going to the store and be disappointed and...

I went in there looking for an Excel book I found online but they didn't have it in stock. I found something else I wanted and go to the front counter. She checks me out and asks me to pick 3 magazines. I'm like ok whatever, she said I got two issues free, I said ok fine. I pay for what I purchased and she hands me a slip to sign. I'm like I used my debit card why do I need to sign? so I read the slip. They are sending my debit card info to the company that will be sending the magazines and it was an authorization to charge my card for the magazines.

I said Um no I'm not signing that and I slid the paper back to her. She looked at me and Goes Ma'am you're gonna have to sign it. I looked at her and said Sweetheart I don't have to do a damn thing but pay taxes and die. The little front end dude comes over there and is like what's going on? she tells him and he goes well all you have to do is call and cancel before the two months is up and I said No, I don't want to do that. I will never remember to do that and it's inconvenient, when that was not explained to me from the very beginning. he goes well we can go ahead and call right now and cancel. I said Fine, go ahead and picked up my bag and walked out. So be careful if you plan to go to Books A Million anytime soon, the scams are out there. I won't be returning anytime...

I'm a fan of books, so this rating is in no way a reflection of the product or franchise. However, the service and employees were horrid. I came in with my 1.5 yr old to find him some books. My first employee encounter was with a lady stocking or organizing books on the shelves. I asked her a question and she acted like I was bothering her. Strike 1. As I was checking out, the cashier was less than amused that my son wanted to hand her the book he wanted and fell at first. Despite this, I tried to lighten the mood with apologies for his clumsiness and a smile. I also asked how her day was. She stated, straight lipped and with a sour tone, "fine. Is that everything." Strike 2. At that point, I could see there was no brightening her day. I didn't say anymore and carried on with the transaction. In the roughly 3-4 min of interaction, she didn't smile once. I said, "Have a good day" with another smile. Nothing. Strike 3.

I don't expect her to rock my world and tell me her life story, but the very basic of customer skills require a smile. I'd rather order books online or go to...