The Official Borders Coupon Thread - Updated Weekly

[dx23]

I'm doing this thread for the benefit of all the people who shop at their local Borders. Since January 2006, Borders started pricing all their store items, except mainstream new releases, at retail price. To compensate for this, the went nationwide with a Borders Rewards membership and started to send weekly coupons to all the people who registered online. Most of this coupons require people to get their membership for their rewards program at their local store. The card is free. You can get more info on the card at www.bordersrewards.com . You can check the inventory for nearby stores at www.bordersstores.com. The coupons are only valid in-store.

Feel free to post your coupon, no matter how much is the discount. I will put all available coupons in this first post. All contributions will be appreciated.

This thread is exclusively for Borders coupons that include DVDs in the offer

Continuous coupon:

http://www.visitborders.com/index.php?c=A

March 2007

BORDERS REWARDS EXCLUSIVE OFFER
VALID 3/08/07 THROUGH 3/11/07
30% Off
the List Price of One Item
with the Purchase of $10 or More

http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/coupon_300308.htm

BORDERS REWARDS EXCLUSIVE OFFER
VALID 3/08/07 THROUGH 3/11/07
25% Off
the List Price of One Item
with the Purchase of $10 or More
http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/coupon_250308.htm

VALID 3/11/07 THROUGH 3/17/07
Take an Additional $3 Off
The Departed
Widescreen or Special Edition DVD
http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/departed.htm

VALID 3/01/07 THROUGH 3/19/07
Selected TV on DVD Box Sets
Only $19.99 Each
While Supplies Last


Sex and the City, Season 1
Friends, Season 1
Da Ali G Show, Season 1
Da Ali G Show, Season 2
Full House, Season 1

http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/tvondvd.htm

VALID 3/13/07 THROUGH 3/26/07
Save $3 on
Any One Baby Einstein DVD
When You Buy
Baby Einstein: Baby's First Moves
http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/babyeinstein.htm

VALID 3/08/07 THROUGH 3/12/07
25% Off
All Fitness DVDs and Accessories

http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/fitness.htm

New Ones:

VALID THROUGH 3/18/07
25% Off
the List Price of One Item
with Purchase of $10 or More
http://www.bordersstores.com/features/feature.jsp?file=coupon_surveyspan


BORDERS REWARDS EXCLUSIVE OFFER
VALID 3/15/07 THROUGH 3/18/07
20% Off
the List Price of One Item
http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/coupon_200315.htm


BORDERS REWARDS EXCLUSIVE OFFER
VALID 3/28/07 THROUGH 4/01/07
25% Off
the List Price of One Item

http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/coupon_250328.htm

BORDERS REWARDS EXCLUSIVE OFFER
VALID 3/28/07 THROUGH 4/02/07
30% Off
All Fitness DVDs and Accessories

http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/fitness.htm

BORDERS REWARDS EXCLUSIVE OFFER
VALID 3/28/07 THROUGH 5/22/07
Selected Art House Films
Only $19.99 Each

49 Up
Avant Garde: Experimental Cinema of the 1920s and '30s
Ballet Russes
A Boy and His Dog
The Corporation
Fire
Metropolis
My Architect: A Son's Journey
Sophie Scholl: The Final Days
Stalker

http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/arthouse.htm

April 2007 Coupons
BORDERS REWARDS EXCLUSIVE OFFER
VALID 4/05/07 THROUGH 4/08/07
30% Off
the List Price of One Item
with the Purchase of $10 or More
http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/coupon_300405.htm

Selected TV on DVD: $19.99

Now through April 8, 2007, the TV on DVD sets listed below are only $19.99.
While supplies last; no rain checks. Offer valid in U.S. Borders stores only. Offer not valid in Borders Express or Waldenbooks stores

http://www.bordersstores.com/features/list.jsp?list=tvondvdsale

[Trevor]

Good job, dx23. Please don't be upset, but I really think it would be great if you could also include Barnes and Noble coupons in this thread. There are way too many bookstore coupon threads, and I think one master thread would be awesome.

[Peep]

Cool list. Do all of these work online?

[LostFan]

Borders has their educators discount coming up too. 25% off the list price of all dvds (also books, but that's not why we read the forum). 25% list price isn't always that great, but its good for those special/less popular/rarely on sale dvds. Its starts around the 24th and runs for the weekend I believe. You do need to have proof of being a teacher. This is in store only as far as I know though.

[dx23]

Cool list. Do all of these work online?

Nope they are just for in-store only.

[FangsFirst]

Borders has their educators discount coming up too. 25% off the list price of all dvds (also books, but that's not why we read the forum). 25% list price isn't always that great, but its good for those special/less popular/rarely on sale dvds. Its starts around the 24th and runs for the weekend I believe. You do need to have proof of being a teacher. This is in store only as far as I know though.
We have an ed. discount year round, but this is "ESW"--Educator Savings Week(end). That's when it bumps from 20% (but not on DVDs, we don't even get it on DVDs, as the distributors give us--as a company--a pretty crap discount on DVDs) to 25% (which I believe, YES, this time will apply for ESW).
22-27th, actually, so before the 24th.

Some stores are more loose with how they define 'teacher' as technically it's for any kind of educator, including seminars and tutoring etc.

[The No Man]

So can you use a 20% off coupon on a DVD WITH a Teacher Discount too? or would that only work during that special week? Or would it just not work at all?

[FangsFirst]

So can you use a 20% off coupon on a DVD WITH a Teacher Discount too? or would that only work during that special week? Or would it just not work at all?
No. Teacher discounts and coupons cannot be combined.

[xNightfallx]

I have never used coupons printed from home before. Do they ever give you a hard time about it, or does it almost always work without a hitch? Also, would I be able to print out a few of the same coupon and use them in different transactions?

[JackBurton]

Picked up the Oldboy tin w/ 30% off. Thanks!

[Trevor]

I have never used coupons printed from home before. Do they ever give you a hard time about it, or does it almost always work without a hitch? Also, would I be able to print out a few of the same coupon and use them in different transactions?

Always worked fine for me, and the multiple trick should work, but to be safe you may want to use different days or stores.

[The No Man]

Thanks OP! I just used the 30% off on the OOP Oldboy Tin. $30.40 with tax.

[The No Man]

I think I want to pick up another Oldboy for my brother's b-day. Would it work if I went back same day and used another 30% off coupon with the same Borders Rewards card? It says "One coupon per customer during the valid period." Will there be another 30% off coupon coming out tomorrow?

[bgmat58]

call me crazy but these dont seem like such greta prices. the list prices are high to begin with! i paid 32 at amazon for my oldboy. and the uncut extended sin city is like $40 so with 30% off its only like $@8 which is like how much it is everywhere else!

[dx23]

I think I want to pick up another Oldboy for my brother's b-day. Would it work if I went back same day and used another 30% off coupon with the same Borders Rewards card? It says "One coupon per customer during the valid period." Will there be another 30% off coupon coming out tomorrow?

You can use it many times.

[dx23]

call me crazy but these dont seem like such greta prices. the list prices are high to begin with! i paid 32 at amazon for my oldboy. and the uncut extended sin city is like $40 so with 30% off its only like $@8 which is like how much it is everywhere else!

Two things:

1-The Oldboy tin is out of print and if you go to amazon.com right now, you are going to see that the lowest price for it is $64.

2-Your comment may be considered a threadcrap. i posted these coupons for the people that shop at Borders. It is their prerogative to shop wherever they want. I'm just giving them a tool so they can get the lowest price on the store.

[The No Man]

You can use it many times.


Okay ,cool thanks. I'll head back to Borders later to get another Oldboy tin w/30% off. I never shop for DVDs at Borders, but from reading the threads at DVDTalk discovered that Borders was a good place to find Oldboy Tins. It's also better picking it up at Borders than ordering it online because with the 30% off it's cheaper, and there is no risk of getting a dented tin (like I've read has happened to many people who have ordered it). Thanks OP and thanks DVDTalkers!

[dx23]

Good job, dx23. Please don't be upset, but I really think it would be great if you could also include Barnes and Noble coupons in this thread. There are way too many bookstore coupon threads, and I think one master thread would be awesome.


There is already a thread for B&N coupons:

http://forum.dvdtalk.com/showthread.php?t=492595

[hiccup]

any new 25 or 30% off coupon?

Sort of a nevermind

Found a 25% off coupon:

http://www.bordersstores.com/features/feature.jsp?file=coupon_surveyspan

[dx23]

any new 25 or 30% off coupon?

Sort of a nevermind

Found a 25% off coupon:

http://www.bordersstores.com/features/feature.jsp?file=coupon_surveyspan

Thanks hiccup! I took the link and posted it on the first post with the other new coupon.

Updates on first post for the coupons ending on March 18th.

[i86time]

Any active 30% off coupons? I'm signed up for rewards, but I've never received any emails from Borders, coupons or otherwise, despite updating my email prefs- so I never know whats available.

[FangsFirst]

Any active 30% off coupons? I'm signed up for rewards, but I've never received any emails from Borders, coupons or otherwise, despite updating my email prefs- so I never know whats available.
checked junk mail?
Occasionally ISPs and e-mail providers assume the mailings are junk and automatically route them there--whether you ask or not.

[i86time]

Yeah, I check there every so often, but have never seen a Border's email. I was wrong earlier... looking through my inbox I actually found 3 Border's emails. 1 was welcoming me to the rewards program and the other 2 were for a personal shopping day, but the last email I received was 24 Jan 2007.

[FangsFirst]

Yeah, I check there every so often, but have never seen a Border's email. I was wrong earlier... looking through my inbox I actually found 3 Border's emails. 1 was welcoming me to the rewards program and the other 2 were for a personal shopping day, but the last email I received was 24 Jan 2007.
Did you *register* online after signing up?

[fliggil]

This week's coupon is only 20%

http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/coupon_200322.htm

[GuessWho]

Does "with Purchase of $10 or More" mean that the item you're using the coupon for must be >$10 or do you have to buy a second item worth >$10?

[jeffrey r]

Does "with Purchase of $10 or More" mean that the item you're using the coupon for must be >$10 or do you have to buy a second item worth >$10?

Just the item you are using it for.

[speedy1961]

Does "with Purchase of $10 or More" mean that the item you're using the coupon for must be >$10 or do you have to buy a second item worth >$10?

An an ex-Borders employee, it means the former.

The item to be purchased must be at least $10 to qualify.

[i86time]

Did you *register* online after signing up?

Yep, signed up in store then registered online the same day.

[FangsFirst]

Yep, signed up in store then registered online the same day.
Very strange. Call customer care--the 1-800 number on the back of the card, see if they can sort that out for you. Very strange that you would recieve PSD notification but NOT regular mail...

[Josh-da-man]

An an ex-Borders employee, it means the former.

The item to be purchased must be at least $10 to qualify.

I've had no problem using the coupons on items less than $10. For example, I'll get a $5 magazine and a $7 book, and have no problems applying the coupon to the $7 book.

[speedy1961]

I've had no problem using the coupons on items less than $10. For example, I'll get a $5 magazine and a $7 book, and have no problems applying the coupon to the $7 book.


Good point. My intel is what I remember from about 5 - 6 years ago.

[FangsFirst]

Whoops, sorry, I mis-read speedy's post (and just assumed he'd be right, which I think is generally a safe bet ;))
As a *current* Borders employee, I can verify that the total purchase is what must be $10--it can be a single item you're using the coupon on, or 87 items that add up to $10.

[bohemian1]

We will probably get more promotions, rewards (17 million rewards members) since borders is splitting from Amazon and will run its web business on its own.

[The No Man]

I've had no problem using the coupons on items less than $10. For example, I'll get a $5 magazine and a $7 book, and have no problems applying the coupon to the $7 book.

That's weird because I've tried to use it on magazines buy they don't let me.

[cdollaz]

We will probably get more promotions, rewards (17 million rewards members) since borders is splitting from Amazon and will run its web business on its own.

Hopefully they will start kicking out more 30% coupons because the 20% isn't enough to make me shop there.

[jackepstein]

When is the split supposed to happen?

[bookcase3]

Hopefully they will start kicking out more 30% coupons because the 20% isn't enough to make me shop there.

Likewise. I used a 30% coupon every week -- sometimes more than once -- when they were available. It made them competitive. Otherwise, their prices are too high, even with the 20% off.

[bohemian1]

When is the split supposed to happen?
early 2008

[bhauge]

We will probably get more promotions, rewards (17 million rewards members) since borders is splitting from Amazon and will run its web business on its own.
This is NOT good news for being able to use Borders gift cards at Amazon anymore :(

[dx23]

I read recently in the Caribbean Business (Puertorican business newspaper) about the expansion that Borders will have globally. Here in PR, they are going to open 5 new store ( for a total of 8 Borders in the Island), including one that it literally 5 minutes away from the Borders I usually go to. So the website split is not that surprising at all, but I wonder if they are going to keep amazon.com prices or are they going to go retail with their DVDs. I also wonder if they are going to accept their weekly coupons online.

[Sweet Baby James]

early 2008
So Borders will stay with Amazon until their online site is ready in 2008? I really hope so because I have a boatload of Borders gift cards that I would like to redeem through Amazon. Thanks.:)

[JiM T]

At the risk of sounding stupid, how exactly do you use Borders gift cards on Amazon.com? I'm trying, but it won't let me. Both Amazon proper and Borders.com tell me that "Borders gift cards can only be used on Borders items." Huh? I'm entering my Return Gift Card code where it says to enter gift card codes at checkout. Trying to get Eclipse "Early Bergman".

Thanks...

[Perkinsun Dzees]

At the risk of sounding stupid, how exactly do you use Borders gift cards on Amazon.com? I'm trying, but it won't let me. Both Amazon proper and Borders.com tell me that "Borders gift cards can only be used on Borders items." Huh? I'm entering my Return Gift Card code where it says to enter gift card codes at checkout. Trying to get Eclipse "Early Bergman".

Thanks...

Go to: http://www.borders.com

Search for your DVD, book or CD. Add it to your cart. [Note: You need to add the item while you are on the Borders website, not on the Amazon.com website].

Once you add the item to your cart, the next screen should take you back to Amazon.com.

Hit proceed to Checkout. During the Checkout process, enter your Borders Gift Card. (The item in your cart should have a little notation that says, "Sold by Borders teamed with Amazon.com").

As long as you have at least one item in your cart that was placed in there while you were on Borders.com, you can use your Borders GC to pay for the entire order on Amazon.com. You can only use one GC per order.

[FangsFirst]

As long as you have at least one item in your cart that was placed in there while you were on Borders.com, you can use your Borders GC to pay for the entire order on Amazon.com. You can only use one GC per order.

And must have a credit card number for validation purposes. Not to be charged at all.

[JiM T]

Thanks FangsFirst, but I'm still having the same problem, doing exactly what you say. Rather than go crazy with this, I'll probably spend the extra few bucks at a Borders store Tuesday when this comes out. :(

[SFranke]

As long as you have at least one item in your cart that was placed in there while you were on Borders.com, you can use your Borders GC to pay for the entire order on Amazon.com. You can only use one GC per order.
In my experience, this is not true. Only items that were placed into the cart through the Borders.com site can be paid for by using a Borders GC. In addition, if you place an item in the cart through Amazon with items added through Borders, you cannot use a Borders GC on that order at all.

[SlingshotBandit]

Does anyone have any new coupons?

[dx23]

Does anyone have any new coupons?

http://www.visitborders.com/index.php?c=A

[FangsFirst]

Does anyone have any new coupons?
We're nearing the end of our Educator Savings Weekend (25% off almost everything for educators) and that means coupons will return (to avoid confusion or anyone convinced they could combine the coupon with the educator discount, they aren't putting out coupons for these days).

Our registers are spitting out 25% coupons right now though, for 3/29-4/1. Should be e-mailed as well nearer that time.

[SlingshotBandit]

Hey, I'm a teacher. Can I combine the "educator's discount" with a personal shopping day? I think my PSD expires in a day or two.

[dx23]

Hey, I'm a teacher. Can I combine the "educator's discount" with a personal shopping day? I think my PSD expires in a day or two.

yes

[FangsFirst]

yes
No, you can't.
Typically, we never combine transaction or line item discounts--eg, sale price and coupon, or $X off and x% off a transaction.

[SlingshotBandit]

No, you can't.
Typically, we never combine transaction or line item discounts--eg, sale price and coupon, or $X off and x% off a transaction.

Ah, ok. Thanks.

This is what my savings specify:

Save 10%
on an entire day of shopping.

You spent more than $50 in March and earned a Personal Shopping Day. Choose a day that is most convenient for you. No matter how many times you shop on your day, you'll save. Don't forget to bring your Borders Rewards card.

What makes this better than, say, a 25% off coupon I get on here? I usually don't go crazy on my spending for a day. I'll buy a couple of CDs or a couple of books. So I see how that's good in the sense that it's 10% NOT on just one item. With a 25% off coupon -- which is good on only one item -- I can make duplicated and come back and use them again and again, until they expire.

I figured I'd ask, since with B&N you can use your Member Rewards 10% off and a coupon.

[Josh-da-man]

Don't worry about personal shopping days.

They're doing away with them next month when the Borders Rewards program is being made "simpler than ever." They're also doing away with the holiday reward and instead just giving you $5 back every time you hit a $150 threshhold. (Instead of the 5% you got back after hitting $200.)

I guess they figured that since we weren't smart enough to figure out the previous rules of the program that we wouldn't notice they've also reduced the net discount from 5% to 3.3%; and much less if you lose those pesky personal shopping days.

[FangsFirst]

What makes this better than, say, a 25% off coupon I get on here? I usually don't go crazy on my spending for a day. I'll buy a couple of CDs or a couple of books. So I see how that's good in the sense that it's 10% NOT on just one item. With a 25% off coupon -- which is good on only one item -- I can make duplicated and come back and use them again and again, until they expire.

You can use personal shopping days, being a TRANSACTION discount, with any *item* discounts (coupons, sale prices, BxGy, etc).

I guess they figured that since we weren't smart enough to figure out the previous rules of the program that we wouldn't notice they've also reduced the net discount from 5% to 3.3%; and much less if you lose those pesky personal shopping days.

You would not believe how few people were able to comprehend the card. Whatever you may think, there really were tons and tons of people who absolutely could not grasp personal shopping days or holiday savings. And plenty more irritable about having to wait all year for their money to return.

As far as the reduction, it's still a better savings than, for instance, Best Buy's suddenly unusually similar program (2%) and we can still look it up instead of forcing you to print a piece of paper--and it will appear much faster than the month or so they take.
It's also still completely free, coupons will still be around etc. As far as personal shopping days, they're planning to do something like a "pre-set" PSD, sort of 'savings days' with special discounts for those particular days. No details as yet.
Frankly the reason for the reduction is because of how people used/abused the savings last year. And they were fairly well abused.

Anyway, I expected this response once they told us about these changes...and if you've already earned your holiday savings to the $10 threshhold then, as the email says, they will not only be valid, they will be valid earlier (Apr. 12th, if I recall correctly)

[Chucky]

So wait, will we still be able to save up those $5 discounts if we want to, or is it now just going to be a $5 couple on every couple of months (or whatever)?
I really liked NOT thinking about the Rewards amount until the end of the year, when all of a sudden I had a bunch of credit at Borders to spend. $5 credit every once in awhile is not nearly as exciting.
But hey, whatever the deal, it is free - so I'll keep happily shopping at my local Borders.

[dx23]

No, you can't.
Typically, we never combine transaction or line item discounts--eg, sale price and coupon, or $X off and x% off a transaction.

Oh yes you can (now until April 12). The personal shopping day could be applied along with any valid coupon or sale. It said so on the membership terms before they were changed yesterday. I have use my PSD everytime with another coupon or special store discount.

[dx23]

You can use personal shopping days, being a TRANSACTION discount, with any *item* discounts (coupons, sale prices, BxGy, etc).



You would not believe how few people were able to comprehend the card. Whatever you may think, there really were tons and tons of people who absolutely could not grasp personal shopping days or holiday savings. And plenty more irritable about having to wait all year for their money to return.

As far as the reduction, it's still a better savings than, for instance, Best Buy's suddenly unusually similar program (2%) and we can still look it up instead of forcing you to print a piece of paper--and it will appear much faster than the month or so they take.
It's also still completely free, coupons will still be around etc. As far as personal shopping days, they're planning to do something like a "pre-set" PSD, sort of 'savings days' with special discounts for those particular days. No details as yet.
Frankly the reason for the reduction is because of how people used/abused the savings last year. And they were fairly well abused.

Anyway, I expected this response once they told us about these changes...and if you've already earned your holiday savings to the $10 threshhold then, as the email says, they will not only be valid, they will be valid earlier (Apr. 12th, if I recall correctly)

Could you explain to me how did customers abused the savings last year? Because it seems to me that is very difficult to abuse the rewards that members recieved as part of the agreement of making purchases in the store. The only thing I can think of is that Borders is doing a bait and switch, since they have changed the rewards just a year after launching the programs nationally, but since the membership is free, not too many people will complain. They got all the customers and their profiles they needed, now they can do whatever they want, since members don't pay for the card.

[cdollaz]

Don't worry about personal shopping days.

They're doing away with them next month when the Borders Rewards program is being made "simpler than ever." They're also doing away with the holiday reward and instead just giving you $5 back every time you hit a $150 threshhold. (Instead of the 5% you got back after hitting $200.)

I guess they figured that since we weren't smart enough to figure out the previous rules of the program that we wouldn't notice they've also reduced the net discount from 5% to 3.3%; and much less if you lose those pesky personal shopping days.

The current is 5% of every $100 back, not $200.

This, along with the lack of decent coupons since the beginning of the year, means I will be shopping less and less at Borders.

[FangsFirst]

Oh yes you can (now until April 12). The personal shopping day could be applied along with any valid coupon or sale. It said so on the membership terms before they were changed yesterday. I have use my PSD everytime with another coupon or special store discount.
Sorry, I did phrase that incorrectly.

I meant:
Sale price and coupon
OR
X% off a transaction and $X off a transaction.

Though I'm thinking back, and the ultra-rare $X off a transaction coupons COULD be combined--so you've got me there.

But still, the discounts could never be combined (except the B3g2 books and the educator savings this weekend, which is new).

So wait, will we still be able to save up those $5 discounts if we want to, or is it now just going to be a $5 couple on every couple of months (or whatever)?

You earn $5 in credit every time you spend $150. It becomes available the first week of the next month, and expires at the end of that month.


I really liked NOT thinking about the Rewards amount until the end of the year, when all of a sudden I had a bunch of credit at Borders to spend. $5 credit every once in awhile is not nearly as exciting.
But hey, whatever the deal, it is free - so I'll keep happily shopping at my local Borders.
Which leads into...
Could you explain to me how did customers abused the savings last year? Because it seems to me that is very difficult to abuse the rewards that members recieved as part of the agreement of making purchases in the store. The only thing I can think of is that Borders is doing a bait and switch, since they have changed the rewards just a year after launching the programs nationally, but since the membership is free, not too many people will complain. They got all the customers and their profiles they needed, now they can do whatever they want, since members don't pay for the card.

Well, as far as literal abuse, I'm certainly not going to tell anyone how to do that :)
(suffice it to say, even employees occasionally tried it, and were fired for it)

Honestly, probably the greatest motivation for this was NOT a bait and switch (seriously, internally we are obsessed with service to our customers--I can't speak for specific stores of course, but as a company we are) but that people got tons of credit which they spent at the end of the year--to get free stuff and not buy anything.
It's a nice thing, but it's not financially sound for a company.
Essentially, it was difficult to balance the cost of providing that credit with the minimal income, and since holiday savings didn't drive people to buy more (just use up their credit) it sort of backfired on us.

It's not intended to screw anyone over or reduce anyone's gain, we're just trying to save our own butts. It's a re-evaluation of the system, not an intended switch after getting everyone signed up.

And really now, it's not like we got everyone signed up then decided to deluge them with spam, or charge money or any such thing--just had to make it more cost effective for us.

[cdollaz]

You earn $5 in credit every time you spend $150. It becomes available the first week of the next month, and expires at the end of that month.
<B>This is f'n stupid. No better than a PSD if you only have a month to use it. At least with the PSD, I only had to spend $50 to get one, not $150.</b>



Honestly, probably the greatest motivation for this was NOT a bait and switch (seriously, internally we are obsessed with service to our customers--I can't speak for specific stores of course, but as a company we are) but that people got tons of credit which they spent at the end of the year--to get free stuff and not buy anything.
<B>WTF did they expect. They make them accrue it until the end of the year and are then surprised when people use it. Borders knew exactly how much credit had been accrued by Rewards members, so they should have known exactly how much of a hit they would take. Just poor planning/budgeting on their part if they were not prepared.</b>
It's a nice thing, but it's not financially sound for a company.
<B>It's financially sound if they account for it correctly. They may give away a lot of credit at the end of the year, but they sold more stuff the earlier part of the year. It is easy to account for unless they have idiots running their accounting dept.</b>

It's not intended to screw anyone over or reduce anyone's gain, we're just trying to save our own butts. It's a re-evaluation of the system, not an intended switch after getting everyone signed up.<B>New system sucks. It would be fine if it stayed at $5 reward/every $100 spent and it could be used at anytime, not only the next month. As it is, it blows. This, along with the lack of decent coupons, means that I will be spending considerably less at Borders.</B>

[FangsFirst]

Well, the point being the *percentage* was what couldn't be accounted for (insofar as the end of year part of this)--that's why the reduction in percentage. 5% did not balance out with the purchasing. Thus 3.33333333% instead.
I should probably mention that that is my understanding, nothing that has been explicitly stated.

What HAS been stated is that a lot of this is based on customer feedback--I imagine most of it was "why can't I use it all year?" and that's why THAT happened (switch to monthly). I know some people were definitely incapable of grasping the previous system, and I know some people hated having to wait all year.

Regardless, the point of a system like this is to increase *sales*--something like holiday savings, as I was saying before, just causes people to come in and use the credit ONLY, where the intention was for them to use credit toward a LARGER purchase.

I agree that wasn't brilliantly planned; it's the natural result of letting a year's worth of purchases accrue, it's going to be a large sum, not a small amount that someone will see as an amount off of a purchase they were going to make anyway, thus allowing them to spend more. The intent of the card (as with all these cards) is in the interest of customer loyalty (well, except B&Ns--THAT is a constant bait & switch for anyone not buying there constantly; they rely on signing people up for mass discounts on large purchases in the fourth quarter and then never using their card again).

Thus, the card is to make people come back. People weren't coming back much more often, just making the same essential purchases as they would have anyway, then getting their fourth quarter purchases for free.

[cdollaz]

If they want to increase sales, they should have more competitive prices. Ultimately that is what is going to get people to shop at a store like this, not a Rewards program that really doesn't give much in the way of rewards.

[FangsFirst]

If they want to increase sales, they should have more competitive prices. Ultimately that is what is going to get people to shop at a store like this, not a Rewards program that really doesn't give much in the way of rewards.
On some level I agree, except we're getting more and more people in our store who are sick of getting treated like crap elsewhere. I know this is a forum for people who will sacrifice most other portions of a store experience for prices (which is fine; I do the same on some level, though I attempt to get the better price at a better store wherever possible) so that's not really relevant here.

But as far as competitive prices, you realize that other stores sell CDs and DVDs cheap because they aren't there to make money on those things. They make almost zero profit on them (and sometimes lose money) and gain their real profit from their other stock (eg TVs, etc at Best Buy).

Without some high ticket items hanging around as a main source of income, a store/company can't afford to have prices that compete with stores who *almost* don't care what they charge.

[Sweet Baby James]

Hey Fangs,

do you happen to have any inside info as to when Borders is going to officially break off their relationship with Amazon? I have some Borders gift cards that I would like to redeem through Amazon and it would be most helpful to know exactly how much time that I would have to burn through these GCs. Thanks.:)

[Josh-da-man]

I have to love the corporate logic at work here... people were "abusing" the system because they were actually collecting the rewards they earned. (Sort of reminds me of Best Buy branding customers who only buy things they have on sale as "demons.")

So let's see how the new system works... you earn a $5 reward after spening $150 that takes effect for the next calendar month; and if it isn't used it's presumably lost. I suspect that they're counting on people to either forget about them or not use them at all.

I suppose it's a difficult balancing act for these companies... to come up schemes such as this in order to collect data on their customers while offering a reward that they're hoping won't be collected.

[cdollaz]

Personally I haven't found Borders in-store customer service to be any better or worse than Best Buy, etc. In fact there have been times when Borders customer service has been downright horrible.

One thing that really pisses me off about Borders is that they do not update their in-store inventory quickly enough on their website. At least twice I have checked borders.com to confirm that they have something in stock and driven immediately there to get it, and it is not there. The problem is they do not update inventory in real time, only every day or so, which makes the service kind of useless.

[FangsFirst]

I have to love the corporate logic at work here... people were "abusing" the system because they were actually collecting the rewards they earned. (Sort of reminds me of Best Buy branding customers who only buy things they have on sale as "demons.")
Did you not read what I said?
I said I was not going to outline the actual ABUSE.
I assure you said abuse is ABUSE and not a turn of phrase. I'm not going to outline the methodology on a public forum, sorry.

So let's see how the new system works... you earn a $5 reward after spening $150 that takes effect for the next calendar month; and if it isn't used it's presumably lost. I suspect that they're counting on people to either forget about them or not use them at all.
This cynicism is admittedly founded. But it's hardly new--and certainly it's better than the mail-in rebate form of hoping people forget.

I suppose it's a difficult balancing act for these companies... to come up schemes such as this in order to collect data on their customers while offering a reward that they're hoping won't be collected.
This cynicism is not.
What data?
We collect how much and how often people spend (but NOT on what). We get an e-mail address used to send e-mails intended to entice people into the store.
That's it.
Not some ultra-secret information that anyone's going to be thoroughly offended by. If that information offends you to be available, well, probably best not to use online retailers.

Personally I haven't found Borders in-store customer service to be any better or worse than Best Buy, etc. In fact there have been times when Borders customer service has been downright horrible.
Again, I can't speak for specific stores...but speaking as a store trainer who has worked on opening a store (thus collaborating with other trainers from around the country) it is the *intended* focus. You get a store whose trainer's obsession is loss prevention, or cleanliness/order, or whatever, naturally customer service suffers. It's a purely human element which is not easily controlled, unfortunately. Those stores do tend to suffer for that though. Many, many people have told me they come to my store *for* the service they experience.

One thing that really pisses me off about Borders is that they do not update their in-store inventory quickly enough on their website. At least twice I have checked borders.com to confirm that they have something in stock and driven immediately there to get it, and it is not there. The problem is they do not update inventory in real time, only every day or so, which makes the service kind of useless.
Is there anyone who DOES update it immediately (no really--is there? I don't know of any, but that doesn't mean there aren't)? To my understanding, that would be prohibitively expensive and difficult to maintain. And of course it couldn't account for theft, or inventory errors, or various other bits and pieces.
And why not call and confirm first? It could be in someone's hand, or it could be on hold for someone. Do you ask anyone to help find it when you get there, either, or just look on the shelf yourself? If you do, well, fair enough. If not then perhaps they might have been able to tell you where it was.

Hey Fangs,

do you happen to have any inside info as to when Borders is going to officially break off their relationship with Amazon? I have some Borders gift cards that I would like to redeem through Amazon and it would be most helpful to know exactly how much time that I would have to burn through these GCs. Thanks.:)

It's pseudo-wide knowledge that it's early 2008. We've not been told anything more specific than that.

[Sweet Baby James]

It's pseudo-wide knowledge that it's early 2008. We've not been told anything more specific than that.
Thanks! I wouldn't think that they would sever their tie to Amazon until their new site is up and running. However, I was a little concerned because officials at Borders and Amazon refused to comment as to when this split was going to occur.

[forumsmy]

As a note on the inventory, I gotot www.bordersstores.com as I have not looked for inventory on www.borders.com, thinking that was the Amazon-sales storefront only.

Along those lines, I have actually found that www.bordersstores.com to be EXTREMELY ACCURATE for what I have been looking for. In fact, one experience I had was looking for "Art of Illusion - 100 Years of Hollywood Special Effects." I had stumbled on one copy during Wherehouse going out of business 4-5 years ago for my sister and brother-in-law, but could not find a second one for me. It was only in the last year or so that I stumbled on it in BordersStores.com inventory, saying it was in the Tai Chi section, of all places. Now I looked and it was not there. I did not ask anyone or such, but search around for it and did not find it. Months later, I was back in the store and under documentaries, THERE IT WAS !! you know I bought it right away! So it was in the same store that had the inventory say it was there. Just for my own curiosity, after I found it, I checked the inventory in the store kisosk and saw it also said it was in stock.

So for me it has been accurate.

P.S. I should have put this in and even long ago too. FangsFirst, thanks for your patience with us and all your contributions to understanding not only this Rewards but also the other contributions about Borders. you have helped alot and it is much appreciated. Thanks.

[FangsFirst]

As a note on the inventory, I gotot www.bordersstores.com as I have not looked for inventory on www.borders.com, thinking that was the Amazon-sales storefront only.

Along those lines, I have actually found that www.bordersstores.com to be EXTREMELY ACCURATE for what I have been looking for. In fact, one experience I had was looking for "Art of Illusion - 100 Years of Hollywood Special Effects." I had stumbled on one copy during Wherehouse going out of business 4-5 years ago for my sister and brother-in-law, but could not find a second one for me. It was only in the last year or so that I stumbled on it in BordersStores.com inventory, saying it was in the Tai Chi section, of all places. Now I looked and it was not there. I did not ask anyone or such, but search around for it and did not find it. Months later, I was back in the store and under documentaries, THERE IT WAS !! you know I bought it right away! So it was in the same store that had the inventory say it was there. Just for my own curiosity, after I found it, I checked the inventory in the store kisosk and saw it also said it was in stock.

So for me it has been accurate.

It's usually pretty darn accurate--shrink and mis-ships or *VERY* fast sales are typically the only thing that can screw it up.
PS: make sure to ask if it isn't where it says--we have access to a somewhat more up to date search engine (it's just less intuitive, if anyone's going to say, 'well why not leave that one for customers?'--but apparently the tech folk are working on integrating and making sense of the two together anyway)


P.S. I should have put this in and even long ago too. FangsFirst, thanks for your patience with us and all your contributions to understanding not only this Rewards but also the other contributions about Borders. you have helped alot and it is much appreciated. Thanks.

Thank you very much.
Despite what anyone might think, I'm really not a corporate shill in the least, I just actually feel I can stand behind this company (and as I've implied repeatedly, I do only work on a store level) and want to help it and anyone who shops there or who's thinking about it. I'm glad to know there are some people who are getting something out of it!
I've no plans on stopping, and all the company asks of us on this front is not to reveal confidential type information, which is logical (I've known about the BR changes for some months, but per said agreement was not allowed to discuss them previously--so that's my only limit).
(and if anyone reading this DOES have any questions, feel free to ask me)

Thanks! I wouldn't think that they would sever their tie to Amazon until their new site is up and running. However, I was a little concerned because officials at Borders and Amazon refused to comment as to when this split was going to occur.

As I said, I have only that very general time frame, and it IS intended to coincide with our own *online* store going up [whether it will be already up and running as you too would think is anybody's guess, it may be only internally tested first, or perhaps it will be live before the partnership ends--that remains to be seen], but perhaps the refusal to comment and even the general answer we've been given are indicative of it still being worked out to the full extent--so perhaps that's only a rough estimate.

[dx23]

I created this thread for the coupon updates, not discussing the store, so please have the rest of the discussion here:

http://forum.dvdtalk.com/showthread.php?t=496379

[barbybrant]

I've found the bordersstores.com inventory feature to be extremely accurate, as well. The only problem with that is when new books get scanned in as in the store but then someone neglects to put them on the shelf. But if you ask, it's no problem, they'll bring them out of the stockroom for you. (Well, there was an ongoing problem for a while where titles were showing up as in-store but were actually still on the truck on the highway, but I think they remedied that.)

I suppose the Borders Bucks would be OK as long as there's something I want to buy during their active period. Guess I will have to plan my purchases, deferring some purchases for later so there's always something to buy.

The Holiday Cash Rewards was great in theory but had several problems in its execution. The first year they had it, purchases that were 100% Rewards Cash would ring up sales tax free at Borders but not at Borders Express/Waldens. ("We don't have the right buttons on our cash registers," they would say.) So the BE/Waldens register would remove the purchase price and the sales tax from the Rewards Cash (i.e. taking more money from your Rewards Cash that it should have) and then show that you were due back your sales tax in cash. The honest stores would give it to you. Other stores would ignore it, and still others would ask the customer to pay the difference! I know because I had the experience of hitting several malls in one day right before Christmas that year looking for a particular gift item, and that same weekend there was a 30% coupon, so I basically chipped away at my Holiday Cash one book at a time in every mall I hit, and every store was a different experience. The other problem that first year was that the computers had a huge lag in updating how much Holiday Cash you had left. That same day I knew I started out in the morning with something like $60 in Holiday Cash to spend. I kept a running total in my head, but, every time I made a purchase, the amount they told me I had left was different from what I'd figured. Like, I knew I'd spent $7, $7, $7, and $7, and my remaining amount should've been $32, but they would say at the register, "Oh, you still have $46 left." Pretty soon I was doubting my own math. Eventually I caught on to the lag and (once I got over being annoyed at the inconvenience) was amused to note that it varied from a few hours between updates to, at one point, a whole day. I even wrote to Customer Care to tell them it was happening (even suggested we get our Holiday Cash on a giftcard to eliminate the reliance on system updates) but never got a reply. The second year of Holiday Cash, the Waldenbooks stores finally got their register/sales tax problems figured out, although if you told them you wanted to pay with your Holiday Cash they had to void the transaction and start all over. When asked why they didn't ask upfront if you'd be using Holiday Cash, they replied, "Because 95% of the customers don't know what that is." As for the computer update problem, this year I didn't have quite the same experience of making so many multiple purchases in the same day, but the system seemed to be updating OK between purchases for me, so I assume they fixed it. But, any way you slice it, the Holiday Cash problems can go away now that the Holiday Cash is going away. I'm sure we'll find a whole new set of problems with the Borders Bucks! :) :) :)

[FangsFirst]

I created this thread for the coupon updates, not discussing the store, so please have the rest of the discussion here:

http://forum.dvdtalk.com/showthread.php?t=496379

Quite right you are.
And so:

BORDERS REWARDS EXCLUSIVE OFFER
VALID 3/28/07 THROUGH 4/01/07
25% Off
the List Price of One Item

http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/coupon_250328.htm

BORDERS REWARDS EXCLUSIVE OFFER
VALID 3/28/07 THROUGH 4/02/07
30% Off
All Fitness DVDs and Accessories

http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/fitness.htm

BORDERS REWARDS EXCLUSIVE OFFER
VALID 3/28/07 THROUGH 5/22/07
Selected Art House Films
Only $19.99 Each

49 Up
Avant Garde: Experimental Cinema of the 1920s and '30s
Ballet Russes
A Boy and His Dog
The Corporation
Fire
Metropolis
My Architect: A Son's Journey
Sophie Scholl: The Final Days
Stalker

http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/arthouse.htm

[ben12]

Thanks for all the inside info, Fangs!

[cmleidi]

These changes just make sure I won't be shopping much at Borders. Their prices are not competitive. Even with the coupons and personal shopping days, I have to search long and hard to find something I can't get cheaper elsewhere. The coupons have pretty much sucked this year. They now alter the program so I have no reason to come into the store.

On top of that, they collect data and sell it. I used a separate Roadunner email address for my Borders card. I've had it for years, but I've never used it. Never had one spam email. Within a week of signing up for the card, I now average 20 to 25 spam emails a week.

Plus, I'm still pissed they got rid of the Borders chai tea.

[FangsFirst]

On top of that, they collect data and sell it. I used a separate Roadunner email address for my Borders card. I've had it for years, but I've never used it. Never had one spam email. Within a week of signing up for the card, I now average 20 to 25 spam emails a week.

While I don't doubt that that happened, we do NOT sell them. But dx has already mentioned that this isn't the place for this discussion.


On another note: our current sale price on the Care Bears movie (the new anniv. edition) is 12.99, which is the best B&M around.

[dx23]

Quite right you are.
And so:

BORDERS REWARDS EXCLUSIVE OFFER
VALID 3/28/07 THROUGH 4/01/07
25% Off
the List Price of One Item

http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/coupon_250328.htm

BORDERS REWARDS EXCLUSIVE OFFER
VALID 3/28/07 THROUGH 4/02/07
30% Off
All Fitness DVDs and Accessories

http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/fitness.htm

BORDERS REWARDS EXCLUSIVE OFFER
VALID 3/28/07 THROUGH 5/22/07
Selected Art House Films
Only $19.99 Each

49 Up
Avant Garde: Experimental Cinema of the 1920s and '30s
Ballet Russes
A Boy and His Dog
The Corporation
Fire
Metropolis
My Architect: A Son's Journey
Sophie Scholl: The Final Days
Stalker

http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/arthouse.htm

Thanks. I put them up in the first post.

[bhauge]

A question about using the above 25% coupon with my 10% Personal Shopping Day. If I use the coupon, is that usage somehow tracked on my PSD? In other words, if I try to use the coupon multiple times on my PSD, will I run into problems?

[FangsFirst]

A question about using the above 25% coupon with my 10% Personal Shopping Day. If I use the coupon, is that usage somehow tracked on my PSD? In other words, if I try to use the coupon multiple times on my PSD, will I run into problems?
As specified on the coupon, that would be considered fraud.

[Christi P]

When I first joined Borders Rewards, I got a 30% off coupon and combined this with my personal shopping day - I bought ten different items with ten different coupons with the same clerk checking me out.

I think 'fraud' is a harsh word, since I used the same clerk and he didn't have a problem with it.

[FangsFirst]

When I first joined Borders Rewards, I got a 30% off coupon and combined this with my personal shopping day - I bought ten different items with ten different coupons with the same clerk checking me out.

I think 'fraud' is a harsh word, since I used the same clerk and he didn't have a problem with it.
Depends on the store, but it isn't a harsh word insofar as my choosing--that's the exact phrasing on the coupon.

PS: POS is bouncing 30% coupons back.

Not guaranteed there will be an e-mail one, but there might be--ca. Apr. 4/5

[Badlands]

As specified on the coupon, that would be considered fraud.

Wow, then Borders employees are sure willing to implicate themselves in fraud. On at least a dozen occasions, I've asked if I could use two different coupons if they rung up two separate orders, and they've always done it (this is in at least 8 different stores in 3 states).

BTW, Borders can use the word "fraud" on the coupon all they want. It's certainly not fraud in the legal sense.

[FangsFirst]

Wow, then Borders employees are sure willing to implicate themselves in fraud. On at least a dozen occasions, I've asked if I could use two different coupons if they rung up two separate orders, and they've always done it (this is in at least 8 different stores in 3 states).

BTW, Borders can use the word "fraud" on the coupon all they want. It's certainly not fraud in the legal sense.
I think it *can* legally be considered fraud in that the document was created by the company. Not, perhaps, criminal fraud, but enough to stop the use, etc.

But, of course, as I say, it's up to the stores.

It's really to prevent the hyper scammers who want to use 8 per transaction 8 times a day for every single day of a coupon--despite the fact that it says you can't do that.

[Christi P]

I think it *can* legally be considered fraud in that the document was created by the company.

Yes, the document was created by the company. And if the clerk, who represents the company, says that it is fine to ignore the 'one use only' wording of a coupon, then it is fine.

[FangsFirst]

Yes, the document was created by the company. And if the clerk, who represents the company, says that it is fine to ignore the 'one use only' wording of a coupon, then it is fine.
Yep, and that's what I meant here:
But, of course, as I say, it's up to the stores.

It's really to prevent the hyper scammers who want to use 8 per transaction 8 times a day for every single day of a coupon--despite the fact that it says you can't do that.

[dx23]

Nice 30% off coupon for Easter. Remember that this is the last weekend to pick up Holiday rewards, since unfortunately, the rules of the game change starting next week:

BORDERS REWARDS EXCLUSIVE OFFER
VALID 4/05/07 THROUGH 4/08/07
30% Off
the List Price of One Item
with the Purchase of $10 or More
http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/coupon_300405.htm

Selected TV on DVD: $19.99

Now through April 8, 2007, the TV on DVD sets listed below are only $19.99.
While supplies last; no rain checks. Offer valid in U.S. Borders stores only. Offer not valid in Borders Express or Waldenbooks stores

http://www.bordersstores.com/features/list.jsp?list=tvondvdsale

[The No Man]

Remember that this is the last weekend to pick up Holiday rewards, since unfortunately, the rules of the game change starting next week


What do you mean by this? Do you mean we can use our holiday bonus rewards NOW, or do you mean it's our last chance to add money to it by buying stuff?

[jeffrey r]

What do you mean by this? Do you mean we can use our holiday bonus rewards NOW, or do you mean it's our last chance to add money to it by buying stuff?

This is from the Borders Rewards homepage:

"Beginning April 12, 2007, 2007 Holiday Savings Rewards may be redeemed immediately through January 31, 2008. Members who have not made at least two hundred dollars ($200.00) in Qualifying Purchases between January 1, 2007 and April 11, 2007 will have all of their Qualifying Purchases between January 1, 2007 and April 11, 2007 applied toward the calculation of Borders Bucks."

[FangsFirst]

Which means if your balance is $10+, you can use it starting april 12.
Or, if you earn up to that $10 BY april 12, you can use it, as well.
I believe the earning would stop the 11th.

[FangsFirst]

Btw:

2 titles that are interestingly priced are Roland Joffé's The Killing Fields and Scorsese's The Age of Innocence--both are 14.99, so they're 10.49 with discount.

Being as Amazon and DD both perceive them to be "19.99 MSRP" their normal discounted price is all of 14.xx.
So even at 20% off the DD price, 10.49 is a deal.

(and with a PSD...!)

[The No Man]

I'm still a little confused. My 2007 Holiday Savings Rewards Accrual is $6.30. Does this still mean that beginning April 12 I can use that towards a Borders purchase?

[FangsFirst]

I'm still a little confused. My 2007 Holiday Savings Rewards Accrual is $6.30. Does this still mean that beginning April 12 I can use that towards a Borders purchase?
No.

You must have at least $10 in your HSR Accrual to be able to use it. If you do not have that much by 04/12, the amount you spent to earn that 6.30 is instead applied to the new program.

[Josh-da-man]

I'm guessing that the $6.30 on his holiday rewards account comes from $126 in purchases. So after spending an additional $24 (after April 12, or whenever the program is phased out), that will turn into $5 in Borders Bucks.

[FangsFirst]

I'm guessing that the $6.30 on his holiday rewards account comes from $126 in purchases. So after spending an additional $24 (after April 12, or whenever the program is phased out), that will turn into $5 in Borders Bucks.
You've got it exactly

[The No Man]

oh ok. thanks a lot for the help guys!

[FangsFirst]

Another 19.99/14.99 weirdo:

Basquiat.

13.92 on DD, 14.99 on amazon, etc.

14.99 list at Borders.

[surfingelectrod]

Will they be going back to the usual 20% tomorrow? I was going to use my 30% coupon today, but the store was closed.

[dx23]

Yes. You can print out the coupon found at www.visitborders.com .

[surfingelectrod]

Thanks.

[kingtopher]

Will they be going back to the usual 20% tomorrow? I was going to use my 30% coupon today, but the store was closed.

Yeah I was a little bummed that they were closed on the 8th even though the coupons said they were good through the 8th. Oh well, it's just a missed sale for Borders. I'll wait until the next coupon.

[FangsFirst]

Bizarre. We were open for *different* hours, but certainly not closed.

Not really a recognized holiday according to our handbook either.

Lazy ass stores!

[MikeShaynePI]

Didn't the coupons used to be good until Mondays? I mean come on. Sending coupons out Thursday morning to have them expire on a Sunday? I can understand them not wanting the coupons to be good on Tuesdays, as this is when new DVDs come out, but why not Mondays?

[dx23]

Well, Borders has started its new rewards program with a bang! -ohbfrank- -rolleyes-

BORDERS REWARDS EXCLUSIVE OFFER
VALID 4/19/07 THROUGH 4/22/07
Take 10% Off
Your Total Purchase
and Borders Will Donate
5% of Your Purchase
to the GRAMMY Foundation

http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/coupon_100419.htm

So this coupon can be combined with other specials and discounts but not any other coupon, like the 20% off available all the time at www.visitborders.com .

Really, if this is the way they are going, I'll be shopping less and less in their store.

[cdollaz]

Be sure to call the Rewards customer service and bitch. The person I talked to a few days ago said they had gotten a ton of complaints and would probably make some changes if enough people are pissed. The customer service people are in a tight spot because she basically admitted to me that they all know the new program sucks but they have to provide CS for it anyway. Their number is 800-443-7359. Be sure to detail every little thing that keeps you from shopping there, from the new program to the fact that their coupons are getting shittier and shittier and that good coupons are the only thing that make their prices competitive.

[fliggil]

My spending has certainly slowed substantially at Borders over the last 4 months, it would be nice to see some more frequent 30% coupons, otherwise I just can't justify shopping there.

[Christi P]

There is also an email address at the bottom of the emails they send out : rewards@bordersstores.com

I sent an email complaining about the downhill slide in the rewards program.

[abintra]

Could someone explain the whole Holiday Rewards/Borders Bucks thing to me?

I purchased an item on April 15th thinking the amount shown on my account that was earned for Holiday Rewards could be redeemed but the cashier said I had none and could only use a personal shopping day instead. I came home and logged into my account and it still showed my Holiday Rewards that she said I had none of.

Now I log in and see that I no longer have any Holiday Rewards due to redeeming a personal shopping day. There would have been a several dollar difference in rewards between the amount of Holiday Rewards I had versus the personal shopping 10% discount. Should I have been able to redeem my holiday reward amount instead of them giving me a personal shopping day?

[FangsFirst]

Could someone explain the whole Holiday Rewards/Borders Bucks thing to me?

I purchased an item on April 15th thinking the amount shown on my account that was earned for Holiday Rewards could be redeemed but the cashier said I had none and could only use a personal shopping day instead. I came home and logged into my account and it still showed my Holiday Rewards that she said I had none of.

Now I log in and see that I no longer have any Holiday Rewards due to redeeming a personal shopping day. There would have been a several dollar difference in rewards between the amount of Holiday Rewards I had versus the personal shopping 10% discount. Should I have been able to redeem my holiday reward amount instead of them giving me a personal shopping day?

They shouldn't counteract each other regardless. That's very strange.

HSR should still be redeemable (through Jan 31, 08).
PSDs should be redeemable through May 30th (if they were earned by April 12).

Redeeming a PSD should not prevent HSR from being available, so you shouldn't have a zero balance "due to" redeeming a PSD. In fact, you can combine them when you have both.

Are you sure the cashier just hadn't confused terms and redeemed the HSR instead or something? (I'm only saying this assuming you didn't SPECIFICALLY calculate and/or look at the receipt)

[dx23]

Well, explain this to me:

I had $49.74 as of april 11 in qualifying purchases (all made in april). I saw that, so i went to Borders on april 11 and purchase Twin Peaks season 2 for $39.99. So I had over $50 in qualifying purchases by April 11, the last day before the reward changes. Guess what? The powers that be at Borders Rewards didn't give me a personal day and didn't add any acrued money to my holiday rewards account. I emailed them to see why this happened and a CS named Cory, replied that those $39.99 were going to show in my Border Bucks in May. I replied that I made the purchase before the changes to the program. Another CS named Toby replied that he was sorry, but that because of the changes, the only thing they could do for me was to give me a 10% off coupon to compensate for everything. I replied that the coupon could not be combined with other better coupons that have been given on a weekly basis, like the 20% off. I'm still awaiting what they pull out of their ass to give me as an anwser, but still, I still believe that this rewards program was just a scam to get our profiles and some personal information.

[cdollaz]

Well, explain this to me:

I had $49.74 as of april 11 in qualifying purchases (all made in april). I saw that, so i went to Borders on april 11 and purchase Twin Peaks season 2 for $39.99. So I had over $50 in qualifying purchases by April 11, the last day before the reward changes. Guess what? The powers that be at Borders Rewards didn't give me a personal day and didn't add any acrued money to my holiday rewards account. I emailed them to see why this happened and a CS named Cory, replied that those $39.99 were going to show in my Border Bucks in May. I replied that I made the purchase before the changes to the program. Another CS named Toby replied that he was sorry, but that because of the changes, the only thing they could do for me was to give me a 10% off coupon to compensate for everything. I replied that the coupon could not be combined with other better coupons that have been given on a weekly basis, like the 20% off. I'm still awaiting what they pull out of their ass to give me as an anwser, but still, I still believe that this rewards program was just a scam to get our profiles and some personal information.

Call them, keep going up the ladder as far as necessary, and don't take no for an answer until you get the credit you deserve.

[bookcase3]

I received an email saying that I had $15.xx to spend from holiday savings rewards. Went to Borders the very same day to make a purchase, and they said I'd have to bring in the email because they didn't have any record of that. Went back nearly a week later, it showed up in their computers and I got to use the rewards. But to be honest, I don't know how this program works, even after all the posts above -- it's so convoluted. I'll just look at it as free money when/if I get future rewards, although I won't be getting too much because I only buy things there when we get 30% coupons -- otherwise their prices just aren't competitive.

[abintra]

They shouldn't counteract each other regardless. That's very strange.

HSR should still be redeemable (through Jan 31, 08).
PSDs should be redeemable through May 30th (if they were earned by April 12).

Redeeming a PSD should not prevent HSR from being available, so you shouldn't have a zero balance "due to" redeeming a PSD. In fact, you can combine them when you have both.

Are you sure the cashier just hadn't confused terms and redeemed the HSR instead or something? (I'm only saying this assuming you didn't SPECIFICALLY calculate and/or look at the receipt)

I contacted the email posted here and was told the same thing dx23. That my holiday rewards balance was zero now because it wouldn't be added until May 1st, even though it was already on my account due to my purchases being from past months.

My only guess is that all HSR went inactive starting 4/12 and won't be rolled into Borders Bucks starting until that May 1st date. Not sure if that is true though since my account listed them as Borders Bucks, reduced to that amount instead of the HSR amount, on 4/14 when I made my purchase. The responses from their email address don't specifically address anything beyond saying that May 1st is when they will be added to my account.

I read it the same way you stated, that HSR could be redeemed after 4/12 but I was denied them as the cashier had no idea what I was talking about because my rewards card showed no HSR (or Borders Bucks or whatever they are called now). She automatically used my PSD, since it was earned before 4/12, reflected on the receipt but, as of now, I no longer have any HSR/Borders Bucks that were reflected on my account immediately before that purchase when she used the PSD.

I honestly have no idea how this is supposed to work. For all I know everything is working the way it is supposed to but the wording on the site suggests to me that I should have had HSR/BB to redeem.

[FangsFirst]

I contacted the email posted here and was told the same thing dx23. That my holiday rewards balance was zero now because it wouldn't be added until May 1st, even though it was already on my account due to my purchases being from past months.

My only guess is that all HSR went inactive starting 4/12 and won't be rolled into Borders Bucks starting until that May 1st date. Not sure if that is true though since my account listed them as Borders Bucks, reduced to that amount instead of the HSR amount, on 4/14 when I made my purchase. The responses from their email address don't specifically address anything beyond saying that May 1st is when they will be added to my account.

I read it the same way you stated, that HSR could be redeemed after 4/12 but I was denied them as the cashier had no idea what I was talking about because my rewards card showed no HSR (or Borders Bucks or whatever they are called now). She automatically used my PSD, since it was earned before 4/12, reflected on the receipt but, as of now, I no longer have any HSR/Borders Bucks that were reflected on my account immediately before that purchase when she used the PSD.

I honestly have no idea how this is supposed to work. For all I know everything is working the way it is supposed to but the wording on the site suggests to me that I should have had HSR/BB to redeem.


Naturally anything that was earned in 2006 (up until 12/31/2006) has disappeared from accounts after Jan 31, 2007, as that was its expiration date. HSR earned Jan 31st, 2007 up through April 11th, 2007 should be available through Jan 31st, 2008 (assuming you hit the $10 minimum threshold).

And Borders Bucks are not accrued gradually, if you will--they're accrued in the fashion that Best Buy's reward zone credit is. There is not a 'balance' until you reach the $150 threshold that earns $5 of credit--and considering the credit is issued the month after it is earned, it would make sense that purchases building up just apply the next month as well.


So I guess what the question is is this:
Beginning April 12, 2007, 2007 Holiday Savings Rewards may be redeemed immediately through January 31, 2008. Members who have not made at least two hundred dollars ($200.00) in Qualifying Purchases between January 1, 2007 and April 11, 2007 will have all of their Qualifying Purchases between January 1, 2007 and April 11, 2007 applied toward the calculation of Borders Bucks.

Had you spent $200 since Jan 1 by Apr 11?

If you had not, that's the real answer to all of this--and if you had, well, I'm lost.

[abintra]

Tried emailing them again and received a reply that was more specific. My account didn't have $10 worth off HSR before 4/12 so even though it showed I had HSR to use on 4/14 it wasn't applicable to me since it was less than $10.

Everything I had for HSR was erased on 4/12 since it wasn't more than $10 and will now be accumulated based on $5 reward for every $150 spent and that amount will be reflected on my account and able to be used starting May 1st.

Edit: I didn't see the above post before typing.

I was confused why my account listed my holiday rewards amount on 4/14 if that wasn't the amount that could be redeemed. I knew I hadn't hit the $200 amount but it stated that anyone that hadn't would have their amount rolled into Borders Bucks. I presumed that is what it was showing available for me to use on 4/14. Even though it showed more than $5 available for me, it wasn't applicable because I hadn't spent $150 since 1/07. It didn't state that additional qualifier and I hadn't been aware of that until now.

[FangsFirst]

I was confused why my account listed my holiday rewards amount on 4/14 if that wasn't the amount that could be redeemed. I knew I hadn't hit the $200 amount but it stated that anyone that hadn't would have their amount rolled into Borders Bucks. I presumed that is what it was showing available for me to use on 4/14. Even though it showed more than $5 available for me, it wasn't applicable because I hadn't spent $150 since 1/07. It didn't state that additional qualifier and I hadn't been aware of that until now.
Admittedly, it wasn't broadcasted very loudly, but it has been in the documentation from the beginning.

[abintra]

Admittedly, it wasn't broadcasted very loudly, but it has been in the documentation from the beginning.

I just recently signed up for the program so hadn't received any program changes notices. Just started reading this thread or else I wouldn't have realized it at all other than the paragraph in my account of..

Beginning April 12, 2007, 2007 Holiday Savings Rewards may be redeemed immediately through January 31, 2008. Members who have not made at least two hundred dollars ($200.00) in Qualifying Purchases between January 1, 2007 and April 11, 2007 will have all of their Qualifying Purchases between January 1, 2007 and April 11, 2007 applied toward the calculation of Borders Bucks.

[FangsFirst]

I just recently signed up for the program so hadn't received any program changes notices. Just started reading this thread or else I wouldn't have realized it at all other than the paragraph in my account of..


Oh, right, I was just saying the threshhold was not a change

[ThePrimeDreamer]

So I've been thinking about this lately. With this "new" Borders Rewards program, is it even viable to still use it or has it gone the route of Best Buy's Rewards Program where you really don't get any savings? Should I just go back and get a Barnes and Noble card?

[FangsFirst]

So I've been thinking about this lately. With this "new" Borders Rewards program, is it even viable to still use it or has it gone the route of Best Buy's Rewards Program where you really don't get any savings? Should I just go back and get a Barnes and Noble card?
What?
1) How does Best Buy's not save? Ok, admittedly, it's 2% and takes forever to actually come into effect...unless you're referring to it prior to it being free.

2) To be able to use the original savings with BR, you had to spend $200 to get any credit, now it's $150. Admittedly, for less, but it's a lower thresh hold.

3) The coupons still exist (I still think they probably got reduced because of the overuse of them, as well as the ultra-lax stores who LET people overuse them...) and although the 30%s are more rare these days, they do still come around. And they still require membership.

4) What? I'm always completely lost by anyone who complains about borders prices then goes to B&N. OK, box sets are 10% off. Otherwise, they're almost always HIGHER...and their membership card is $25, so you have to spend $250 before you even break even on the cost...at least even if you "never" save anything with Borders Rewards, there's no chance it will cost you anything...

[bdhart]

Here is a $10 off $50 coupon:

http://www.bordersstores.com/features/feature.jsp?file=coupon_erewards

[g]

barnes and noble membership card can start to save you a lot whe you combine it with members only coupons. Its easy to regularly get 15 percent off instore coupons plus the ten percent. Then there is their extremely competitive online prices. And their occasional sales like the buy 1 get 1 tv sales.

[jeffrey r]

Hey Fangs,

I was checking out the other day and used some HR points, and the girl at the checkout said I needed to use my HR points up by the end of the month. I thought they were good through next January. She's wrong, correct?

[FangsFirst]

Hey Fangs,

I was checking out the other day and used some HR points, and the girl at the checkout said I needed to use my HR points up by the end of the month. I thought they were good through next January. She's wrong, correct?
She's wrong--you can see from the info I posted above, straight from bordersrewards.com!

barnes and noble membership card can start to save you a lot whe you combine it with members only coupons. Its easy to regularly get 15 percent off instore coupons plus the ten percent. Then there is their extremely competitive online prices. And their occasional sales like the buy 1 get 1 tv sales.
Fair enough, but I get people who say they will immediately go there. Now, if one is patient for their coupons and such, ok. I dunno. It's still illogical to suggest there are no savings with the two rewards cards mentioned...

[RobLutter]

20% off one item with $10 Purchase (http://www.visitborders.com/)

Used this yesterday to pick up the Oldboy tin... last one. *cha ching*
(I know 30% off was better, but I missed it earlier in the month)

[LASERMOVIES]

20% off the list price of one item with Borders Rewards membership only. Expires 4/29/07

http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/coupon_200426.htm

[dx23]

More coupons & exclusives for this week:

Night at the Museum [WS] (2 Disc Set w/ Flash Cards) Borders Exclusive - $22.99

http://www.bordersstores.com/search/title_detail.jsp?id=56750423


BORDERS REWARDS EXCLUSIVE OFFER
VALID 3/28/07 THROUGH 5/22/07
Selected Art House Films
Only $19.99 Each


49 Up
Avant Garde: Experimental Cinema of the 1920s and '30s
Ballet Russes
A Boy and His Dog
The Corporation
Fire
Metropolis
My Architect: A Son's Journey
Sophie Scholl: The Final Days
Stalker

http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/arthouse.htm

BORDERS REWARDS EXCLUSIVE OFFER
VALID 4/24/07 THROUGH 4/30/07
Get An Additional $6 Off
When You Buy Both
The Queen and Déjà Vu

http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/queen.htm

[barbybrant]

Was in Borders today. The "comeback coupon" that the cash register spits out was for 30% off purchase of $10 or more for next weekend.

[fliggil]

http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/coupon_300503.htm

Finally a 30% off of $10 purchase, through May 6th.

[The No Man]

http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/coupon_300503.htm

Finally a 30% off of $10 purchase, through May 6th.


sweeeet. thanks.

[dx23]

http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/coupon_300503.htm

Finally a 30% off of $10 purchase, through May 6th.

It is completely incredible that I didn't recieve that coupon or any other DVD coupon on my email. This week I only recieved book offers and book coupons.

[FangsFirst]

It is completely incredible that I didn't recieve that coupon or any other DVD coupon on my email. This week I only recieved book offers and book coupons.
They're testing that in some markets. And some other offers.

[Cosmic Bus]

Thanks for the 30% coupon. My store is unfortunately one of the '30% off a book' test stores, so I'll certainly make use of this. :)

[Ambassador]

It is completely incredible that I didn't recieve that coupon or any other DVD coupon on my email. This week I only recieved book offers and book coupons.

It really seems to me that Borders is systematically trying to drive customers away....

I mean that as a dig at the corporate office, not at folks like FangsFirst. But my Borders-buying has probably fallen off by 50% so far this year.

[dx23]

bump for new members:

20% off coupon

www.visitborders.com

[abintra]

It is completely incredible that I didn't recieve that coupon or any other DVD coupon on my email. This week I only recieved book offers and book coupons.

I've yet to receive any email since I signed up in March. My account shows the correct email address but there are notes saying that they won't display borders bucks until May 24th (I'm presuming I have some, $5 for every $150 right?, but that isn't enough to justify buying anything with their higher prices unless I can find something they carry I can't find anywhere else or a decent $10 title and using a 30% off coupon).

[Spiral Staircase]

It really seems to me that Borders is systematically trying to drive customers away....

I mean that as a dig at the corporate office, not at folks like FangsFirst. But my Borders-buying has probably fallen off by 50% so far this year.

I feel the same way. I used to be a Borders habitué (2 or 3 visits a month). During the last twelve months, I probably made less than five trips to Borders.

[fliggil]

http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/coupon_0510.htm

25% off one item through 5/13

I too starecase/Ambassador, I probably used to go to Broders once a week actually, thus far in 2007 I've made one purchase.

[abintra]

Anyone know of any or how to find some decent titles selling for $10 that might be worth picking up with a coupon and $5 Borders Bucks?

[FangsFirst]

Anyone know of any or how to find some decent titles selling for $10 that might be worth picking up with a coupon and $5 Borders Bucks?
hey! you've approved some changes I've made on DVDspot!

...anyway.

if you can convince an employee to use a filter on a dvd search in our inventory program, with prices between 9.00 and 11.50 (I go a bit over and under when I do this, just to keep it simple) then it will pull up all titles in that store that fit that filter.

This can also be used genre-specific (I occasionally try to find horror or sci fi, for instance).

Of course this does require an employee with some familiarity with the program...

EDIT: Rumble Fish SE isn't too bad for 9.99 list (and I no longer see it in other stores)

[slowcloud]

EDIT: Rumble Fish SE isn't too bad for 9.99 list (and I no longer see it in other stores)

Let me just say that is one of my all time fave films... OK, bye.

[bookcase3]

Was in Borders today (Boston, MA) and they have a deal of "Mix or Match" 3 CDs or DVDs and get the 4th for free. Although the word "free" is appealing, I find that because of their prices, it's a catch. I had 3 items I wanted to buy, but couldn't find another item on sale to get for "free," so I put them all back and went to Amazon, where I've saved more money by not getting something for free.

[dx23]

Was in Borders today (Boston, MA) and they have a deal of "Mix or Match" 3 CDs or DVDs and get the 4th for free. Although the word "free" is appealing, I find that because of their prices, it's a catch. I had 3 items I wanted to buy, but couldn't find another item on sale to get for "free," so I put them all back and went to Amazon, where I've saved more money by not getting something for free.

To sweeten the deal, or actually make the the deal competitive, you can use this coupon of $10 off the purchase of $50:

http://www.bordersstores.com/features/feature.jsp?file=coupon_erewards

[bookcase3]

To sweeten the deal, or actually make the the deal competitive, you can sue this coupon of $10 off the purchase of $50:

http://www.bordersstores.com/features/feature.jsp?file=coupon_erewards

Can your really use that with buy 3, get 1 free deal? If so, that sweetens the deal considerably!

[FangsFirst]

Can your really use that with buy 3, get 1 free deal? If so, that sweetens the deal considerably!
Absolutely. If someone claims otherwise, it is clear on the coupon that it is only not usable with other COUPONS and group discounts (=corporate, employee and teacher discounts)

[Maxflier]

In regards to that mix and match deal: Is this deal limited to a certain selection of DVD's or does it encompass their entire DVD selection?

[Jaosn1749]

Here's this week's 30% of a $10 purchase coupon:

http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/coupon_300517.htm

FYI, sometimes you can figure them out early if you bump the date up in the URL above. the "300517" portion means 30% off starting 5/17.

[dx23]

Thanks for that coupon and the hint.

[bookcase3]

In regards to that mix and match deal: Is this deal limited to a certain selection of DVD's or does it encompass their entire DVD selection?

The sign say every CD and DVD in the store is included in the deal. And a special thanks to dx23 for pointing out that $10 off coupon -- they accepted it without hesitation, so I really scored. (Picked up Pan's Labyrinth and 3 CDs.) I honestly don't know what I'd do without this forum. Oh yeah, I'd be broke.

[Maxflier]

Awesome, gonna use that deal tonight then and pickup the Fountain HD DVD (hopefully they count HD DVD's as part of the deal) along with the coupon. Now to figure out what else I want.....

[dx23]

The sign say every CD and DVD in the store is included in the deal. And a special thanks to dx23 for pointing out that $10 off coupon -- they accepted it without hesitation, so I really scored. (Picked up Pan's Labyrinth and 3 CDs.) I honestly don't know what I'd do without this forum. Oh yeah, I'd be broke.

You're welcome. Good to be of help around here.

[Maxflier]

Yeah thanks for the coupon, I used it with the deal tonight and essentially got the HD DVD's of A Scanner Darkly and The Fountain for $20 each, which is pretty good.
How long does the Buy 3 Get 1 Free deal last? If it is still going next week, I may use it again to get Flags/Letters, 40 Year Old Virgin and something else.

[FangsFirst]

Yeah thanks for the coupon, I used it with the deal tonight and essentially got the HD DVD's of A Scanner Darkly and The Fountain for $20 each, which is pretty good.
How long does the Buy 3 Get 1 Free deal last? If it is still going next week, I may use it again to get Flags/Letters, 40 Year Old Virgin and something else.
This is a monthly promotion, so about 4-5 weeks from now (it will end on a Monday)

[Maxflier]

Thanks FangsFirst, that's what I wanted to hear!

[dx23]

BORDERS REWARDS EXCLUSIVE OFFER
VALID THROUGH 5/28/07
20% Off
the List Price of One Item
http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/coupon_200524.htm

BORDERS REWARDS EXCLUSIVE OFFER
VALID THROUGH 5/29/07
Dance of the Kama Sutra
Only $9.99
List Price: $14.99
http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/kamasutra.htm

BORDERS REWARDS EXCLUSIVE OFFER
VALID THROUGH 5/30/07
Alex Rider: Operation Stormbreaker
Only $9.99
List Price: $14.99
http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/stormbreaker.htm

BORDERS REWARDS EXCLUSIVE OFFER
VALID THROUGH 5/31/07
Get Selected Bodywisdom DVDs
for $14.99 Each



Pilates Complete For Everyone
Pilates Complete for Inflexible People
Pilates Complete For Weight Loss
Pilates Complete: Sculpt and Tone
Power Yoga: Complete for Every Body: Interactive Yoga Series
Prenatal Yoga Complete
Yoga Complete for Weight Loss
Yoga for Athletes
Yoga For Everybody
http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/bodywisdom.htm

BORDERS REWARDS EXCLUSIVE OFFER
VALID THROUGH 6/06/07
Sugar Ray Leonard & Laila Ali: Knockout Two-Pack
Only $14.99
List Price: $24.99
http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/ali.htm

BORDERS REWARDS EXCLUSIVE OFFER
VALID THROUGH 6/11/07
20% Off
Selected DVDs



The ABC's of Couples Fitness: Basic Moves
Get Ripped!: Ripped 1000
Jennifer Kries: Hot Body Cool Mind - Level 1
Samba Party Workout: Brazilian Rhythms
Tight on Time: Body Blast - Tamilee Webb
Tight on Time: Hot Spots - Tamilee Webb
Tracey Mallett's Renew You: Cardio Fusion
http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/wellness.htm

And the buy 3 get 4th free still going on DVDs and CDs.

[MrE]

Caveal on the b3g4 offer:

Least expensive item is free. Box sets count as a single item. Valid in U.S. Borders stores except stores in the Denver and Colorado Springs, CO; Orlando, FL; Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN; and San Diego, CA areas. Not valid in Borders Express or Waldenbooks stores. Selection may vary by store; sorry, no rain checks or reserves.

[art3]

i wonder if any new 30pct off coupons are comming out..
art3

[FangsFirst]

25% is the next one.

[dx23]

i wonder if any new 30pct off coupons are comming out..
art3

Beware of your username. The last one to use that name was flamed and banned from DVDTalk because of some boyish repetitive topic. I'm just saying that it may bring confusion by other members.

[Trevor]

I honestly don't know what I'd do without this forum. Oh yeah, I'd be broke.

Sometimes I wonder if I'm more broke because of this forum..... :)

[art3]

so how does one change one's username here?

[SFranke]

$10 off $50

Valid until 7.01.07

http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/coupons_erewards.htm

Also, FangsFirst, does a comprehensive list of 2 for $22 CDs exist? Does it just depend on what the store puts in the bin? Thanks.

[lena]

25% is the next one. link (http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/coupon_250531.htm)

[FangsFirst]

Also, FangsFirst, does a comprehensive list of 2 for $22 CDs exist? Does it just depend on what the store puts in the bin? Thanks.
There is a comprehensive list, though it's moot as the sale ended today; corporate decided to end it earlier than previously scheduled. And, of course, the deal was not given dates publicly, so that's that.

As far as the list goes though, it can change week to week, but there's a solid one we're given. It's up to the stores to get the things into the bin, but they don't choose them. If you see a title you think you saw in there, ask an employee if it still is, even if it is no longer stickered. I actually did that before I worked there.

(the list is too long to memorize, and I've no easy way to bring it home, which could conceivably violate policy anyway))

[Cosmic Bus]

The b3g4 DVD/CD sale was abruptly ended today at our store instead of the previously advertised mid-June ending.
The way this company thinks... -ohbfrank-

[FangsFirst]

The b3g4 DVD/CD sale was abruptly ended today at our store instead of the previously advertised mid-June ending.
The way this company thinks... -ohbfrank-
Company-wide ending, for the record (as implied in my post above)

[fliggil]

http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/coupon_200607.htm 20% off an item

Don't we always get their weekly newsletter on Thursdays? Wonder why it came today. Enjoy.

[FangsFirst]

http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/coupon_200607.htm 20% off an item

Don't we always get their weekly newsletter on Thursdays? Wonder why it came today. Enjoy.
to tie in with the oprah announcement

[cdollaz]

I need a 30-percenter for the Sonic Youth release next week.

[bookcase3]

http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/coupon_200607.htm 20% off an item

Don't we always get their weekly newsletter on Thursdays? Wonder why it came today. Enjoy.

I wish they would come out with the newsletter/coupons on Tuesday -- if it was 30% off or a single-item sale, more of my money might have been dropped at Borders, as opposed to going to Best Buy to get a new release.

[fliggil]

I think they might also be moving to Tuesdays (unless this is a one time deal?) as that's when I usually get Barnes&Nobles weekly newsletter. Either way, they definitely need to step up with better coupons, my purchases there have greatly dropped off over the past few years from a purchase every week to maybe once every 2 months.

[jkzahn]

I got a 30% off postcard with a "sticker" I can place on any item and is good until July 4.

Anyone had trouble using this with sale items? (It says can't be combined with other coupons or sale pricing).

[Cosmic Bus]

I got a 30% off postcard with a "sticker" I can place on any item and is good until July 4.

Anyone had trouble using this with sale items? (It says can't be combined with other coupons or sale pricing).

You've answered your own question. :) As has been stated many times, percentage-off coupons cannot be used on top of an item already on sale.

[jkzahn]

I was hoping this might not be systematically enforced, but 30% off full price plus sales tax is no deal at all!! Good to know - thanks for the confirmation!!!

[Cosmic Bus]

A heads-up: Borders is bringing back its 'one day/40%-off one DVD boxset' coupon for this Friday, the 15th; there will be a CD boxset coupon as well. Should be attached to this week's shortlist e-mail...

[Harold Chasen]

Here's the 40% off link: http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/couponcddvd_0614.htm

[fliggil]

anyone got any good deals for this coupon? I was considering one of the Eclipse box sets, but doesn't really seem worth it with the other 20% sales going on.

[Cosmic Bus]

This coupon would be a good opportunity to use any remaining holiday savings you might have in the Rewards account.

[FangsFirst]

If you happen to be a Queen fan, it's not a DVD, but the Crown Jewels box set has a list price at Borders below almost everyone else's SALE price. Quite a deal...

[mnementh]

A heads-up: Borders is bringing back its 'one day/40%-off one DVD boxset' coupon for this Friday, the 15th; there will be a CD boxset coupon as well. Should be attached to this week's shortlist e-mail...

Back? I haven't been paying close attention to Borders- How often do they put out a 40% off coupon?

[FangsFirst]

Back? I haven't been paying close attention to Borders- How often do they put out a 40% off coupon?
Very rarely; we did two around the 4th q. holidays previously. Possibly another inbetween, but I don't think so.

[Doc Moonlight]

If you reserve a copy of a DVD set online, can you still use the coupon?

[jackepstein]

Doc, the answer is yes.

[Cosmic Bus]

If you reserve a copy of a DVD set online, can you still use the coupon?

Technically, no, but it's going to depend entirely on who you speak with. Corporate has dictated that online and phone reserves are NOT allowed for this coupon because of "limited quantities" -- essentially a first-come-first-served basis.

[asianxcore]

Here's the 40% off link: http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/couponcddvd_0614.htm

Thanks for the coupon!

I might pick up The Pinky Violence Collection tomorrow with it. Then again I just spent $60 on all 3 seasons of Millennium, don't know if I want to burn another $60.

[jeffrey r]

Thanks for the coupon!

I might pick up The Pinky Violence Collection tomorrow with it. Then again I just spent $60 on all 3 seasons of Millennium, don't know if I want to burn another $60.

I don't know exactly how this coupon will work, but bear in mind that this might only work with selected titles. When you click the coupon, you see the following: "Selection varies by store. Browse now." I'm planning on trying this with a music box set not on their list, but I might get nixed. Kind of silly for them to limit this coupon, but I fear it might work that way. And your Pinky Violence Collection is not on the list.

[DVD NDN]

48 bucks for Superman ultimate isn't too bad

[Cosmic Bus]

I don't know exactly how this coupon will work, but bear in mind that this might only work with selected titles. When you click the coupon, you see the following: "Selection varies by store. Browse now." I'm planning on trying this with a music box set not on their list, but I might get nixed. Kind of silly for them to limit this coupon, but I fear it might work that way. And your Pinky Violence Collection is not on the list.

The coupon is good off the list price on any in stock DVD (or CD) boxset, not just a particular number of selections. That fine print is likely for clarification in case a store doesn't happen to have one of the sets featured in the e-mail.

If you're considering a DVD that you aren't sure is considered a boxset by Borders' computers, ask an employee to look up the BINC in the stores inventory program (NOT the Borders Search that customers have access to) to check if it is listed as a 'DB' (or CB for CD boxsets) which is how boxsets are flagged.

[jeffrey r]

To answer my own question, and this might be ymmv based on how the coupon reads, I just used this on a random CD boxset not on their list, and my store took the coupon without batting an eye. So it is definitely worth a shot if they have something you've been looking for. 40% off is a decent deal.

Edit: If Cosmic Bus is right, this should not be ymmv, and should be good to go on any cd or dvd boxset.

[fliggil]

Thanks for the coupon!

I might pick up The Pinky Violence Collection tomorrow with it. Then again I just spent $60 on all 3 seasons of Millennium, don't know if I want to burn another $60.

Go for it, the PV box set is well worth it.

[FangsFirst]

I don't know exactly how this coupon will work, but bear in mind that this might only work with selected titles. When you click the coupon, you see the following: "Selection varies by store. Browse now." I'm planning on trying this with a music box set not on their list, but I might get nixed. Kind of silly for them to limit this coupon, but I fear it might work that way. And your Pinky Violence Collection is not on the list.
It isn't limited.

[FangsFirst]

The coupon is good off the list price on any in stock DVD (or CD) boxset, not just a particular number of selections. That fine print is likely for clarification in case a store doesn't happen to have one of the sets featured in the e-mail.

If you're considering a DVD that you aren't sure is considered a boxset by Borders' computers, ask an employee to look up the BINC in the stores inventory program (NOT the Borders Search that customers have access to) to check if it is listed as a 'DB' (or CB for CD boxsets) which is how boxsets are flagged.

I thought it was going to be category based myself--but I called in to work (I'm not going in today!) and had one of my coworkers sell me the new Traveling Wilburys DE over the phone. It's coded "CD" (I think it's bizarre, yeah, but it is)...she didn't have to modify at all, sounded like.

Dunno how they've got it coded; I know it usually IS by cat.

[cdollaz]

Couldn't find anything when I went at lunch.

[jeffrey r]

I thought it was going to be category based myself--but I called in to work (I'm not going in today!) and had one of my coworkers sell me the new Traveling Wilburys DE over the phone.

That's what I bought as well. I used the top coupon, and it went through without a problem.

[cordobes]

I went out at lunch and was able to use it on the Criterion Collection edition of Mr. Arkadin.

Even though the coupon says, "One coupon per customer during the valid period", I am going to stop at another Borders store on the way home and try to use another one.

[stanl2]

I considered getting "Planet Earth - The Complete BBC Series" on 5 DVDs. I checked www dot borders dot com (which is actually amazon) (http://www.borders.com) and they listed the standard version (not the HD or Blue Ray) as only $54. So, I was hoping to find it at the B&M store for about $32.40 ( which is $54 minus 40% ).


However, I stopped by a local Borders B&M, and discovered the B&M price is $80. So, the discounted price would be about $48 plus tax. And the coupon is only good at B&M Borders. Customer service confirmed those numbers.


I easily rejected that plan knowing that the Deep Discount 20% sale (http://forum.dvdtalk.com/showthread.php?t=502144) is even better. The price there would be about $43.20 ( which is $54 minus 20% ). Now, I just need to decide if I really want "Planet Earth" from DD.


I didn't see any other DVD sets that were reasonably priced such that 40% off would make them cheaper than elsewhere. I didn't take detailed notes, but nothing jumped out at me as saying "I am cheaper here with 40% off." Did anyone else notice anything?

[vedderone]

The BBC america version of Robin Hood 2006 will be a good deal list price of $80 will end up being about $50 after the 40% discount $17 cheaper than amazon and 2 cheaper than best buy. I think its a good deal and will be picking up a set

[Smorri]

Why is this 40% off box set sale always such a hassle?! I check inventory on the web. It shows stock and a list price of $24.99. I'm not counting on the inventory, because so far, 100% of the time, if they show it as in stock, they can't find a copy (including once they showed a stock of 10 copies of a paperback for a month and a half, and no employee could find me a copy).

So anyway, I drive to the store and lo and behold they have the DVD in stock, but its priced $39.99!! I know their web page says the price may differ in store, but $40 on a $25 DVD?! I ask the video clerk to check it, she checked it and wrote the correct list price on the sticker. She said to tell the cash register person to call her if there was a problem. She was very nice about it. At the Register, the clerk calls for a manager (which I fully understand). The clerk explains the situation and the manager replies with a suspicious "Really?" So he goes to check the price. When he finds out the sticker price was indeed wrong, he starts being nicer. After they figure out how to ring it up, I am finally allowed to buy it.

At the last 40% off sale the same thing happened. But the manager insisted that the computer was wrong, but she offered to "let" me use the coupon to get a discount off the incorrect higher price. Only after I asked to talk to the district manager did she honor the price in her computer.

I worked in retail for 15 years and I just don't understand blaming the customer for stale price stickers. If your computer is incorrect, your product pricing is out of date and inconsistent with your own computer system, that’s your problem. Don't alienate the customer because your system is breaking down.

I know FangsFirst, not all Borders are like this, and you are proud of the customer service you provide at your store. I wish your store was near me. But I'm cursed with a crappy one. And guess what, when I walk out of that store frustrated, I don't mentally associate my frustration to just that store, but with Borders as a whole... so your whole company loses.

Combine this with getting new paperback titles weeks after they are released and available at B&N... if B&N gets around to creating a free discount card system, its goodbye Borders for me. Actually the gas I burn to drive to Borders would be enough of a discount when I have a B&N right across the street from where I work.

All this for a DVD I could have got AT DDD for about the same price?

[FangsFirst]

I know FangsFirst, not all Borders are like this, and you are proud of the customer service you provide at your store. I wish your store was near me. But I'm cursed with a crappy one. And guess what, when I walk out of that store frustrated, I don't mentally associate my frustration to just that store, but with Borders as a whole... so your whole company loses.

Hey, I'm not gonna jump on anyone for saying "Man the people at X store suck." I don't know them. I mean, I know a few people around the country, but not many.

I'm still unsure of what the exact situation was for you. Best thing to do is to have the cashier type in the BINC number if there is a price discrepancy and the computer (our system, not the awful, slow-loading red, GUI one) says the lower price, we are supposed (period) to honor that price. Technically we should also be honoring those in the slow-loading monstrosity, but our system is definitive--to the point that if you DO type the binc in, it will correct itself to the price tied to the number, not the one tied to that particular copy.

PS: a bit late in the day, but I always forget this myself:
MB is the CD box set category code. CB is for CD audiobooks.

[excom101]

Honestly, any time I know there's a discrepancy between the sticker and the computers at Borders, I just peel off the price sticker. It forces the cashier's hand and avoids any argument/discussion.

[LASERMOVIES]

Since I had $15 in Holiday Savings Rewards from e rewards I decided to make use of the 40% off box set coupon today. With coupon and reward money I got the Clark Gable Signature Collection for $20.

[Vitaforce]

Thanks for pointing out the low list price on the Queen Box Set. Did anyone notice any other music box sets or even dvd box sets with low list prices that after the coupon come out to a really good deal? I looked up the list prices of a handful of box sets and even with the 40% off, it seemed like Amazon and other online retailers were comparable. So if anyone found a really good deal today that can't be beat, please share it with a guy on the west coast who still has time to go to Borders. Can I sign up for Borders Rewards at the store and use the coupon on the same day?

[jeffrey r]

Picked up the Letters/Flags 5-disc commemorative edition for $32 out the door. Not too bad as this set is getting very hard to find, and this was the last one in the store.

[DVD NDN]

Picked up an OLDBOY limited edition tin for 23.99. Not too bad as its hard to find and OOP.

[jeffrey r]

Picked up an OLDBOY limited edition tin for 23.99. Not too bad as its hard to find and OOP.

Now that's a good find. The store near me sold out of those a few weeks back. I bought one of the last ones with a 30% off coupon. Nice score.

[IamHydrogen1]

I got moe. Warts and All Vol. 5 (3 CDs) for $4.82 after 40% and $5 Border bucks.

If live music is your thing, there are a few bands that have 3 disc sets (Pearl Jam, Grateful Dead, etc.) that retail below $20.

[Maxflier]

Definately a good deal on Oldboy, although I don't see how that is considered a box set(assuming you used the coupon).

[Peep]

Picked up an OLDBOY limited edition tin for 23.99. Not too bad as its hard to find and OOP.

Where'd you find an OLDBOY? Any left?

[g]

I got the early hitchcock set from lionsgate good deal with 15 dollar holiday rewards.

[brocklanders]

Basically this coupon is worthless save for a couple rare DVD's that are not commonly found at a discount price.

1. The selection at most Borders stores is just ok for box sets

2. 40% off of the Borders retail price is normally still more than the price online or at stores like Costco/Best Buy. Essentially the coupon just takes away the 40% markup that Borders gouges their customers with.

[Trevor]

I used it to finally pick up the Superman set, but I only shop at Borders when they have coupons like that 40% one and I have gift cards to use.

[DVD NDN]

Got the OLDBOY in Geneva, IL and it was the last one. It is listed on the sticker as "OLDBOY-SE-BOX SET" so that helped my cause but I think it rang up w/o problems

[GuessWho]

With the coupon, I got LIVE 8 for $25 :)

[Gerry P.]

2. 40% off of the Borders retail price is normally still more than the price online or at stores like Costco/Best Buy. Essentially the coupon just takes away the 40% markup that Borders gouges their customers with.Since when is 40% off list not a good deal?

[dutch southern]

Since when is 40% off list not a good deal?
I don't know. I used the 40% coupon and picked up the "Iwo Jima/Flags for our Fathers" 5 Discer for just over 31 bucks (with tax). I've yet to see a deal that good online or in-store.

[jeffrey r]

I also bought the "Iwo Jima/Flags for our Fathers" 5 discer for about $32 with tax. And the Traveling Wilburys Deluxe edition for about $28 with tax. These are very good prices.

On DVD's, msrp's can be so high that 40% off can be hit or miss. 40% of a $99 msrp HBO box set would not be so hot. I find music box sets at Borders tend to be better bargains, as their msrp's seem to be more realistic than DVD msrp's.

Anyway, bottom line is, there are certainly good deals to be had at 40% off msrp. And I saw a ton of people in the store on Friday with these printouts. I had never seen the store this crowded on a normal weekday. So the coupon definitely generated interest.

[FangsFirst]

2. 40% off of the Borders retail price is normally still more than the price online or at stores like Costco/Best Buy. Essentially the coupon just takes away the 40% markup that Borders gouges their customers with.
It is neither a markup, nor a gouging, or is it "Borders" retail price. It's MSRP (occasionally less).

It all relates to how companies make profit. Big box stores make almost zero profit on those DVDs they sell so much below list (eg Best Buy). The media is there as a draw for their real income (TVs, etc).
Borders does not have such a draw and as such must charge list price.
Mind you, I don't expect you to suddenly feel the desire to support the company, but at least understand this is not a simple "I know! We'll charge more than everyone else!" deal.
And of course websites have about, um, none of the overhead a B&M store has.

[jeffrey r]

Question to Fangs: When do you expect the next 30% off coupon to be issued? There are a couple of CD's I'm eyeing at the store, but the 20% off coupons are not cutting it. Thanks.

[FangsFirst]

Question to Fangs: When do you expect the next 30% off coupon to be issued? There are a couple of CD's I'm eyeing at the store, but the 20% off coupons are not cutting it. Thanks.

Honestly, can't be sure. At most I know a week in advance, rarely if ever any sooner, possibly later. I'll glance ahead today and see if they've mentioned anything about next week or not.

[barbybrant]

Question to Fangs: When do you expect the next 30% off coupon to be issued? There are a couple of CD's I'm eyeing at the store, but the 20% off coupons are not cutting it. Thanks.

I know what you mean! Good news.... With my Borders purchase today I received a register-generated comeback coupon for 30% off one item over $10, which goes into effect July 12-15. If they follow the usual pattern, that will be the e-mail coupon for next weekend as well.

[FangsFirst]

Yes, the POS bounceback is now 30%, and the email coupon should follow.

Just to throw this out, not a DVD, but the "Complete Birth of the Cool" (the album + a live show) by Miles Davis is only 9.99 right now. Good way to get a bounceback coupon.

[leefarber]

Fangs,

Do we have a buy 3 DVDs get 1 free deal coming up? I have a $100 gift card and I wanted to pick up a few Criterions, but figure I'll get the most mileage if I wait for one of these deals.

[FangsFirst]

Fangs,

Do we have a buy 3 DVDs get 1 free deal coming up? I have a $100 gift card and I wanted to pick up a few Criterions, but figure I'll get the most mileage if I wait for one of these deals.

They tend to show up at the beginning of the year or sometimes in the middle, meaning around this time.
But, since it seems the last one didn't do what they wanted (our best guess is people were already buying 3 CDs or DVDs, so they were JUST getting one free, ie, no real benefit) there's no telling.
Alas, we only find out about deals as much as a week and MAYBE a month ahead....varies tho.

Should also be noted, the bounceback coupon was decreased to 25%, so the e-mail is likely to be 25% as well.

[Peep]

I know what you mean! Good news.... With my Borders purchase today I received a register-generated comeback coupon for 30% off one item over $10, which goes into effect July 12-15. If they follow the usual pattern, that will be the e-mail coupon for next weekend as well.

I got a coupon today but it was only good for 25% over that same period.

[cdollaz]

Anyone have any data regarding their sales since they changed the rewards program and stop putting out good coupons regularly?

[bhauge]

My wife got the following link to a 30% coupon for signing up for e-Rewards:

LINK (http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/coupons_erewards2.htm)

As far as I can tell it's not a user-unique number so it should be good for everyone to use.

[jeffrey r]

My wife got the following link to a 30% coupon for signing up for e-Rewards:

LINK (http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/coupons_erewards2.htm)

As far as I can tell it's not a user-unique number so it should be good for everyone to use.

Great--thanks.

[Peep]

Good find! Good through the end of the month.

[SFranke]

$10 off $50 through 7/31. This is good on sale prices for those who don't know.

http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/coupons_erewards.htm

[yeldarb367]

Does anyone know of good sales they have going on now? (or are they all store-specific?)

[Peep]

Another good one!

[jeffrey r]

Just a bump for anyone who might have missed the 30% off or $10 off $50 coupons, both good through the end of July.

[FangsFirst]

Does anyone know of good sales they have going on now? (or are they all store-specific?)
Not store specific.

Looks like none of the DVD deals are listed online right now tho. Nor music.

[Sex Fiend]

Just a bump for anyone who might have missed the 30% off or $10 off $50 coupons, both good through the end of July.

Is that 30% usable by anyone (ie - you don't have to be a Rewards member)? I got a 30% coupon this week for the Rewards program, which I already used. That wouldn't limit my ability to print and use this one, would it?

[jeffrey r]

Is that 30% usable by anyone (ie - you don't have to be a Rewards member)? I got a 30% coupon this week for the Rewards program, which I already used. That wouldn't limit my ability to print and use this one, would it?

I am a rewards member, and I've used this coupon about 5 times this week. Two on the same order (as long as the checkout person is cool with it, which they usually are, the coupon will scan multiple times on the same order without a problem--one coupon per item of course). Not sure if it is limited to rewards members.

[Sex Fiend]

I am a rewards member, and I've used this coupon about 5 times this week. Two on the same order (as long as the checkout person is cool with it, which they usually are, the coupon will scan multiple times on the same order without a problem--one coupon per item of course). Not sure if it is limited to rewards members.

I guess I'm confused then. The coupon does state that it is "one coupon per customer during the valid period." The only way that I could see that Borders could track that would be if you had to present your Rewards membership card in conjunction with your purchase (as you have to with regular Rewards discounts). As they apparently didn't ask you to present your card or otherwise track your use of the coupon multiple times, one would assume then that they aren't limiting the use of the discount either to Rewards members, or in terms of multiple usage (in spite of what the wording on the coupon indicates).

I guess it's worth a shot then, unless someone can confirm that some Borders are giving grief about multiple usage of the 30% discount.

[jeffrey r]

I do show them my rewards card each time. I don't quite get hung up on what the coupon says. Borders does not get my business without the coupon, but I am happy to buy certain items with the 30% coupon. Borders (at least my Borders) does not care about using multiple coupons on the same order, or multiple coupons during any "period".

You can print out as many copies of these online coupons as you want, and worst that would happen is that they tell you that you've already used one during a "period". But I would not expect anyone at Borders to be tracking your coupon usage.

[FangsFirst]

Some stores are more clear with that policy than others.

[abintra]

Not store specific.


I was thinking they might be store specific also as I bought something at one store a week ago Thursday at one store and then returned it at a different store the next day (found it much cheaper) and it was $5 cheaper at that second store where I returned it.

That second store also had a rack of $7.99 DVDs, just a handful like Run Lola Run, Winged Migration, etc, but I didn't see that at the first store (very possible I just didn't find it though).

[FangsFirst]

I was thinking they might be store specific also as I bought something at one store a week ago Thursday at one store and then returned it at a different store the next day (found it much cheaper) and it was $5 cheaper at that second store where I returned it.

That second store also had a rack of $7.99 DVDs, just a handful like Run Lola Run, Winged Migration, etc, but I didn't see that at the first store (very possible I just didn't find it though).
Some sales are weekly (change on Tuesdays)--that 7.99 for instance was one week only, as I recall. I have a hand in merchandising (putting up promotions, stickering items with the directed sale prices, etc) but I'm no longer in charge of it, so my memory for it isn't 100%.

As far as the particular instance you mention...could've been someone didn't notice when corporate sent down the price change list for items (if we're talking regular price) or it went on sale that next day. Couldn't say for sure without details.

[DGibFen]

My wife got the following link to a 30% coupon for signing up for e-Rewards:

LINK (http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/coupons_erewards2.htm)

As far as I can tell it's not a user-unique number so it should be good for everyone to use.

Looks like it's good through the end of August now (8/31).

[abintra]

Some sales are weekly (change on Tuesdays)--that 7.99 for instance was one week only, as I recall. I have a hand in merchandising (putting up promotions, stickering items with the directed sale prices, etc) but I'm no longer in charge of it, so my memory for it isn't 100%.

Any chance you know of a similiar sale upcoming ($7.99 titles)?

[FangsFirst]

Any chance you know of a similiar sale upcoming ($7.99 titles)?
Not offhand, I think some are still on. We're a little focused elsewhere this week (as you might imagine!) and so I haven't been strictly up to date on sales...I might take a look in the madness tomorrow if I get a chance, but madness is probalby the right word, so...

[abintra]

I should have picked up Run Lola Run for $8 during the last sale with my Borders Bucks but didn't when I had the chance.

[dx23]

30% Off
the List Price of Any of
The Simpsons Box Sets, Seasons 1-9
BORDERS REWARDS EXCLUSIVE OFFER
VALID THROUGH 8/13/07

http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/simpsons.htm

[SFranke]

The Simpsons sets at Borders have Movie Cash for the Simpsons Movie inside.

[surfingelectrod]

Quick question... should I be able to use a coupon on an ordered item? If I cant then I'm really not interested in buying it at their price.

[FangsFirst]

Quick question... should I be able to use a coupon on an ordered item? If I cant then I'm really not interested in buying it at their price.
If it is in stock at our distributors, there should probably be no issue--and if the coupon is going to expire before it gets there, have them see if they can Easy Ship it to you--no cost for 7-10 day shipping.

[surfingelectrod]

If it is in stock at our distributors, there should probably be no issue

I'm guessing that it was. It took three days for them to get it from the time I ordered it.