Do not Patronize Joseph-Beth Booksellers

[mythaeus]

Well-written! Sandcut made some good edits, I'd consider his changes strongly. Run a quick spell check, doesn't hurt. You are obviously well-read and presented yourself as such. It would be ironic if your letter was crappy (considering how much money you spend on books) . I'd also include the B&N corporate policy email with the letter. I'd also send your letter to Chris.

Good luck with it and I hope you straighten them out. I'd hate to see small businesses losing out, but if they can't follow simple laws to honor people's rights, to hell with them.

Al

[granuale]

Originally Posted by prophet23

And yes, i do read that much, thats what makes JB's intolerance so aggravating.

1. Try half.com for books you will save a ton.

2. You were not "going to be denied [your] legal right to self defense." I'm all for the boycott, but them asserting their property rights is not an infringement on any right you hold.

[lildobe]

Originally Posted by granuale

I'm all for the boycott, but them asserting their property rights is not an infringement on any right you hold.

Just as they have the right to assert their rights, we have the right to voice our opinion to them, as well as to shop at other stores.

There is nothing wrong with complaining about a policy

[captaincrunch]

Im gonna disagree that this is a well written letter. the first sentence says it was an alleged complaint, so you start off by calling the employee a liar?? Not good if I'm the guy on the other end reading it. You're supposed to get me to see your side of the argument not have my employee called a liar and then you accuse them of taking a pre-civil rights stance on the matter in that you are only warm and inviting to "your kind".

Then you accuse them of being a complicent enabler of their bullying.

You say "Oddly, looking over the states in which you have bookstores I am surprised that you have taken this discriminatory position......" what position?? have you confirmed that they indeed have a no firearms policy?

Then you go on to say "If though, Chris was mistaken of her understanding of policy and JB booksellers follows the laws of the states in which they are located in this regard, meaning that I and others like me are more than welcome to shop in your store as we are, I would be more than happy to rescind your store from the DNP list."

So you made all these accusations before even comfirming that what this store manager told you is indeed corporate policy. Sorry to say but this is not a well written letter.

[prophet23]

She told me that she had contacted the corporate office and was told that the policy was no firearms in the store.

I took her word for it. I also left corporate some wiggle room to change that policy while saving face and not completely throwing the GM under the bus by allowing for the possibility that she had misunderstood the policy.

And its an alleged complaint because I find it hard to believe that some customer actually complained about me and I was approached within 45 seconds of entering the store. Maybe they did, but I never saw anyone complain so I call it alleged.

And yes, if they choose to lose my business because they feel like enabling some gun grabber who feels like being a bully im going to tell them so. I really don't a letter complaining about my rights not being respected by their store should have dew drops and sunshine sprinkled all over it.

[captaincrunch]

Originally Posted by prophet23

She told me that she had contacted the corporate office and was told that the policy was no firearms in the store.

I took her word for it. I also left corporate some wiggle room to change that policy while saving face and not completely throwing the GM under the bus by allowing for the possibility that she had misunderstood the policy.

And its an alleged complaint because I find it hard to believe that some customer actually complained about me and I was approached within 45 seconds of entering the store. Maybe they did, but I never saw anyone complain so I call it alleged.

And yes, if they choose to lose my business because they feel like enabling some gun grabber who feels like being a bully im going to tell them so. I really don't a letter complaining about my rights not being respected by their store should have dew drops and sunshine sprinkled all over it.

I didnt see you say that she told you she had contacted corporate. Even if she did say that (or any other store manager) you can't take their word for it. Confirming it with corporate is the only way to get the truth, store managers will lie to suit their motives. So it is really useless and counter productive to be confrontational with corporate until you know that no firearms is indeed their policy. I think it's fine and a good point to tell them you are a long time customer and will not return if no firearms is their policy but right off the bat claiming they are gun grabbers who don't respect your rights (which of course we all know don't exisit once you enter private property.)

[indianjack]

Better to get your books online. Try AddAll.com Gives you search by title or author with price comparisons. I've bought many books and have never had a problem with any of the stores listed there.

[tdyoung58]

Originally Posted by lildobe

Well written as always...

Keep us posted when you get a response.

Yes for the ten

[J.W.]

Originally Posted by captaincrunch

I didnt see you say that she told you she had contacted corporate. Even if she did say that (or any other store manager) you can't take their word for it. Confirming it with corporate is the only way to get the truth, store managers will lie to suit their motives. So it is really useless and counter productive to be confrontational with corporate until you know that no firearms is indeed their policy. I think it's fine and a good point to tell them you are a long time customer and will not return if no firearms is their policy but right off the bat claiming they are gun grabbers who don't respect your rights (which of course we all know don't exisit once you enter private property.)

If i was shopping at a store for years, spending the amount that this guy was per year, i would be a little assertive (yes assertive, not to be confused with confrontational.) too, especially considering the facts that he visits the store frequently AND was barely in the store before the manager jumped on him. In situations like these we need to push as hard as we can to make sure we are not trampled on. Clearly Prophet has been offended by thier standoffishness, as am i and so should you. A sheep in a sheepdog's clothing?

[captaincrunch]

Originally Posted by J.W.

If i was shopping at a store for years, spending the amount that this guy was per year, i would be a little assertive (yes assertive, not to be confused with confrontational.) too, especially considering the facts that he visits the store frequently AND was barely in the store before the manager jumped on him. In situations like these we need to push as hard as we can to make sure we are not trampled on. Clearly Prophet has been offended by thier standoffishness, as am i and so should you. A sheep in a sheepdog's clothing?

First I do not buy into the whole sheepdog/sheep thing. It is a gotten alittle to "we right you're wrong" for me.

Second, it's fine he is upset, in fact it's great but what you all need to realize is you are dealing with a business and when you write a letter do a business you need (in order to be taken seriously) to treat it as that, a business discussion. You have to take the emotion out and make a sane, rational arguement to the business. There is another thread going here (I got kicked out of Lowes in Chambersburg.) that brings up some good points about writing letters. It's another example of someone blasting a company before getting their official policy on carrying just because some store employee told them to leave.

So here are my take home points.
1. Get the corporate policy from a reliable source, do not trust some store manager to either know and/or tell you the truth about corporate policy
2. Write a letter that shows you have class and treat people with respect even if the store doesn't. There's nothing wrong with letting them know you are upset but do it in a way that doesnt make you (and in their mind all gun owners) look like a bunch of jackasses.
3. Don't go crazy preaching about your gun rights. Because you dont have any on their private property. (explain the law to them ie open carry/concealed carry legal in PA)

i'm not trying to pick on you or anything, I'm just giving advice on how to approach businesses using a business approach to address your problem because that is the approach they are most likely to respond to you positively.

and oh yea if you try to the nice approach and they don't do anything for you, well if you want to blast them then, then go ahead.