Borders has finally closed down its online store and the website now redirects to Barnes & Noble’s website. Borders shoppers are greeted by a “Welcome Borders Customer” message with an introduction to Barnes & Noble’s membership program, a free two month offer and a 10% off coupon.
This is all very new. Just this morning, this GalleyCat contributor visited the old Borders.com page, which was still an active link. It even had links to the Borders Facebook and Twitter pages. Those social media accounts, whose last posts were from September 13th, have now been taken over by Barnes & Noble. Earlier today, Barnes & Noble updated both with an image of the Barnes & Noble logo with the Borders logo beneath it.
Last month, Barnes & Noble purchased intellectual property from Borders during the bookseller’s liquidation. Today the Borders Twitter account tweeted: “Barnes & Noble appreciates the role bookstores play & we are sorry that Borders closed. Pls follow @BNBuzz to continue your love of reading.”
Borders customers, don’t be surprised if you get an email from Barnes & Noble. If you don’t want to hear from them, be sure to unsubscribe from their email list. The Boston Herald has more: “The state is warning former Borders customers that their personal information will be sold to Barnes & Noble unless they opt out. ‘Customers of Borders bookstores need to know that their information is being sold and that they have a limited amount of time to opt out,’ said Attorney General Martha Coakley in a statement. ‘We urge consumers who have concerns about the use of their private data to take action.'”