Best thing about waterstones
is the staff recommendation cards. Are they mandated centrally?
( argyleblanket The man on the roof works for me, Mon 14 Jun 2010, 20:34, 2 replies)

^This
Is it like some kind of compulsory book report thing? I went to three separate branches and they'd all recommended the same book. Strangely enough, at my local branch, when the books go to paperback the reccs stop. :-o
(Sivvus trolley collision in the fruit aisle led to a jam, Mon 14 Jun 2010, 22:19, closed)

^ As well
Interesting factoid: if you go upstairs at Waterstone's, they give you an honest opinion and treat you like a human being (says the fat middle aged bloke who is totally not stalking postgrad poetry enthusiasts).

Apparently the managers don't go upstairs because "that's where all the hard stuff is". At least that's what the Penrose fan with the amazing nipples thinks.

Mmm, physicists...
(all my scars face forward possesses 2.5% of a hyperalloy combat chassis, Mon 14 Jun 2010, 23:36, closed)

Hahaha, I can believe that!
Campus branch only has one floor, but because of the recent trends they had to dedicate a whole block display to "dark romance" (Twilight etc.) It's very rewarding to go into the store just to watch everyone obviously rolling their eyes at it as they walk past... including the staff. Kinda negating the fact that there's several cards with, "Julie recommends this book!" plastered to the display... interesting, because all the people working there are men and, I think, not called Julie.

EDIT: I did have a nice chat with someone in the fiction section of the city branch, though. I think because it was such a weird combination of books.
(Sivvus trolley collision in the fruit aisle led to a jam, Tue 15 Jun 2010, 0:35, closed)

Would...
...that be Oxford Street by any chance? ;-)
(TheProfessor For all your redbearded intellectual needs, Tue 15 Jun 2010, 19:47, closed)

There are a few hundred in each shop which are mandated centrally, which I personally find ridiculous. I had to put out a lot of the new ones recently, and a lot of them are for things like 'Life in the UK test Guide' and DIY books. As if anyone has actually recommended them!! Completely stupid.
(semantical, Tue 15 Jun 2010, 11:24, closed)