Breaking News (Harry Potter related)

[MongoTheGeek]

I think ordering people to return it is a bit extreme. But on the other hand, a family who purchased a copy from a store in ny that made that mistake was more than happy to return it in exchange for a special gift pack and autographed copy on saturday.

Sounds fair. When I mentioned this to my wife she was torn as to whether or not she would return it for an autographed copy a week later.

Really, I think the bookseller is at fault, and I say this as a manager of a bookstore. IT IS THE NUMBER ONE RELEASE OF THE YEAR. ANYONE WHO DOES NOT KNOW WHEN THE BOOK COMES OUT AND/OR THE CONSEQUENCES FOR SELLING EARLY SHOULD BE FIRED. Sorry, but I had to get that off my chest. I mean, really. Also, the short-term sales from selling it early is nothing, when you consider the potential loss of not only the last harry potter book, but further scholastic punishment. Scholastic could easily withhold other books, send smaller shipments, not replenish on time, or just slap a store with a gigantic fine. As one warning from our corporate offices regarding harry potter said "If you break the street date, the consequences will be be beyond our power to help you."

I like that, "beyond our power to help you." Like the grim and evil morlocks pulling you down into the bowels of the earth.

 

[Don't panic]

Sounds fair. When I mentioned this to my wife she was torn as to whether or not she would return it for an autographed copy a week later.

As mentioned above, I think the way I would react would depend mostly in HOW they ask. Any demand or injunction to give it back would not go through very well with me. Even more if their first move involves a judge.

besides, i am sure they are doing this ONLY for the added hype and i think they were probably hoping that it would happen (i'm not saying it was planned, but i wouldn't be surprised).

who cares if someone has it a week early?
who is damaged? nobody.

it's not that people won't buy it anyways, or that their reading experience would be ruined. It's a BOOK, not the lottery winning numbers.