M & D: Check your local (smaller) bookstores

[Chris Sweet]

Paul York wrote:
> 
> Have just got my hands on a copy of M&D (haven't cracked it yet, no
> spoilers here).  A talk with a couple of friends reveals that at least
> several smaller bookstores in the Pioneer Valley/Western Mass area have
> received it and, unlike the larger chains, are apparently not bound by
> some distributor-linked computer to hold on to the damn things until
> tomorrow.
>         Paul

It's not so much that larger chains are bound to hold it until the
release date. They can sell it when they get it if they want but by
doing so they risk the 'penalty' of receiving future releases by
that publisher well after the release date.

Smaller stores would likely have less of a problem selling it early
because they aren't as likely to be affected by such penalties.
Ironically, some stores that move really huge quantities of books
at blowout prices (40%+ off) break dates all the time and never
seem to have any problems (places like Walmart, Sam's Club, Target).
I guess when you buy in the quantities they do....

-chris