Barnes & Noble studying... am I wrong?

Question

Some backstory: I'm a 20 year old college student and I go to Barnes and Noble's about 3 times a week to study. I never had a problem until tonight.

I usually bring in a cup of covenience store french vanilla cappuccino, for three reasons,
1. It's cooled down and actually DRINKABLE when I start studying.
2. It's cheap. I'm poor.
3. It tastes good. IMO starbucks coffee does not.

However I will concede that if a manager asked me to stop, I sure would and I would understand too.

The night in question I droped my books off at a table and went and bought a cd from their cd area. I then grabed a test prep book and started studying. About 45 minutes later a young, unhappy woman comes up, stares at me and says "This is not a library" and "Study at Caseys' (convience store) if you want to study.". I was totally shocked by this, I had always thought barnes and noble was an study haven for college students. I was kind of thrown off, so I grabed my stuff, and bought the test prep book

and then left the store.

Like I said, I agree the coffee was probably wrong, but rather then tell me not to bring it in any more she rather bluntly insulted me. Also.. I'm no free loader. My backpack had about 200$ worth of books I had bought from there.

Was this totally uncalled for on her part? Should I call the store head manager and file a complaint?

She was in fact the shift manager, I asked the cashier who apologized on her behalf.

Probably would have made filing a complaint a little akward... : )

This support is deffinately making me feel better though.

Answer 1

Was the young, unhappy woman a store employee? If yes, then I'd ask to speak with the manager. If no, then ask her politely to move along or simply ignore her. I know at our local BN store, it is where many people go do study, work, etc. It's set up that way and it has always been allowed for individuals to take books and magazines to browse and read in the store. That is why there are so many cozy reading areas set up throughout the store.

Answer 2

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RE:
Barnes & Noble studying... am I wrong?
Some backstory: I'm a 20 year old college student and I go to Barnes and Noble's about 3 times a week to study. I never had a problem until tonight.

I usually bring in a cup of covenience store french vanilla cappuccino, for three reasons,
1. It's cooled down and actually DRINKABLE...

Answer 3

It's just another example of someone taking her life's misery out on someone else. She's probably a miserable person who refuses to do anything but complain and make other people miserable.

You weren't bothering anyone and you were helping Barnes and Nobles' business (purchasing CDs.) If I were you, I would have just ignored her. The worst she could do is throw a temper tantrum and wind-up getting kicked out of the store herself. Barnes and Noble staff are usually really cool about students studying in the cafe.

Answer 4

That was rude of the woman to single you out like that. A lot of people use Barnes and Nobles as a study place. I go to Borders, ( I too am in college). I do feel guilty usually sitting in cafe, so will by their cheapest drink, usually tea. But the employees have never said anything when I didn't buy a thing.
You could complain to management and send a copy of the CD receipt in as proof of your customer loyalty.
But if there is a Borders in your area, try there. I have never had any problem and the staff address me by name now, lol. And I'm only there on the weekends.

Answer 5

Absolurely nothing wrong with that. The Banrnes& Noble in my area ALWAYS has at least 10 - 12 people studying. I don't see why anyone would be bothered by people studying. Seriously who would find someone sitting quietly, minding their own business a problem. I say who cares, keep doing your thing she is just hating because you are furthering your education and yourself and she probably is not, so she's bitter.

File the complaint, especially if she is an employee.

Answer 6

You're not wrong, she was wrong. You should have complained or went to management or something! She had no right to say that. People sit in Barnes and Noble all day long just talking, let alone studying!

Answer 7

You care too much about your feel, look how many hours you've wasted writing Yahoo Answers and file complaints. By the way, I'm a Barnes & Noble employee.

Answer 8

Gosh, I understand you got all flustered...

I think I would do nothing of it. She was probably in a bad mood for her own reasons - whatever, we all have bad days. Reporting her will just call attention to YOU! then it may feel awkward to keep studying there - and that is definitely something you want to keep doing.

Also, I don't think you are doing anything wrong by bringing your own coffee - Starbucks is a convenience there, but you are not walking in a coffee shop!!! you are a regular customer, and I don't see any reason why you should feel bad in using the area.

Frankly, for years I used local B&N with my kids, to do something fun on a rainy afternoon ... isn't that why they have made B&N into a convivial place? to encourage all of us to linger?

If the lady gets back at you - then definitely speak to the manager.

Answer 9

I think that she was very rude especially since you were a paying customer. All the Barnes and Nobe stores I know of have chairs and comfy type couches that encourage customers to stop and read. If you bought a CD then you had every right to take advantage of the comforts the store offers.

I'm sure that the management would like to know how rudely she treated you!

Answer 10

That was so rude of her! I used to work at B&N in two different states and we had people come in to study every single night, and during finals week it was packed! As long as you aren't disturbing anyone else or hurting the study guide (before buying it) she should have left you alone. I think the coffee is irrelevant. There is no rule stating that customers are not "allowed" to have their own food or drinks in the store. I would write a letter to the manager. They might send you a gift card or something to apologize.