Barnes and Noble is the world’s largest book retailer, but they also carry a variety of other products.
There are more than 600 Barnes & Noble bookstores in the world and an online store that ships many of the same items available in stores, as well as other items only available online.
Barnes and Noble stores are comfortable and inviting, which is just one of the reasons so many people love to shop there.
The store has regular special events, cafés and shops inside, and reading areas for adults and children.
If you are looking for a specific book or book-related product, there’s a good chance you will be able to find it at Barnes and Noble.
Does Barnes And Noble Price Match?
No, Barnes and Noble does not price match.
The store does offer low prices and a great selection of books.
It also offers plenty of ways to save money aside from price matching.
Customers can save by using coupons, taking advantage of deals and special sales events, and signing up for a Barnes and Noble membership.
Barnes and Noble has an official statement on its website about its price matching policy.
It says:
“Barnes & Noble offers very competitive pricing on many items, resulting in the best value for our customers. However, we do not honor requests to match the prices of our competitors for individual products. If you’ve already placed an order, we are unable to adjust the price of your order.”
Does Barnes And Noble Match Its Online Prices?
Barnes and Noble does not price match its own online prices.
In most cases, its products are cheaper online, but there is a cost for shipping that adds to that cost.
If your order total is more than $25, you can get free shipping.
If you are doing a large order or buying something above that price range, it may be a better deal to get it online.
Are Barnes And Noble Book Stores More Expensive Than Other Bookstores?
Barnes and Noble stores do have some products that have higher prices than other bookstores, but some perks come with shopping at Barnes and Noble that make its higher prices worth it.
You can always compare prices online and in many stores to find out how much more Barnes and Noble’s books and products are when compared to other stores selling the same products.
Why Are Books Cheaper Online At Barnes And Noble?
Books are cheaper online at Barnes and Noble because they are shipped directly from the warehouse.
This eliminates the amount of handling and middlemen needed and allows the process to be much faster and simpler.
When books are shipped directly from a warehouse, they are also usually priced based on what the publisher expects.
How To Save Money Shopping At Barnes And Noble Online
If you do find some better deals shopping online at Barnes and Noble and you still want to find ways to save money, there are plenty of ways to do so.
Think about the ways you save money at other stores, and use those same methods to save on your Barnes and Noble shopping trip.
Here are some suggestions to keep in mind.
1. Combine Orders With Friends
The shipping cost of books from Barnes and Noble online can be the most expensive part of shopping online.
Many books and products from Barnes and Noble are under $25, which is the minimum amount required to qualify for free shipping.
If you only need to order something small, you may want to talk with friends or family members to see if anyone else is planning to order.
You can combine your orders to save everyone money.
2. Online Coupon Codes
You may be able to find online coupon codes that work for your order.
These coupons are different from the paper coupons or codes you use in stores.
You can get them from various coupon websites online, find them listed on ads and banners on the Barnes and Noble website, and receive them in your inbox if you are on the Barnes and Noble mailing list.
3. Online Sales Events
Barnes and Noble does have online sales several times a year.
Some of these sales coincide with in-store sales, but others are only offered online.
If you are planning to order something from Barnes and Noble, you may want to wait until these sales are happening.
You can find out about these sales ahead of time by signing up for the Barnes and Noble email newsletter.
Does Barnes And Noble College Price Match?
No, Barnes and Noble College does not price match.
It has the same price matching policy as the original Barnes and Noble store.
Barnes and Noble College does offer unique college-themed products and textbooks.
These stores are usually located on college campuses.
Barnes and Noble College does offer affordable textbooks that may be cheaper there than elsewhere.
Do Any Bookstores Price Match?
While Barnes and Noble doesn’t price match, there are many bookstores and department stores that sell books that do price match.
If you are looking for a lower price on a book than what is available at Barnes and Noble, you may want to check some of these stores.
- Walmart
- Target
- Kohl’s
- Hobby Lobby
- Macy’s
- Office Max
- Staples
How Does Price Matching Work?
Stores that do price match usually have different rules or policies regarding the process.
In general, if you find a lower price on the identical item somewhere and can show a cashier proof of that pricing, you will get it for that price.
Some stores also call this price adjusting.
Stores use price matching to stay competitive and entice customers to do business with them over another retailer.
Some stores will only price match their own online prices, and some will not price match any online price, even their own.
Some stores will also only offer price matching of certain stores.
Many stores that price match will only price match if you can provide them with an ad or sale that shows the date and exact item.
The item they price match must be the same and cannot be different variations or sizes.
Why Is Barnes And Noble So Expensive?
Not everything Barnes and Noble sells is expensive, but it can seem pricier than other stores.
When you shop at Barnes and Noble, it’s important to consider everything about the experience and not just the cost of the products.
These are some of the things that make Barnes and Noble so expensive.
1. Customer Service
Barnes and Noble is known for having some of the best customer service.
Most customers are willing to pay slightly more for a product if they know they are getting great customer service.
You can call and ask questions about specific products, orders, or any problems you experienced while shopping in the store or online, and customer service is always helpful.
2. Selection
Barnes and Noble offers a huge selection of books, and many of them are not available in other stores.
Because of its unique selection and availability, it can charge higher prices for these items.
When Barnes and Noble is the only store that offers a product, people are more likely to pay a higher price just to be able to get it.
3. Stores Designs
Barnes and Noble is more than just a bookstore, and many people enjoy spending time there.
Not only does Barnes and Noble offer a large selection of books and gifts, but the bookstore chain also has coffee shops and other stores inside.
The stores encourage shoppers to spend some time inside and to feel comfortable while doing so.
They also offer comfortable seating where you can read or sample the books before you buy them.
Can You Sit And Read Books At Barnes And Noble?
Barnes and Noble does allow customers to sit and read books in its stores.
In fact, it provides seating and special reading areas in various sections of its stores.
The stores have an atmosphere reminiscent of a library.
You can also grab a snack or a drink while you shop and read.
Most Barnes and Noble stores even have children’s areas with toys, beanbags, smaller chairs, games, and crafts.
These areas encourage children to read and also keep them busy while parents read and shop.
How To Save Money At Barnes And Noble
When shopping at Barnes and Noble, you might notice that some of their products are more expensive than what they are in other stores.
Even though Barnes and Noble prices may be higher, there are ways to save money.
Here are a few of them.
1. Get A Barnes And Noble Membership
While you do have to pay $25 a year to become a member of Barnes and Noble, if you shop there often, the membership is worth the cost.
The benefits of being a member include $50 in bonus coupons, free shipping with no minimum, special sales and deals throughout the year sent right to your email, 40% off the list price of the current hardcover bestsellers, and 10% off many other items.
The membership easily pays for itself if you plan to shop at Barnes and Noble a lot or if you want to shop online but don’t want to pay for shipping.
2. Shop Online
Shopping online can help you save a lot of money as long as you have a membership that qualifies you for free shipping or are able to meet the $25 minimum requirement for free shipping.
Barnes and Noble online prices are usually less than its in-store prices.
You can also find coupon codes to help you save even more on the online prices.
3. Get The Credit Card
If you are willing to sign up for the Barnes and Noble credit card, you can get cash back on all of your purchases.
Other perks you can get with the credit card include a free $25 gift card after making your first purchase as well as a $25 gift card every time you reach 25,000 points and one year of free membership after spending $7,500 in a year on eligible purchases.
4. Join The Kids Club
If you have kids or if you buy a lot of kids’ books, you can join the Barnes and Noble Kids Club.
It’s free to join, and it comes with a variety of different perks.
Kids get a free cupcake from the café on their birthday and 30% off the cover price of all kids’ books.
You can also earn $5 for every $100 spent on kids’ books or products online and in stores.
5. Shop Clearance
As with any store, Barnes and Noble does have a clearance section with many different books and other items on sale.
You can always shop these clearance sections to find a great deal on your favorite books.
The clearance selection is always changing, and you can also find reduced-priced books online.
6. Attend Free Events
Barnes and Noble hosts many free events throughout the year, so you can take advantage of them and save money.
These can vary by location, so it’s a good idea to check with your nearest store to find out what events are coming up.
Join the email list to get information about events that are coming to a Barnes and Noble near you.
Author signings, holiday events, and special activities are just a few of the things you can find at these free events.
7. Use Coupons
You can find a variety of coupons that can help you save money on your Barnes and Noble purchases.
Barnes and Noble often sends them in the mail to loyal customers.
If you are a member of Barnes and Noble, the kids club, or have the Barnes and Noble credit card, you may also get coupons sent to your mailbox.
Coupons can also be found in the email newsletter.
The Barnes and Noble website also has a Barnes & Noble Coupons & Deals section where you can find deals of the day, special coupons that are only available for a limited time, and other great deals that can help you save money on your purchases.
8. Join The Mailing List
When you make a purchase at Barnes and Noble, you can also sign up for the store’s newsletter.
This comes in an email and provides plenty of coupon codes, special deals and sales, information about upcoming events and sales, and more.
You can decide which emails you receive and how often you receive them.
Barnes and Noble often sends coupon codes through its email newsletter.
If you shop at Barnes and Noble a lot, signing up for this newsletter is a must.
9. Order With Friends For Free Shipping
If you are shopping online but only need to buy one or two things that don’t add up to the $25 minimum to earn free shipping, you can order with friends or family members.
Combining your orders will allow you to reach the $25 minimum and could save you a lot of money on shipping costs.
If you don’t live near a Barnes and Noble and can only shop online, ordering with multiple people each time can save you a lot of money.
10. Find Discounted Gift Cards
Buying gift cards at a discounted price can also help you to save money on your purchases.
You can find discounted gift cards on many different websites where people sell what they don’t want or need.
The prices of these gift cards can vary, but you can spend a small amount to get a gift card that has a larger balance.
It’s like getting free money to spend at Barnes and Noble, and you can use them online or in the store.
How Much Do You Save With A Barnes And Noble Membership?
Joining the Barnes and Noble Membership club can help you save a lot of money and give you some special perks and deals that aren’t available to non-members.
Information about the membership is available on the Barnes and Noble website.
The website describes the program by saying:
“Designed for Barnes & Noble’s most loyal customers, the Barnes & Noble Membership program gives Members 40% off hardcover bestsellers and 10% off virtually everything else in Barnes & Noble stores throughout the year. Members also benefit from free express shipping on all online purchases at BN.com and receive exclusive savings offers throughout the year. The annual fee is only $25.”
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