I got one of those coupons too. It's obvious that what they're trying to do is attract repeat business. Sounds like a decent tactic to me.

Struggling or not, I certainly won't complain if a company hands me discounts.

I got *two* of those coupons on the same trip to Borders-- once when I bought my $3.00 latte at the Seattle's Best Coffee Stand inside of the store and once when I bought the book I came for. I was really confused-- how does it make sense to give away $10.00 when I only spent $3.00 in one case and $12.00 in the other?... They're going to give me $10.00 for spending $15.00?! Not a great money making plan, Borders! I asked the cashier about it and he said that it was so that you'd come back to use the coupon-- I guess they're not seeing much repeat business these days...

I'm lucky if I can escape Borders having spent under $50, much less $5.

A coupon like that would be likely to get me in the store and, sure, I'd find my $5 item... then 4 books on the buy one get one half off table and... Oh! Look there's that DVD I've been looking for and...

Well, before you know it, a $5 coupon has me spending $50.

Which is why I have to stay the heck away from Borders.

@Fly Girl: I think the key is $5.00 or more. Chances are people will buy an item that costs more than $5.00, meaning Borders gave you $10.00 for spending ($15+additional purchase)-unless they keep printing $5 off $5 coupons, that is.

Hey, look at the mouth on that gift horse!

Borders is so desperate to make money.

The location I visited yesterday had bins and bins of books priced between $2.99-$5.99.

They weren't all crap books, either. Lots of great titles and authors. a $40 gift card got me a hardcover, three paperbacks, and a CD with money to spare. No great coupons, though.

@Coles_Law:

Exactly. They're hoping you come back to buy books that cost more.

@Robobot: Barnes and Noble, which isn't in the financial situation that Borders is, is doing the same thing. It's after Christmas, these sales are common

A $5 coupon so the new best seller will cost about the same thing as it does on Amazon.

Hey, this coupon got me a copy of Dorian Grey for $3. I got it for buying Atlas Shrugged.

This coupon netted me two books for $13, not that bad a deal.

I found a newly released hardcover from an author I love on sale for $4.99. With the coupon I only had to pay .41 cents tax. Upon check out I was given another coupon.

@GregWalloch.com: when did you go in to use your coupon? I work at a Border's, and the coupons were valid starting on the 26th, and they only printed off the coupons before Christmas. So either a cashier took it before it was valid or there was a malfunction with the registers at your location and they kept printing the coupons when they weren't supposed to.

When did the Consumerist start posting stories that are pro-"the man"?

I've yet to receive any of these. I shop at Borders pretty regularly, about once a month at least. Usually the only coupons I get at checkout are for 20% off my next purchase. I usually toss these in the recycling bin as I typically only visit the store when I receive a 30% off or better coupon.

I've got Amazon Prime, but there's nothing quite like instant gratification. That, and the fact that it's nice to be able to read the first few pages of a book before you buy it.

I always lose my coupons or they've expired when I get to the check-out, so Border's is getting plenty too much money from me.

@Pop Socket: I use mine as bookmarks :)