How evil is this?

[Mr Badger]

On a scale of 0 - 10 (with 0 being not evil at all and 10 being utterly unspeakable, Steve Bannon/Mike Pence levels of malevolence) how would you rate Waterstones attempt to pass off some of their 275 stores as little independent shops? You know, the sort of outlet that many people think Waterstones helped wipe out?

Waterstones under fire for secret shops

 

[Mr Badger]

Don't see a problem with it.Then again I only go into Waterstones to browse, then order any book I like the look of from those tax dodging Amazon people.

You would be a 10 then

I know a guy who's family owned an independent bookshop where a bunch of them worked for many years. He clearly felt that its eventual demise was down to a combination of Waterstones/Amazon and customers that were only there to browse before ordering from the cheapest online outlet.

 

[Mr Badger]

This is a valid point. I'm sure people would be more up in arms about it if it was Starbucks operating an 'independent' coffee shop and fooling people.

Interesting. As the principle is the same why do you conclude that people would care more about a coffee shop - is it down to the reputation of Starbucks in particular?

 

[Mr Badger]

Whilst there's little point debating the OP's opinion when he can just tell us, the reason I thought the OP was siding with Waterstones was because of his comment:

^ That sounded like he was saying people were wrong to think Waterstones were killing independents, because in many cases they're actually buying them and running them as if independents. Could be wrong .

Maybe I'm morally conflicted and looking for people to tell me how to think? There's not normally any shortage of that on offer around here.