How evil is this?

In response to criticism for putting independent bookshops out of business (which they are partly responsible for), they are disguising their shops as independent bookshops. That's obviously deceitful, but it's not evil.
 
I would probably say about a 1 or 2 out of 10.

It's certainly deliberately misleading, and some people do specifically try to support local book stores, so whilst it's not massively evil (not an Uber) it's not being open and honest.
 
I think it's pretty bad. I've companies doing a similar thing in my industry. Big companies based on London that get bad reviews, customers want to avoid and use someone local so find "super local company surrey" book with them only to find its the same company in the end. They do this aggressively so have 20 different names for each town. Customers have no clue.

I find that pretty evil. Be good at being honest. Not conning customers. Customers that want small independent are tiny share of the market. Wsterstones and the like have big enough share so lying to get those who actually do care is not great.
 
Given they were on the radio today and they said they only did it to towns who lost their only book shop - all I can say is good for them
 
Boring/10.

All of these stores were in places where a bookshop was not, what people should be more rightly angry at are the business rates that are about to hasten the heatdeath of the univ- Highstreet.
 
Uther said:
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.
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This actually happened to me recently :( I wanted to buy some books to read to my daughter but WHSmith had the boxset for £35, Amazon for £9.99. Seemed like a no-brainer to me. Had the price been around the same or even slightly higher in store, I'd have bought it in store.
 
It's not a secret, it was also publicised by Waterstones when opened. There is no evidence it is a problem either with the story.

BBC trying to stir up some liberal SJW action since the £5 note effort failed.

This is nothing new in business either, operating under appropriate localised branding is not uncommon.

Good on the BBC for trying to disrupt a business and tarnish a reputation which could cost jobs.....bravo.

Actually, this article makes the BBC the bad guy here.
 
Just a different trading name within a group. It happens ALL the time and I don't see any issue.

Scrutinize said:
BBC trying to stir up some liberal SJW action since the £5 note effort failed.
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Whilst I agree with the sentiment, did it really fail? As far as I recall, the mint said they'd stop using animal products in fivers.
 
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