Book lovers in Islamabad and Rawalpindi take note. The famous Saeed Book Bank is closing down soon.
Many people are of the view that even as it closes down, its owners need to self-reflect. Blaming young people for not reading is neither here nor there. This explains the mixed emotions to the news:
Is this end of Saeed Book Bank?? #Islamabad pic.twitter.com/n21EL1CWfN
— Shiraz Hassan (@ShirazHassan) October 11, 2019
“There’s no habit of reading in Pakistan. People will buy a hundred thousand dollar smartphone but when it comes to books they’ll buy pirated copies.”
Many folks opine why no one buys books from Saeed Book bank any more. This megastore gained traction by providing used books at affordable prices at the beginning. It is no less a local landmark for twin cities’ residents. In fact, its the largest bookstore in Pakistan.
Saeed Book Bank, one of the biggest bookstores in the world and a big Islamabad attraction, crumbling under financial pressures. Owner thinking of major downsizing. In 2015, @rodnordland wrote a beautiful piece about the fabled bookstore and its owners https://t.co/qgEyOJ5QO0
— Salman Masood (@salmanmasood) October 11, 2019
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Some people argue that the store just couldn’t evolve with time, and that’s what has become their undoing.
Sadly the demise of the store is inevitable. The store is too large and the collection is pretty dull compared to the smaller stores in the area. Even in 2014 the late Qureshi sb spoke of pressure to give up the space. Downsizing is the option.
— Shiza Malik (@Shiza__Malik) October 12, 2019
Others say the overpriced books, even elevated prices of old and used books, not to mention the customer service (or lack of really), are the real reasons.
https://twitter.com/guldaar/status/1182964605489942529
I agree 💯 % – their exchange rate system makes the book super expensive. And their attitude towards a consumer is atrocious. I usually just go there, browse and order from readings 😀
— Hashim Nauman (@GhubaraBustard) October 13, 2019
Owner of Saeed Book Bank Speaks Out
The bookstore owner Saeed Ahmed has other ideas. He said they’ll close down the bookstore and rent out the building to a bank to generate revenue.
Netizens aren’t about to let this man play ‘we’re all about the books‘ card. So they narrated their experiences with the store over the years.
Some self reflection is required by the store. I've seen them increase prices of old inventory just because the dollar price went up. The owner once got angry at a worker because there was a chair nearby and my wife used it to read for 10 mins. The place never encouraged reading. https://t.co/IcUll7Xjeq
— Hamster (@Hamster41) October 12, 2019
Let’s not forget that time they refused to help the National Book Foundation. This thread goes in-depth regarding it:
A thread about Saeed Book Bank and its lust for money. They refuse to facilitate National Book Foundation members for discount books because that doesn't suit them. Overpriced books with tags of their own amount and zero customer service. https://t.co/jii1c0negx
— Riaz ul Haq (@Riazhaq) October 12, 2019
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It may not just be the bitter experiences and a lack of a loyal buyer base, paired with inflexibility that’s leading to the store being closed down.
Its true that people would rather just read online and buy those books there too. Even in this regard, Saeed Book Bank’s e-store falls short. Meanwhile, stores like Readings are blooming for doing this right.
Not to mention the fluctuating prices paired with bad customer service are another deterrent.