Whenever I have ordered online from BN the shipping has taken a ridiculously long time, as in weeks not days. I'm not a huge fan of Amazon so if BN had at least been able to do 2-3 day shipping they would have had my business. Regarding their retail experience, it wouldn't surprise me if some executive is selling them on the concept of long checkout lines as it results in people buying more books from the discount tables at the front. It is very unfortunate that corporate dictates operational policy to individual stores like that, I have always only had positive experiences with BN employees so I wish them well.