This bookstore charges extra for unread books; netizens ask ‘real or fake?’

Abe, the store owner, has a unique way of ensuring accountability. He’s installed a microchip at the back of each book to track the buyer’s reading progress. If the customer hasn’t finished the book within two months, their account is charged, and they receive an email reminder.

In the video, Bronowski also speaks with some customers who’ve experienced the impact of this setup. One customer tells Bronowski it’s helped him go from collecting books as “trophies” to actually reading them, while another shares, “This place has changed my whole relationship with books. Now I get a book and I actually read it.”

According to Abe, there’s no pressure to choose the reading option, and for those unsure if they’ll read, there’s always the “just buying” price.

Watch the video:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Sami Bronowski (@samibronowski)

The video has gone viral with close to three million views. In the comments, many viewers were skeptical.

One user wrote, “Why does this seem so fake? It seems the people are acting. Also, how could a chip tell if you’re not reading? Makes no sense.” Another user wrote, “Is this real? And if so where is it?” A third individual commented, “This is hilarious and would be a genius concept if it was real.”