Update

I just had a very nice conversation with the Barnes & Noble district manager who covers my geographical area. He was incredibly gracious, extremely apologetic, and very concerned. He and the store manager (also very concerned and mortified by what happened) are getting together to decide how to handle the situation. I made it clear I wasn't trying to get anybody fired, but thought the clerk in question really needed to know just how damaging her actions were, and he clearly agreed.

So, thanks for all the support yesterday. I truly believe this was a case of one-person-having-a-bad-day and doing something VERY stupid that I would bet she regretted almost immediately. That said, you just can't do that in this day and age, because even if you think you're talking to one or two people...you might just be addressing the world. In any case, I was very pleased by management's response, and, of course, by the polite treatment I got from the young male clerk I was dealing with at the start.

Apparently the store was bothered that they hadn't received any of my books for their store, since I am a local author. Something just slipped through the cracks, and they're going to make sure they're stocked. But again, the main issue was the rudeness and horrible customer service, and I feel very confident that is going to be addressed.

Thanks again all!