I tried to place an order for "Inside 3D Studio" from my local
bookstore (Harvard COOP in Cambridge, MA). After waiting about 3
weeks the bookstore called to inform me that NRP would not give them
a discount, so if I ordered from them I would be paying more for the
book (with their markup) than if I ordered it myself. This doesn't
sound like a very progressive attitude to promote a book. I would
think at some point they might like to see the book in an actual
bookstore!
The book should be in available through bookstores by mid-late March
(well, it had BETTER be!) do to NRP glitches. Sorry, but I don't
know what to say about your store's policy.