Half Price Books

Good place to buy books. Terrible place to sell books.
My wife and I were de-​cluttering and decided that despite how much we love to read we don’t really need a full library of books at home collecting dust and taking up space. So, we handpicked our absolute favorites (the ones we love to read over and over again or that have a lot of sentimental value) and boxed up the rest. We boxed up a LOT of books. They ranged from popular fiction to classics to sci-​fi/​fantasy to non-​fiction. Most were in excellent condition and many (a surprising number, in fact) were hardcover.
So, I drive down to Half Price Books to sell them. I wasn’t looking to get rich and I certainly wasn’t expecting much. It took four trips to and from the car with a dolly to carry in all of the books. I waited around for about 30 minutes while they went through them all. For what was easily, $ 5,000 worth of books (I’m not exaggerating), when they were new, I was offered a whopping $ 80. Heck, there were hardcover non-​fiction books in there that, individually, cost more than $ 80 and were in excellent condition and still very relevant. Considering the time and effort that went into going through them, boxing them up, driving them down to Half Price Books, and unloading them I should have just thrown them all in my recycle bin for the trash company to deal with.
I realize that used books are not worth much and that they need to make a profit on what they buy, but after reading what people were given for individual books and what I was offered for my huge load of books the math doesn’t add up. I don’t know if they got tired of going through the books and just pulled an $ 80 offer out of thin air, or if they figured they could low ball me and I’d take the money rather than load all of the books back into my car, or what. Seriously, we’re talking 25¢ per book on average at a trade-​in rate of around 1.5¢ on the dollar. I wasn’t trading in torn-​up paperback books with titles and authors nobody has ever heard of.
I may stop in again to browse for cheap books, but for what they pay for used books it’s not worth the sweat or time to bring books here to sell. Next time the recyclers get my used books.

Love this place. A beautiful mess. Antique books, vinyls, books (new and used), and games. Nice place to walk around in. If you’re looking for something in particular, the staff is really helpful too.

So my family and I had a terrible experience with one of their associates — but shortly after I posted the negative feedback on Unilocal! they immediately contacted me and apologized — even the district manager apologized for the incident. I read their email to my daughter and she was moved by the gesture.
This was a good example of how to take care of customers and address their concerns and feedback.

Books? What’s that? My friend asked me to drop off a box of books left over from a youth group rummage sale. I walked in the door & was immediately greeted with «you can put them down right there» & started through the selling process. I said I wanted to donate them, but the guy buried in books said I’d get some money if I could cool my jets for 15 minutes. So I looked at 4×4 magazines, & next thing I know I’ve got $ 3 cash in my hot lil hand.
Their procurement & merchandising model create a viable business while doing good, saving a tree, & making reading accessible. Now if Wall Street would think like this.

Whenever I’m in the market for a new book this is always the first place I check out. The books are a great price and they even have records, DVDs, and a whole lot of cool things. I spend more time in here looking around at all the neat things than I do actually finding the book I’m looking for. If I’m looking for a specific title it’s easy to find as long as you know what genera to look in, but I’ve even noticed they will have the same book in all the sections it may fall under. Even when I’m not there for a specific book I always find one I want to read, if I don’t like it oh well, it was cheap and I can sell it back and buy a new one. Another thing I LOVE about this place is that it is DOG FRIENDLY! I love bringing my dogs with me wherever I can, I just think it’s fun.

I have been coming here since this location opened and i have to say i LOVE it. you can find some great steals here, old video game consoles, records, old films and books on just about anything here. of course if you a.) look and b.) nab what you find before someone else does. Because i cant promise it will be there next time.

What can I say — I love this place! They have a great selection and the inventory is well organized, especially with the recent remodel. The chidlren’s section is expanded and fun to browse. They also sell a nice variety of cards, boxed sets of notecards, calendars, bookmarks, book lights, and other reading paraphernalia. That’s not to mention the used vinyl, CDs, DVDs, etc. It’s nice to have a place to trade in these items as well. Even if you don’t get much, something is better than nothing! One thing is for certain, they always have a constantly changing stock.

If someone would let me know if/​when the Rocket & Groot poster (behind the «Sell your Books» section) goes on sale… I’ll pay you equal to what I pay for it.

Half Price Books is just a really cool store where you can grab some real gems in the books/​records/​games department for super cheap. The selection is every-​rotating, making it the type of store you just kind of stop by whenever you’re in the area are have an hour or two to kill. Plus the staff are super-​helpful and seem to like their jobs — who wouldn’t love being surrounded by all that cool «junk»?
I scored a couple brand new hardcover books for about $ 10. I was also surprised by their record section. There was a nice selection of new and used vinyl (especially the 180g reissues of several jazz classics).
I made a note that this is likely where I’ll go for presents for my friends and family in the future. Unique items that are affordable. Yep.

When in the area, I stop by and found some good books on painting techniques and culture, good prices. Other places don’t always carry these books.

It’s always nice when a fairly priced bookstore is just down the road especially when it’s better stocked than the Barnes and Noble that’s closer to me. I love coming in here and just searching through the shelves. I hardly ever come here for a reason instead I’m just here taking in the surroundings. As a book lover, this is my place. You’re able to smell new books and even old books. Plus, if you’re a book lover, the smell of old books is amazing! The selection is awesome, the prices are fair and well the employees are helpful. If you’re a book lover come here or just a lover of awesome trinkets come here.

I’m totally giving these guys 5 stars… Granted, I’m a big bookworm, but this place was deceptively awesome… From the outside, it looks very unimpressive… then, you walk in… and that’s when the awesomeness starts… Books, books, and more books… and dvd’s, magazines, etc, etc… And the prices are very reasonable… anybody coming here expecting a popular hardback book for $ 1 or $ 2 should go back to fantasy land… this place is exactly as advertised: Half Price Books… and they carry some excellent first editions… I bought two books and the people I talked to were friendly and helpful… I would totally make the treck out here… Keep up the great work HPB…

Based on the store’s name, you’d think you’d get good deals here. If you frequent new and used bookstores, you can recognize that there are few good deals here, in my opinion.

I might have to make this a regular spot to go and look at books. I really enjoyed all the selections that they had especially for kids ages 3 and up. I also enjoyed all the cookbooks that they have to offer. Its cheap and reasonable and my kids are excited to read new books. Summer reading challenge has awesome rewards! Thanks

From a buyer’s perspective, Half Price Books is a nice option and the prices are fair. Whether it’s books, CDs or movies I’m usually able to find something.
It’s another experience entirely as a seller. The folks are pretty efficient in terms of sorting items (some customers show up with literal vanloads, and my heart goes out to the HPB employees) but you can expect next to nothing in terms of payment. As in pocket change. Literally. But they also often offer a 10% coupon if you sell anything, so that can potentially offset their cheapness.

I usually only stop here to check out there used and new vinyl selection. I buy and sell records and know a lot about pricing and grading. They must have some one new pricing records, they are over priced on the used and new side.
One the good side, they have a lot if nice books and they buy and sell books too. The store is clean and staff were very helpful and friendly.
I Wish they had one closer to midtown.

I love Half Price Books. I have sold some of my collection to them with very good results. They always seem to have what I am looking for when searching for a new read. I love that they carry unsold hardback books at insanely low prices. I also love taking an hour and digging through the children’s section to find treasures from my youth to share with my stepson and nephews. I have been able to add so many nostalgic books to my collection by taking the time to browse their well-​organized shelves.
I just wish the check out process was a little faster. They need more than one person on the register most of the time.

This is the kind of bookstore you expect to find in the cool old part of a town, not out in suburbia. And yet there it is – a used bookstore in a stripmall wasteland. (Well, it IS a national chain, so I guess the location is to be expected.)
The prices were very good, and the stacks were quite well-​organized (though part of the charm of most old bookstores is that they’re a little more disheveled than this). I’ll be back when I’ve got more time to browse.

Reading is one of my favorite things to do and coming here is the best. You can always count on finding great and CHEAP books here! Whenever they have an excess of a popular book, they sell the book for the wonderful price of $ 3! Even better, if true «half price» books are still too pricey for you (hey, I’m not judging), then explore the back corner where all books are anywhere from $ 1-​$ 3! DEAL.
Half Price Books also sells a good selection of CDs, DVDs, and the occasional Blu-​Rays. One day I even bought a book on tape (something I never have done) because it was $ 2 and heck, for $ 2, I’ll try anything. They also sell cards– like the boxed type you buy at Hallmark, but for again, amazingly low prices (think between $ 3 – 5). I feel like every time I go in, I pick up a box or two. They’re great to keep at the office, in the car, or at home in the very likely event you forget a birthday or need a quick thank you card.
I’ve never traded any books in (I hate parting from my books), but from what I can gather, the whole selling/​trading process is pretty simple.
I’ve been to several Half Price Books stores (from Berkley, CA to Des Moines, IA to Chicago, IL) but this location is my most favorite. They ALWAYS have a great selection of books– definitely stop in next time you’re in the neighborhood!

Pretty awesome place. I nearly used the money I got from selling my used books to immediately buy more before I remembered that I’ve moved to Kindle town. They also buy DVDs so I’ll keep them in mind when I make the digital leap there as well…
As far as used books go, this is a very well organized addition. Reminded me of a Borders (sad) but everything is used.