Hastings Books Music & Video

They have one of the biggest selections of books, DVDs and other items in Russellville. They also have a decent café where you can sit with your purchases and enjoy a cup of coffee or do some homework. One thing I don’t like about this place is that often you find some interesting characters that really want to engage you in a conversation no matter how hard you try to make it obvious you don’t want to talk. People also carry on rather sensitive conversations (about religion, race.) in very loud voices. Bring your headphones if you want to work in peace.

Hastings of Russellville carries the River Valley’s best selection of entertainment memorabilia, including books, videos, and music. The store is great for a small town like Russellville, but comes in at about average overall.
In terms of video selection, this location has a very large offering of new and used DVDs. The store also carries a pretty sizable collection of Blu-​ray discs and offers video rental services that are available with enrollment to store membership programs. Visitors are likely to find a wide variety of movies and TV shows, including some that are difficult to find elsewhere.
When it comes to books, this Hastings carries a pretty large selection despite it’s size. They stock more books by using taller shelves than your typical bookstore and offer books on a variety of different subjects. They also sell many new and used books at low, discounted prices.
Hastings also offers a pretty sizable collection of CD’s and music related products, including vinyl records and musical instruments. They also carry a very decent selection of toys and collectibles for customers of any age. Another interesting note about this store is their selection of comic books, especially when it comes to carrying back issues and graphic novels.
Another huge plus is the internet and news café, along with it’s large selection of magazines on just about any topic.
However, this Hastings does have quite a few negatives that need to be taken note of.
Among these issues are the mark-​ups on their used products, especially when it comes to used DVDs. Typically their used products are priced at half of what their new counterparts sell for, this is not the case with their used DVDs. In many cases their used DVDs sell for higher prices than than the new ones, sometimes exceeding double the price.
Another problem I have found here is with the general unhelpfulness of the staff. It seems like they don’t even know the layout of their own store or who’s supposed to do what. Sometimes it even appears as if they don’t really care about the job their doing.
Finally, I have found many issues with the quality of their products. Some of their collectibles have been removed from their packaging and have been damaged by customers. There also seems to be a number of damaged books and videos throughout the store. All of these things can be easily prevented.
Overall, this store has it’s fair share of positives and negatives. It’s doing pretty well for it’s area, but I think that it could improve if it had more local competition.

For a Hastings it’s doing well. The selection is good and the service is usually fast. For it’s selection I think the prices are fair. It carries books, movies, magazines, and miscellaneous paraphernalia that you won’t find anywhere else in town.

Not a bad place. They send kids to WalMart to buy whatever DVD’s hot, then raise the price, but all in all not bad. They have books and magazines nobody else in town has. That’s good. Older DVD’s that WalMart doesn’t have. That’s good. Older CD’s as well. Good. The candy’s a bit stale but better than none. Okay. Free internet. So-​so coffee.
Resttooms.
Russellville should be very thankful to have Hastings. Without it they’d be… Pottsville, on a monday night. :(