Spartan Bookstore

Just want to take a moment to express what a big B**** the lady who was selling the graduation frame was. I literally came up to look at them with a friend and was deciding between the two frames and within like 10 seconds she was like «here if you like this one, take it» and aggressively shoves a slip with the Windsor order form at me.
Seriously?! Her presence was annoying and unnecessary, I’m sorry you hate your job… But dont try to drag other people down with that attitude when everyone else is congratulating the grads. The frames ranged from $ 155 – 175, of course I’m going to take a look at the differences between them before buying it.
Honestly why was she even there? I could have just picked up the order form myself without her.

I normally don’t give out one star reviews, but out of five different text books I was looking to return they would only give me cash for one of them. All of them were in really great condition too, so why advertise that you take in used books?
I understand books are to be sold back for less than the original price, but come on… they wouldn’t even give me a third of what I had originally bought the book for. Big waste of time in my experience.

im just disappointed how they handle things there. I was trying to return my textbooks but it was closed. and no drop box or anything. and I had an emergency to deal with and they don’t cater to that, they just want the money even if its late and they say just to keep the books then and charge you for them. I would look else where for textbooks at times because they are cheaper somewhere else rather than here when I was researching online. NOT worth it anymore.

I like the location of this bookstore, but I miss the old bookstore. The layout inside the store is still confusing, it feels like a maze. It’s kind of unorganized and very cramped. I usually go in a few times every semester to pick up some scantrons and browse through whatever items they sell. Of course everything is overpriced, but I think that’s typical of every college store. If you’re looking for textbooks, just take a walk up the stairs (just be warned, there can be super duper long lines especially during the beginning and end of the semester!) — but I recommend you to just rent or buy your textbooks on amazon or another website — books here are super overpriced!

The SJSU bookstore is the closest Apple Retailer in downtown San Jose. If you forgot your charger for your laptop and need one, look no further!
They are located on campus at the Student Union Building. They have everything you’d expect a college bookstore to have.
If you are an artist they even have a decent selection of art supplies for those last minute project needs.

These guys are fast and have all the books ur class needs but only thing, they have expensive prices. You would be able to find good prices on Amazon on Chegg. I needed to buy fundamental of finance book, when I checked at this place: I got it way cheaper on Amazon.

This review is of the experience I’ve had with the online book store. I choose to go through the Spartan Book store bc one book on Amazon was back ordered and both my books «new» versions were on sale through the school so I figured okay I’ll get it there. When I originally placed my text book order, I received a prompt email that my order was on its way to the bookstore and would ship out from there. Seeing that I chose to pay for 2-​day air I didn’t expect my order would take long. A few days later I hadn’t gotten any further notice about my books being on their way so I logged back into my bookstore account. The status or my order was now listed as «On Hold». Concerned I placed a call to the book store and I got a call back the next day. The woman I talked to told me that it meant my books were back ordered and my order would take additional time but could give me no estimate how long it would take other than a week or two. I told her the website and the emails were very misleading and I was displeased bc I could have just as quickly gotten them through Amazon but now it’s been a week so my amazon order would take longer than waiting for them through the bookstore.
So another week later one book if finally being sent out and low and behold the sale is no longer valid and I’m paying more than I originally thought I would but at this point I just need my books and at least they would be coming soon. Well my two day shipping turned into 5 days bc I got the email they were shipping out Friday evening and I didn’t get them until Tuesday afternoon! I get that Sunday is a lost day but how in the heck can leaving Friday and arriving Tuesday be considered 2 days!?!
Apparently I still have another week for my other book to arrive and I’m further annoyed bc that book is also no longer on sale and they will be charging full price. I don’t know how they can list sale prices on items that they don’t even have in stock and don’t intend to honor the sale prices on once they arrive. This has been the worst and most stressful textbook buying experience I have ever had and I’m in grad school so this isn’t new to me. I will NOT be using the online school bookstore ever again.
PS– My graduate program is online and I live in a different part of the state. A seven hour drive one way makes it prohibitive for me. This is why I am not able to physically go to the bookstore.

The remodel looks nice, though some carpeting would have looked better. High prices, but that’s due to the publishers. The staff is knowledgable and friendly.

This is an expensive book store. Has nice stuff though.

I originally ordered my books online, but decided to stop into the store to check on the progress of my order. I was informed that it would be faster and cheaper if they assigned someone to look for my books and purchase them on the spot rather than waiting for my order to be filled. So, a new employee found *all* of my books within about 10 minutes, I canceled my original order, and paid for my books. I was very happy with my service from about 4 people! Great customer service!
At the check out counter I realized I forgot my wallet at home and then had to have them old my books while I went back home and brought back my wallet. The girl who helped me was a bit rude about it, but I had received such good customer service from everyone else that her attitude did not matter.
All in all, I saved myself $ 35 dollars by going in and getting my books directly. Winning!

***A lot of negative reviews for San Jose State’s bookstore, but my experience was fine; they have a good selection of t-​shirts and apparel though their clothes are pricey like a lot of college bookstores; they also have a lot of supplies (including San Jose State labeled pens, pencils, notebooks, and so on); in addition, this store is filled with a wide variety of snacks and sweets***
I am not sure what the parking situation is at San Jose State, but while San Jose State is in downtown, it does seem to be on the outskirts of Downtown San Jose; you might be able to find free street parking in the nearby residential area.

Overpriced textbooks. Well yah… that’s to be expected. I stopped being shocked about 2 ½ years ago. Now I just fork over the money.
Availability…if you buy early, as in, getting your books before the semester starts (which also requires careful planning), you’ll be able to find what you want at the lowest price. With computers, there’s really no excuse to price check other sources. But if you’re in a pinch or need a book that’s exclusive to this bookstore, you’ll be able to find it, given that you didn’t wait until the last minute. That’s the catch.
They have a great selection of SJSU shirts. Every now and then I buy something with the SJSU logo on it if it’s a design that I like. Otherwise, straight to the textbooks downstairs and out the door.
If you’re a SJSU student, you’ll be able to check availability and pay for your textbooks online then pick them up at your convenience. So there’s no excuse not to have a book for class.
Oh and buybacks… it’s like 5−10% of what you purchased the book for new. I sell mine on Ebay or list on Craigslist.

So I came here on a Saturday when it wasn’t as busy to get my textbooks. They’re a pretty spot on bookstore, complete with clothes, snacks, supplies, electronics and of course books.
I was able to find all my books easily even though one was not available. I was a little annoyed that they were out of stock and that I would have to wait at most a week to get one, but it was understandable. My cashier was super nice as well.
The bookstore is super convenient especially with the 10^th street parking garage right there and it had 30 minute parking for those days you forget your parking permit which I did. I was on and off campus in less than 15 minutes.
Tip to the wise. Come on the weekend instead of the weekday to get your books; we all know it is a bit overpriced but you are paying for convenience and if anything your money goes directly back into school.

They would not take back a rental that had a watermark on the cover,
According to them writing and highlighting in the book is perfectly fine
but a book with a watermark «cannot be re sold»
BA! HUMBUG!

20 sheets of Resume paper for $ 11? I just checked Amazon and it only costs $ 10 for 100 sheets. Prices are insane here. I can’t blame them since the school needs some sort of income. I would’ve given it 1 star if it wasn’t for the nice service and the convenience whenever I need that quick hunger relief.

I get the feeling a lot of the reviewers haven’t been on another campus. It’s conveniently located, and if you buy stuff there (especially books), it will be at a premium.
That being said, it’s clean, even when there’s been a line it’s moved relatively quickly, the staff was helpful when I couldn’t find testing supplies, they have a decent amount of clothing available for standard college-​gear prices.
Anyone complaining, I challenge you to go to a Big Ten campus bookstore during welcome week. You ain’t seen nothin’.

Not only do they sell books and supplies AND can fix your Apple products, but they have super cute and manly Spartan attire and among the many other things here. It is overpriced on the clothing, that I saw I did not look at food or things of the sort, but where else can I purchase my SJSU clothing? I skipped the lines and waited till later to get my clothes and books.

WAY OVERPRICED!!!
The only reason why I would ever buy a book from here is because it’s a custom edition, and that’s it. They sell the textbooks for a high price and buy them back from you for far less than half the value. I could buy these books online with express shipping and still pay less than what I would at the this bookstore.
Even though the books are expensive, the lines still manage to be super long. Unfortunately, there’s only one walkway, so when there’s a super long line at the checkout, you’ll have to weave around the clothing racks, backpack shelves, and office supplies in order to get to the back.
The main (upper) floor is pretty clean and organized with school supplies, clothes, graduation stuff, and other Spartan stuff, but the lower floor (where the textbooks are) is very unorganized and looks very unappealing. Tip: if you’re forced to buy a custom edition textbook from here, just order it online early and pick it up. It’ll save you so much time.

I am very conflicted in my review of the SJSU bookstore. Here’s why:
I saw an ad that they were selling the older macbook pro’s for like $ 200 cheaper than the apple store. I was ok with buying the older one if it meant $ 200 off the price. The flyers inside the bookstore advertised the same price.
Went in one morning with my boyfriend (who goes to SJSU) and told the girl that we wanted the 13′ macbook pro for $ 999.
Well apparently, it was her first day, and she had not been properly trained to use the computer system. Normally that would not have been a problem, however, she was completely alone. There was no manager or anything to help her out.
First, she couldn’t figure out how to get into the computer buying software.
Then, she couldn’t figure out how to ring anything up.
Then, the printer stopped working
*she called a manager like 6 times during this time asking for some help, but the guy refused to come in and help her*
By this time we had been there for 40 minutes.
Only then did she tell us that they were out of the older macbooks and we would have to buy the new ones ($ 1199)-which, btw, was exactly what I would have paid had I gone to the apple store.
Since we had spent 40 minutes already, it didn’t make sense to leave so we ended up finishing up the transaction with her.
My review is 3 stars because:
*I am giving the poor girl that helped us 5 stars because she was such a trooper throughout the whole ordeal. There was no reason that she should have been left there COMPLETELY BY HERSELF on her very first day.
*But I am giving the actual establishment 0 stars because apparently they had run out of the older macbooks weeks ago but were continuing to print the add with the discounted computers, WTF. Plus the fact that someone decided that a new employee didn’t need any supervision or anything which completely wasted our time.
So my recommendation is to call and make sure that their ads are current and that they aren’t advertising things that they don’t actually have.

Yes, the bookstore robs its students. But what other college bookstore doesn’t? People complaining about the prices need to find alternative methods of getting their books, because you really shouldn’t be buying books at a on-​campus bookstore. At least not when you’re paying your own tuition.
When I got started at San Jose State, I worked here. While I got used to my line of work, it’s a pretty horrible system. They hire you for like the first couple weeks of school and then get rid of you. Wow, what’s the point of having a job then?
That goes without mentioning the «discount» on books was lame.
If there’s anything good about the Spartan Bookstore, it’s that it has stuff other than books. You have good SJSU Gear for… high prices, but you do get student rates on computers. It’s always buzzing here when Apple does its «Buy a MacBook, get an iPod» deal. The store is also pretty well-​organized from top to bottom. You just need to walk around a bit and figure things out.
All in all, while they do rob you, it’s not a bad store.