BOOKOFF Del Amo Fashion Center — Attraction in Torrance

Book Off primarily trades in pre-owned books, video discs, video games, and collectibles. As the US branch of a Japanese used bookstore chain it also used to be a great source of bargain second-hand books, magazines, manga, and anime collectibles including a lot of Japanese-language items. Nowadays it's not quite the bargain it used to be. The bulk of their stores now, this one in Torrance included, are devoted to anime, manga, video game, and comic book-related collectibles with a reduced emphasis on the second-hand bookstore portion of the business. As an anime and video game nerd that wouldn't normally be an issue for me but I also love regular books, videos, and magazines so I miss the days when Book Off was both a great place to hunt for anime and video game merch as well as finding a good used book to curl up with on a lazy afternoon.

Even in terms of anime merchandise Book Off has lost some its appeal because a lot of their items are now priced to reflect secondary market prices for collectibles so values can be just as or even more expensive than online sites like eBay or Amazon or anime-specific retail stores. Sometimes the prices don't seem reflective of the quality of the item in question too, like old video game guides that originally retailed for $15 being priced at $50 despite looking well-worn, or small figures missing their boxes yet priced at or above original retail.

There are still good finds to be had just because of their large selection of items but it'll mostly be for smaller stuff like trading figures, keychains, or niche books/games that fly under the speculator radar. You'll also have to devote considerable time wading through that large selection because of the sometimes haphazard manner they're organized. The small anime collectible section can be either a joy or your version of hell depending on whether you view rummaging through row upon row of mixed items as something to relish or just a pain in the arse.

As for their used item trade-in process, that's also a mixed bag. You can get "okay" money for items but be prepared to be severely undervalued for items that have high secondary market prices. Their offer for high-value items will typically be less than half what you can get by selling them yourself so you have to seriously weigh whether the quick cash and convenience are worth the huge loss. For example, an anime figure worth about $200+ on eBay will net you only $90 from them.

Service has always been friendly and excellent at Book Off branches by me and my friends' experience so can't complain about that. We just wish it felt more like the bargain-friendly pre-owned store it was before, rather than just another establishment feeding the current overvalued...

I purchased a Xbox game on 2-20-17 I went in to try to return the defective game on 3-1-17 I went in at 8pm I don't have a receipt, and no manager on duty to do a return is there policy Is what I was told. So I went back to your store on 3-2-17 I found my transaction amount for book off and the date the date of purchase. Also there is a sticker on the game that said book off. Your Refund/Exchange policy on line is not what I experienced at you store. Jennifer is so rude, unprofessional and confrontational. I asked the clerk for a refund for the defective Xbox game. The clerk say no receipt no refund I ask for a manager. This clerk tells me I'm a assistant manager she leaves So now I get Jennifer the manager. I knew the no receipt was going to be a issue. Jennifer says no receipt no return. I said were is this policy posted in your store??? This game is defective it will not work. Jennifer says all stores don't take returns without receipts ( Just a FYI Nordstrom's or Costco will take returns without receipts) My wife over here's a conversation from other employees whispering do we need call security??? which made my wife very uncomfortable which my wife told me after we left book off. Jennifer finds my receipt with dollar amount and date. Jennifer then asks me if I know what gaming system I have a Xbox or a Xbox360 maybe this is why your game doesn't work?? I respond I know my gaming system. Jennifer the tells me there is a lot of thief in Book Off and that's the reason for no receipt for returns. I say no commit. what is Jennifer implying?? This is a $19.99 Xbox used game. Jennifer asks me to sign a reprint receipt and give my phone number on a reprint receipt. Because without a original receipt book off has to give cash, and I can't put back on credit card. which I did. Jennifer hands me the cash and the reprinted receipt. I said Thank you As I am walking away with my wife, and little daughter leaving the store. Jennifer says to me don't yell at my employees!! I responded I didn't yell at any of your employees. I am a grown man and you don't tell me what to do. Jennifer responds I'm a grown woman. Book off has purchased a lot of my books at your store even on 2-20-2017 After my experience with manager Jennifer who is too immature for a manager position, and lacking in customer service. I will NEVER EVER shop or sell at a Book Off Store again. Also I will share with as many people as I can the horrible experience I had...

(WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE EVER!!!!) Honestly i went in there to get a refund today 12/8/15 for a game i brought on 12/6/15 a employee there had told me i was able to get a full refund she did not let me know i was unable to return a game if it was not defective mind u i live in L.A. so i came out my way so i went to return my game an explained the situation to the employee named JENNIFER. She kept refusing what the other coworker told me which i think is very misleading that i can only exchange a game which i think is a horrible policy and she also claimed to be the manager but her badge didnt say so she was very rude over talking me and when i asked for corporate number she gave me even more attitude and i said thank you I'll give George a call honestly i was going to call regarding the policy but then JENNIFER wants to back talk and say go ahead and i said i will then she says go ahead with an attitude and i say excuse me what's your name she says JENNIFER so i say JENNIFER I've been working in customer service for 5 years and you should never go back and forth with a customer its unprofessional and she says dont tell me what to do so i respond and say im not telling you what to do im just giving you my opinion and she said you do your job im going to do my job so then she threaten to call the security on me forcing me out the store to leave and i asked her why is she so angry with me when I've done nothing wrong so she kept telling me to get out which i didnt appreciate since i spent $76.28 in this store and i even told her im not trying to upset her but her attitude and emotions got the best of her worst customer service I've ever experienced from the book off employee JENNIFER. Book off will not have any customers with her around especially when i was very polite. And i will be...