Half Price Books — Local services in Austin

We love this bookstore so much that we are in there at least three times a month. The reason I am making this post is because the first time I actually sold books there, I was treated really badly by someone who appeared to be a supervisor. She was not only extremely rude to me, but also her fellow staff.

While waiting for my books to be priced I overheard her say to “look out for our regulars” .

because I was selling books and I had never seen her before- it made it seem like she was telling them to give regulars more money for their books…. And was obviously not a “regular” to her.

I also asked her if it was worth bringing in a set of law books- she’s straight faced by and said “I can throw them away for you”.

She also was really rude about me needing to go pick up my son before the transaction was completed. I had already talk to other staff members before proceeding with the book sale about my situation, and I was told it would be rather quick… and all I would have to do is sign a paper -worst case scenario- so that I could leave and come back. She made a big deal about this and had to read it verbatim slowly when I was trying to leave quickly and she knew it.

The only reason I am making this post is because I feel bad for the staff that I have to deal with this narcissistic. A lot of employers love the narcissist, because they will go above and beyond to make sure that they look better than everyone else but in reality, they’re affecting your turnover rate and how much time and energy you have to put into hiring new staff.

I didn’t catch your name but I’m pretty sure everyone of your staff members is gonna know who...

I didn't want to drive off before writing this review because I didn't want to forget. I have been coming to HPB for a while and can't believe I have not written a review on them until now. The team at the South Lamar location is absolutely outstanding! When I called to see if they had a book I was looking for the person I spoke with over the phone politely asked me to hold. While she checked to see if it they had it, she sounded genuinely excited for me that there was one copy. Also, it was an excellent condition. She told me she would hold it for me for three days. Naturally, when I went to purchase the book I wanted to see what other books I might like. I asked a team member by the name of Agusta for some assistance. She was so kind & patient with me as she assisted me to select the right books for my needs. She's the only person who's name I asked for. However, every person that I encountered spoke to each other with respect and sound like they genuinely enjoy working with each other. As I made my final selections, the team worked diligently behind the "sell back your books" counter. I couldn't help but notice, some people were simply in a rush while others were short with them. I wish more people would slow down and notice people like the staff here. Let them know what a fantastic job they are doing! They are truly exemplary! No matter what your profession is, look here for tips on how to speak to your team and clientele.

Never take for granted the...

Half Price Books is one of my all-time favorite places to kill time! Every visit consistently surprises me with the sheer breadth and depth of their catalog. Whether you're looking for something specific or just browsing, there's always something new and exciting to discover.

Personally, I love the comics and manga sections, and the store also offers an impressive selection of tabletop games, trading card games, and even video games. It’s basically a treasure trove for any kind of hobbyist.

As a parent, Half Price Books has become my secret weapon for inspiring my kids to read. One of my favorite "parenting hacks" is letting them loose in the Kid and YA section to explore and pick out the next book they want to buy. It’s a great way to keep their reading list fresh and exciting, while encouraging their curiosity and love for reading. Bonus points for this location having Amy's ice cream and a playground next door.

In a world where algorithms often tell us what to read, there’s something so nostalgic and refreshing about randomly wandering the aisles and stumbling across books and topics you never knew existed. You can't replicate that kind of joy online.

Also, huge props to their buyers and merchandisers! They do an amazing job selecting hidden gems and giving these books a second life. It’s clear that the people behind the scenes care about curating something special.

If you’re a book lover (or raising one), Half Price Books is an...