2nd & Charles — Local services in Brookside

This is a fantastic place to shop if you like used books, movies, music, comics and games. They do carry some new books and comics. I'm not sure if they have any other of those categories new but they carry both cds and vinyl in music and have quite a large selection of both. They seem to have a large selection of all the games and different formats but since I don't play, I can't really speak to it because I don't spend any time in that section.

One of my favorite parts of the store though is their unique collectibles. They have collectibles (everything from figures, cups, notebooks, journals to blankets, lap desks, night lights, framed or wooden posters or prints) in almost every conceivable way you could want to collect your favorite obsession! In the few years since I found the store, I've been able to find quite a few really unique presents for friends and family...who have sincerely enjoyed the gifts.

The last, and some would say the best, that I have to tell you about the store is that they have free bins outside the store and I have found quite a few really good books in there. If you go, you should take a bag of some kind...because the store doesn't provide them. They do have some for sale and some are really cute but it's up to you if you want to buy one. Oh and they have a large amount of clearance books on the far left wall. So you might want to start there first. The new books are down the center and I almost forgot they buy used books and the rest of the categories (ie. music, movies, games, comics) that they sell. I don't know alot about it because I've never done it personally but I know they are pretty strict, at least as far as books go, on what they will buy.

My one criticism and the reason I didn't give them 5 stars is because I'm disabled and wear out easily and they don't have very many chairs you can sit at and no tables and the chairs they do have are seated so low...they are very hard to get out of for me.

So, overall I think it's a fabulous place that I could spend hours in if I had the money...

Pros: Occasionally a good find if you're working with trade credit. Cons: Low trade in values, prices are generally higher than what you can find online, games are not cleaned or tested. Thoughts: This 2nd and Charles location is a thoroughly ok store. Out of the dozens of video games I've looked at over the past dozen visits, I've found exactly two that were actually a good deal. For video games (particularly retro stuff), you're probably better off buying via eBay. That being said, I've made several great purchases here because I tend to accumulate dozens of cheap games that aren't worth my time reselling. I'll take one somewhat overpriced $60-100 SNES game that I really want over 40 $2-6 commons/doubles/sports titles any day of the week.

Update: Six years later? Dang. Bumped my rating a star because I’ve continued to find good stuff here over the years. A lot of my original post remains true though. Trade credit remains abysmal. It must be something like 10% cash/20% credit. If you’ve got good video games you’re probably going to get far less than you would taking it to a game shop or selling it online. Book trade ins are pitiful; seems like they rarely give even a dollar for stuff they turn around and sell for $6-10. It’s about the same for dvds/Blu-ray’s.

Still! 2nd and Charles serves its purpose in getting rid of a lot of stuff easily and quickly.

Update 2: It’s almost 2024, folks. Forget what I said about quickly and easily in the last update. In the last year or two, buyback waiting times have skyrocketed. At first it was a max of 3 white totes, which could take anywhere from 2-3 hours. They usually got through one tote in about 45 mins. Then, it was only one tote because they get so many trade ins. Maybe an hour. My last visit was one tote that took nearly 6 hours to complete during the middle of the week. I’ve asked the employees and they say they’re constantly slammed, which I believe, but the whole process is a bit of a pain since I’m...

This is my go to for BARGAINS! I love this place! Most of the items are second hand but there is also a large selection of new merchandise as well. It has the same feel as any other big box book store with all the trendy gadgets and toys you would find in the current culture ( Like Dr. WHO, Stranger Things, Harry Potter..you get the idea) They have a section with video games and equipment as well as musical instruments, Cd's, dvd's and records. They offer comic books and posters. They have a very large children's section from Educational to picture books and all the way up through teen books. Craft books, decoration and landscaping books...well you name it and you will find it.....but finding it could be a problem....they do a good job of organizing the various books and they are in groupings like you would expect. However you may look for a long time for a book they just don't have. Although, they do have a system now that an employee can check and see if they do have it in store. I am stubborn, though, and like to try to find it myself and that way I find all kinds of treasures along my hunt. You can also bring in any of the items that they sell and trade them in for cash or credit. You get more in store credit than in cash. They are picky about what they take. If they have an over stock or just don't seem to sell that type of book they won't take it. Never fear though, there is a free bin out front that you can put your unwanted stuff in (if you don't want to take back home) They also put stuff in this bin. Don't forget to check out the free bin either...I have found exactly what I was looking for in there many times..sometimes it is a...