Barbara's Bookstore — Local services in Chicago

Ordered a book online that’s been out of stock everywhere else (sprayed edge edition) the online said they had some in stock… ordered and had shipped. After I ordered the book I sent an email to verify it was the correct copy and Cory said it was. Ended up getting sent the original copy (non sprayed edge). Sent an email back to Cory and gave me a refund and sent the book back. No harm no foul….. a couple of days later I got an email with a picture of the book I was looking to purchase originally. Cory had gone to another store and stumbled across the sprayed edge book and put a copy up so I could purchase it. So I immediately put the order in and Cory sent me an email verifying my purchase and assured me that the correct book was being sent… Not only did Cory do all of the above but even after it arrived Cory checked on me to verify everything came in correctly.

This has been the absolute best customer service I have received in a very long time. Cory deserves a raise and acknowledgment of hard work and dedication!

I would recommend anyone go to this bookstore chain. Even if they get it wrong the first time (we are all human) they still made it right. I know I said it in the emails, but Cory I appreciate you and your customer service. If I’m ever looking for a specific book I cannot find in my local bookstores, I will go back online to check Barbra’s bookstore.

Thanks again Cory...

Former employee. I was harassed by patrons for being "trans" (I'm non-conforming, but I don't consider myself trans). Chris the store manager didn't step in, didn't make sure I was alright, and his reaction to being confronted was to ask why I went to my assistant manager but not him. He had not gotten my pronouns right even once during my employment either, and afterwards, he didn't so much as ask what he could do to help me feel safe. All he did was say I could go to him for these things, as if his behavior inspired any confidence in me. As if he thought his ego was more hurt than I was.

My employment was terminated because of lackluster customer service. Maybe I would've been better if I felt safe in my environment - if I felt like my manager took me and my well-being seriously for even a moment.

I don't think this store manager is a bigot. I think he's clueless and incompetent. All of the work put into making this place queer friendly is the hard work of the black queer staff under his employ, who deserve all the credit. All that guy does is get...

My experience was not pleasant. I ordered Becoming online, paid for it, and went to pick it up, and was then told it wasn't available. I was pretty sure I checked the website when I ordered if it was available for pick up. I was doing some last minute Christmas shopping, and it was important that I picked these items up that day. Anyway I was offered an opportunity to go to another store and pick it up. No, no thanks, I would like a refund please. Left there stopped at Target, they had the book, lots of them. Finished my shopping, went back to work. Checked my email, and I had my refund. That was much quicker than I expected. So there's that. I would try them again, I do like supporting smaller...