Book Nook — Local services in Decatur

I genuinely used to look forward to coming there. The quantity of books they have is amazing, and the clearance shelves in the back used to be a blessing for a book lover on a budget. Now, and for more than a year, I dread going in there. The staff is comically bad. I've never seen paid employees do more sitting in my life. Most are being paid to read and ignore you. I can count on one had the number of times I've ever been greeted. I have never seen one out from behind the counter.

The place is a hot mess too. The farther you get from the desk the less organized it is. I'm a history buff, but when you go to the back the books are in no order. The books literally are divided by the century. A lot happens in a century, so you end up looking through 200 random books in little order. They have a Civil War section. That has to be the most written about event in American history, but the books are not organized by battles, years, or authors. The clearance section looks like a tornado hit it. The book selection in the clearance section hasn't changed in years. If the employees would organize it the customers could actually find some deals, and the store could move some old merchandise.

I visited the shop in Marietta last summer. The second I walked in I was greeted and someone asked me how they could help. I responded I wasn't used to being helped in a Book Nook. The young lady said, "you must shop at the North Druid Hills store." When your fellow stores know how bad it's gotten it's time to fix the problem. With Half Price Books only a couple of miles away I will gladly spend the extra five minutes in the car for organization, customer service, and cleanliness. I live less than a mile away, and hope that things get better so I...

I had a very poor customer experience when returning a comic that should have never been placed in the kid's comic book section. After explaining the comic was not age appropriate they agreed to an exchange but I was unable to receive full credit for the purchase.

I was blamed for damaging the comic that was kept and return in it is original bag. According to the clerk the cover had "2 small creases across the top". I explained that is how the comic looked when I opened it up at home. The clerk admitted the book was probably damaged from the bag they gave me less than 24 hrs ago. The comic book their clerk packed in the bag with 6 other books without any protective cover or sleeve. I did not want to make a scene. so I accepted the credit they gave me and used it to purchase another book that actally cosr $2 more.

After spending gas to make a return round trip of 45 minutes out of my way and being charged for the return, I basically ended up paying to return a comic that should not have ever been in the kid's section.

After having visited twice before and making purchases. I was well on my way to becoming a regular customer, but now I have no plans to return.

Edited to reply to their response: Nope. Never received full credit. That is NOT true. I distinctly remember the sales person, saying I could not receive full credit because the corner of the cover was damaged. Even though the damage came from how they placed the books in the bag. And to this day I have NEVER stepped foot in your store and never will. It was not a friendly experience or welcoming environment in the first place. Almost as if they did not want "my kind" in...

I love Book Nook. My family and I have been there several times over the last 10-15 years. Whether we were trading or buying, it is a place that have many hidden treasures of books, albums, DVDs, CDs, comic books, rare collections, etc.

But I was there today and my goodness, it was hot and humid inside. The air conditioning was out. That's why I am giving a 1 star rating. REALLY owner, manager, or CEO, it was sweltering in there. Especially when I went towards the back of the store, where there's no windows...it was like a sauna. The further I went back, the more I was visible sweating. It was stifling in the back. And along with the heat was mosquitoes. Horrible!!! Absolutely HORRIBLE!!!!!

I applaud the staff there having to work in such an unhealthy environment. They were pleasant, despite being subjected to no air conditioning. They even apologized for the discomfort the customers had to endure. KUDOS to them. They should get a bump in their salary. There is a sign on the outside of the door, to close the door. WHY? On a day that it's 90 degrees or higher on the outside, what do you think it will be on the inside with no air conditioning and the front door is closed? Manager, Owner or whomever is responsible for making sure the building is operating in proper condition, you are FAILING at it. Ask yourself, "Would you work under those conditions that the staff and customers are?" You are putting your staff and customers at risk in such an unhealthy environment. This is Hot Lanta, and this summer has been brutal, no one should be subjected to that.

I'll be back soon; I hope the air...