2nd & Charles — Local services in Denver

This is a great store with a great layout and fantastic staff. It is a book store first with media elements. Expect to find their books at a good price, and there are plenty of little nooks and crannies to sit down and read a few pages before purchasing. If books aren't your thing, they also have music (CD and Vinyl) and movies (DVD and BluRay). There are fun knick knacks and collectibles towards the front, and a toys section in the back for the kids. Like games? They have a nice selection of both video games (current gen and older, such as PS1) and board games (I highly recommend Clank! and Betrayal at House on Haunted Hill). There is a an area where anyone can play selected games on consoles if you need a minute to relax. They also have a decent selection of card games like Fluxx, Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh, and so forth. I'm not sure if they carry Cards Against Humanity, for that information, it is best to call the store directly. (I know a lot of game hunters look for that specifically). More fun things: they carry some beautiful guitars! I know nothing about instruments so I will just point out that they look really really cool. Occasionally you can find some weird stuff in the free bin. That's right, there's a free bin. A bin of free. And salvage stuff. What is salvage stuff, you may ask? Well, it's stuff that might not work perfect, or might be missing a piece, or is just a little wonky. Salvage stuff is more like "buy at your own risk" stuff. I found some nifty little things that aren't quite perfect. But hey, makes me happy.

They also buy stuff back too. I don't know much about the process other than in it efficient and the payout is decent. The employees will walk you through the process if you choose to sell to them. Do keep in mind that not all of your stuff may be bought back.

I'd like to point out the staff is awesome and that they're adjusting to typical new store things: what works, what doesn't work, computer personalities, etc etc. There is definitely a learning curve for new stores so I know it will take a little bit of time for them to work out all the kinks in the system. Thankfully, 2nd and Charles is an established brand so their head offices are probably aware of how to help their stores adjust. They're a hardworking bunch, and I'm super proud of all the time and effort they've put into making the store look as awesome as it does. I wish them luck as they find their way through the retail world.

10/10 would recommend going to 2nd and Charles on your next...

One-Star Review for Second & Charles If you’re thinking of selling your books to Second & Charles, let me save you the time: don’t bother.

Unless you enjoy being insulted, ripped off, and treated like your belongings are worthless, this place will leave you disgusted.

Here’s my experience: I brought in 45 books. Not tattered, not junk, not coffee-stained paperbacks — many were brand new, never opened, never read, straight out of storage. No bent covers, no damage, no excuses. These were solid books, some of which I paid $40–$50 apiece for.

After leaving them behind and waiting for the glorious “offer” text, guess what I got? A whopping $9. For all 45 books. That’s not a typo. Nine dollars. That works out to about 20 cents per book.

Twenty cents. Let that sink in. Books that cost me $40–$50 each, books that are still in like-new condition, apparently “worth” less than the change lost in your car seats.

Meanwhile, Second & Charles will turn around and put just one of those books on their shelf for $15–$20, and when it sells (which it will), they’ve already doubled or tripled their money. After that, every other book I brought in is pure profit for them. They know it, and they’re smiling at you the whole time they hand you your insult of an “offer.”

This is not a book-buying program. This is a scam dressed up as a business model. They want you to think they’re doing you a favor, but all they’re doing is fleecing you while hiding behind a giant warehouse full of games, movies, instruments, and overpriced secondhand junk. Second & Charles isn’t trying to be fair. They’re trying to keep their lights on and their rent paid by gutting customers.

They rely on people being too polite, too tired, or too desperate to say no. They prey on people thinking, “Well, at least I got something for them.”

But let’s call it what it is: crumbs. Garbage money. An insult dressed up with a smile. If you want to basically donate your books and let them turn around and profit off your collection, be my guest.

If you want to get any actual value for your books, sell them yourself online, at a flea market, to another reader, or literally anywhere else. At least then you won’t feel like you got mugged in broad daylight.

I don’t care if you’re shopping, trading, or just browsing: remember that Second & Charles is the kind of place that values a pristine $50 book at 20 cents. That should tell you everything you need to know.

Save yourself the insult. Stay away from...

For those who might be tempted to sell your books here, think twice. Granted books are not the most saleable items, but when I went over to this store I thought this was a great idea. There were people leaving the store with books, young and old. That was a good sign. I talked to the buyback people inside and they were friendly and encouraged me to bring my books in for "a look" and a quote. There's no guideline on what they would be willing to pay in any way shape or form. They are mum on that for a reason.

If someone was to tell you up front, they would give you $1.32 for a cart load of books would you be eager to spend the time to haul your books over? Keep that in mind.

I cleared my shelves at home of books I had read, some I never read, and some that still gave me some interest, but my priorities have changed. So, about 40 books I had, some brand new with stickers prices in 20's or 30's.

They took my books in two great bins and said "We'll call you or text you with a quote." I said great. I got the call and they said to "come in," which was weird cause why couldn't they just tell me over the phone?

So, the gal at the counter acted very professional and said "Let me look up you're quote." At that time I was thinking that I would have accepted $30, but maybe they'll give me more. Nope, she said $1.32. I said "that's a crazy offer." I was insulted for having spent my time on this. I told her that I could fish out one of those books and it could sell for $5 anytime, anywhere. They were offering me $1.32 for everything. It insulted my intelligence and I told her I'd rather donate them all. She gave me back the books.

The deceitful part of this whole experience is "they know" when you first come in that they aren't going to give you more than $1 for everything you bring in....