Books-A-Million — Local services in Edwardsville

I have nothing negative to say about the actual store. My review is about the associate, but employees are a reflection of their employer, so unfortunately its a one star.

The associate that checked me out was Patti. The transaction was going well, and she was cordial. Until she offered me a discount card for $25, which I very politely turned down. Then she attempted to get me to sign up for three magazine subscriptions. She was quite fraudulent about it. She handed me a paper with a list of magazines, she then said "for shopping here you get three magazine subscriptions completely free, what's your address so I can get those sent to you?" Knowing the magazine subscription trick, I was surprised that she could just blatantly attempt to trick me like that. However, I still very politely turned it down. My words were "I am sorry, but I am not interested in the magazines, thanks for the offer though!" I am always optimistic and kind. Her demeanor completely changed after I turned down those two requests. She actually said "whatever" to me, then was very violent to her keyboard while inputting whatever she needed to in order to complete the transaction. She didn't say a single word to me the rest of the time. When it was time to go, I said "thank you, have a good day", she said nothing to me, just looked at me. Then, my six year old daughter, who was very excited for the purchase of the book she picked out, also said "thank you, bye, have a nice day". Patti even ignored her, out of spite against me. As we walked outside, my daughter even asked me why the lady didn't like me.

Very disappointed in Patti, and Books A Million for encouraging their employees to push...

I recently bought my first book from here about two weeks ago for a school project. I thought I could just read it and then return it once I was done, so that’s what i’d plan to do. Today, (8-17-25), I went in to return my book and was completely ridiculed by the employee who was helping me. I didn’t catch her name, but she had long black hair and wore glasses. I told her repeatedly that I’d never bought/returned a book from here before and that I wasn’t sure how it worked or what I was doing. She asked if anything was wrong with it and I said no, and explained how I bought it for school and did in fact read it. She told that they couldn’t take it because I used it and I can admit some of the pages were worn, so I accepted the rejection and said that I was unaware because AGAIN i’d never done this before and that the receipt doesn’t specify that you can’t return a used book. She could’ve just left it at that but no, she goes on to compare it to buying clothes, how clothing stores wouldn’t take back worn clothes, which isn’t true. She also told me that it’s common sense, which was completely unnecessary and did nothing but make me feel belittled, especially since I told her from the beginning that I’ve never went through the return process at a Books-A-Million before. The whole time I was understanding and I told her it was okay and I understood why they wouldn’t take the book back. I just don’t understand why she thought it was necessary to basically tell me I lack common sense when she could’ve just told me straight up no and to have a nice day. Workers like her make people not want to return to the...

Basically, my husband and I live about 45mins away from the nearest store but decided on a breezy Tuesday afternoon we’d make the journey! The store was clean, the selection of books was impeccable and don’t get me started on the amazing fan merch! You may wonder why 1 star? Well our quickly easy experience came to a head when we went to check out. Granted no one came over to assist us when we were carrying nearly 15 books to purchase, but we are grown ups that isn’t much of an issue. The distaste started with bland and also elitist attitude. The woman at the check out counter (older with grey hair and glasses) started the check out process and began to explain their discount program. Great program overall, we just at the time do not visit the store to make full usage of such a program and didn’t have time to sign up. She then tried to again bargain with us that it’ll be in our best interest to do so. Don’t get me wrong I love a good deal but no means no. Then after she fully rang us up, she says we qualify for 3 free magazines. We don’t read magazines. So I politely, again, decline. In which she insist because it’s free to just take it. Again I said no. Then she puts away the brochure of magazines and hands us our books and with our a second glance and no “have a nice day” promptly leaves us at the counter. I understood she was just trying to give us free things but at the end of the day, when a customer declines your offer and you keep hounding them it is really awkward and very rude. Or at least hide your distaste and facial...