Wonder Book and Video — Local services in Hagerstown

This review is for the book sales of the store. I have no opinion of the video sales/rentals.

The staff I've met are fine -- no complaints.

The signage is overwhelming - actually gets in the way of seeing the books. There are books all along the isles. I saw a person in a wheelchair completely unable to get around the store. Apparently the owner(s) doesn't believe the ADA applies. There are many piles (feet high) of the same book - some have been there for years. I bought one two years ago, and there are scores of the same, still -- the exact same price sticker (now faded). The prices can be pretty cheap, but this is not the best place for collectors. The inventory is incredibly picked over (although you can luck out sometimes). I have also seen several books with mold -- a great way to contaminate your collection. They have no inventory system in the store. They have a POS system and most of the books are new -- so they all have optical codes already. Go figure. You have to physically search and hope you find what you're looking for.

I can't believe this place is still around. They must make money from the web sales. The online store often has the same books in the physical store for as little as a penny -- again, no in-store inventory. I assume the stores are around as a way to get collectable books from individuals. The prices you get from your books are all over the place; they don't have trained staff there all the time, so it seems.

Overall, the place is mess -- poorly run. Check it out if you're in the neighborhood, but don't bother going out of your way for this place -- especially for the...

This is by far the most unorganized bookstore I've ever been to. The books are literally stacked to the ceiling, in piles all over the floor, and "labled" with random subjects written in marker on pink construction paper and stuck between the books horrizonally so that it sticks out a little. The books are mostly all damaged (very damaged) and so unorganized that it looked like a 4 year old's bookshelf. I spent 2 hours search multiple different locations (after being shown to the general area of the type of book i was looking for). I finally found one (horrible shape, musty, pages bent, writing on it, and I ask how much it was (no price tag but I was thinking $2/3 MAX! (I could buy it new for $8.99). They were asking $16!!!!! I asked if there was any wiggle room considering that it was used and damaged (and was worth at most $.75), and he said no. It's a shame too there are sooooo many books in there just getting thrown around and damaged more and more. The amount of time I spent searching through so, so many barely living books, would have been better spent at a...

I must say im quite biased when it comes to this particular store, im a long time patron of wonder book and I'll continue to be. I love this place to death, as a collector of media including games, movies, books, and so on its a dream come true. Its a weekly trip for me i dont always buy something but usually i find something. I do have a few gripes however, the staff there isn't all that inviting they mainly stick to themselves or each other at the counter not a huge ordeal but i like to be social especially in smaller brick and mortar type shops and i wish they would be the same way as the staff. The other complaint is very personal and its that they've drastically reduced their vhs and video game sections. It used to be every week id find some little gem for my collection but these days its slimmer pickings, however it is understandable. Overall this store is fantastic, the prices are great and whether you're looking for something obscure or the next big release they most likely have what you're...