2nd & Charles — Local services in Lakewood

Update: April 2025

I figured their selling approach changed. I gave them another try after doing spring cleaning to thin out my book collection.

I took a carload and fit what amounted to at least a few hundred books into their required allotment of four bins for processing.

I received a text of an offer but no amount was given until I called.

My offer: $5 in cash or $11 in store credit.

I asked if they took all my books and they said there was no way to tell me that.

I am sorry, but this offer is borderline criminal. I have sold at other outfits and they have been far more generous with offers. For giggles, I checked a previous order on the shelf (since I mainly collect history) and there was a book on the shelf of mine for $28!

I implore those to simply stop selling to these con-artists and force them to reevaluate their deeply shady buying practices.

A week ago, I dropped off two Ikea bags full of books to their buy counter. I was in the area for a birthday party and figured, why not cull some books from my collection and see what they offer.

I left the books at the counter and was told, you'll have to wait two days for these orders to be processed. Ok, I get it. No worries. Two days comes. No text alerts. Three days comes, no alerts. I call the store, the guy answers and says, "I am going through your book order as we speak, there are a few titles I am researching and will have this ready tomorrow."

Tomorrow comes, nothing.

I call back five days later and the guy is -- shocking -- "looking at my order as we speak!"

Later that same day, I get a text telling me to come to the store and counter to get my offer. I am on the complete other side of town so that is impossible. I call in and get the order over the phone and was offered $20. For two massive Ikea bags of books.

I asked why such a low offer and the woman on the phone has the guts to tell me that "book prices are just not very good right now" which is interesting considering the bookstore she works for has a massive ever-changing warehouse of books that are dependent on people bringing them inventory.

I've been through the buyback process at Half Price Books and most recently, McKay's on the East Coast and the process, updates, and constant shiftiness of the employees here tells me that their resources or system is not equipped to handle people's books.

Before I hung up, I mentioned that I cannot be the only person who finds this system extremely frustrating and she said "Nope, you are definitely not and there is nothing we can do to change it."

So, perhaps some folks at corporate are looking at these reviews (judging from all the others, I see they are not, so welp!) and seeing what an absolute nightmare this process has been. And, perhaps, you'll...

I have gone in this store multiple times and looked around at their products and have also purchased without any problems. That was until today. I picked out two funko pop figures and headed to the checkout. I was asked if I wanted to make an account to which I replied yes and went through that process. The cashier (Thomas) asked if I wanted to donate towards a fundraiser that gave gifts to children in the hospital, the cheapest donation was a box that was "under four dollars". I replied no thank you and Thomas proceeded to stop everything he was doing and stare at me as if I had said something wrong. He reads me my total and I asked to pay $20 in cash and the rest on card. The bill in my hands was damp because my hands were nervously sweating and he was said "why is the money wet?" With a judgemental look. I explained that my hands were sweaty and apologized several times he glared at me again checked the bill (was very much real but I don't have a problem with him checking the bill but more so his attitude throught the interaction). I finished paying and collected my items without any further comments. Honestly a horrible experience and as a customer I was left upset and frustrated. Frankly I don't intend on...

I generally love 2nd & Charles but this location is a little strange. I have sold and purchased at this location.

They expect you to know how the selling process works - they don't communicate about what's going on or what to expect beyond the instructions posted on the wall (which are minimal). Unfortunately, their process is different from other locations and companies regarding the use of boxes and other things. For example, at other locations I've been given back the books they don't want to purchase but not at this location and they acted shocked and offended when I asked questions, such as "were all the books accepted?"

As a customer here, it's pretty hit or miss. Last week, I went to the front with my purchase and nobody ever came to check me out. I stood around for about 10 minutes, then went to find someone. I could only locate two workers in the buyback section and they ignored me. I didn't want to butt in or be annoying so I just put my books back and left.

Other times, the workers are fast and helpful. I've had some good connections and enjoyed my visits.

I want to love this place like I love the Littleton location but it's uncomfortable. Hope that changes...