Half Price Books — Local services in Madison

The most common complaint about HPB will always be the amount that people are offered at the buy counter. One thing that people have to understand is that the offer they give is, as they say, 'based on supply and demand'. If you're going to complain about paying 40 dollars for a Harry Potter set, then getting a 4 dollar offer afterwards, you have to grasp the reality that with how mainstream Harry Potter is, how often copies of the books come through their door. If anything, you should write a review on yourself that says, 'Wow, I feel like an idiot for spending 40 dollars on 7 books I could have individually bought out of their clearance section for 1-3 dollars a piece.' It's Harry Potter - if you were going to spend 40 dollars on a set, don't you think it'd be for the investment towards having a nice copy of the set, not just to read then sell back? Duh.

In my opinion, Half Price Books is wonderful. Between the frequency that they flip their shelves, to the variety of the merchandise, you really can't go wrong for a one-stop-shop. There is so much opportunity to really find gems there. I've found Black Sparrow Press books in their clearance for $2, $20 records priced at $4, and Criterion Collection films for under $10. How can you argue that?

If you feel that a used bookstore should be less market-based, sure - go to Frugal Muse, where you can find $1 books priced at $5, and scratched CD's and DVD's. I don't mean to downplay FM, or any other used book/music store in town, but other than Strictly Discs, as far as I've experienced in Madison thus far, there's no other place other than HPB that you need to go in more than once - because you know there's going to be...

What a nice store! Helpful, cheery staff and a couple of good books to boot! You may not always find what you are looking for, but if you play the game, you’ll definitely find some treasures. Honestly, I would give the place a higher rating, but when I asked the kid behind the counter, he told he didn’t think it was going to be possible for me to move in. I told him I could pay my part of the rent, most months, but he laughed as if I were joking. I told him I was actually very serious. He then tried to tell me they don’t allow people to move into the store. I knew he was trying to trick me, so I said, “preposterous!” and demanded to speak to Mr or Mrs Half-Price! But noooo! The cashier-kid told me I actually needed to speak to the so-called “manager” of the store. She came over and introduced herself. She seemed nice enough, even though to be honest, I really wasn’t looking for a roommate. I told her I would simply just set a small cot in the back corner of the store, and wouldn’t take up much space. I also assured her I would try very hard as to not move too much at night, that way I wouldn’t somehow set off the alarm. Despite my pleas, she just kept saying it wasn’t possible. How does she know? I kept begging and crying, wailing that, “it couldn’t possibly hurt to try!” The woman was stone cold. I told her that if she is going to be roommates with people, she needs to be a little more understanding. I stayed another three hours or so before they called an Officer to escort me from the premises. I have to say, that was a major disappointment. I really thought it was going to work out. Oh well, I guess I’ll just have to try again next...

I found their prices for DVDs, CDs, Blu-rays, and video games a bit high given that they're used goods. The prices in books varied between being a good deal and being a rip complete off. I'll give it to them that their prices for children books are generally pretty good. My issue with this place and this location in particular was with the staff and more specifically the shorter middle-aged overweight brunette woman.

I showed up 6 minutes prior to closing and the first thing I was greeted with was an unpleasant "Are you selling media? CDs? DVDs? Blu-ray? If so come back in the morning." I replied yes, and stated I had two books that I wanted to sell and that I'd come back in the morning to sell the electronic goods. She said that was acceptable in an irritated tone, I waited for her at the sale desk to finish whatever closing responsibilities she was in the middle of doing. By the time she made her way over she asked for a DL which I realized I mistakenly left in my car. Upon telling her she responded with a condescending laugh and said she was not going to wait for me to run to my car to get my DL and that their store opened at 9 am. At which point I left the store, at 9:57 pm.

I understand workers want to leave ASAP once closing time is near but the way she spoke and interacted with me was very VERY rude. Whoever owns this location should take a long hard look at who they are hiring because they lost a customer after this experience. I will NOT be going to this location again, customer service was some of the...