The Book Exchange — Local services in Missoula

It is called the book EXCHANGE, first time I have ever gone in to trade books here. Usually I spend money here but never again. I was trading in my books today for cash so I can have gas in my car! Books are expensive and the last thing I want to give up for gas money but this is the world we live in or some of us do. Perhaps put a sign in your window that says you only buy hard copies and that you need an appointment to even sell books or change the name of your store. The woman “helping” me was rude. She asked me to sit down three times. I had questions, I know, weird right! Y’all had at least four people working. No one called my name, maybe only interested in my business if I am buying books. I am now disgusted with this store. It is funny how pretentious someone buying your books can be, must be all that knowledge from all those books. She acted too busy to help me, no one else had an appointment to sell books at that time and when I left she was not the person who helped me. I could write more about my experience this morning, it doesn’t matter, I don’t matter. I needed the gas money to go to the doctor because I AM SICK! I love supporting local businesses. I hate Amazon but I will be ordering all of my books online...

I love a bookstore that has both new and used books. This one has a large selection and the prices are fairly reasonable. The children's section is good-sized with a staff person in the area for assistance which can be very useful in locating just the right book. The used books always seem to be in good shape, which I have found not to be true at other used bookstores. They also have a small selection of games and puzzles as well as a little coffee shop with a seating area. I do wish some of the shelving sections were a little expanded/enhanced. They could use a biography section, for example. While there is some signage to assist in locating books without a section, it would still be nice to have a couple more sections to make browsing easier. I also sometimes have trouble finding books by authors that are fairly popular. For me the service can be a bit hit or miss. I've been here when staff is friendly and helpful and there have been other days when it seems folks are not in a good mood. Given that the location is in a popular strip mall, parking can be a challenge, especially on the weekends. Still, it is the best bookstore...

I really like the store and have been coming here since about 2018 and I stop every time I come into town. I buy and read a lot of comics, graphic novels, and manga and it’s really irritating to try and trade them in here. There is a specialist that works with them, which I appreciate, but every time I bring in comics I have to leave them for a while to wait for the specialist to review them. I’ve been told that they don’t have a set schedule every time and today was told that they’re really backed up and don’t know when they’ll be finished. The store has a policy that the books have to be picked up ten days after I’ve been notified about the review. I get that the books can’t hang out forever, but I can’t afford the gas or time off work to come get what they don’t want within a week or two. I wish they would get someone to work full time or at least be available by appointment or get rid of that policy all together. I do also wish some of the staff were a little...