Book-A-Holic — Local services in Wichita

While I always hate to leave a negative review, I feel that if I can save someone else from a negative store experience I will. I’ve shopped at and sold books at this bookaholics location for several years now off and on. After yet another painfully negative experience here today, I can officially say I’m finished giving them my business. Today I brought in a couple of textbooks to try to sell on a whim, since they are always extraordinarily picky about textbooks and generally always outright reject what I bring in. I totally get that due to inventory and what not, that this is likely and I recognize that. What I do have an issue with is that without fail, their extraordinarily rude and callous staff members always give me the very worst customer service. There is one younger employee that is an exception to this, but all of the other older middle aged female employees are the rude ones I’m referring to. With today’s experience, I handed them my two textbooks, and since they literally gave me no response as to my wait time, I had to ask them that. To my surprise, they looked both of them up right then and there and within 30 seconds had swiftly rejected both, and didn’t even try to offer an explanation as to why they couldn’t take them, so I had to ask that as well. They gave a brief non answer to me in the usual unfriendly manner, never smiled or emoted a spec of positivity, which I’ve come to sadly expect. So I decided today would be my last day receiving such horrible treatment. Again, it’s not that they routinely reject my items, it’s the way that the staff members treat me while delivering the news and during any other brief interaction. This has spanned years and I’m baffled as to how they are still open. I had a completely polar opposite experience at half price books today, and that is who I will be giving my business to from now on. The entire staff at half price books were all so incredibly friendly and polite, completely put me at ease, and went above and beyond my...

Clearly marked sections. Nice open aisles. Friendly staff. Patience for awkward folks like myself. I was looking for books pertaining to seafood, wine, and fine dining, as I'm working at a fancy pants restaurant and want to work my way to serving and need to build my food knowledge base. I was about to find all i needed, minus one specific title I was recommended, by merely browsing.

They buy used books for cash as well, which is an option I will definitely be looking into. Most of the books I saw are newer/more contemporary, so if you're looking to sell older/cloth backed/antique books, this might not be your first choice. I was told that if the location you bring them into wouldn't use them, but feel another location might, they will still buy them from you, just at a lower price (to compensate for the time, etc to send them to another location/shop I suppose), but you still get paid and don't have to worry about getting half your books back and having to find someone else to take them.

As a person who loves books, but has too many, knowing a shop will look around to find a place that can sell them, and therefore find a good home for them, is a relief and can actually make letting go of excess items much easier. Let your anxiety go, and look into selling your extra books here, knowing they'll find someone who loves, uses, and...

Over the past few days I have visited each of the 3 Wichita locations and to put my feelings in simplest terms I am in love! Pure Elation! I have a nearly 3 year old who absolutely LOVES books and story time and I have been trying to expand our home library. However, books are expensive! I googled used books stores and discovered the jewel that is Book-A-Holic. I had never been in this store before. I went to the Oliver location on Sunday and they had a fantastic selection! My son and I picked out 5 great books. The next day I discovered an amazing coupon online which motivated me to visit the West and North West locations. I found ALL kinds of great children's books! Everything from the classic favorites to Bob the Builder and even older books that my mom used to read to me! With the coupon I was able to get a remarkable deal on all the books I purchased (a total of 20) and I feel like I won the literacy lottery. The staff was very kind and helpful at each location and each location had such a great selection! I have to be honest, without the coupon I could never have purchased so many books. I do feel that their prices are slightly high for a used book store but that won't stop me from going back. I do hope they run more specials in the future! I can't wait to go back and find more great books for my son and...