Books-A-Million — Local services in Winchester

I'm DONE with BAM. My husband and I went in to get a fiction novel and an art book. Thankfully the novel was easy to find. However, after searching the store from front to back, the art section wasn't to be found...

So we found associate #1. She was fixing books on the back shelf, sitting on the floor. Couldn't be bothered to get up to help us, but directed us back to the front of the store to have someone else use the computer to see if they had any of the books we were looking for.

Associate #2 was dragged away from vacuuming long enough to tell us that their computer wouldn't really work well to find the kind of book we were looking for, but she could lead us to the art section... which was three rows in front of associate #1. She commented that associate #1 was new, so apparently that made everything okay. She then told us that the art section wasn't organized very well, but she was sure we could find what we were looking for there. Then left us. To say that it 'wasn't organized' is an understatement. I'm fairly sure it hasn't been touched by an employee in months.

After searching for nearly 10 minutes in utter frustration, we head up to the front to check out with the novel from the beginning of the journey. Associate #3 materialized, walked to the registers, hesitated, then told us to head over to the coffee shop register to check out since the cashier was in the bathroom. I'm fairly sure this is when my eye started twitching in frustration.

Once at the coffee register, associate #4 spent five minutes cleaning something in the sink and checking one of the machines before acknowledging us. He seemed confused to see us in general. I explained being sent over to check out because the cashier was in the bathroom. More confusion ensued. I then asked for corporates number. He just blank stared at me, deer-in-headlights style while vaguely looking at the screen, shuffling some sale pamphlets, and telling me "no.... no, i don't think i... no"..... I was then asked if I was trying to return something. Thankfully he managed to call for a manager when I asked him.

Apparently associate #3, WAS the manager. He came over, we went back over the conversation of wanting to be checked out AND given corporates number. He turned, to associate #4, horrifically shocked, and asked, "What did you do?!" Apparently he also didn't have corporates number, but offered to give me a survey! Then he proceeded to ring us up at the coffee register.

I went home and found corporates number in less than ten seconds on...

I have been looking at a few select books online that I have been wanting and online it was one price In store significantly more. Initially the counter person put up a bit of a debate stating that they cannot honor their own websites advertised pricing. When my wife called in they stated that yes they will honor their online price which I would have figured they would, this is after I was in store and saw that the price did not reflect their online advertisement. It seemed as if the employee tried to remain a company man and stand behind what seems to be corporates way of thinking because he stated they cannot sell them at their advertised price on their website that caused me to drive an hour round trip to the store. The employee informed me that I could do online pick up and go about my day and come back (books in his hand) which I do not live near by and did not wish to leave and come back taking up my precious weekend time off. Displeased I left the store cool, calm, and collected. Naturally I got back into my vehicle and my wife asked where my new books were, needlessly to say I was able to unfold my tongue with just enough explanation before her entering the store and getting my new books at the online advertised price. My wife stated that the employee attempted to say that he cannot do it the system would not allow him to do it even if he wanted to but the system must have underwent a miraculous update that allowed him to do so. I am pleased with the outcome of the employee doing the right thing in the end and I can only hope corporate sees this realizing that their...

Love this place. Love love love. They have restrooms, handicapped welcome, plenty of room down isles and in-between, for wheelchair or walkers. Even strollers. The variety and selection here is amazing. If you read, you will get lost in here, for hours. I do every time. They sell books, magazines, old and new, collectors items, cards.. as in magic and pokemon and many others I've never heard of. They also sell all kinds of Occult items, such as Tarot Cards, of all varieties, Oracle cards, Pendulum Kits, Alter supplies like candles, trinkets, crystals.. n books defining them and their purpose, and books teaching you how to read tarot, how to learn anything astrology or astronomy based along with numerical studies and Astro Physics GALORE! They also sell clothing , horror culture stuff... Saw a super awesome Rob Zombie beanie and a Freddy Krueger hoodie wen there last. Also, toys, kits for making things, for kids and adults, pens, paper, craft things in general, little toys, big toys, electronics, and idk I'm probably missing something. But if you love learning, researching, discovering or just veggin out in a bookstore ... This is the one. Huge. Awesome. Amazing staff, who know exactly what you're looking for, and most times, can offer you a...