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Book Gallery
Category: Shopping Books, Mags, Music and Video Bookstores Bookstores [Edit]
3643 E Indian School RdPhoenix, AZ 85018
(602) 508-0280
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 10 am - 6 pm
Sun 12 pm - 5 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
10 reviews for Book Gallery
10 reviews in English
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Review from D'Lisa L.
Scottsdale, AZ
2/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
I went here to get a birthday book for a friend and walked out with 2 huge stacks of books for less than $100! I got mostly cookbooks and the quality was great as was the prices. I have a book addiction and am running out of space on my bookshelves but I will be back!
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Review from Alicia B.
Boston, MA
3/21/2008
Are you kidding me? Seriously... This is a total joke, right? I mean, I'm walking into a book store that is suppose to sell used and hard-to-find books, when I sadly realize the price isn't that much different than the original asking price.
I found a book I wanted. I began to drool over it. Seriously... but for $50? The original price tag was $60. So, 10 bucks off?
Maybe I got the wrong impression by the exterior. Maybe I was just hoping this place would sell used books that I could afford. After all, some where okay - $12 for a used copy of a popular novel. But, seriously, you can buy a new one for the same amount at Borders when you're part of their discount program. So, I don't get it.
Maybe I'm not their ideal shopper, for I want a bargain. I don't want to wander through filled bookcases of WWII, Comics, Music, Fiction, Nature, Philosophy and discover some amazing gem that's going to set me back $50. Hell, that's 5 bottles of $10 wine. C'mon, you do the math!
I would recommend this place to any one who likes to peruse book shelves and is in the market to find a "vintage" edition of a book. Or maybe anyone who likes dusting off the pages before reading about ancient warfare. This isn't for somebody who typically gravitates to the a certain section, knowing what she's looking for, expecting not to spend alot of money on what has become a really expensive habit.
If you have an hour to kill and you like the ideal of stumbling upon something unique and original (book kismet), then check out Book Gallery. Don't expect first-rate service, though. I was there for a 1/2 hour - even carrying around what i REALLY wanted to buy - and not one person said a word to me. -
Review from Mark D.
6/19/2008
All right Mr. Book Snob Man, this one's for you.
Yes, I mistook your fine establishment for a Bookman's or a Half Price Books, I showed up with my milk crate full of old Stephen King paperbacks, some old scratched CDs from the 80s I've still got because even Zia won't buy 'em and a Super Mario Brothers cartridge - but still - did ya have to be such a jerk?
You sized me up quick though, didn'tcha? I said, "You buy books?" and you said, "Um, well........." while you scrutinized me and my milk carton with those judgmental brown eyes of yours, "we buy high quality hard-to-find hardback books in near-mint to mint condition... do you think you have anything that might fit that description?" I didn't, but of course I said I did, and you explained that I needed to make an appointment with your 'buyer' ooh-la-la.
So I looked around. Yeah, you've got some nice books. Some not so nice, too though. And a wee bit overpriced. I might have stayed longer, may even have made a purchase, but you're a jerk, so I didn't. -
Review from David M.
4/7/2009
The Book Gallery is not your typical book store. If you want just a basic retail book store, Borders-I shop a lot there-Bookstar, and that type are available. Book Gallery is something special. The inventory is of books that one probably isn't going to find in the other stores. Mike, the owner, buys books for people looking for something t more specific to the areas a person might be interested in.
As to service, you can receive it at this store. The employees are more laid back and don't follow the (ninety second rule to say hello) most of the large stores are supposed to follow. The majority of the customers that come in are coming to this store to look for merchandise they won't find other places. It is enjoyable to see what gem is available there at any given time without being bothered. However, just ask. and the employees will go out of their way to find what you need from books small artistic items to music. I will admit that there is one employee I'd rather not have help me but that is a personality thing. At any time, they will call the Mesa store to see if they have something there and have it in Phoenix in a day or two. They also will keep an out for something if you ask.
Mike, the owner, enjoys buying knickknacks, book ends, and just other small things that make delightful and unusual gifts. I have a friend that is just so hard to buy for. I found a small piece of De Grazia sculpture that I didn't even know was made. The very reasonable price surprised me. I expected to pay more because many of the things there you can't buy other places. I don't consider myself to be a snob. I have a great time shopping at Goodwill. I am realistic in knowing I should expect to pay more for something the owner has personally selected for some unique quality.
Concerning the prices of the books in Book Gallery, they will depend on the merchandise you are considering. I happen to be a science fiction fan. I always find very reasonable prices on older paperbacks from two or three dollars and up. One day I found a signed copy of one of the Dune series and I paid considerably more. It only made sense. It cost more than the original price, but considering the author is dead, how many more are going to be signed-zilch, none! Besides, how many stores would have it available for purchase anyway..
This store has another quality that really appeals to me and that is plenty parking! It's a great place to go browse before or after going to one of the other interesting stores or restaurants in this small center.
So I am a snob for shopping at a small unique bookstore with merchandise that isn't typical. Quality means more to me than quantity. I find quality at Book Gallery. Check it out! -
Review from Ryan D.
Phoenix, AZ
2/26/2011
One of my favorite places in Phoenix. This place is for collectors, quality literature or harder to find pieces. Mike and the whole staff are patient and offer attentive service, even the follow up when you ask for them to hunt down a book for you.
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Review from David M.
Seattle, WA
3/11/2011
I was visiting Phoenix a few weeks ago and I visited this bookstore. Although they have a nice selection and the prices are fair, I had a disturbing incident with a man I assume was one of the owners. I was looking at a group of books on the shelves and there happened to be a desk nearby which I stayed away from.
I continued looking and the man came running over to me and told me in a very harsh tone that the books in that area were not to be looked at. The area I was in just looked like a regular part of the store and there was nothing stating that the section was off limits. The man was so rude and so hysterical that it completely embarrassed me and made me feel like I was doing something terribly wrong. I told the man that he should rope off any areas he didn't want the customers to look at and he agreed. But I left feeling very angry and embarrassed and didn't purchase the books that I had intended to buy. -
Review from Catherine W.
Phoenix, AZ
1/6/2010
I was reading the Talk thread on book clubs and I recalled this place.
It is a diamond in the rough and I shall go there this week to pick the cumulative brain of their staff:)
Book Gallery is a place to lose time in the lovely smell of old books. Remember when libraries had copies of books with cut pages for regular circulation? When cellophane was a method of book covering? This is that kind of place. Complete collections of out of print serials, favorites from your parents' and grandparents' childhoods.
In here I have found books printed in foreign languages other than Spanish, British food lore of the 50's and 60's and bookshelves gorgeous enough to lust after in their own right. War historians will find the most dedicated shelf space but there is something for nearly everyone to be had.
I had a lovely game of when-was-it-printed judging only by a given tome's binding one Saturday afternoon at this location. The constant discoveries of interest kept the game going for at least two hours! -
Review from Maxx C.
Washington, DC
2/18/2010
As someone who knows Phoenix bookstores said to me, "they have great books.' That's the bottom line -- obviously excellent collections of rare antiquarian books find their way here.
My only complaint is that the balance between the "secured area" of rare books in cases, and general used books on shelves, is tilted too far against access and towards security. It makes browsing a lot of work.
Prices are very fair for the kinds of books they have. -
Review from Angelique A.
Phoenix, AZ
8/11/2011
if you are looking for a unique book, call the owner and he'll tell you if he has it in stock or where you'll most likely find it!
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Review from DinerGirl P.
Phoenix, AZ
3/11/2010
Beautiful old and rare books for collectors or those looking for a special volume or "off the beaten path" subject. I agree the prices are high by mass market standards, but very fair for the quality and rarity of what's offered in this store. Many of the books are out of print vintage treasures you're just not going to find elsewhere in town aside from the sister Book Gallery on main street in Mesa, which is also highly recommended. Categories are extremely well thought out and the floor to ceiling wooden shelves and antique furnishings and accessories only add to the charm.
