- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Bookmans Entertainment Exchange
Category: Shopping Books, Mags, Music and Video Bookstores Bookstores [Edit]
1930 E Grant RdTucson, AZ 85719
(520) 325-5767
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 9 am - 10 pm
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
27 reviews for Bookmans Entertainment Exchange
Review Highlights
-
"They've got free Wi-Fi, bathrooms, and allow dogs in the..." In 4 reviews -
"Magazines, video games, movies, board games, and even Cd's..." In 3 reviews -
"They have a pretty decent selection of DVDs too." In 5 reviews
Loading...
27 reviews in English
-
Review from Jennifer D.
Tucson, AZ
3/14/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Can you say amazing!? I love Bookman's they have almost everything you want in books, movies, video games and they do trade ins for all those as well. The staff is always friendly and it is always a great experience!
-
Review from Eve S.
8/25/2011 ROTD 10/8/2011
This place is a little dangerous for me to set foot in. As soon as I walk in I feel an immense happiness, being surrounded by books and seeing that people do actually appear to still read gives me a dumb warm-fuzzy feelings. I can easily spend hours in this place, and easily spend more money than originally planned. It's quite addicting.
Of course the downside is they don't give you a ton of money for your old books and whatnot, but they are a business which needs to make money so I'm almost happy to take a meager store credit to support them and have an excuse to go back for more. -
Review from Lyndsey G.
Tucson, AZ
8/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
If there's one thing I love it's books, and cheap books are even better. They have a pretty decent selection of DVDs too.
They have a large section of magazine which is good if you want back issues, or like me, want cheap media to cut up for other projects.
I like being able to trade in my old books, vhs, dvds, ect for cash or trade (always go with the trade you're going to get low balled on the cash).
The employees are generally friendly and helpful but sometimes at the trade in counter they're cranky. -
Review from Erik S.
Tucson, AZ
6/4/2011 2 photos
Bookman's is a great place to spend a few hours going through old books for some hidden gems. The place is always fairly busy and most everyone is just casually looking through the ever changing inventory of books, magazines, DVDs, CDs, videogames, and even board games. I always seem to come out of here with something that I didn't expect to find.
Overall:
Large Selection
Fun to Browse -
Review from Michael N.
Oakland, CA
12/27/2010
Who does not like Bookman's? I for one frequent this place and simply am fascinated by the vast amount of "treasure" that is in this store.
They have books, books and more books of all types and categories. Magazines, video games, movies, board games, and even Cd's as well. I am sure they have some that I forgot or do not know about it. You too will learn this and know something I do not when you go visit a Bookman's for yourself.
(There is also free Wi-fi....fyi)
It's like a real version of the Chronicles of Narnia!
OK, back to a reality check of the situation, Bookman's is an atmosphere all to itself. It is a laid back atmosphere where one can go and read in the store, check out merchandise or what have you. Yet it is also, at times, an ambience of used and run-down and the building is no different.
Lately they have put some repairs into the place, but I still have no complaints about this jewel.
Go and enjoy. . . -
Review from Emily R.
El Segundo, CA
8/10/2010 3 Check-ins Here
Have books/magazines/computer games/old Nintendo consoles that you want to get rid of? Bring 'em to Bookmans and recieve trade! Granted, they don't always take everything you bring them if they have an overload of that specific product, but it's a great way to recycle your unwanted entertainment items!
Want a book? Cookbook? Video game? Shoot, you don't have the $$ to pay full price? That's ok, to to Bookmans and by it used! Great solution! :) -
Review from Ess Y.
Phoenix, AZ
6/28/2008
J'adore Bookmans. Notice how they recently removed the apostrophe in the newer logo? It is now neither possessive nor the plural "Bookmen," but "Bookmans." Gross. My inner punctuation/usage stickler is baffled. Oh, how I seethe. I can take as many hot and long showers as I can stand, but I just can't get clean.
I've been going to this particular location since I was in single digits and usually find whatever I need from hiking guides, religious texts and good fiction to bad fiction, cratedigger vinyl scores, self-help literature I don't tell people I read and even a bootleg DVD of the '70s-era TV movie "The Boy in the Plastic Bubble" starring John Travolta.
A handbasket of hell yeahs to the labyrinth of used books, mags, music, movies, gaming stuff and now, random crap like toys and knickety shit. I found deliciously cheap handstamps here. I cowered in a corner with a book for adult children of alcoholics while hiding from an ex-lover who works there. I commandeered a chair from an unruly, climbing child and used their free wi-fi when my internet went down. I got the mother of all paper cuts from a record sleeve.
The staff is always friendly and helpful and will even search/call other Bookmans locations in town or locate what you're looking for if their store doesn't have what you require.
This is my default bookstore for everything and I even pop into the Mesa and Phoenix locations when I'm up north. Some books can seem a bit costly here, but this is often balanced out by gems that are priced very reasonably. The selling and trading percentages are so-so but I really only rock the trade counter when desperate to clean house of stuff to which I'm not particularly attached (suck it, overpriced and only moderately useful books on grieving, purchased off Amazon in haste after sudden and horrendously devastating death of father).
Charming new discovery: Rialto Theatre tickets have a $2 off coupon to Bookmans on the back. I found three on the ground walking out to my car after a show. -
Review from Bonnie G.
Tempe, AZ
12/26/2006 2 photos
It was Christmas Eve day, and my brother and his girlfriend were at a wedding, so I amused myself in Tucson-only problem is almost everything is going to be closed or closing early, right?
So after a quick brunch at Lovin' Spoonfull and grabbing some coffee at Coffee XChange, I saw what I believe is the original Bookman's on the corner of Campbell and Grant-and the parking lot looked packed! So I took a chance and managed to find parking. I was used to the layout from visiting the Mesa and Phoenix locations, but this one definitely ties (or wins even) over the Mesa store I like so much. First off, it was bustling with tons of consumers and browsers for like 2:30 on Xmas Eve- but everyone was laid back. The costumers were just chilling out, looking at DVDs with friends, listening to iPods looking at rare books, sitting on the floor looking at back issues of Japanese fashion magazines. Whether people were looking for last second presents or just trying to find a fun, relaxing refuge from the mall, I am not sure.
I am not a huge DVD or CD buyer anymore, but I still can't resist books once in a while (I abuse my library cards), but I noticed near the front they had a display with some great discounted graphic novels (blankets, from hell, clumsy, etc), and found their alternative graphic novels (love and rockets, etc) quite pleasing and fun-plenty of random used and discounted remainder stock to keep me hanging out with my coffee for a good while-I moved onto their arts/graphics section-they had some good books, but wasn't overtly impressed. However they had tables and displays around the store that did have some great Taschen, Phaidon, and other assorted arts texts that were pretty appealing.
I also love their magazine section-finding recent old copies of Dwell, Fast Company, Wired, Punk Planet, Art Forum, and random shit from the 60s always makes me happy-usually from 2.50-.50 for the back copies (essential future plane reading)-it is ingenius really.
Overall, the layout is a bit confusing, but I like you can find little nooks to relax in-I found the crowd here to be younger, attractive, with some literati and families thrown in-and the staff was really down-to-earth and super helpful to me-and were totally not all frazzled or pissed off about working that day (as far as I could tell, anyway).
Yeah....Listed in: Me and Tucson have Domestic…
-
Review from Jide F.
5/21/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Such an interesting place! This is definitely a great spot for book nerds and bargain shoppers alike. Bookmans is huge! I couldn't get over how spacious it was once I walked in. Ever since moving to Tucson I've been told by quite a few people that I should check out Bookmans. It took about 8 months to finally do it and I totally regret not coming here sooner. I could spend hours in this place and the next time I probably will. The prices are low and the books are vast in number. Just about every genre and type you can think of. And most everything I saw was in pretty good condition. I bought a cookbook ($12!) and I was tempted to buy 100 other things. Fantastic!
-
Review from Ferdinand B.
New York, NY
12/1/2008 1 photo
Bookmans is as close to "literary" as a provincially
boring & dumb Tucson can get. Good selections of used
books, mags, postcards, antiques, etc. They have
plenty of seating, good atmosphere and very basic
prices. This place beats the corporates at their own game.
They don't have security cameras or rude, paranoid security employees like the corporates either. What they do have is self righteous Eco hippy bonehead employees who make rude comments about customers & talk all day. I don't mind the yapping but I saw one Eco hippy employee accuse some homeless guy of "messing up the bathroom". The bathroom gets used by plenty of people & he picked on this guy for no reason.
Another annoying fact is that dogs are allowed to wander inside so expect drool on your legs, crap on the carpet, urine smells in the air & possible dog bites.
If you can get by the fact that some of the employees are nerdish, idiotic boneheads (ignore them if you can), then it isn't a bad place to sit for a while. -
Review from Doug W.
Tucson, AZ
11/1/2007
A nice place to browse. Judging by the high volume of interesting books I find used there, there have to be some interesting, intelligent people in this otherwise unbearable hole of a hamlet.
If you fit that description, please contact me and change my impression of Tucson!
Bookman's is one of the best things Tucson has going! -
Review from Britannia R.
Tucson, AZ
6/29/2011
Friendly staff, cleanly store, good variety, and there is almost always more than one register open so that you can get through the purchase process quickly. My favorite location!
-
Review from Mercedes B.
Seattle, WA
1/16/2010
Ah, Bookmans, it's an Arizona staple. Warning: All of my Bookmans reviews are going to be very similar! See last paragraph for information specific to this location!
Like all Bookmans the selection varies from day to day and you have to rely on the help of the staff (which is awesome by the way) or by searching the bright orange shelves. Prices can also vary from item to item (example: two copies of the same game but one is $5 cheaper is common) so make sure you grab the cheapest one!
The Grant location is the best one in my opinion. An older building that used to be a grocery store with one wall an awesome castle/fantasy scene, the open book sign and their windows always have something different in them every month. If you do go to this location, there is a tamale lady standing by the door - her stuff is actually pretty good and has been in front of this location for years! This location also has the best selection of video games, computer accessories, anything electronic out of the three in Tucson. They have wifi all throughout the store.Listed in: Tucson
-
Review from Erica H.
Los Angeles, CA
11/30/2009
If you need anything, I mean anything, you're likely to find it at Bookman's. I utlized this place to its fullest while I was in school. It's nice to go to a place that isn't corporate and people who work there actually enjoy literature and art.
If you need a little cash or have things around the house to sell used to them, i reccommend to do so. You can always find something to take its place. Especially in the music section. -
Review from Ivette O.
10/24/2011 4 Check-ins Here
bookworm heaven!
-
Review from Kaylan B.
Tucson, AZ
6/22/2011
I LOVE used bookstores! I left Half Price Books in Dallas, and was so excited to find a store with a similar concept in Tucson.
The exchange process is painless, and I like receiving credit - it makes me feel like I got a better value than cash (which was Half Price's model). You can exchange books, DVDs, CDs, magazines...the sky's the limit! The store is large and has a wide variety of genres to choose from.
I also found a cool collection of vintage Arizona Highways magazines from as far back as the 50's - makes for a cool coffee table decoration. -
Review from Eric G.
7/18/2010
Oh Bookman's... your crazy ramshackle appearance always brings me back.
This is a great book store if you are in absolutely no hurry. It can take forever to find anything, but by the time you do, you'll have also spotted at least a half dozen other things you had no idea you even wanted. Most everything here for sale is used merchandise. But the quality is still pretty good. Besides books they have magazines, video games (and consoles), random decorative items, etc... . Have a pile of old books or games that you no longer want cluttering your house? Bring them in, drop them off at the counter and go browse while they sort through and quote a price (better deals, not surprisingly, for in-store credit, although they will pay cash as well).
Last time I made a drop off, I ended up finding a cool diary written by a bartender here in Tucson from the mid-1800's. It's the little gems like that which will bring me back for another treasure hunt in the future.Listed in: Locals Only
-
Review from Ken B.
Phoenix, AZ
6/17/2009
I miss Bookman's. You can get all kinds of stuff there...video games, books, old magazines, random computer stuff, board games, random knick-knacks and CDs. They've got free Wi-Fi, bathrooms, and allow dogs in the store. And some locations have porn! Woo woo! Guys Gone Wild for $8, score!
-
Review from Kirstin B.
Tucson, AZ
11/21/2010 2 Check-ins Here
There is always something "new" to find at this used bookstore. I love being able to grab a seat and read a bit of the books before deciding if I want to buy them. The Campbell store has a great collection of science writing as well. Must be the proximity to the U of A!
-
Review from Tim S.
12/4/2008
Bookmans is a great place to go browsing. You can walk up and down the book aisles, sort through the record stacks, find your old favorite video games, and admire the rare books collection. These are just a few examples of the fun you can have with your eyes at Bookmans. If you find anything you really like and want to take home with you, buying from this store will not cost you a whole lot. Books are typically half their cover price. I always walk over to Bookmans when I visit my grandparents.
-
Review from Leo B.
Knightdale, NC
3/25/2008
I am grateful for Bookman's though it usually is very hit or miss for me. I can on occasion find a gem of an art book or blues CD. They were very helpful in setting up an art show for me and my students. I have no clue how they price and buy back stuff but people normally get a raw deal which is really the only minus I can think of.
-
Review from Rachel L.
Mountain View, CA
1/19/2007
I was in town for business and a coworker who used to live in Tucson recommended that I drop by Bookman's for kicks if I was bored. I was on the way back to my hotel after dinner one evening and decided to swing by. Bookman's is a strange place. Aisles of used books and random used objects for sale stashed on the tables. There's magazines, DVDs, CDs also. Some interesting choices in books and I settled for a couple of bestsellers that I got for half the list price. Not a bad place to be if you've got an hour to kill.
-
Review from Victoria K.
Tucson, AZ
10/24/2008
So sad that we will be loosing this great place to the Grant Road project. Dogs are even welcome at Bookmans! Wonderful selection of used books, recordings and "things". A fun time can be had for not a cent or as much as you care to spend. Love it!
-
Review from Vande R.
Tucson, AZ
12/1/2008
Dogs, books, CDs, free Wi-Fi, friendly staff that doesn't follow you around... what more can you ask for? (Actually, the only thing I wish it had more of is electrical outlets or some power strips; it's a bummer when you get there and realize your laptop battery is almost dead but no outlets are available.) Decent selection of merchandise; I agree with Leo B. that it can be hit-or-miss; I have had much more luck finding something spectactular by browsing than I have shopping with the intent of getting a specific item. Lots of funky home decor, housewares, and miscellaneous stuff for cheap, too. Definitely one of my favorite used bookstores anywhere.
-
Review from Chris R.
Oakland, CA
1/6/2009
If your looking for a used book store in Tucson like Moe's or Black Oak Books in Berkeley CA this is it.
-
Review from B J.
Flossmoor, IL
11/25/2008
Bookman's is a great place to go to experience all of the sociology you need! I especially enjoy Christmas time when the little lady sells the tamales at the door. Unlike the "bootleg tamales" which can be found in the parking lot at Albertson's a few blocks up the street on Campbell. IT is definitely a Tucson thing. Getting credits at Bookman's is awesome! I look forward to my next visit to see what I can get.
-
Review from madalena r.
San Jose, CA
12/12/2009
Inconsistant service~ often super, now and then aloof, but great books, love the geegaws, can easily kill a few hours there.
