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Bookmans
Categories: Shopping Books, Mags, Music and Video Videos and Video Game Rental Shopping Books, Mags, Music and Video Newspapers & Magazines Shopping Books, Mags, Music and Video Music & DVDs Videos and Video Game Rental, Newspapers & Magazines, Music & DVDs [Edit]
1056 S Country Club DrMesa, AZ 85210
(480) 835-0505
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 9 am - 10 pm
- Price Range:
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$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
81 reviews for Bookmans
Review Highlights
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"Secondly, I love books and places that have free wi-fi." In 5 reviews -
"...they have great prices on used books, and a huge selection." In 6 reviews -
"for the great staff, and well organized selection." In 5 reviews
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81 reviews in English
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Review from JC R.
Mesa, AZ
3/7/2012
What is there to say except "I heart Bookmans!"
I'd been going to Bookmans for years, starting in Tucson and then when I moved up to Phoenix. This location is huge, really nice inside, with a massive selection of books, movies, games, etc. There's a great little cafe with pastries, coffees, teas and smoothies so you can grab a snack while you surf on the free wi-fi or sit and read.
This place really does have it all, and the staff is always very knowledgeable. There are requests forms you can fill out if by chance they DON'T have what you're looking for. You can also place items on hold for 5 days, so you can wait til payday and still make sure you get to take home that treasure you found.
I'm a sucker for classic musicals and I generally can't find them anywhere but here. I think the majority of my musicals I've gotten at one Bookmans or another. It's worth it to take the time and look through the books and movies, because you never know what you're going to find. Go check out the random knickknacks and doodads scattered about the store. Vintage toys, sets of china, vases, picture frames, artwork... And if you bring in your own stuff to trade, you get credit.
The only thing that does kind of suck is they're always lacking on the Wii games. But that's not necessarily their fault. If people don't get rid of their stuff, then they won't have it.
Another big plus is that they allow pets... on a leash. So bring in your pup, ferret, cat, whatever and have your best friend with you while you browse and have a coffee. It really doesn't get much better than that! -
Review from Amy M.
Mesa, AZ
3/8/2012
PROS:
1) I saw a gorgeous selection of classics like Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Black Stallion, 20,000 Leagues under the Sea. Leather bound, gold leaf pages. I salivated just looking at them.
2) If you're a fan of home schooling, this would be the place to pick up cheap reading material.
3) During Christmas you could find some a gem of a gift idea, esp. near the front of the store.
CONS:
1) They offer a dismal cash trade.
2) If you're a published author and are trying to get rid of some stock, you're lucky if they offer 50 cents and take just one book. They used to take up to 8 copies off my hands for $1 each. -
Review from Samantha C.
Cave Creek, AZ
2/20/2012
I needed to get some older computer games that are no longer sold in regular stores, and I didn't feel like ordering online so I came to Bookmans hoping they had used copies.
Not only did they have the two I wanted, but they were $8! That's awesome. Then on my way to the checkout line I noticed a decent vinyl section and found two great records for $15 total. I was on cloud 9.
Nothing negative to say, this Bookmans has it in the bag.Listed in: Shopping
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Review from Tamara L.
Mesa, AZ
5/23/2012 3 Check-ins Here
Love Bookman's! Forget spending $5 for a magazine, they usually have current issues for $1.50. I go here for all my daughter's english books and usually save about 75%. She especially likes that since they're used some times there's already annotations in the books that help in class. Bookman's also carries a large selection of musical instruments, video games, and random items. They sponser the occasional event and allow pets in the building.
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Review from April Q.
2/7/2012 3 Check-ins Here
I really liked visiting Bookmans.. crazily enough, I've never been here before! I enjoyed their store and cafe, though I was disappointed that their cafe employees TOTALLY forgot about my latte :(. No big deal, but hopefully when I return again, this isn't repeated. The cafe is great for just chilling with a book and a drink/sandwich, or surfing on your laptop, or, like us: great for boardgames!
They have a VAST selection of THINGS at this place - VHS, DVDs, books, CDs, board games, video games.. the list goes on! I would shop here just to get away from the big-box stores like B&N, etc. -
Review from Judy F.
2/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
I never knew this place exisited until someone in our lunch group mentioned it. We went over after lunch. It was nice to see used items recycled. They have a lot of stuff (video games, books, music, magazines, etc.) They had live music and she was GOOD. They also have a little cafe (looks yummy).
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Review from Georgie M.
Scottsdale, AZ
11/15/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Our family loves this place!
We have been going to the Phoenix Bookmans for several years now and found ourselves near this Mesa location and thought we stop in. Wow, just another great Bookmans.
If you are not familiar with Bookmans, they offer second hand books, CDs, DVDs and collectibles for a reduced price. This location also has a cafe right in the store, so if you need a caffeine hit just ask the Batista.
Since writting and saving the above review, we have been back twice.
Enjoy! -
Review from mario c.
Updated - 2/15/2012
Just love this Bookmans, it has everything that anyone could want. The best part is you never know what you will find. Over every holiday they have a huge selection of the greatest things. I love them! FIVE STARS!!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/5/2011
I believe this is the bigger of the 2 shops here in the valley.They even have a cafe,so for those of… Read more »
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Review from Sue C.
Tempe, AZ
12/27/2011
Pros: Easy parking, non-mall location. Well-organized, large selection of used books, CDs, DVDs. Great for picking up recent issues of magazines at a heavily discounted price.
Cons: Thrift store feeling. Asking price for older books, CDs, DVDs and games much higher than expected (about the same price range as Half-Price Books in East Mesa or Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe). I agree with other reviewers that used books, CDs and DVDs in library stores and at Goodwill are a better value.
Trade Ins: Our family has traded in many books here over the years and are always astonished at what they do take and won't take. If they purchase your stuff you will only get store credit, not actual money. -
Review from Brad H.
11/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
For several years, I worked just across the 60 from this store, so since I was back in town I thought I'd stop by and check it out. First off, let me say that I'm a big fan of Bookmans and have been a customer since the days of the original store at Tucson Blvd and Broadway in Tucson.
As always, Bookmans has an impressive selection of books, magazines, DVDs, music, video games. They've also now started selling used musical instruments. But what most impressed me was the new paint scheme and the addition of a coffee bar and seating area.
Glad to see this Bookmans is still doing well! -
Review from Carol K.
11/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
Used book store, big place, very crowded, I had to fight over my section. I picked up a few older books, mostly crafts, and prices were a surprise, mixed really, some were cheap and yet one book, was price higher but it was out of print, so prices must be based on that?
Anyway, big place, selection is expansive, and you could probably find something you've been looking for here! -
Review from Julie M.
10/22/2011 10 Check-ins Here
1. Like others have mentioned, you can get a good deal on some used books. I traded in a stack of books that I was otherwise just going to donate and in turn, got a stack of books for my little one.
2. Every worker that I have dealt with has been super friendly.
3. Programming! Free Sign Language classes with an AMAZING teacher, Miss Jessica. Free story time. Banned book club. Pet adoptions?? Yes. And more! -
Review from Kristen G.
Tempe, AZ
10/18/2011
I like books a whole lot, and I like saving money a whole lot, so naturally I came to Bookmans. I have been coming to Bookmans since I was a kid and I have sold countless items to them, usually for store credit. Really, store credit is the only thing that makes sense. Cash is a rip off. Last time I went to sell to them, they offered me $77 for my piano keyboard, new Flip camera, TI 83 calculator, 5 Xbox 360 games, a stack of books, and various other items. However, I recently learned that you can negotiate! Did you get that?
YOU CAN NEGOTIATE!
I talked the guy up to $100 in cash, and I felt like even though I was still getting ripped off, I was getting slightly less ripped off than before. This place has very reasonably priced movies, games, books, CDs, etc. It is often very unorganized and nobody working here knows if they have certain items. They use Amazon to determine what section a customer may find a book in. Also, creepers hang out here, just sayin'. Come here if you have time to search out your book, or come here just to browse. It is not easy navigating and not easy to find said book. Good luck my friend! -
Review from Karen W.
Tempe, AZ
11/9/2011 7 Check-ins Here
Bookman's offers your one stop shop for all used entertainment needs. CDs, Blu Rays, DVDs, even old school VHS and records. They have a vast selection of books, and also offer board games, magazines, video games, and role playing game manuals. There is always a selection of vintage toys and various knick knacks to choose from if you are in a browsing mood.
Selling your items can be a bit hit and miss. Something you would think would easily sell can sometimes be placed in the "No" pile, but that is the nature of selling your unwanted stuff. -
Review from Thomas S.
Gilbert, AZ
9/8/2011
Books.
Gotta be on a mission here. Your book is somewhere inside, somewhere half-priced.
But there is a price for this adventure. The gum underfoot. The guy that is arched and most likely sleeping against the romance section. The overwide kid in the anime section that just pinched a loaf that smells like a cat dying on a summer freeway.
This place is a warzone of nomads and seekers and we all have dirty fingernails and shirts with starchy white stains on the belly.
Gotta stay focused. That new Lee Child book could be under suspense and mystery or it might be in fiction. NINE O'CLOCK children crying. Crouch low and follow a broken sight line, careful not to let your silhouette awaken and alarm the crying kid to your presence. Duck the herd of Mormons - eyes on the prize.
Book in hand. Make for the register. Through green cloud of Taco Bell and Pocky drifting from the anime section.
Money saved. No casualties
Exfiltrate and head home. -
Review from Vester c.
Gilbert, AZ
8/30/2011
I love bookmans, great cafe with wifi, the turkey bacon is GREAT! Lots of cool books, stuff, games, dvds, software, etc.
Go check it out! -
Review from Danielle T.
Chandler, AZ
5/1/2011
The idea of Bookmans is great. Used books, movies, games, etc brought in by fellow book, movie, and game lovers so you can then purchase them at a lower price. Its the execution that needs a lot of work. I used to come in here a lot. And two years ago I probably would have rated it a lot higher than I am rating it today. I heard about this place from a family member and how you can bring in books you don't want anymore and get either store credit or cash. OMG! That is the best idea ever. Getting rid of something you don't want and then picking something out that you do! What a concept! I did this I think three or four times a few years back and was always happy with the return from books I had. I would check out the store while they were evaluating my selection and then come back with a handful of new books to buy after they told me what they would give me for mine.
The last time I came in here I brought in easily $100 worth of brand new cookbooks that I don't use anymore since becoming vegetarian. They were new cookbooks so I thought I was going to get a great deal. They wanted almost all of them, and then wanted to give me $4. Yes... $4. Umm... are these people on crack?!!? So I said, hell no and walked out with my books and then went and sold them on Amazon for almost $75.
The selection in this store is also really crappy. I looked at the cookbook section the last time I was in here, and I had never even heard of most of the books they had here. And trust me, I know what I am talking about. I am the girl you see in Barnes and Noble sitting in the cookbook section for four hours on the weekends. They were all old and tired and books obviously nobody wanted, which is why they were in this store.
I wont be coming back here. -
Review from Chris S.
Great place to heal old childhood trauma and get that Cabbage Patch doll you never got as a kid.
I love you Bookman's. If you consider a bookstore to be your saving salvation then you will love it here. When you walk in it usually smells like bacon or panini's or whatever the heck they are cooking up in the cafe. You can sit in the cafe area and get a lemon bar but they also have many other baked goods and sandwiches to choose from.
They have old records and a bunch of old crazy crap in the back that you will love. The kids section has a cute little entry way just for kids and they sell toys, puzzles and games. They also have old vintage action figures from movies and shows. Pretty much any book you could be looking for they probably have which is all categorized so it is easy to find. If you cannot find it though they will be happy to help you in your quest.
They have a manga section and located just off of the cafe section, they have magazines and comics! I found old Creep comics that were $5 that are really worth $15. They have a porno collection in an armoire but everyone can see you look into it so most guys look awkwardly into it for a minute before walking away.
Books are reasonably priced and the price can be found penciled in the book on the first page on the upper right hand corner. They have a gaming section where you can buy games and old gaming systems like the original Nintendo. Make sure you make time to look near the registers, that is where they have the really interesting stuff. -
Review from Stewart P.
Cleveland, OH
5/1/2011
Bookmans is the Mecca of Bookstores. Seriously, there isn't a better bookstore anywhere that I've lived. All of the people who complain that Bookmans didn't buy their stuff obviously don't understand the concept of a place like this - if they need it, they buy it. Obviously if they have 52 copies of 'The Time Traveller's Wife', they aren't going to buy yours.
I honestly love everything about Bookmans! True, it is slightly dingy, but that is part of the charm. You can buy pretty much any book you could dream of for 1/3 the price you would at Barnes & Noble or any other bookstore.
But, book aren't the end of what they sell. Magazine, Movies, Music, Games, Video Game Systems, Art.... pretty much anything used that is in good condition and someone else might want, they carry.
Bookmans is a personal obsession! I would peruse every day if I still lived there.
I also think that their purchasing system is more than fair. I have gone many times and sold old books or video games that I was done with and have felt the credit/cash they gave me was acceptable. There have also been times that I took bags full of books like everyone else is complaining about and had them buy nothing... but I realize that this is part of the business.
I honestly think there should be a Bookmans in every large city on the globe. Life would be better and certainly world peace would follow. -
Review from Richard K.
Mesa, AZ
4/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place is a dump. If you need to get rid of some books, just donate them to Goodwill or a Veterans group, because you'll get more self satisfaction. I dropped off about 40 books today and they would only offer me $3. $3? Are you effing serious? Nope, no thank you. I'll drop them off at the VA.
If you're looking for older fictional books or records, this place has a pretty serious selection; however, if you're looking for something more present and/or relevant, look somewhere else. Hell, if you're looking for a 1990's version study guide for the SAT, then this is your place!
This place is so outdated, you can see the dust when you walk in... -
Review from Lauren J.
Mesa, AZ
1/10/2012
I've been to Bookman's a few times and have mixed feelings about it. If you're going just to look around, it's fun to see all the stuff they have in there. Between the movie selection, CD's, books and trinkets, it was fun to shop around. But, as someone interested in selling to them, I would never do that again. I brought in a huge selection of books I was interested in selling and they only took 4 of the books and offered me a few measely dollars. I was shocked. I understand they need to make a profit but I wasn't even getting $1 for each book they wanted. A total rip off if you ask me and a waste of time waiting for them to look through my stuff. I'm not sure if I will be returning anytime soon.
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Review from Susan D.
2/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
Reduce, reuse... good ideas to live by. Well, last weekend, my roomie and I were reducing our book collection and decided to take 2 Trader Joe bags of books into Bookmans so someone else could reuse them. We dropped them off at the front and then browsed the store while they figure out our exchange rate... cool right? Well... kinda. The problem was that, even though a lot of our books were cool travel books and fiction reads, they said they only wanted 2 books from both of our very full bags! Then they ask if we wanted to donate the rest. We said sure but, I might go back in later to see if our books were really donated to a cause or if they were donated to the Bookmans cause. Seems weird that they only wanted 2 books out of about 20 books. That was a $7 credit.
Oh, and I'd recommend going to exchange on a weekday, not Sat or Sun. They were way busy in the exchange dept. and then we put the books we'd picked out down and left because they had a HUGE check-out line and only 1 register going. Really?
This was my first experience and I think it ruined me. In general the store was well organized, has a lot of variety of books and other media, has a cafe and, has comfy chairs to rest in... but I'm not sure I'll ever be back, even to use the credit. So... I guess we 'donated' all of our books, which is fine so long as they're actually donated.
Prolly won't see ya there. -
Review from Billy R.
Tempe, AZ
1/7/2011
I fuckin' love Bookmans. I imagine if Bookmans were a person, it would definitely be a lady with an obsession for pop culture and literature. And she'd be like 90 years old and smoke a lot of weed.
The amount of books and movies that they have is staggering. I've been here quite a few times and I know I've never walked around and looked at everything that they have to offer. Each time I'm there, I spend a minimum of an hour. I look at their movies, their books, their children's section for cheap VHS (got the Lion King for like $2!), video games and all their badassed N64 and SNES titles then I grab a thing of gelato.
It's not just entertainment, either. My girlfriend bought some cheap champagne flutes here, too, which was kinda rad, considering how clumsy I am and how many glasses I break in a year.
Behind the counter, they have some amazing shit I want. If I were rich, I wouldn't feel guilty about dropping a couple hundred bucks on a vintage Star Trek model of the original bridge. After I get my millions of dollars, not one inch will be free from Star Wars and Star Trek memorabilia. -
Review from Jessica R.
Pinal County, AZ
3/1/2012
I used to LOVE Bookmans. Then they changed. There staff is almost all new. They take FOREVER to go through your items, even if you dont have that much and the amounts they offer you for trade in is insulting. They used to give a fair value for your items and I used to rave to everyone to go there. The last two times I have gone there I have passed on what they have offered. You used to get $8 a season on dvds, the price they charge is still the same but now they offered me just yesterday $33 store credit or $4 cash for 7 seasons of popular shows, and 8 dvds, two of which where special edition in special cases, and a brand new video games that sells for $40. I was offered $55 at a pawn shop in cash for just half the items. Their selections have dwindled down to nothing as well. I think its obvious no one is selling to them anymore. I used to shop there 3 times a week too. SO SAD.
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Review from Nesto M.
Chandler, AZ
1/28/2011
I have been a fan of Bookman's since high school when I got my entire Senior AP reading list for about $50. It was about 100 books.
That was a while ago, and justifiably their prices have gone up a little bit.
Bring your old stuff, they will sift through it, hand some back and give you a credit slip for store goods for what they keep. Good deal for crap you just have collecting dust in your place anyway.
They just added a coffeehouse recently and I am impressed with the quality of all of their coffee.
One gripe (and the reason this local AZ business doesn't get my 5th star) is that they use an out of state roaster for their coffee.
The coffee is good, but there are many many talented roasters here in the CenPho area who would be more than grateful to get a piece of that AZ pie too. Just food for thought since Bookman's was founded, and thrives due to AZ cash, maybe spread the love to other AZ businesses.
Other than that I love the place. -
Review from Mike Z.
4/21/2011
Has it been a couple years since you went to Bookman's in Mesa? Holy Transformation, Batman! Amazing what fresh paint and design work can do for a place. The rest of the shopping strip mall is still pretty sketchy, but don't let that deter you. Bookman's inside is really a nice space now. Even the bathrooms . . . fancy mirrors and framed paintings and clean as heck . . . kudos to them. Freaking kudos
They seem to have become less stingy on trade credit as well . . . as long as you take credit. I'm moving, so I brought in a bunch of books I'd never read, and was offered $60some in credit or $11some in cash, so, yeah, plan on only trading in for credit
They have a huge selection of books, especially in areas that Changing Hands neglects, like sci-fi/fantasy/mystery/thrillers . . . even the travel memoir/travel journalism section is robust
I was especially surprised at their used videogames area. They had a TON of NES, SNES and Genesis games. Hell, even a section of Sega Master system games
So yeah, thumbs up to Bookmans. Shame it's so far away in sketchy Mesa. They really need a location in Tempe. There just happens to be a big closed available retail space in the Changing Hands strip mall . . . I'm just saying . . . -
Review from Gregory S.
Chandler, AZ
3/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
I have to admit, I am a fan of Bookmans and have been a customer for years. The atmosphere is generally laid back and comfortable, which is not common for a lot of stores. They offer a wide and often eclectic selection.
Now, I've noticed a few comments that are a bit toward the negative side due to not having many items bought. After having traded with this company for years at many locations, I can tell you, or in some cases confirm, a few points.
When making an offer they look for items that they think will sell (it is a business, not a charity, after all) as well as items that they do not have a large stock of. They are human, so one buyer may have a slightly different opinion of what looks good or what they consider overstocked so if at first you do not succeed, give it another go if you're in the area in a couple weeks.
They may not have needed it today, but things, if even the buyer, may be different next time around and you may very well get something closer to what you want.
The staff is often friendly and helpful. I've seen them bend over backwards to help me get what I want. I've seen a few folks have off days but, again, we're all human. The few visits that have not been stellar have been made up for time and time again.
I'm very much a fan and rate Bookmans Mesa 4 out of 5 stars for being pretty dang good at what they do and for being one of the greener companies out there. -
Review from Chris R.
9/3/2011
I agree that this place has gotten a thrifty store feel to it. I'd much rather go to a library bookstore, or better yet Half Price Books, which is made more for the frugal bibliophile. I've gotten some okay selections here over the years, but it's starting to get a desperate bus stop vibe. The new coffeeshop, though, is a good addition.
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Review from Bonnie G.
Tempe, AZ
Updated - 11/27/2008 ROTD 2/19/2009
Home of the nicest women's bathroom (thus best seat in the house) in existence!
Seriously.
Check it out. Ladies. Go to the bathroom here. You will find wallpaper, a chaise posh lounge, large quality framed reproductions, marble sinks, a place I have actually sat down to business, as well as to regroup. You may think I am nuts for this, but it is totally true. Especially when riding my bike from tempe to mesa, coming in to wash my hands and drink some water from the fountain to refresh. *Hobos Stay Out*
Other than that... I totally heart Bookmans. I really respect the manager here (it was her idea for the b-room, gurls!) for the great staff, and well organized selection. Is it a bit disarrayed and full of bizarre (sometimes hideous circa 1997 stationary?) knick-knackery? Yeah. But go to any bookstore and there is always disarray-always piles, things misshelved. You try to shelve some books and fend off customers at the same time in a place as buzzed as this!
I mostly go for random browsing (graphic novels, art, pop culture, cookbooks, business, children's books, sociology) for works that may be discontinued, but I really come here for magazines. I love they sell magazines! Magazines are my guilty pleasure b/c they are so expensive! Sure, I can rent some mags from the library, but will they have the Punk Planet issue w/found magazine in it? Hellll no! For most, ranges from 1.50-4.00. I get back issues of Domino, Dwell, Fast Company, Believer, Wired, ReadyMade...and my real guilty pleasure, Real Simple. You cant really beat it for quality airplane reading, plus at those prices you can leave it for someone else to enjoy.
Also, Bookmans is really part of the community-they sponsor a lot of events, like RollerDerby, The Loft events in Tucson, Midnite Movie Mamacita, and more...
Their booktrading is pretty fair, but if you have some items that are worth more than half of their cover price and they aren't rare, you may be better on-line. Be sure to take your books back to donate them (and tax refund) b/c rarely do they take all of them-and don't hassle or argue w/the booktrader-just not classy.
Oh, and I like the hot new used books to check out in the front!
If only a good coffee shop could open up inside...Listed in: This is Why, This is Why, This…
1 Previous Review:
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9/24/2006 First to Review
i like this place. A lot. You should check it out! Will write more later.
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Review from Richard Z.
Aliso Viejo, CA
8/19/2009
There was a time when I'd look down my nose at Bookmans, and I'll tell you why. I am a typical guy (read:slob) and yet I have some ridiculous idiosyncracies. Like books. I love new books. When I read them I barely open them so that the spine doesn't get all cracked. I don't write in the book. I actually use a bookmark.
But since indigence has shunted me down a few rungs on the socioeconomic ladder to the caste of the untouchables, I find myself open to new things. By new things, I mean old things. Like ratty books.
So my wife and I have a ridiculous amount of books at home, because I want you to come into my home and think I'm smart. Plus, we were both humanities majors, so we have a really strange assortment of books about totalitarianism, eastern european feminist writings, italian-immigration stories, you name it.
So we brought in six grocery bags of books. Here's what we learned.
-don't look for cash. they'll offer it to you but it's roughly 15% or less of what they'll offer in trade.
-they pretty much don't take hardbacks.
-they look for weird books, which surprised me. super-popular books are usually overstocked there.
-they want plays
-they want books they've never heard of
-if you let one person look through your books, sometimes another buyer there will buy a few of the other buyer's rejects.
-the books that are there for purchase have little prices written in pencil on the first page.
And while the prospect of in-store credit may make you cringe, they have a ton of possibilities. dvds, cds, even records! and lots of books. old magazines. you can definitely spend money there.
it is, admittedly, a bit ghetto. but we're in a recession, right? and on your dying bed, will you really care if the book you bought had already been read? -
Review from Michael F.
Phoenix, AZ
First of all, I'm a big fan of recycling.
Secondly, I love books and places that have free wi-fi.
I love Bookman's and I am glad of its existence.
I discovered this place last year and I've been coming back ever since.
I come here to trade in all my magazine subscriptions and magazines that I find on the aircraft. (I usually average $50 a month in trades which is a great addition to my wallet)
I also like coming to this location because they have a cafe that is excellent.
The staff is great and the food is pretty good.
Myfriend and I come here alot for their grilled vegetable sandwiches and red velvet cupakes! We love them!
Tips: If you are going to trade magazines, they only take the current monthly issues. You can also use your trade-in certificates to purchase food and beverages at the cafe. Awesome deal.Listed in: Vintage & Recycled Stores, Novel Ideas
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Review from Julie M.
Mesa, AZ
Updated - 7/9/2009 4 photos
Bookman's has been totally remodeled and looks great! All the aisles are more easily navigated and the store seems to flow much better. Before it Not that I thought it was bad before but you can tell they've put a lot of effort into making the book shopping experience easier for customers.
The multimedia section has expanded too and is no longer cramped into a small area.
They've also added a lot more seating! There's tons of comfy chairs and couches to lounge on while looking through their enormous selection of books. Yay!Listed in: Local businesses
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/25/2008
I really love Bookmans. Their huge selection of used books is the best in the valley. In many… Read more »
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Review from Nicole T.
Mesa, AZ
12/15/2008
Bookman's is the ultimate sanctuary for ADD-addled adults with an uncanny ability to justify purchasing magazine back-issues in bulk. No joke - this place caters to my easily-overwhelmed sensibilities and makes me feel like I need to own tattered Joycean hardbacks just to lend my apartment the smell of ancient books. It's like Park and Swap Jr. - there is pretty much the grandest selection of old junk, mixed with new junk, mixed with questionably-useless junk. All of this proverbial junk, though, seems completely necessary.
The staff rules, and the credit there never expires so you can trade in your unwanted garbage for some in-store points and maybe buy yourself a Gamecube or some elementary Teach Yourself Japanese texts. In any case, if you leave Bookman's without a claw full of relics, you have way too much self-control. -
Review from Mark D.
7/24/2008
Best used media store in town, hands down. Open late (til 10pm), and dog-friendly to boot (leashed, of course). How cool is that? Me and my pooch like to hang out here a few times a month, browsing the stacks. They've got everything here: books, magazines, comics, video games for all platforms, action figures, sheet music, music on CDs, records and tapes, movies on DVD & VHS - think I might even seen a few laser discs... And porn of course (in the brown cabinet left of the entrance), if that's your thing :D
Got some trade? Drop it off on the counter on your left. They'll give you a playing card to identify your stash and an E.T.A. I don't think I've ever had to wait more than 20-30 minutes for the verdict - of course I'm usually browsing for a lot longer than that. They pay pretty well. Not as much as Zia for music and movies, but they'll take stuff that Zia won't. Your choice of cash or trade credit, which is broken out into 'A' & 'B'. A is good for anything in the store, B is just for books. -
Review from Vaishali N.
Chandler, AZ
5/29/2008
You know how some people are in desperate need of help for their gambling problem, or their problem with alcoholism? I have a huge problem with purchasing books constantly, at a faster rate than I can read. The end result? I have holes in my pockets from where my money was, prior to going to the book store. The solution? A bad ass book store that sells used books!
Bookman's is an orgasmic haven for bibliophiles alike. They have a huge selection, with books I have never thumbed through in places that I usually frequent (i.e Barnes and Noble.) Whenever I have the chance of going, I always end up with a satisfactory smile on my face. You will not be disappointed with the vast selection of books and movies, and computer games. It's like an oasis in a barren desert.
So, if buying books is your vice, and the prospect of going into rehab doesn't appeal to you, go to Bookman's. The prices can't be beat, and you'll be able to pay your electricity bill again, enabling you to be able to read at night. -
Review from Sarah G.
3/17/2008 4 photos
WOW!
Thank you fellow Yelpers for enlightening me on this Literary Wonderland!
I have to say I was really impressed when I walked in, not only at the vast selection but the fact that everything was so neatly organized and clean looking. (see pics)
I took my daughter and a bag of books, so that she could get some new reading material. She got $24 for her trade and was thrilled to walk out with a stack of new books to keep her busy.
I enjoyed walking around looking at all they had and being taken down memory lane as I saw alot of things I haven't seen since I was a kid.
All the staff were friendly and helpful and they get pretty busy, you wouldn't believe the boxes and boxes of books and things that had accumulated since we first got there. It took them awhile to tally up our credit amount but we didn't mind, we were too bust taking it all in.
We have a ton of books that we've read and will definitely return to trade them when we need something new to read. -
Review from Brett B.
6/28/2010
Wow, what a difference a remodel makes when it's done right. Major props to the design star who took this interior from shab to fab!
They now have a cafe which serves edibles such as gelato, sandwiches, baked goodies and coffee drinks.
When my wife and I came in to cash in on an ages-old credit slip, there was a vocalist/violinist and guitar player performing in front of the magazine rack. The singer was entrancing, which tempered my annoyance to the fact that they were blocking access to the Guitar World issues I came to peruse.
The checkout and book buying areas look fantastic. It just feels right. -
Review from David L.
Scottsdale, AZ
6/15/2008
Bookmans is the media geek technofile book hound pop culture Mecca in the Valley of the Sun. The store is wall-to-wall used books, CDs, tapes, records, DVDs, VHS, magazines, computer games, console games, electronics, comics, etc. It's everything one should expect from their used media store. Looking for your used music store to have a guy in a tie-dyed shirt? Check. A punk rock chica with tat sleeves and cool piercings? Check. A section of the store dedicated vinyl? Check. NES and Sega Genesis carts? Check.
Whenever I've gone to Bookmans, it's been a beehive of activity. A surprising number of people are always browsing, buying, selling, trading, etc. This is part of the reason I give Bookmans only four stars. As a victim of their own success, Bookmans is always slightly in disarray and that the staff overwhelmed by customers to the point that they can't restore order, e.g. it always seems like some idiot has decided to dump all the CDs he couldn't afford into A "Pop" and not a trip has gone by where I haven't found fiction books in just about every other sections of the store. There is almost always a line to pay and if you have a large box of things to trade on the weekend, it's going to take a while for them to review it. I think of this as my time to browse, but I have to make sure I'm planning on spending an hour or more in the store.
All that being said, the staff is the best I've ever seen in a store of this type (especially considering it's largiosity) the prices for buying, selling and trading always seem to be reasonable (especially when the alternative is putting a lot of time and effort into eBay) and the return policy is one of the most liberal I've seen in the business (especially in this day and age when CDs are so easily ripped to computer).
Oh... and although I've never seen a customer using it... they have free wi-fi. -
Review from Leanne S.
12/31/2010 1 Check-in Here
It's cool to be green! Take your books, DVDs, Cd's and yes even tapes to Bookmans to exchange or cash out. I like the idea of "recycling" things and making it affordable for someone to buy my once treasured CD. Take a browse around the store and check out all the cool one hit wonder tapes.
The store is very clean and well organized making it easy to find whatever it is you're dreaming of. It's always an adventure! There's even a little cafe in the corner should you get tired of browsing and did I mention free WiFi? -
Review from Amy B.
3/22/2008
I finally got a chance to stop into bookman's and check the place out. The place is really big, with a huge selection of books, tapes, records, and all kinds of good reading. I was pleased with what I saw.
The place is organized like a traditional bookstore, by fiction, travel, etc with signs above for easy location. I also think they have authors listed in alpha order, giving some kind of sembalence to find what your looking for.
On the downside, I felt that I couldn't find a place to sit and read. I do like to sit and grab a book off the shelf and read a bit if i have time. I felt that I could not do that here.
I only noticed one couch located in the front of the store. It was literally in front of the registers. Not very relaxing to try to sit and read when you have a milion people walking in front of you. Plus, if someone sits down on the couch, forget it! I like some seating throughout the store for random reading sessions.
