What would make you--or keep you from--shopping in a used bookstore?

Question

I own a little used bookshop, and while I often ask my customers what they like/dislike about shopping with us, I would love to hear a broader view. What do you like about used bookstores? What do you hate? What's your primary reason for shopping used vs. new?

Answer 1

I shop in used bookstores a lot. Unless I'm looking for a particular book, I don't want them TOO well organized, as I usually end up with a book on some odd topic that I'd never before considered reading about.

I do like mysteries separate from other fiction, as I am a mystery nut but read little else in fiction.

I want the prices to be affordable. Honestly, recently I've gone to a lot of library surplus sales, as stuff is really cheap there. I know that doesn't help you make a living, but it is part of the competition that you need to be aware of.

I DON'T want somebody hanging over me and wanting to "help" me while I'm browsing. The fun of a used book store is reading random bits from a number of books before buying. If I feel rushed or think the store owner is hovering because s/he's afraid I'll steal a book (I've NEVER done that), I'm outta there and I won't be back.

Why used? For starters, new books are too expensive. The prices have gone up way faster than my income. I also enjoy a lot of out-of-print things. Sometimes I even enjoy reading the notations previous owners made in the margins. New bookstores only have the latest and hottest, and those books don't interest me that much.

Good luck with your store!

Answer 2

It would be awesome if there were a used bookstore in my town. Any bookstore actually would be ok, but I would prefer used to new. I simply can't afford new-book prices. If it's a choice of buying one new book or multiple used books, guess which I'm going to pick? If there were a used bookstore that I could frequent, it would be nice if they would have some kind of "trade-in" or "credit" program; where you could take in books you don't want, and get partial credit toward a purchase. And I like places where the books are grouped together by category/type, not just alphabetically by author or title. If I want fantasy books or Sci-fi, I don't want to have to look through hundreds of books, and I don't always know an author's name. I can't actually think of much that would keep me from shopping in a used bookstore, except for being too far away, or maybe if they were only open during hours when I couldn't get there. Otherwise, they'd probably have to kick me out at closing time several days a week! lol

Answer 3

I am a book lover. I'd rather read than do most other things. I love used bookstores. So I feel qualified to answer your question.

I love the "book" smell of a used bookstore. I like the "atmosphere" of a used bookstore. To me, a used bookstore should "shout" that it's a used bookstore. Therefore, it should not have bright lighting or have a retail store feel to it. It should have a dimmer lighting than a retail outlet. It should have good (but not too cheap) shelves. It should hold the promise of unfound treasure that if you just keep looking you will find. It should be well organized and have an almost "library" type feel to it. I prefer a relaxed atmosphere to the "hurried" feel of a retail store. A used book store should be inviting

It should be run and staffed by people that love books - not by people who are doing it for a business or just for an easy job. A good used bookstore reflects the attitude and heart of the owner or manager.

My primary reason for shopping used versus new is tightly tied to my economic situation. I prefer hardbacks. Also, for some reason, I get a thrill out of knowing that I was the first to read a book or magazine. So in good economic times for me, I go to used bookstores to find old scifi that I don't have copies of or I need an additional copy of and it's out of print. I also buy books that I might have passed on when they cost new book prices. I also like finding better copies of used books than I already have.
When I have less money to spend in my book budget, I go, to used bookstores to buy copies of books I couldn't afford when they were new.

Answer 4

Selection and pricing. Used books should be cheaper than retail. If I go into a used bookstore and find a hardback only a buck or two cheaper than the Borders down the street-and in far worse shape, than it kind of looses its appeal. I like it when used bookstores have taken in a fair selection-fiction, non-fiction, sci-fi...even graphic novels and roleplaying games. I know that is hard for some used bookstores, but if they have all that, it definitely makes me want to shop there!

Answer 5

The smell. Sometimes I have shopped in a used bookstore that had the warm musky smell. That was a good experience. I live in the southeast, so I mostly think of used books as moldy because of our humidity! Not a good thing! I also like it to be organized and well lit.

Answer 6

"What would KEEP me from shopping in a used bookstore?"

Probably only a bazooka, or a National Guard unit....I adore books. But seriously---if ALL you have is lots of modern fiction (especially romances), my visit is going to be very, very, very short, because I want lots of nonfiction stuff.

What I like?---the prices, the chance to find goodness-knows-what in the piles (it's a continuous treasure hunt! and I don't mind a little dust or musty scent, as long as there's adequate light), and running into other bibliomaniacs.

Primary reason for used vs. new: COST. Both my husband and I have serious book addictions, and used is cheaper.....I think.....except when it comes to getting oddball texts. (So we end up saving a little money at friends of the library sales, and spending it at Alibris.)

Answer 7

I love used bookstores. I like to just peruse the shelves instead of looking for anything specific, as much as I love books & reading its always like a treasure hunt for me. I almost never leave a used bookstore without at least one unexpected surprise going home with me.

Answer 8

Nothing would keep me from shopping used books. I find rare and antiquities too special to ever think of reselling in used book stores. Because obviously I have a love of books (having several antiqued and autographed copies of rare finds), I love to read a particular era that is lost into too many genre. Hopes this gives you a broader prospectus.

Answer 9

I love books and hate seeing paperback books that have creases in their spine. Used books often have these in addition to having the pages dog-eared. That's why I avoid going into used bookstores and prefer to purchase the books new so that I can take care of the books and keep them in mint condition.

Answer 10

I like to shop in a well lit, well organized store. I go to used book stores to get books that cost less but are still in good shape with no pages missing or water damage. I also look for 1st editions of some books as well as books that are out of print.