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| - Half Price bookstore (HPB) is a great bookstore.
Of course, it's not for everyone. You have to know what you want.
HPB is a commercial chain bookstore, profit is it's main, probably the only goal.
If you want to sell your books, go to some place elsewhere. The best way is to sell the valuable books yourself on-line, and donate other books.
If you want to find local bookstores that are not only just bookstores, but also serve like small community center, hold reading/signing events, etc., go to some other places.
If you want to buy new or hard-to-find expensive books to make your collection complete, go to some other places.
But if you are looking for general used books, I mean, published in last 10 years, or 20 years, which will normally cost you around $5-$10, and you are not in a hurry. Then HPB is the place.
If you are looking for books that you can find on-line for $.01, like the paper-back best sellers, but the $4 shipping can kill the deal since you are not really sure whether it is your type of book, and you know HPB might sell these books for just $1-2. Then HPB is the place.
If you are not expected to hit a jackpot, but just want to give yourself some surprise, like to some unexpected small finding which won't cost you a fortune, but can make you a day, then HPB is the place.
Yes, HPB is for casual book searching, and you can always find some surprise. The clearance area is always full of surprise. Since the store is keep put new-arrivals onto the shelf, older books have to give away, especially if there are multiple copies. Thus you can find books on the shelf with one higher price, yet the same book in clearance for a very cheap price (which will be gone quickly).
HPB is a book heaven, especially you share more than one purpose mentioned above: you are not looking for specific books, but an avid reader and regular buyer so you have very good idea on which book/writer is good for you, how expensive those books can be, and you are a frequent customer, then HPB is like a goldmine to you for dig.
Of course, different HPBs are different in their styles. I found this book store is the best for general books, especially children's book and comics. I also like the superstation one for it's record selection. I haven't find specific attractions for me at Camelback bookstore, also I do find some gems from time to time at every HPB.
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