Last time, I took about three or four hundred books into for donation which spanned a number of genres and were all in very good condition. I was wanting to get rid of them because my husband and I were pregnant with my daughter at the time and wanted to start a library for her - so anything we were offered was going to go to buying books for her. I think they offered me $19.00. We said no thanks and went to Bookmans.
My husband and I are huge collectors and readers, so its not like I have only gone once or twice. I stopped taking my used books to Half Price Books after I found out that the books they offer to take for donation (meaning, after they say they aren't offering a credit for them) meant that they would throw them in the trash for you. I'm not a big fan of throwing books away - it's akin to book-burning for me.
The vinyl records that are for sale are extremely over-priced, especially for how damaged they are. The charge almost full price for DVDs. The only decent part of the entire store is their tables which have some fairly decent books for $1.00 - $3.00.
The employees are all extremely rude and stuck-up. I don't think they actually read. I believe that part of their employment is that they have to be that snotty.
If you're reading this - go to Bookmans, Goodwill or Changing Hands.