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| - I live really close to Bookman's, actually within walking distance from my apartment. It's not a half bad place, and carries an enormous amount of books. I shop here from time to time, and its not a half bad place. They carry CD's movies, musical instruments and an assortment of other items as well.
Overall, the store is a good place to shop, but I'm not the biggest fan of this place. Yes, it's local business, and that's why I shop here from time to time, but I don't consider it my "home" bookstore for a variety of reasons. Please read below for the good, bad and ugly about this place.
The good:
*wide selection of items new and used. Books, CD's, movies, instruments and much much more. It's definitely local business and I feel better buying from here then other big box stores. You can get a huge selection of new or used items at fair prices.
The bad:
*store feels tired and old. Not that it's going to turn me away, but has a darker feel to it them most. Also, I feel like the selection is more fiction based then non fiction.
*I don't think they give you a store credit for trades, just cash. I like to put my money towards re shopping at the same place, but I don't think they do that here. I could be wrong, but that's my knowledge.
The ugly:
*they have a security guard here at all times. wait, its an actually police officer. I don't know why, but it's kind of intimidating to walk in and cruise past a cop. I've been to other bookstores and they don't seem to have this problem, so I'm not sure what that's all about. Are gang bangers suddenly cruising through a bookstore and having turf wars? is there a serious stealing problem here? what gives? To much riff raff?
*also, even though the staff is helpful, there's a sense of arrogance depending on who helps you. Are they all this way? no, just some. I feel like I'm at a snobby coffee bar when I shop here. It's the trendy mentality that gets me at times. Look, I like to support these places, but it gets old when I really need help finding a book or have questions about something and I feel like I should already know the answers to my own questions. It doesn't happen often, but there is a vibe at times that I can't shake.
*one time I came here and there was some sort of star wars convention going on. Even though I'm not a star trek fan, it was fun to watch adults and kids having a good time. Good to see that their doing events like this.
Overall, I can't hate on the bookstore, and I say if you live close, shop here. It's just not on my short list of places I absolutely love, that's all. Huge selection, great prices with wall to wall everything.
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