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Showing posts with label used books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label used books. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Strand Bookstore

They like to say that they  have 18 miles of books. Frankly it's quite possible that the number of miles is underestimated. Yes, this store is enormously larger than Bookman's in Tucson and one would be doing a disservice to say that this enormous New York institution could be anywhere close to the same level of sincerity as that fairly good sized gem in Arizona, but as it happens the Strand comes pretty close. The two stores operate in much the same way. They are both local chains, and they tend to hire friendly people who actually give a damn.

My recent experience: having accidentally purchased two copies of the same book (don't ask me why) I needed to return one. It was just no problem at all. They asked if I wanted to exchange it or if I would like my money back. I ended up using a combination of the two. No manager needed to be called. there was no overt inspection of the book to see if had been read by George Costanza in a public restroom.

Let me make this comparison: I once purchased a bag of chocolate chips from a health food store that I've been going to for years (and choose not to evaluate in this blog). Those chips were so old that they'd turned gray! Naturally, I took them back for a simple exchange. After several levels of buck passing and inspection of the product the manager hesitantly agreed to the exchange. I  accepted my fresh bag and was  left to slink off into the night like the thief that I so obviously was. Why do I go back? So far they have the best selection and they are a local store. But I continue to look for true sincerity in a health food store, and when I find that perfect combination of selection and sincerity - this one will be history.

So the Strand isn't perfect (it's just too gigantic for that) but it is superior, and they make a real attempt at hometown authenticity in our huge metropolis. They manage to walk a fine line and must be admired for that.

Evaluation: Pretty sincere

Digg! 

http://www.strandbooks.com/
828 Broadway
New York, New York
(Corner of 12th Street and Broadway)

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Bookman's Used Bookstore - Tucson, AZ

Okay, this is a local Tucson chain and we've made it an absolute must destination whenever we hit this Arizona town. But why? - you might ask, since living in  New York offers such places as the Strand which is of course a really great source of used books. The reason can be summed up this way: A couple of Christmas' ago we were spending a couple of weeks in the desert, and went into Bookman's to pick up a bit of reading material. It was my first time in the store and I was wowed by the extensive Science Fiction section with such great prices. Anyway, we gathered up our choices and got in line for the checkout. Our total purchases came to somewhere around $30.00 and Georgina handed over our debit card. Well, something strange was happening with our bank and for some unknown reason the card was declined! Suddenly we were in Tucson and had no access to our money! You know that sinking feeling? Yeah, that's the one... All our cash and credit cards were back at the house. There was panic in the air. But get this: without hesitation the clerk made a simple decision on the spot... he said "don't worry about it." He placed all our things in a bag and said, " Merry Christmas." There was no charge! He absolutely would not hear of our returning with the money. Unbelievable! Now when we go to Tucson we always make it a point to visit  this great store that breathes and even defines - sincerity.

Evaluation: Extraordinarily sincere!

Digg!  

6230 E. Speedway Blvd.
Tucson, AZ 85712
 http://www.bookmans.com/our-stores/tucson-speedway