Half Price Books

Reviews

• LB

  Lili B

  1 day ago
  5.0
  I unloaded 6 cardboard boxes, 1 plastic tote, and 8 bags of dvds, cds and books at the buy counter and they didn't blink twice. It took just over 2 hours for them to get through it all and my teenage sons entertained themselves looking through Funk Pops, books, board games, video games and graphic novels while I fretted about the Herculean task I had thrown at the Buy Counter (and Bravo to that team who work under pressure to get people in and out!) Overall very happy with our transaction.
• MS

  Maria Singleton

  Jun 30, 2026
  4.0
  Tacoma half price books had a large selection of books of different genres. I found almost everything I was looking for and loved the prices❤️
• LL

  Laura

  Jun 29, 2026
  5.0
  They have a great selection of so many books, went in to see if they had a large print Bible, and they did! All the sections are title/labeled also.
• RP

  ROCIO PRECIADO

  Jun 14, 2026
  5.0
  This place is absolutely fantastic, I highly recommend it! Every visit feels like a treasure hunt. You never know what amazing finds you're going to discover. It's perfect for anyone looking for something unique. They have a great selection of books for all ages. I've found some really cool DVDs there too. Even the children's book section is a delight to explore. Seriously, you won't be disappointed with the adventure of browsing here.
• MM

  ML

  Jun 13, 2026
  1.0
  This review is for Half Price Books as a company rather than any specific location. I've visited stores throughout Western Washington, from Everett to Lacey, and have had similar experiences across multiple locations. When my father passed away, my mother brought his book collection to the Tukwila location for evaluation. The offer she received was, in our opinion, insulting as it was significantly below the collection's value, especially considering the number of hardcover books included. When she declined the offer, employees informed her that the books had already been separated and they were no longer certain which books belonged to her. Because she had not photographed the contents of the boxes beforehand, she was forced to accept the offer or risk not receiving part of his collection. Whether this was a misunderstanding or poor process, it left a very negative impression. To be fair, most Half Price Books locations maintain a strong selection of books. I've found good inventory at the Tacoma, Lynnwood, Redmond, Everett, and Bellevue stores. My primary criticism is that the company's pricing often feels inconsistent with its name. "Half Price Books" suggests customers can expect discounted prices, but many used books are priced at or near full retail value. In some cases, I've seen out-of-print books priced at several times their original retail cost simply because they are harder to find. This can make purchasing an entire series more expensive than buying it new. I understand that collectible and out-of-print items can command higher prices, but it's frustrating when a company that acquires much of its inventory for pennies on the dollar turns around and charges market-rate or above-market prices. If a customer can demonstrate that the same book is readily available elsewhere for less, I believe Half Price Books should consider honoring the spirit of its name and offering a more reasonable price. Another issue I've noticed involves pricing stickers. On several occasions, I've found newer Half Price Books stickers placed directly over older stickers with lower prices. When I asked an employee at the Tacoma location about this, I was told that older stickers are often left in place because removing them can damage the book's cover. Unfortunately, that explanation is accurate. Over the years, I've found that Half Price Books stickers can be extremely difficult to remove without damaging certain covers. Collectors should be aware that attempting to remove these stickers may peel away the glossy finish, leaving a noticeable rectangular mark. I've tried multiple removal methods, including applying heat and using adhesive-removal techniques, but with some publishers and cover finishes, the damage is unavoidable. Overall, Half Price Books offers a good selection and can be a fun place to browse, but its pricing practices and handling of customer-owned inventory leave considerable room for improvement.

Frequently Asked Questions About Half Price Books