Half Price Books

Excellent selection. Textbooks costing $ 100+ for $ 10 as well as good clearance items for CD’s and DVD’s. Would highly recommend, especially for students.

I never knew close to home there was a store that I could get books that I order on Amazon for a third of the price. What a great find. I brought in some books to sell and is totally not WORTH it. They would give me $ 1.50 for about 10 books. I rather give it away. But if you are looking to buy any books at all, check here first. The employees were very helpful and cordial.

We were at this location yesterday to shop and sell some books. After the insulting and laughable offer of $ 5.00 for 11 near new HC books, including several that just were published in 2015 (First Edition HC that averaged $ 25-​$ 30 — price we paid new) we will never return to this location. All of our titles are highly desirable and not one of them was currently for sale at the location. Actually, 2 of them we had bought at HPB recently! I was furious at the approximate $ 0.45 offer for each book. I will eBay them. Heck, I could get more at a garage sale or donating to Goodwill. I think this speaks volumes as to their corporate greed.

Good place to buy books — terrible place to sell books. I brought in two big boxes of good quality books and received $ 5 and a lot of attitude from the dude behind the counter. From now on I will donate the books so that they can go to a good cause and I can get a tax receipt.

As you can see from the reviews, your opinion of this store will probably depend on whether you are buying or selling. Their selection is decent but not as good as other locations. Prices are all over the board. Some items are definitely a good deal and others are overpriced (despite ‘half price’ actually being in their name).
Only sell them items if you are in the mood for a good laugh. They will literally pay you 5 to 10 percent of what they retail the items for. They will tell you everything is junk and offer you $ 10 (or less!) and then put your stuff on their shelves for $ 100+. The employees are rude about it too and they think it is quite funny.
If you just happen to be in the neighborhood and are looking for a good deal on a few books then give them a try. Don’t make a special trip to go there though and whatever you do… don’t give them the satisfaction of buying anything from you.

I’ve been to Half-​Price Books a few times during this past week. There are several advantages in going to a store like this, that sells both used and remaindered books as well as records, DVDs, and games.
The first thing that really caught my eye was the low pricing across the board. As far as fiction goes, a hardcover (mainly from the 1970s to the present) was being sold for $ 6.99 — $ 8.99, with a few exceptions. Most paperbacks were $ 5.99 — $ 7.99. The second was the condition of the books: the hardcovers were mostly very good with unclipped dust jackets. I found several first edition copies that have been out of print for few decades. This bookstore, compared to other online booksellers from Amazon, ABE and eBay (that deal in first editions), sold the same book, edition and condition for about five times less. The third and last thing that I thought deserves mentioning is the wide selection in almost every subject and genre. From Art to Philosophy to history, every section was quite respectable in selection.
Please understand that I’m speaking only about the books and not the other sections. Lastly, I would have given the highest rating of five stars if the employees had been better mannered near closing time. Oh well, can’t have everything I guess.

I love their vast selection of books and DVDs (bought full Sex & The City seasons on clearance for $ 5!) and the kiddie section is wonderful and chock full of games, interactive toys, books, and movies. The quality is decent for the most part and a lot of times you can even find new merchandise at highly discounted prices (I recently scored a brand new Shrek DVD for $ 1). Overall, good service, friendly workers, and I am always asked if I need help finding anything.

I am a huge book fan and one day hope to own my personal library. However, new books are very pricey, sometimes going for 20 – 30 dollars. Half-​price books has a clearance section for adult books an young adult books. This books are sometimes one dollars or two dollars. These books are relatively new. The newly released books are usually cheaper than Barnes & Noble. They will sell at a 10−20% discount. You can also sell any unwanted books and get store credit. I think they have really good deals here and I go there for my book-​buying binges.

I had the worst experience at this store yesterday. I didn’t look at purchasing any books there so I can’t speak for that, but if you are hoping to sell books… good luck. They give you a penny for a book and offend your books.
I came in with a box full of books (Around 40 – 50 books, ranging from Dr. Seuss to Romeo and Juliet, etc.) The employee requested that he see my ID to verify that I am 18+, which I left at home. I asked him if he could give me an estimate on the box of books before I run home to see if it would be worth the drive as I live about 20 minutes away. He said that would not be allowed, so I ran home to get my ID and came back as I am pretty desperate to get rid of the books.
Upon returning to the store, he was NOT FRIENDLY at all. He was extremely sassy and rude to me, and I am essentially giving them their products for them to run their store. I would perhaps have a different view on this entire experience if the employees were friendlier. He wore glasses and had long brown hair. I do not recommend getting an estimate from him as he completely screwed me, probably because I am a young adult.
He took all the books out of the box and put them in different piles. A majority of these books are from my childhood and great quality (hardcover, no scribbles, etc.) and some of the other books are from high school and college or just leisurely reads. They don’t have any writing in them either and probably half of them haven’t ever been read.
He sorted them into piles (remember, about 40 – 50 books) and typed some numbers into a computer. He walked back saying «I will give you $ 8 for all of these.» I thought that had to be a joke. I wasn’t expecting more than $ 1 for each book, but that was absurd. I have a book buy back at my college that gives us $ 10 – 50 a book.
I started to pack up the books I found the most valuable and I left about 20 on the counter. He then interrupted me saying «I will help you pack these up and reject my offer because you are down to about $ 2.» He said it in the most undermining tone. I packed up ALL my books and walked out of there. Not to mention I spent probably $ 20 on gas driving back and forth. It is as if he wanted me to go home and not give me an estimate because he knew I wouldn’t be back.
Long story short… RUDEST EMPLOYEE and YOUR BOOKS ARE WORTHLESS TO THEM. I highly DO NOT RECOMMEND SELLING YOUR BOOKS TO THEM. You will be given a penny.

This store has is more than just books, they have a little bit of everything. Some items include Video games, systems, music, movies, Comic books, LP’s, electronic accessories, board games, and of course books.
Most of their prices are over half the retail cost. If you shop their clearance section most items are between $ 1-​$ 3. They also offer coupons every other month or so if you sign up with your email.
This company also offers free books for schools with their «half-​pint program». They also offer 10% off any purchase to educators.
The only down side to this store is that you get very little money for most of the items you try to sell to them. But they do give you an estimate and tell you which items they will not use.
The staff at all locations are friendly and cool. This particular location seems to have an even friendlier staff than some of the others, and that is saying a lot, because all locations are great. This location has a large clearance section.

It’s off the hook this year
Makin’ mad money off the books this year
Ain’t nutthin’ but crooks in here
Gettin’ mad money off the books this year
— Beatnuts
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This store is pretty swisher.
I do not care too much about the selling to them part. I did sell them 20 books, ranging from pretty horrible to maybe decent books, and was able to purchase one undoubtedly terrific novel, THE MONKEY WRENCH GANG, with the credit they gave me. I thought it was a win for me.
Not much to say about the buying part. Shit be cheaper than Barnes. Check it out.
The employees/​service can be hit or miss. Some I feel give off a miserable vibe, others are more chipper. It’s all good though. I don’t mind.
I do like the Niles location better. That’s the only reason this one is getting a 4 star.

Even if you think HPB won’t be interested in your old dvds and books, bring them in anyways. I just got $ 35 for seasons of South Park, Angel (Remember Angel??), Charmed, etc. I also threw in a couple old books from my community college too. Happy to clear things out, even better that they paid ME for my gently used items though.

Pretty good, but a tad less selection as far as sheer amount of items go vs. the HPB in Niles. But that’s okay, since I did like the clearance section at this one, the amount of magazines I saw (more Nintendo Power issues than what I was expecting here…), and that it isn’t really crowded vs. the one in Niles. Also not as much video game selection, vs. the one in Niles. Now I’ve visited 5 locations (Niles, Countryside, Orland Park, Greenfield, WI, and now this one), and slowly trying to visit more of them (lol), and I’d say Niles and Orland Park are my fav locations so far, with strong honorable mention to Greenfield.
BTW, is it a new trend for HPB to sell new video games? Since for me, this is the first time I’d seen new games being sold at any of their locations. Regardless, still a good store, and the person who checked me out was friendly and quick.

I have a love hate relationship with this place.
First, let me say, I’m not much of a reader… so you may want to discount my review because of that. And that’s… ok.
I have come here many times to «sell» back books. It’s a great way to get rid of items we don’t want crowding our shelves. I’ve also been clearing out from a move and other reasons, so it feels good to get a little somethin’. And what they don’t sell, they donate. All good. Just keep in mind, you don’t really get much for what you bring in. :-/​
I actually haven’t bought much here. It takes a lot of browsing to find something. However, it is a good place if you are looking for something in a general topic.
I must say, with all the physical bookstores closing, it is nice to still have someplace you can go to pick up books «real time»!

Can’t give it five because i can’t…it is a gem of a place. Brilliant almost. They buy your old books, sell used books, and have a nice selection of everything. Everything includes records, books, kids book, kids dvds, dvds, comic books, autographed books, teacher discounts, chairs to sit in, and a great staff. I will go again and agian.

Interior design/​home/​craft/​art book section alert!
I’m so in love with this bookstore! A LONG LONG time ago when I lived in Chicago I used to come to this place and it felt like a regular bookstore with tables and some great bargains. I have to tell you it’s now my new favorite place when I want the deal.
I’ve been in here before, quickly, as I waited for my husband at Guitar Center. However, this time I made the trip to browse and see if they had a certain book for my boys. They didn’t have the book, but that’s OK because I scored a brand new Ravensburger puzzle (for a song) and four kids activity books for $ 20 total!
Indie in feel, even though it’s a chain, it reminded me of being in college. A place where you can buy and sell used books… RECORD ALBUMS… CDs, movies, etc. Honestly the best interior design/​craft/​art section anywhere. Forget Barnes and Noble and come here. Prices really are the best around, and I think it’s really fun to recycle books.
No tables, other than a round little table for kids in the back kids section, but they do have cool library chairs here and there.
Great place for last minute gifts, and birthday party gift ideas for friends.
Katy O, I’m with your mom!

My mom is obsessed with this place. We had a garage sale at her house in Deerfield over the summer and had decided to bring in all the old books we couldn’t sell to Half Price Books. We didn’t get much for the books we brought in (about 4 large boxes only netted maybe $ 20) but the prices here are very low and they shelves of $ 1 books.
I was shocked at how organized and clean this place is. The selection is also very good and better than I had expected. I had thought it would be a big messy jumble, but it looks and operates much like a regular full-​price bookstore.
Tip: We brought in a cookbook that had mold on it (neither of us had noticed it) and they would obviously not take it. They also wouldn’t take any of the books that came in the same box as that cookbook for fear of the mold having spread. So check your books for mold before you bring them in! If you find mold, just toss it.

Awesome! I came here looking to buy some books for my classroom library and I found a ton in the clearance section. They also offer 10% off to teachers year round which definitely adds up and is greatly appreciated.
I also sold a couple books here. I did not get much for them, but I am happy knowing they will have a new home rather than sitting around in my basement!
The employees here were all super friendly and helpful. I love this location!

You should definitely get your books from here if you are a regular reader. Personally, I’m a big fan of the local library but if you want gently used books, this is a good place to go. Personally, I don’t see the need to ever buy a new book, but that’s just me.
The selection is good as is the service. They also have DVDs and music that you can buy as well. DVDs are as cheap as a $ 1.
Also, when you’re done with your new books, you can sell them back to them.

Half Price Books is a great experience. I came here on a whim while running some errands with my boyfriend. He’s a Half Price Books frequent frequenter, and was lamenting as we walked in how seldom HPB carries Vonnegut.
This location had sooo much Vonnegut. I got Timequake in paperback.
But here’s the thing: It was dog-​eared and marked up, and it cost $ 8. Seems a little steep, if you ask me.
Then again, my boyfriend got three Roald Dahl books (one which actually had two-​in-​one, and was a really nice hardcover) for about $ 10. So prices are pretty inconstant.
I really want to come back and sell some of my titles, get that sweet action store credit. And all of the rest of their Vonnegut.