Category: | Book Store |
Address: | 1056 S Country Club Dr, Mesa, AZ 85210, USA |
Phone: | +1 480-835-0505 |
Site: | bookmans.com |
Rating: | 4.3 |
Working: | 9AM–10PM 9AM–10PM 9AM–10PM 9AM–10PM 9AM–10PM 9AM–10PM 9AM–10PM |
JO
Jorge Andres
Ive been going to the Mesa location in particular for the past 10 years. I still like it and go in around once every 2 weeks, but it went from being a 5 to a 3 star location since my first visit. Here are the three main changes that Ive observed during that time: 1. Prices on books may have increased. 2. There is very little inventory turnover on the bookshelves (i.e. Ive been seeing the same exact books on the shelves over the past 2 years) 3. Prices on used musical instruments are a joke (i.e. they almost go for full retail value) I believe that Bookmans made poor business decisions in starting the café and in trying to sell musical instruments. Here is why: 1. Rather than buy coffees at the Bookmans café, most "patrons" (i.e. bums wanting cushy seat in an air-conditioned space, or nerds wanting a free internet connection) would merely take up table space. Seriously, if I am going to sit down (assuming that I can actually find a seat) and have a coffee, I do not want to smell the guy next to me, or be asked by him if I have any spare change. NOTE: a buddy of mine that recently graduated from NAU said that the café in Bookmans Flagstaff location is very popular. Ive never been there, but Id assume that it is because competition from other coffee houses isnt as stiff, and that many of the homeless that live in Flagstaff go to warmer parts of the state during the winter. 2. Apparently Bookmans bought some inventory from a failing music store with the intent to resell it. The problem here is that most of bookmans customers fall within the homeless to middle classes, and simply dont have the disposable income to afford a $1,300 electric violin (which has been there for the past 2 years). Moreover, most of the other USED instruments that are for sale are nearly sold for their full retail value! People going to Bookmans are looking for deals - they dont want to pay full price anything. 3. Lastly, I believe that the root cause of higher prices, fewer trade-ins, and lower inventory turnover has been an increasing number of people bringing in their entire media collections and asking for cash payouts. Although I dont have the numbers to back this up, I would presume that many of the stores patrons (who are in the lower to middle socio-economic classes) would pay for a portion (if not all) of their purchases through store credit. This is all good and fine, but Bookmans cannot pay its bills in store credit, and when hordes of individuals are asking for cash payouts (due to the effects of our current economic recession) a severe drain in the stores necessary cash reserves results. Bookmans can reach its former glory while catering to its loyal customers (and the community at large) by focusing on its core competency: selling used books, movies, and music at low prices. The best decision that they made after opening the café in their Mesa store was closing it. Hopefully they can sell the instruments at (or slightly below) cost, and in doing so and rid themselves of the current monkey thats on their back. Bookmans needs to keep cash payouts low (or make them even lower), and temporarily raise the trade-in value offered for books/ movies /music in order to encourage increased purchases and higher inventory turnover. The store is great, and I hope that the changes mentioned within this review will be read and implemented. I love Bookmans, and hope that it can remain to be one of a few truly local bookstores that can endure the test of time.
AN
Andrew Spinder
Its is an interesting shop, but each visit is a gamble that you probably wont win. Items are often far over priced. For example, there is a sealed copy of the board game "...and then we held hands" in the Mesa location. This game is in print and available through many online (Boardgamegeek included) and local retailers. The MSRP for this game is $25. Bookmans has this priced at $40. Pricing discrepencies like this are a common occurance. There are also times where items are horrifically underpriced. Since I deal with board games, there was a fresh sealed copy of "CV" that had popped up on the shelf. "CV" is in print, and instock everywhere, and has an MSRP for $50. I bought Bookmans copy for $6. I of course like situations lile this, but it would be biased if i obly included the over pricing issues. These issues are not limited to the boardgame section, but it is the section i deal the most with. The peoole who do the pricing on items are horrifically illinformed as to what the actual value of any given item. Video games are heavily skewed and inconsistant with any metric I can find. Books are usually simply half priceof the original price listed in the cover, and the various other knick knacks seem high priced as well. Dont even get me started on the vinyl pricing. If you are considering bringing items in for trade, expect them to not know what it is you are actually bringing in. I brought in the entire set of full art jacket Harry Potter books, and was offered $20 in store credit. I declined, and then sold those books online for $200. As you can see, this is no where close to their 25% cash, 50% store credit they love to boast. Its is an interesting shop, but each visit is a gamble that you probably wont win.
ST
Stewart Pierson
Bookmans has changed a lot since I lived in AZ 6 years ago or so. Its still a fantastic mecca for book nerds... actually nerds or all kinds. But, some of the old charm has been replaced by a modern layout and some other changes that killed some of the nostalgia for me. As far as books go, the layout hasnt changed much - rows and rows of high shelves tower over the back of the store with used books of all kinds. My favorite section of the store has always been the comics area which has been moved but is much larger and has masses and masses of used comics to peruse. The problem now, however is that the prices are extremely confusing. It used to be that all comics were 50 cents or something like that. Now they range in price depending on section, seller, and apparently some books are priced individually. Im actually not sure exactly how it all works and gave up looking after a while because the few books I wanted were overpriced. It is apparent that the idea of gem hunting for comic books is a thing of the past here. There is some sort of arrangement with a comic book store which has its own little corner of Bookmans and keeps some its stuff separate. The whole thing was very confusing and overwhelming. With that said, there were some new things I liked such as the figures, posters, etc that the comic store brought with them. Im not going to go too crazy on my review here but Bookmans is still a book lover and geek culture lovers dream. Some of the modern changes messed with the romance for me but its still the best place to look for a good book.
MA
Mark Kern
The ac was broken or turned high because it was really hot throughout the store. When we were checking out, there was an older male cashier in a grey top hat. When I asked him about the kids club for my daughter (who was with me), he became frustrated and asked if I wanted to speak to a manager. I was confused but I said yes because I wanted to complain about the way he was acting. While waiting for the manager, he said, "I dont intimidate easy". I asked him why he was acting like that, and advised him that it wasnt a good way to treat customers. When the manager came back, he started to say, "Why should I take advice from..." and stopped. Then he looked at the manager and said, "You deal with him, Im leaving before I kill him." We could not believe it. He said this I front of my girlfriend and six year old daughter. Worst visit ever at this store. Even worse, the manager made excuses for him, saying it was the end of his shift. EDIT: Management contacted me and advised that they are taking action. I really appreciate their sense of urgency with this matter. I also appreciate their dedication to holding their employees accountable.