Bookmans Entertainment Exchange

Category:	Home Goods Store
Address:	3330 E Speedway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85716, USA
Phone:	+1 520-325-5767
Site:	bookmans.com
Rating:	4
Working:	9AM–10PM 9AM–10PM 9AM–10PM 9AM–10PM 9AM–10PM 9AM–10PM 9AM–10PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 4

Melody Mammino

Just wow. I gave this place so many chances before I decided to write this review. Over the summer I took my vintage bike in to get work done on it. New tires, new brake wires, fix the front fender and rescrew it on. Tune up the bike and do a whole check over, etc. They had it for a week and apparently they left me a voicemail about it not being done yet, but I didnt get it. So, I went in expecting my bike to be fixed. They hadnt even touched it at that point. It turns out that my bike was put in a corner and completely overlooked until I came in and said something about it. So, I think it ended up getting done the next day. They felt bad and gave me a bike to use in the meantime, and they didnt charge me for labor. I got my bike. The tires were the wrong color. I decided on cream colored rims. They put tan colored rims, which I was not happy about, but apparently they used whatever they could get to be done with it. So, the next time I took my bike out, a screw popped off of the front fender and for a few days the fender kept bumping up and down against the front tire, making a mark on the fender. I took it in to another shop to get fixed, which I was charged a minimal fee, but they actually had to put some work into getting that fender screwed onto the bike. Work that Bookmans and their crew of incapable kids did not even bother to do. The next thing, the back tire was not keeping air. I took it in twice, finally- the back tire blew completely, which should not have happened because I had ordered tire sealant to be put in to both tires. Well, guess what? They failed to put the sealant in. So, a kid put sealant in the back tire, but not the front tire. I was too peeved to say anything, it went past my head. But that was a part of the job! Fill BOTH tires!! Before that last fiasco, I had bought a bike rack, which they installed. Ha. A few days later, a screw came out and half of the rack was hanging off the side of my bicycle. I had to take it in to get fixed again. Now I am really pissed off. The back tire, which I had told them from the beginning was no good- is yet again, giving me issues. They put sealant in a bad tire. So, when I air it up, it stays good for one ride if I am lucky! This is my main mode of transportation. Having to ride up and down hills that should ride like a breeze, is anything but pleasant. I am huffing and puffing with a bad bike tire that keeps losing air. I am appalled by this place. If you want good work done on your bicycle, I suggest that you take it to any place but here. It has been headache after headache. And I am beyond fed up with this. I could take it in again and demand a new back tire and sealant put in to both tires, but what the heck is the use? They dont know what they are doing. Id probably have to take it somewhere to get fixed again- just to fix what they were supposed to fix (over and over and over) God. Come on. This place sucks. Take your bike somewhere else.

A Private User

Ever since the decline and fall of the Borders Group (and their store on Oracl/Wetmore specifically, Bookmans has done well for itself despite the economic recession. Why? This especially rings true for the Grant/Campbell location: great employees. One of the few complaints I have about the Bookmans on Ina Rd is that they seem somewhat snooty. I still go there, but Im more likely to go to the Grant Bookmans because I had always had a positive experience there. All of the employees Ive ever encountered have been very helpful. Another reason why that Bookmans is good is that I have found books by an early 20th century author whose books are incredibly hard to find. I located a good 7 or so of them from this Bookmans, all for under $50! Another great thing about Bookmans is that the employees dont look down on you, even if youve only ever come in there to browse and kill time, and typically dont buy anything. They seem to understand that even if customer A buys a $2 book, and has a good experience, that customer will then spread the words to their friends. Store credit is very satisfactory. Those who expect Bookmans to give a lot of cash for used books have unrealistic expectations. Yes, Bookmans has lower prices than B&N, but theyre still for-profit, not a charity chain. Which brings me to prices. Some of the reviewers have shown ignorance of economics by not remembering that prices are governed by supply and demand. You cant always expect to get a book for half of its cover price, and in some cases, a book with a lower cover price may have increased in relative value due to scarcity or some other reason. In any case, Ill continue to shop at Bookmans on Grant, though I might not be so fond of the Bookmans on Ina.

A Private User

Bookmans has this funky, swanky swagger of being something sort of like a Thrift Shop, Video/Music Store, Bookstore, local hangout and time warp all at once. Almost everything you could find dating some 20 to even 50 years back can be found here in forms of books, games, magazines and so much more. I personally hit Bookmans up for any traces of old video games and PC games (they actually have and sell Atari 2600s!) and it still amazes me how Bookmans will serve up games as far back as days of DOS games and further than that. Their inventory is always morphing and I imagine they sift it through the other stores they have in town which makes the trip all the worth while as no single Bookmans feels the same-- almost every trip is always different! Bookmans is one of those rarities in the free market that has lasted through the decades and hopeful to see it through many more to come. While it might not serve for many, it WILL serve for most! I personally cannot stay in the store for too long before I start discovering things Ive always wanted there and would feel like Id buy the store out if I did. Impulse buyers be warned because this place is a haven for it-- they dont bug you to buy anything, the place just has this mystical property about it which makes you WANT to buy at least ONE thing from there! If youre true Tucsonan, ironically youll have already known of this place and this review would presume void-- for those not in the known though-- youve been informed. This place is one of a kind.

Aaron Quinn

Well, Im giving it one more shot! I have been browsing for a new bike and some yoga stuff. First time in there I walked around for a bit, but jeez. some of the exercise equipment was almost the same as a new item at manufacturers cost...been looking at new stuff as well. When I asked the salesgirl if they had what I came for, she actually asked me, "Do you see it here? Then thats a no, sweetie." Now, Im 42 and despite not remembering her name or appearance, I am much older than she. I fluster easily, not worth an argument, so I left. Second time was even faster! I walked in and said, "Hello,...." and was cut off by one employee asking the other if he had seen some television show. They discussed plot as I waited. They finally looked at me and one said, "There is no loitering, you gotta buy stuff." I probably rolled my eyes, then laughed an odd laugh and left. All these employees were around 20. I dont hold any of this against Bookmans. I have had nothing but great service, amazing finds and killed many hours at the other locations. Im chalking these up to idiotic students who will someday be in charge of this world, scarier thought. So this Saturday I am going to make my final attempt. I wish to only shop at local companies, or at very least, places I have not been treated rudely for trying to purchase items. So lll be up to bat waiting to hit the ball, and hoping not to strike out. Wish us both luck!!