Half Price Books

Category:	Book Store
Address:	10201 University Ave, Clive, IA 50325, USA
Phone:	+1 515-224-4429
Site:	hpb.com
Rating:	4.2
Working:	9AM–9PM 9AM–9PM 9AM–9PM 9AM–9PM 9AM–9PM 9AM–9PM 10AM–8PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 22

J Hansen

Instead of advertising that they buy used books, they should just tell the public they will give you 5 bucks for book donations. Did various amounts of research and used price comparisons on a collection of well kept books I had. Total value (rounded down ) was around $250 , when I walked in I sat my collection on the counter for it to "be inspected" and was required to browse their store. So I looked for the books I was about to sell to them, 5.99 and up on every book I found. After 15 or so minutes they called me to the counter to offer me $5 for the 48 books I had consisting of Larry McMurtry, Louis Lamour, and Donald Clayton Porters "The White Indian" series...........i declined the offer and they tried to get me to sign a receipt, a receipt that commits you to the sell... they got a pretty good hustle. I would have even taken a dollar per book since I had 48 of them just to get out of lugging them back home granting them at LEAST $200 in profit. Trying to buy a stack of 48 books for 5 bucks that you have sitting on your shelves with 5.99 or higher price tags on them, thats pretty much me donating to your store and your bank account and in return you making a poor attempt to cover the gas it took me to drive there.

Ryan Poff

Ive been in Des Moines for the better part of a year and wanted to find a used book store like McKays back in Tennessee. Half Price Books fits the bill. The selection is not nearly as extensive as the Nashville or Knoxville., TN McKays, but its around as good as the smaller McKays near my hometown in Johnson City, TN. Prices were all over the board - I thought some books were going for below market rate, others above it. The music selection was a bit lacking in diversity of genres and overall volume. The video game selection was very small. Movie collection was in line with expectations, but lots of VHS tapes were on the shelves. I cant see many people trading in VHS tapes these days. The worst part was that each genre of books was "walled in" by bookshelves on both sides. Only one or two people could reasonably fit in the genres "nook." If the store expanded its music and video game selection and went to a straight aisle format, it would be a big winner. Since its the only fish in this pond in Des Moines, it seems like it can coast with its current mediocrity.

phil Merical

Ive dealt with them for years and it seems to get worse every year. They used to have good prices on their movies, games, and books. They even gave you what your items were worth when trading in merchandise but now its utterly sad what they try to give you for your stuff and even told that it would be better to go to a competitor since they would give you way better deal. Its funny what they will give you for your stuff and turn around and sell it 10 times what they give you. I can look around on my phone and save money and not even have to wait for slow service and underwhelming prices.

Brianna Gonzalez

Absolutely love Half Price Books! Their prices are a fraction of what youd pay at national book retailers. I havent paid more than $10 for a book here and they have a great selection. You can also browse fun knick-knacks, comic books, records and movies or sell your used books. Definitely worth a visit for any frugal bookworm! Plus, theres a Starbucks across the parking lot which remedies the fact that theres no in-store cafe.

Kevin Thielenhaus

The staff is friendly and the variety is really great. I can always find something special thats not available anywhere else. HPB also gave us very fair prices when selling our books -- much, much better than any other resellers. On a recent visit, the staff went above and beyond and helped jump-start my car. Great people, and very helpful! Thanks HPB!

A Private User

This place is such a joke. They will not give you anything close to what your books are worth if you try to sell them to this store ... AND, any books they have that are actually worth buying are priced for almost just as much as if you bought it brand new at Barnes & Noble. ... The staff at the selling counter are very rude too.

A Private User

Im not sure what the reviewer from Mar 10, 2011 was reviewing but the prices here are very very reasonable. More often than not the prices are 35-50% less then MSRP. The staff have always been more than helpful and very friendly. Not to mention the massive selection. There truly is something for everyone at Half Price Books.

A Private User

It is true that they dont give you very good value for the books they buy from you.... But they are selling used books with a small profit margin. The used books that I buy are mostly well priced if you know your books. There are better deals online but I like to browse and find the gems.

Joshua Rose

One of the bigger HPBs I have been too. Great selection. Everything is categorized even the clearance which is crazy because some HPB just throw it up on the shelf and you have to fend for yourself. The staff was very friendly and always available to help.

Chase Petsche

I agree with Ryans review. In addition, Id love to see a customer-friendly way to browse the current selection via the web. The direct service from their employees is very good, but because of no web catalogue, I gave their overall service a good.

Matt Wubben

This store is a bibliophiles dream. I love being able to go into a physical store to browse through books that I actually might buy (unlike Barnes and Noble). The option to sell books you no longer use to the store is also a plus.

A Private User

My daughters and love this store! If you are ever in the area stop by. The staff is very friendly, knowledgable and always happy to help. All that and great prices too!

Bob Sharpe

My favorite HPB in the world is the North Lamar store in Austin Texas. This ones number two. Great clearance selection with lots of treasure. Awesome.

Nixon

Love this place, always spend hours in there even if I just went to get one book. The "librarians" as I call them are very knowledgeable and helpful.

Andrea Zitoli

Love this place! Could spend hours here! They buy books as well as sell them. But not just books there is so much more. Check them out!

Josh E.

A great selection of books at cheap prices! One of best places in Des Moines to buy a book, check this place out as soon as you can!

Adam Fullerton

Always love half price books. Selection has been a little thin the last couple of visits, but it still has a lot of good stuff.

Troy Bowman

Pretty good store. Some of the prices are on the upper end of the scale, but the selection is decent and changes often.

DJ JOHN

Staff is ok, they do lowball all purchases at 5% of retail or lower. Easier to use eBay to buy and sell what you need.