The Book Dispensary

Category:	Book Store
Address:	710-C Gracern Rd, Columbia, SC 29210, USA
Phone:	+1 803-798-4739
Site:	mybookdispensary.com
Rating:	4.1
Working:	10AM–6PM 10AM–6PM 10AM–6PM 10AM–6PM 10AM–6PM 10AM–6PM 12–6PM

Location

Photos 31

Reviews 15

A Private User

Ive been a customer for over 15 years. The good: I like this store because you can find books that arent the typical bestsellers offered in a bookstore. Ive found Gide, Celine, Abe, Mishima, and Ferber---the uncommon classics. Now the bad: Its generally unorganized and dirty. It depends on who is at the check-out when you trade for store credit; some clerks turn down almost everything. Like other customers have said, theyre willing to sell damaged books but wont accept them for trade. The store credit is minute...I usually hang on to my books rather than trade them...I just feel cheated with all the fees and haggling. Donating to the Public Library makes me feel a lot better. Hardcovers in-stock are overpriced and cannot be traded. Most of the hardcovers are just junk--not rare or 1st eds. Pleasant clerks always quit ((hmm??), chased away by their not-so-nice bosses and co-workers. Why return? Because the ultimate worth of a book isnt its condition, but what you carry away from it.

A Private User

I went to the BD for the first time today.......I will never go back there. First of all, the clerk had all kinds of excuses why he could not accept my used books; ie he would not accept hardcovers unless they were rare or first editions. They must have had the first edition of Stephen Kings "Needful Things", Judith Krantz, Steven Coonts, Stephen Koontz, etc. Some of the spines on my books were "cracked". several of the books I opened had pages falling out. I guess it is OK to sell them, just not accept them as trade. When all was said and done, I had $91 worth of store credit. When I tried to get some hardcovers, I was told I couldnt get hardcovers with store credit. Of course there is nothing anywhere in the store that mentions that fact. Lastly, there was a "service fee" that I was not privy to. Luckily for the clerk, I was already in the car at that point and my wife kept me from going back in. There are other used book stores in Columbia; use those instead.

Charles Wright

This has to be one of the very best book stores in the southeast, and I have been to most of them. I travel and visit books stores everywhere I go. This is a great looking, extremely well organized store, with thousands of book in just about every subject area there is. The employees are friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. They have a great paperback and hardback trading system that saves me a ton of money. If you trade with them half your purchase is free! Even if you dont trade your books with them their prices are really good. Paperback are always 40% off their list price. I have never found lower prices on hardbacks. Plus they have some fine collectible books are very reasonable prices. Dont miss this place!

A Private User

This place is a total rip-off! I went there looking for a specific book, which I found, only for them to try to charge me $10 more than the new list price for a used book! New price from the store was $29.99 for this book and Book Dispensary wanted $40 for their used one. Their pricing is confusing, you get practically nothing on your trade-ins and get charged 10% for using your trade in credit in addition to having to pay full list price for any book you use the credit on. Save yourself the trip and dont bother going to this place. The used bookstore on Gervais by the bridge downtown is much more reasonable; I got the hardback book I was looking for from them for $8.

Kenneth Harmon

The Book Dispensary is an AWESOME store! Friendly, helpful staff and an amazing selection of collectible books. The store is neatly organized by categories and has a warm, inviting atmosphere. Ive been to a lot of used book stores and this one is by far my favorite!

Julie Russell

Fantastic selection, and great service. Everything is well placed and organized, and the staff is courteous and helped me locate just the right read. Thanks for a great score and a great local business!

Cheda Martis

The prices on the books are very high for used books. Youd be better looking online. They do have a really good trade program, though.

Very cool book shopping experience...very retro...have 2 young enthusiastic readers and they enjoyed the hunt for new books.

Scott Burkholder

Love the Book Dispensary. The staff genuinely cares that you are a happy customer, and they go out of their way to show it!

Melody Lown

Great selection, wonderful service, and a fantastic kids room!!

Katrina Jørgensen

Pure happiness. Check the website for discounts.

Crystalyn Gary

Awesome staff!!!! Support Local Businesses!!!

Andrea Jackson