Category Archives: News

Books-A-Million Buying Used Books and cd’s

EDITORIAL UPDATE: Books-A-Million has opened a used-book store called 2nd & Charles, so BAM locations are no longer buying used-books. But you can sell your stuff at 2nd & Charles.

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This is the sign that greets you as soon as you enter the Books-A-Million on Highway 31 in Hoover:

bamm_used

Last week this location started buying used books, cd’s, dvd’s and video games. They only accept used books and such between 11a and 5p and they only pay cash.

I can’t find any information on their website about this new program (which I’m guessing is spurred by the success of their selling “used library books”). But here are the bullet points off of the flyer at the store:

  1. We pay cash for your books, printed or recorded merchandise, and computer games.
  2. We cannot make an offer until we see the merchandise.
  3. Each buy is different and will be evaluated individually.
  4. We will make you an offer based on: a) Supply and Demand b) Condition
  5. No appointment is needed – we buy daily, between 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
  6. Sellers must remain in the store until merchandise evaluation is completed.
  7. Sellers under 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
  8. We may ask to see valid proof of purchase for the items you sell to us.
  9. State and local ordinances regarding buying and selling used merchandise must be observed.
  10. We reserve the right to decline to buy merchandise.
  11. Government-issued identification required on any merchandise sold.

I have no idea if other locations are trying this too or where else this program has been rolled out too. I wonder how many other book sellers will expand their store models in this way?  And I have no idea what the going rate for a used Harry Potter or Steven King book is these days either, but I do have a ton of cd’s I wouldn’t mind unloading, if they’ll take them. Maybe, what… ten cents a piece? Who knows.

So if you have some books or cd’s or dvd’s to sell, take them over and see what they offer. And let us know about your experience. We’d love to know if it’d be worth our while to throw some of our stuff in a grocery sack and head down 31.

Free Comic Books

May 1st is Free Comic Book Day this year. It’s been a looooooong time since I’ve kept up with comics, but some of the coolest publishing experiments are coming out of that area of publishing apps, e-readers, digital art and… free comic books! So this Saturday, comic book stores all over the country will host special events and have some free comics to give away.

I remembered I wanted to remind both of my blog readers of this fact after running across this Crankshaft comic over on Sam’s Book Chase blog…

How cool is that? It’s fun when the rest of the world notices what’s going on in the publishing world.

Used Booksale, in Birmingham, this Weekend April 23-24

I was tipped off to the St. Francis of Assisi, Indian Springs event via email from a local Birmingham bookaholic. Here’s the deal for all those in and around Birmingham, AL. It boasts 5,000+ used books that have been donated for this fund-raiser.

1. Friday Night – Preview Sale with Wine and Cheese – 5p-8p – $5 admission :: All hardbacks are $1 and all paperbacks are .50 cents.

2. Saturday – The Book Sale – 9a-4p – Free Admission :: Same price as above, but they have a special “Stuff a Sack” sale planned for 2p-4p which lets you walk out with as many books as you can cram in half a sack for $5 or a full sack for $8.

I have no idea what they’re raising money for, but there is not much that is as fun as cramming as many books into a sack as you can for $8. Though $1 hardbacks comes awfully close.

Alabama Book Festival is this Saturday

I’m tempted to use some old school blinking text and neon colors to highlight this event! The weather is going to be great and the attending panelists, authors and speakers is just as good. You can get the full schedule here (it is a PDF download). I’ve already heard from some folks on Twitter that they will be going. So I hope to meet some folks that I’ve been following for a while. Folks start walking around early but it doesn’t officially kick-off until 10a.m. and it’s FREE!

If you want to keep up you can follow the festival on their site, Facebook, blog or Twitter feed. I’ll try and share some pictures throughout the day, while we’re there. Hope you can make it!