Great customer service! Great prices & great selection! Whether you buy online or in store they will help you get the books you're looking for! read more

I always enjoy used book stores. Their only downside is how little they give you for quality books. I understand not being able to shell out of mass market trade paperbacks, but if you bring them something they will turn around and try to sell for $20+, for them to offer you like $3 or $4 for it is not uncommon. Still, I don't go to sell books there often. It's more about the thrill of the hunt. What will I find? Will it be a cool, British-cover edition of a Terry Pratchett novel? Will it be a Japanese import of an ELP concert? Will it be a cheap mug with a kitty on it? The only way to know for sure is to show up and look... read more

Don't sell books back you'll cry.otherwise decent enough place with friendly staff. Great inventory.

This place is a complete rip-off. They claim to buy your books, but they give you next to nothing. I took in 12 hardcover books and 14 paperback books, all by popular authors, and they gave $5.50 for the 26 books. I then went to buy one late release book (3 years old) and they charged me $15.00 for the one book. Sound like a good deal? Not even close. Don't ever need to go back there. Ron read more

Be very careful about ordering online from this location. Especially vinyl records. They bait and switch items in the listings. This store location admitted to me today the item they sent and item description were different. read more

Polite staff. Very helpful. I had my car filled with boxes of books. They helped me carry them in. Nice folks.

A place I've frequently gone to get various reading materials and will continue. This company has the consistency to hire book lovers and fellow readers and you can see why they are so successful read more

Love the selection in their clearance section. After a minute of scanning the shelves, I walked out with the collected works of John Donne, some Emily Dickinson, a doorstop fantasy novel by Daniel David Abraham, a hilariously dated sci-fi book about the future of gaming from the 80s by Melissa Scott, and one of Adrian Tchaikovsky's fast moving pulp novels, all for six dollars. read more

I had called (almost) everywhere in Madison looking for a specific book without luck. When I called Half Price, not only did they have it, but they also recommended its counterpart, and they held both of them for me behind the counter until I arrived. I have always loved Half Price because going in is so much fun! Everything is reasonably priced and you can find anything your little heart desires. I hadn't been in for awhile so I had almost forgotten about all of the things they have to offer. It's great because you can kind of get lost wandering through the aisles. They offer discounted prices on newer items, as well as used items. You can find books, calendars, video games, TV seasons, board games, coloring books, you name it! I always go in meaning to be there for a few minutes but end up with a pretty big handful of things. read more

These guys have an excellent inventory. The prices are better than Amazon (yes, like every time). If they don't have what I want, I can order it online. I love to go here for cook books and craft books. Also they have planners and stationary and sketchbooks that could make a girl squeal. I can spend hours in their art books section. They even have magazines! Current and older... a lot of fun if you're looking for something different. I come here for gifts (why buy new when the stock literally looks straight from the publisher?), and to splurge on myself. My guy likes the gamer stuff (but I have no idea what he's talking about with that stuff so can't really review their selection here). Also the comic books (limited but "fun," I'm told). You can also find some fun little gift kits--like the kind you can find at B&N--only way cheaper. All in all, a fantastic place to shop for gifts. Looking forward to pulling some of my old books together to see how it is to sell there. I'll update when I do! Parking is nice and ample. Bathroom is unisex/one-holer, but it's clean. Nice place. Can't wait to take my bookworm sis here when she comes to visit! read more

Half Priced Books is great! From a selling perspective, I've been purging my collection of media and they've gladly taken everything off my hands while putting a little cash in my pocket at the same time. The staff is very cordial and prompt with the buy process. As an additional anecdote, my grandma had placed a holiday card with money in one of my books years ago. I hadn't realized it, sold the book, and left. The staff called to inform me they found money in my book!!! How incredible. The employee could've easily pocketed the $50 but didn't and called me! This is a testament to the honesty and good-will of the employees and reflects so well on Half Priced Books. read more

The best part about Half Price Books is the classic bookstore employees. They're the most cliched people in a very excellent way. Think if High Fidelity had been about a bookstore: these folks would be replacing John Cusack and Jack Black. I love that about the place. Good selection for the size of the store and well-organized. I've been coming here since I was in junior high and have always loved it. They don't pay much for anything but recent release hardcover books, but a few dollars is better than having stacks of paperbacks after a summer of beach reads, etc. Be sure to check out the rolling carts in front of the entrance for amazing sales. If they have too much of one book, copies will go on super sale. I once got 10 of 13 books in a series from the sale rack for less than half the price that 2 other sets of the same series were going for on the main shelves. It's always good to check if you're looking for a specific book. read more

This store is the best!! I drive 45 miles just to go to this store. The selection is fantastic and I can easily navigate the sections. Love it! read more

I can never get enough to read. It does not have to be high quality literature, trashy vampire novels read well too! When I travel, I burn through a book about every 2 days, I really don't watch TV (except for Rock of Love), and refuse to do so in a hotel room. Since sitting at a hotel bar is in my opinion: 1. Stupid 2. A waste of time- I don't drink by myself and don't pick up strangers 3. Somewhat dangerous- business men on the prowl at hotels can be really scary... So obviously I need something to occupy my time. I found half price books in Madison on one of my first trips there this year. I love it. I have been able to purchase books that I want to read for- literally- half price. Caveat-- Make sure the book you are buying is in decent shape. I don't think they screen them that well. Last time, I was happy to pick up a paperback by an author I enjoy, and did not realize that the binding was broken. It should have been about 25 cents, not the 3.50 I paid for it. But- buyer beware, I learned my lesson, and will check more closely next time! read more

I love Half Price Books. They have dvds and TV seasons, but too pricey. I get better deals at Amazon. I've found favorites and books I'm hunting for. Ofcourse Amazon is the go to but sometines HPB has books I want cheaper or same price. If same price, hey, I get it right away instead of a week later from an Amazon seller. The Young Adult section is excellent. They have most of the popular books. And yes, I do have YA good reads I look for. I built up my book collection with HPB but now good finds are really getting thin. I stop in every month because they get new books in and it might be one thats on my ever growing list. read more

The capable staff found the book I wanted at a store in Texas. Shipping was very reasonable and the cost of the book was half of any other internet retailer. The condition of the book was perfect. read more

Great prices, good selection that is constantly changing, and it's usually pretty busy. What more can you ask from a used book store? The staff is pretty nice, though it seems like every time I walk into the store, the music they're playing is some of the most god-awful foreign jazz stuff. read more

Great selection! I am a major thrifter but sometimes when i'm looking for a certain book I can't just sit around and wait for the exact thing I'm looking for to appear on the thrift store shelves... When on a mission for a specific title half price books is my go to! I have an obsession with true crime novels and I can find most titles I'm interested in for 3.99 or less on their shelves... they are willing to order anything that you can't find on their shelves from on of their other stores and they have a pretty extensive database so chances are one of their stores will have what you need. I haven't used this feature much but it is good to know it's possible. I also always find the prefect calendar here so keep that in mind! read more

LOVE this place! Everyone is so friendly and helpful. I can spend hours in here just looking at things that I don't need. I currently have five books that I'm reading and yet I always walk out with with something to add to my "to read" collection. They have a great selection here and I have been lucky enough to find every single book on my list so far. read more

Half Price Books - Books, Mags, Music & Video Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Depending on what you stumble across, Half Price Books can be a steal or a bust. Unfortunately there's no way to predict how your trip will go ahead of time, but that can actually be fun if you're looking at killing some time while browsing. There are some good finds in the clearance section, and with some patience you can find some great deals. Two dollars for Fleetwood Mac's Rumours on vinyl? Okay, I'll take it. My boyfriend has found some comic books priced at a fraction of their actual value due to his encyclopedic knowledge of several series. HPB stays at three stars though for their overall pricing and buying. I find that many books I'm interested in are priced almost as high as their list price, which seems silly for a used book. Prior to a vacation I came in to find something I could read and then leave behind, but at seven to ten dollars for a paperback I might as well just buy something new. What I've been offered for buys is also on the extremely low end considering what they're going to turn around and price the books at. I brought in several best-selling hardcovers for my mom that were in nearly new condition (you'd never know someone had touched them aside from finding them in a resale shop) and I got less than $5 for items that would retail for $200+ new, and at least $100 in their store if priced like the rest of their inventory. I understand there are several factors at play, but the time spent waiting for the offer and tiny payout make me more likely to just donate them to a library. read more

This place is making me a cookbook hoarder! Helpful Staff. Great deals on books that aren't even an a year old. All in good condition. Everything is categorize for easy finding. They even have music items, comics and magazines. read more

Awesome book store with very good prices on used books. Not as pretentious as some stores downtown but that also leads to that the selection lacking at times. The employees are very pleasant there and the store also happens to sell (though it's a fairly small selection) comics, records, dvd's, games and random goods. read more

First off, this is a USED bookstore, yet a large majority of their books are in almost new shape. Great selection. The last 4-5 times I went to Barns n Nobel at east town and found a book I wanted, I decided to check to see if they had it at half price books, and THEY DID! ALMOST EVERY TIME!!! And for half price, or less!! The staff is very helpful, and you can call ahead and see if they have the book you are looking for. If they do, they will gladly put it on hold for you at the front desk for up to a week at NO CHARGE! Staff is very friendly, and store is always neat and clean. Definately a winner. Always call and check here before paying full price for any book!!! They also buy/sell used records, cd's, movies, and computer software and games. read more

I found an original Jimi Hendrix "The Jimi Hendrix Experience" album in the bargain section of the vinyls for $1!!!! The cover is worn but It plays beautifully!!!! read more

The manager here is incredibly rude. Also, my friends and I call this place "Half Price Books, Full Price Movies and Games". Their prices on movie and video games absolutely suck. Not going to find any good deals unless you catch someone screwing up. There is no half price involved - they price directly off of median Amazon price. read more

I love Half Price Books, granted they don't always have what I'm looking for but I never leave empty handed, I always find something plus it's not too expensive. Since the selection is always changing it's fun to see what they have. I've never had a bad experience and I've been shopping there for years. read more

Very nice place, with a lot of stuff and some reading chairs. Great to browse in. The staff sometimes have their hands tied. They buy items off of people and are fairly non-discriminate from my experience, but pay a ridiculously small amount for them. So if you have to unload it's cool. I don't recommend them for selling, but as a bookstore they're pretty awesome. read more

So I was in Half Priced Bookstore on Madison's east side when one of my twins began crying, as I was trying to calm her down, the manager asked me leave the store. I am livid! She said "well other customers were disturbed" - so rather than offering help, a bathroom, a book, a toy, compassion, I was asked to carry two toddlers out of the children's section of a "family" store. So if your policy is if other customers complain you have to go... I would assume this includes the disabled, the breast-feeding moms or anyone else who happens to be outside the pale. Shame on you Half Priced Books! It's hard enough being a mom, when I learn that your response to a struggling parent moment, is complete disregard. read more

I like that the books are cheap. However, service leaves much to be desired. Staff is fairly rude when I can even find them. However, if you are looking for older books not available at St Vinnies and want to get them cheap, this option is ok. read more

I love this store. Been to them in AZ as well and the feeling inside is the same. Lots and lots of titles to browse. If you need help with finding an item help is there for the asking. I love that the help leaves you alone to browse and don't hover. I read a lot of Sci Fi and Fantasy, and contemporary history and they have a great inventory. You can find old out of print titles and save a lot of expense. Great place to spend some time and find a few things to expand your horizons. read more

This place is a great little gem that regularly pleases with me with awesome deals on used books and CDs. They have a nice selection of science, sociology, and econ type books as well as CDs. If you do not find what you are looking for stop back in a week or two; their stock seems to refresh regularly. Hit this place before stopping at the nearby big box bookstore. You will score a great deal on books or CDs. Staff is really nice and cheery too! read more

I will never do business with any Half Price Books store again after my experiences with the staff at this store. I have been here multiple times and have yet to find someone who is polite or pleasant to talk to. When I asked for help trying to find the cooking section I was told "Why don't you just read the signs?" I tried to sell a nonfiction manual and was told it was out of date even though it was the most current edition available. When I tried to protest the woman at the counter told me she "clearly knows more about this" than I do. I came back a few weeks later to sell another manual that had ICDM on the front and the girl actually tried to tell me that meant there was a CD that was supposed to go with it. I tried one more time to sell some novels and after the clerk gave me a pay slip he threw my book in the garbage right in front of me. I also tried to sell a like new condition $30.00 novel only to be offered a dollar for it. I asked why and was told "it's a short book." I have never encountered anyone here who didn't make it very obvious that it is a waste of their time to serve customers. Even when I greet them with a smile and say "excuse me, could you help me find something?" They still give me attitude and act as though I am just in their way. It is very clear to me that the people here believe that it would be so much easier to do their job if those damn customers would just stay out of their way. I have already ordered my kindle and whatever books I have left are going to goodwill (which is just around the corner from this store.) I would rather give my books away for free than have an illiterate, incompetent and grossly uneducated person attempt to determine the value of a book they are unable to appreciate. read more

I've always seen Half Priced Books signs that say they buy books, music, dvd's, etc. I never paid attention to it because I figured they really don't give you anything anyway. They are in the business to make money and that's fine. However, rather than just give my latest round of cleaning out my basement stuff to Goodwill I thought I'd see what I could get. I approached the buy counter and was told it would be half an hour. I hesitated but was promised no more than 30 minutes. I figured I could look around a bit so I said okay. After giving some information I checked out the store. An hour later I checked and my items were still sitting in the exact same spot I left them. We'll be getting to you next, I was told. 20 minutes later I'm called back to the counter. What they offered may have been fair but definitely not worth waiting an hour and a half. By the way, very few of their books are half priced. Most are much more. This place is not worth the trouble. read more