I was really amazed to see this neat place right downtown for all your reading needs. It's like a mini-Powells, they even have some of the rooms named by color. And it is huge! They had a shelf at least 7 feet tall and 3 feet wide that was just books about watercolor painting! And a huge room full of cookbooks! Books for youth are their own huge room. Most of the books are used but new books are discounted. Service was friendly. I will definitely be back. read more

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Smith Family Bookstore in Eugene, Oregon, is a true gem for book lovers in search of variety and bargains. Nestled in the heart of Eugene, the bookstore offers plenty of cozy nooks and crannies to dig through their vast inventory. As you traverse the creaking stairs and aisles of the bookstore, you'll encounter rows and rows of bookshelves lined with books from floor to ceiling, exuding a sense of nostalgia and charm. The layout is well-organized and labeled, making it easy to navigate through the different sections and genres. From bestsellers to classics, fiction to nonfiction, and everything in between, it's made abundantly clear the store caters to diverse reading interests. Whether you are in search of a contemporary novel, an academic tome, or a rare collectible edition, chances are you'll find it within the store's extensive collection. What impressed me most about Smith Family Bookstore is their competitive pricing for quality used books. The savings on art and reference books alone is well worth my two hour drive from Portland. It's common to find pristine coffee table art books for a fraction of the cost you'd pay elsewhere. I do love a bargain! Smith Family Bookstore offers plenty of cozy reading nooks and comfortable seating areas. These spaces allow visitors to dive into a new book or simply enjoy a peaceful moment surrounded by the comforting presence of rows and rows of books. I'm totally in love with the vibe here. read more

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This is a great and rambling bookstore that can occupy you for hours. They consistently give discounts on their new books and the used books are reasonably priced. What they don't have, they'll gladly order for you and there are more than a couple nooks to settle onto the floor to read. read more

My boyfriend brought me here as a surprise and I was really excited to buy a couple books so I did in fact buy one and after buying it we didn't realize there was a whole upstairs so we wanted to go and check that out but after already buying my book. They then proceeded to stop me and made me give them the book I had just bought "because they didn't want any confusion" we thought that was super unnecessary and really rude to take an item I had just bought from them because they thought I would steal another book. I don't know the reasoning it made us feel really uncomfortable and upset simply because we don't like to be viewed as theives read more

I am so sad to be leaving a negative review for this business. Especially given I have had great experiences in the past. My husband and I went in yesterday because I wanted to pick up a copy of Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid for my mother in-law. Why not support a small local business at the same time. Plus we were already in the area, so this was the place we decided to go. They have a "large bag" policy where they make you leave it near the door. However, they've never made me do this with my purse before. They simply requested that I keep it on my shoulder, not set it down, and not open it while I'm in there. Which is perfectly understandable and I've always respected that request. Plus I always volunteer to let them look inside when I'm buying my book as well, because I have nothing to hide. Yesterday when we went in, they weren't tolerating any of the previous practices. None. I was told I had to leave my bag and they didn't care about anything else. I was automatically a thief before I even made it three steps in the door, just based on the size of my purse. Normally when I go in here, I spent a minimum of $100, usually closer to $200. Stealing a used book has honestly never crossed my mind. I don't really know why anyone would, but that is just me. I've gone to Powell's in Portland with this bag, The Book Bin in Corvallis, Barnes and Nobel here in Eugene, and nobody has ever said a word about it before. If stores were really concerned with me stealing books, I think that request would have happened elsewhere and often. But no, no other book store cares about the size of my purse or automatically thought I was going to steal everything that wasn't nailed down simply because of the size of my purse. We elected to leave here instead of adhering to their policy, because I'm not comfortable leaving my purse unattended in a store, just to have it stolen by someone else. I'm getting ready to travel soon, and having to replace my ID and everything in my wallet with time constraints simply doesn't interest me. Not for the cost of a single book. It's also really easy to steal a bag in here, as the shelf they make you leave it on is literally right next to the door. So that is a legit concern for me. I instead pulled out my phone and purchased Daisy Jones on Amazon, and it will be delivered to my home in two days, and it was a bullshit-free experience. When we were at dinner, my husband and I were talking about it, and I made the comment that this kind of thing is why small businesses die. I can buy things on Amazon without being treated like a thief. I can go to Barnes and Nobel without being treated like a thief. I've said it before too, because it irritates me that I feel like I'm forced to do that instead of supporting a small business, just based on the way they treat their customers. Customer service matters. This was my last visit to Smith Family Books. I would rather go to Barnes and Nobel or even Amazon to purchase books in the future. read more

Great book store, with an amazing selection! Not to mention you get 20% off your purchase of new books. Got this Rick Rubin book to read on the rest of our road trip. Thanks Smith's, I'll be back my next visit to Eugene read more

Smith Family Bookstore - Creative Act by Rick Rubin - Bookstores Near Me - Eugene, Oregon

This is the second best selection of books in a store I've seen, second only to Powell's in Portland. This place is huge, two stories, and you could easily spend all day there. I read other reviews before going, so I wasn't surprised when I was asked to keep my tote bag up front, tucked away behind some carts-this isn't an uncommon policy in many stores, so I just made sure I had my valuables on me and had no problem tucking my tote bag away. I was there to browse, not looking for anything in particular, and I found the store to be well organized and labeled by genre. I did not need employee assistance, but did see two employees who seemed hard at work. I didn't find them to be rude, as other reviews had mentioned, but perhaps not overly friendly (I smiled and said hi, they did not, no big deal). That wasn't something that I would have given a second thought if I hadn't read the reviews about employee rudeness-but my experience was not the same. This place had great deals on used books and also offered discounts on new ones. I will definitely be back when I have more time to spend browsing their huge selection! read more

I've never been treated so poorly by any retail establishment in my life, unhelpful, rude, and disrespectful. I was there to spend money and they couldn't spend five minutes to price some books that they have in giant stacks waiting to be priced wouldn't even lift a finger to price them. I'll never spend a dime with them. read more

As a lover of books, I make it my number one priority to visit all of the independent bookstores in any new city or town that I visit. Smith Family Bookstore turned out to be the best one in Eugene. It reminded me of Powell's Bookstore in that the selection was vast; truly, there is nothing you cannot find in this gem of a shop. They, too, offer new and used books that are in great condition. Unlike Powell's, however, it is family-owned and you get that wonderful feel while in the store. If you're in the Eugene area, or just passing through, please support this wonderful business. Forget Amazon. Take the time to experience what a bookstore feels like and support local, family-owned shops. My one piece of constructive criticism is that I would love to see more displays with recommended books with personal notes from the staff (or perhaps even the locals!). When that effort is made in other stores that I've been to, I find myself coming across some truly incredible works that I would not have found otherwise. I truly love the idea of bibliophiles sharing hidden gems with one another. Otherwise, this is a near-perfect bookstore and I cannot wait to come back to Eugene to visit it again. Thank you, Smith Family Bookstore! read more

Smith Family Bookstore - Bookstores Near Me - Eugene, Oregon

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Store is large and well organized. I read a review about the staff not being welcoming and I hate to admit it but that is very true. We were greeted at the door, and stared at (I assume because of my service dog) and hovered over for a short period of time. They do not have a restroom which ended up cutting our shopping short as they directed us to a public bathroom approx half a mile away at the public market. Since parking on the street was metered by the time we got back we were almost out of time. Plus I didn't feel comfortable going back in. read more

I love this local bookstore, it's so expansive and has a great selection of new and used books. You can totally spend hours getting lost in here and finding a random book! Eugene is so lucky to have this great spot. read more

Huge selection of used and new books here, and everything is very well organized. I'd say it's second only to Powell's in Portland for its size and variety. read more

This little gem was located down the street from a hotel where I was staying for a conference. It's a cute little family owned bookstore jam packed with piles and piles of books. I could spend all day there browsing. As soon as you walk in the door, the staff acknowledges you and then lets you browse on your own. It's a genuine greeting and they offer assistance but it's unpretentious and relaxed. Browsing through the shelves and exploring on my own was relaxing and the perfect way to spend an afternoon. The smell of books is one of my favorite scents, and this place captures it perfectly. It's that intoxicating combination of books, paper, wood floors and bookshelves, I wish I could bottle it up. Take your time, enjoy the experience and I am sure you will find a great addition to your book collection. read more

Book selection and pricing is fine, very rude staff though. Person working at the front counter was nice but (possibly) the owner was unnecessarily rude to another customer. Had to put my book down and leave. read more

They've got everything you want by everyone who writes. Why not buy local from a local family? read more

I worked in a wonderful used bookstore in Fayetteville AR, so I get the strain of it a bit. I brought back a book that was misprinted, missing a section, and asked for a credit for the book. I'd been working with the book, took notes, and was in all a bit inconvenienced, so I was surprised that I should be argued with? I didn't get it. I mean, wasn't the assumption that they were selling complete books and that I was buying one? I should be haggled with? Told I needed a receipt then the book had their marks? Or that I could get the full price back only if I gave them the book, one they couldn't even sell, back? One with my notes in it? It seemed like a bizarre way to treat a person who spends maybe $200 a month or more on books. In all, the experience really triggered me, and I don't want to be triggered--and don't really expect that in a book store. That's not only the loss of an hour to return the book, but the loss of a day. I guess I expect that the customer is treated with some understanding? Some sense of their experience or the compact between book, book-seller, and reader? Sone sense that their are things more important than a few bucks haggled over a misprinted book? I do not expect a combative experience. One could argue that I read to avoid such experiences. I can only think it is an ethos, a culture at Smith family books, and again, I recognize that partly reflects the strain of having an independent, used book store. I understand that there is a stress to survive. But at the end of the day, whatever we do, the things we will take away are our experiences with others. I want to support a local bookstore, but I don't want to be made to feel the way this store made me feel. I know there is another way. I'll hope they change their culture. I'd gone to buy some books with my daughter, but in the end I walked out. I mean seriously, this over $5? I can buy books elsewhere, after all. But I remained surprised. What I thought would be a simple, common understanding of the relationship between a business and their customer turned out to be anything but. I'll never go there again, but I do want independent bookstores to survive--and maybe this suggestion, that they address this culture, might help them to do it. read more

Solid local bookstore. It reminds me of a smaller Powell's (Portland), though SFB still encompasses two large floors and is PACKED with books. Literally overflowing inside of the entry, all corners and space, etc. If you're a bibliophile, you could easily spend a ton of time here. It feels a little dingy inside, but I suppose that's part of the charm of the place. read more

I'm obsessed with this bookstore BUT the staff is pretty rude. I thought that maybe everyone was having a bad day, which I completely understand after working customer service myself... but then I read the reviews. It definitely wasn't just my own experience. My husband overheard one of the employees arguing with a customer and being pretty condescending. I had to convince him that the employee was probably just having a bad day, because he didn't want to purchase the books he picked out after witnessing that. And then we got to the counter and the woman running it was super cold and rude which made us pretty uncomfortable. I get that work sucks but I also don't understand how you can't just crack a smile at your customer and not treat them like they're an idiot. I wouldn't be writing this if it was just an off experience, but apparently so many others experienced the same thing. I definitely want to come back for the books & to support a local business, so I'm hoping we won't run in to anymore awkwardness from the staff. read more

This has been my favorite bookstore since I was little; I grew up visiting and exploring happily. Their sections are diverse and expansive, and while they may not have every specific book you're looking for, you will always find something that's interesting to you. I love the vibes of the old building and the stacks of books everywhere. They do buy used books, but they have to be in good condition and something they could use in the store at that particular time, which makes sense to me. When I have the time to spend hours here, I do. P.S., in the wake of COVID-19 they're doing curbside pickup and it was really easy! read more

Smith Family Bookstore - New copy of Little Women, picked up curbside with a complimentary bookmark - Bookstores Near Me - Eugene, Oregon

This bookstore is fabulous!! I felt like I was home with the stacks of books yet to be shelved. That feeling just makes for a perfect place in my opinion. So many books! I love the way its genres are even sectioned off in specific ones like "naval fiction" or something like that. I'm not sure I'd go to this store first if I was looking for something specific but if I weren't, it would be my first choice, definitely. read more

I've gone to this book store on multiple occasions and honestly every time I go in I feel really uncomfortable because of the staff. I don't have an issue with any of the policies I just feel really judged and it's happened so many times that I felt like leaving a review. Every time I check out or ask any questions I'm met with a very stale monotone answer and judgmental vibes. They have a good selection of books with good pricing but a smile and a friendly conversation doesn't come free I guess ‍ read more

Can't review on Google, so trust this one more. I just went to Smith's for the first time yesterday and have nevver had a more sour vibe in a book store. Tsunami Books is best for local! You walk in and fell judged and a weird tension between and from the staff. After putting have the books back I would have purchased, I walked out and started talking to a disabled brother asking his story. The Smith's worker came out just to kick him away from the store accusing him of panhandling. Smith's isn't really in a high-traffic area. AND I began the conversation. I tried to explain that we're conversing and he didn't care. I wish I had given him the money and not Smith's. Just check out their google reviews. I'm not alone at experiencing the ahole staff. read more

I was super excited to have found a local used book store but was a little disappointed after visiting. They have a LARGE selection of books. I mean large. It is a 2 story place and they have every section you could possibly think of. It is pretty well organized in the sense that there are labels pointing you to your desired category and everything is alphabetical, as it should be. I did not have a problem finding what i was interested in. On the other hand, it is a bit pricey for the used selection of books. I paid $7.50 for a soft back book that was 6 years old.... It should have been a $3.00 book max. Another book that i was looking at was released in 2005, again used soft copy, and was $4.00. That is more reasonable but these are books that i have seen in Dollar Bookstores. Lastly, the staff could care less that i was supporting their store. They had no interest in greeting me, helping me, or even thanking me for coming in and buying their stuff. I can't think of a reason that would bring me back in this store. read more

Smith Family Bookstore - Bookstores Near Me - Eugene, Oregon

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Walking around Eugene all day on my first day back in town after two years away I was so excited to stock up on some good books for winter. I had a backpack on and was followed to be loudly scolded that backpacks were to be left at the front...the guy behind the desk literally sprinted over to where I was to be rude about it. He was so rude about it in fact that seconds after I handed it over and thought about it I told him "never mind" and held out my hand for my bag back (how do I know you will keep my wallet and all my cash safe?!) This was the second bad experience I've had here. Condescending attitudes and horrible customer service on both occasions have made me decide to never go back, y'all shouldn't put up with it either. read more

From out of town looking around. Saw on yelp so dropped in. Books books and more books. Piled here piled there stacked up chin high. Wonder why said I So I went to buy OH my the price was way way too high. So they can read them all at the price they quote. Better yet feed them to a billy goat. read more

The staff aren't very nice or willing to help, they have everything yet nothing I'm ever looking for, and the store is chaos. It's a great Eugene staple but it's not my first, or second choice for new books. It's just chaotic and dusty and the staff aren't happy to help. I have a very long list of potential books I'm looking for, And after not finding any of them and searching for about half an hour, I went to the counter to ask if they had any. The woman at the counter didn't even look at the list before saying no, we don't have any of those. She didn't even try to help me. I asked for recommendations and she seemed so irritated that I wanted I help. read more

Two levels that stretch very far back - crammed with all sorts of books. New, old, different languages, etc. And the categories are labeled - I had to avoid 'Polar Expeditions' because I was visiting and could not carry too many books. :-) I could easily have spent hours exploring this bookstore. The staff was helpful and pointed me in the right direction to find the Spanish language section. And the Science Fiction and Fantasy areas were a treasure too. Well worth a visit. read more

I love Smith Family Bookstore. The selection is unbelievable. Such a find in Eugene. This is Eugene's answer to Powell's. The books are organized into sections, but there is a little bit of chaos within each section like a mix between well organized library and Strand Bookstore in NYC. Well not as chaotic as Strand, but the chaos is part of the fun in looking through so many obscure and classic books within each genre you will find out of print and hard to find selections thrown in w/ your favorites. The Pacific Northwest is known for it's coffee and book lovers. For any book lover this place deserves a few hours if you really love books and is located in the heart of downtown so hop over to Morning Glory for breakfast before browsing here. Pick up a book or several for your reading list. read more

Thank goodness you continue to have a huge selection of great books at great prices. Love the magical atmosphere. You are my lifeline to other worlds!! read more

I cant read- but I love collecting books and his place was great- could've been here all day if it weren't for three kids under 10... read more

Large collection of books, both old and new! Unfortunately, they did not take any of my textbooks.

When people used to visit me in Eugene, this is where I would take them. Granted, to really appreciate Smith Family Books, you need to be a book person, but luckily most of my people bury their nose in books at least once a year. Smith Family Books is the place to buy books for class, book club, or for your own enjoyment at a fraction of the price you'd pay elsewhere. You can find just about any book you want here; you just have to know where to look. There's not a solid tracking system in the store so you really just have to sift through the aisles and pick through the piles stacked next to the shelves to find your treasure. Ever since I graduated from the U of O and left Eugene, I have remembered this place. It's one of the staples I stop into when I visit my old college town. read more

Horrible experience and customer service bro what I'm from out of town and I just wanna state that I never write bad reviews. And even IF I do I always say something positive but the only positive thing I can say about this is they did have books. But goddamn was this not fun at all. So first of all my girlfriend and I were in there and she takes interest in a book but doesn't want to buy it so once she walks away I go and buy it. This guy didn't even greet me or anything except for a dull "you ready?" Anyway I buy the book and he gives me a receipt and I walk away. Kinda of thought it was weird they didn't even have bags especially when I first walked in a guy had ten books up to his head he had to carry to his car but whatever right. I walk away with book in hand and receipt and go to surprise my gf with it and as I go to pull it out from behind my back this old ass mfkn dude pops out behind me with "I'm gonna need that back at the front with me" so not only did he spoil the surprise but like why? What the fuck is the point of that lmao I had a receipt and you rang up the order. Does this dude have dementia to the fact he can't even remember giving me a book? Maybe that's why he doesn't know how to smile. And if another person stopped me you gave me a receipt bro like what? And now after looking at the reviews I see they really do have horrible customer service, everywhere I've been in Oregon so far people have been SO nice and I'm from California so my expectations of nice is you not screaming at me. The craziest fact of this whole thing is if people have been complaining about your shitty ass attitude for over 12 years don't you think you should change it? read more

Like the case with most foreign books I picked up and bought one that i.m not liking too much right now read more

Smith Family Bookstore - Mcsweeny anthology - Bookstores Near Me - Eugene, Oregon

Although this store may be a treasure when it comes to their array of books, their customer service and advertisement are less than par. They have an elitist attitude as well. I happened upon this store one day and was told about a sale the weekend after Thanksgiving. I came that weekend to purchase the books and was then told the sale was the following weekend by another employee. They were kind enough to put the books on hold for me. That next weekend I had planned to go on Sunday to purchase my items and noticed it said closed on the online listed hours. I then tried to call both stores with no answer, calling the main store off Willamette more than once with no success. I also checked their website, which I had checked the previous weekend, and it was down. I called today to ask if the sale was still going on so I could purchase my items. I was told no and explained my attempts at trying to determine if they were open. I asked to speak to a manager to see if they would honor the sale and the manager refused. He acknowledged that their website was down and didn't seem to believe that I wasn't able to reach anyone on the phone yesterday. He also said they have no mailing list and the only way to learn about their sales is through the Eugene weekly and one other local paper. I felt like I wasn't "cool enough" to be in there in crowd and "in the know". And as a small business, you CAN honor a sale to one customer after the fact. Really, you can do anything, that's why you are a small business. It would have been a small thing to do to help one customer out and the manager could have actually heard me and apologized for my inconvenience instead of just admitting that the business is "low key". Sadly, I doubt I'll be shopping here again, since clearly you have to be in the know to grab a sale and they don't seem to value true customer service. read more

Although I love the wide selection of books and could easily spend hours just browsing, I agree with previous reviews people have posted here about how the staff members seem distant and uncaring. I've been to both store locations many times, and NOT ONCE has a staff member welcomed me upon my arrival, asked me if I needed help, or thanked me for coming in. Now, I'm not seeking a Best-Buy-level amount of pestering while I'm shopping, but a friendly acknowledgment that I exist would make me feel as if I'm not an inconvenient intruder. So, I prefer to shop at Barnes and Noble. I try to support local businesses; however, when a national chain does a better job at noticing me, then that's where I go. read more

Despite their large selection of books, this is one store you should absolutely avoid. Their customer service is atrocious, their pricing for some books is insane, and WHEN you can actually get an employee to answer a question for you; the answers you get are quite revealing of their ignorance. It is no wonder online used book dealers are thriving, with places like this still around. read more

This establishment is a PRIME example of why local bookstores deserve to go out of business! Feeling that they're somehow grandfathered in, in Eugene, the employees are all rude and condescending, as is the owner. There is zero customer service, they will not let you use the bathroom (sometimes I browse for quite a while...) and the most egregious thing is they ask to take women's purses and keep them behind the counter, with absolutely no security measures. They ASSUME THAT ANY CUSTOMER WITH A LARGER PURSE IS A THIEF! Barnes & Noble has NEVER asked to take my purse! Neither has Powells Used Books in PDX. Really, who's stealing crappy used books?? They can afford to piss off paying customers on the off chance someone steals a weathered paperback???? I do all my shopping at Amazon where the prices are much better, it's delivered to my house and I don't have to put up with Smith Family's BS. I thought I'd go in the store today and "shop local"... I had 35.00 in books in my hand when they asked to to give up my purse or leave... I left, NEVER going back! Someday Smith Family Fire Hazard, errr bookstore....will go out of business because enough people will realize they don't have to put up with random "policies", and everyone will be so sad to see a local business die. I will not. I will be cheering as the UPS driver hands me my Amazon shipment! read more

This store is reminds me of Powell's, if Powell's were a tremendous fire hazard and never carried anything popular or recently released. I'm not trying to hate. If you're just looking to browse for some random literary surprise then Smith Family is your place. I've found some nice jewels in my days there. But if you are looking for anything specific then this is not your place. If the title in question was tremendously popular 2 years ago, they will probably have it, but otherwise look elsewhere. Their prices on used books are fair, which is nice. Just have fun finding them, as their staff act like they'd rather be watching paint dry than to help you. Again, for a book treasure hunt it's fun, I'm just sad when I want to support a local business but am disappointed again and again by it not providing what I'm looking for. read more

This is an excellent bookstore. TONS of quality books. I've been to a lot of bookstores and this is easily my favorite bookstore (both locations) of all. I don't mind the staff not being talkative, I actually prefer not to be accosted with unsolicited helpfulness when I'm in a bookstore. They stay quiet and don't bother me like in a library, so that's great! To some people they may seem rude, but I don't see it that way. They (most of them) are quick to the point and not friendly. They are very busy and getting a LOT done. They don't have time for your chatter-mouth! But this is also why the bookstore is so impressive and successful. Both locations are top notch bookstores. Personally I like the one on 13th street the best. Smith Family is great for buying or selling books. I am always pleased with how much they offer me for the books they decide to buy. The prices on their books always seem fair. It always impresses me what a great job they do. As I said about the other one, my only complaint is that they took away the free books section. That was a really nice feature, people could dump off their books that the store didn't buy and others could browse them on the way out. [This is an update... I've added a little more chatter, and raised the star-rating to 5, deciding that my silly little complaint is by no means enough to delinquish a while star!] read more