Great and friendly service, lovely store. The ladies at the desk gave me several recommendations which I appreciated

I'm glad there are other book store options here in Salem. I've shopped here probably 15 times and I love how unique this store is. Have never seen the cat, so that's a bummer. I love the option to buy used books. That being said I think their "we buy books" is pretty bad. I wish they gave more information. I brought in about 48 great condition popular books in. I had an appointment at 1:30pm that was made 3 weeks prior. I got there books in hand and was told the person who values the books to buy them was out but that I should get a call with an offer before 3:30pm. I killed some time around Salem as I wasn't expecting this to be quite the process and still had not gotten a call even though it was almost 4pm. I called them and they said the offer would be told to me in store. These are popular books from Carley Fortune, Tessa Bailey, Freida McFadden, Ali Hazelwood etc, and even some special editions of books with sprayed edges. All probably worth around $500 if you count each book as $10. After I came in to ask about my offer, the person helping me seemed pretty excited about all the books I had. Their offer was $57 in a check or $115 for store credit, it almost felt like a slap in the face to be honest. I told them that I'll think about it as I browsed the store. I took like half a lap through the store and went back to the front counter to let them know that I would be taking my books and declining their offer. As soon as I said that, immediate demeanor change in the employee and they just walked off while I had to put all my books back in the bags. Most of the time the staff are fine, but there is the occasional visit where I have staff a little too relaxed, almost as if they're not working at a bookstore. And there have been a few times I was waiting at the front counter ready to check out and not even looked at until the employees were done with their conversation which was anywhere from 1min to 10min. Prices are a bit high, but that's expected at an independent book store. read more

An independent book seller offering new AND used books. Especially appreciate staff picks noted in the shelves. It's helped me find interesting reads as gifts or for myself. Helpful staff. More than fair pricing on used books and list price (or a little less) on new ones. read more

Really charming & cozy space. It has that hard-to-describe subtle nostalgic aged ambience to it which is pretty cool. Lots of wonderful variety, spacious central open area revealing the 2nd floor AND - get this - a resident cat. Me and my friend tried searching for the cute little bugger and almost gave up when we spotted them on the upper stairs behind the guard rope. We left a bit sad. Great spot, thumbs up dudes. read more

Their Blind Date With a Book display is a scam. I'm very familiar with a concept and the intention, which is supposed to be a fun way to try something new as a surprise. I was curious about one description, which sounded vaguely familiar, but the staff refused to give me any details unless I purchased the book--which is nonrefundable. Offering this kind of display as an option is fun; refusing to provide info to customers who aren't committed to the concept is not. read more

Amazing customer service so sweet. They called me pretty and said they liked my outfit and they were all very smiley. I appreciated that a lot a very warm and welcoming community. The stickers that they write on the books come off very easy and don't leave a sticky residue I appreciate thatthey also write the price in pencil on the book read more

The Book Bin - Book bin used book high-quality - Bookstores Near Me - Salem, Oregon

I was in shopping today, when a customer came in to sell books with a very heavy and full box. The customer asked about selling books and the blonde employee, who on this day was wearing a sweater with green stripes and singing along to a blink 182 song, responded with "we don't buy books in December." The costumer responded with "I wish I saw that information on your website when I looked this morning". The blonde employee responded with "well you could have called us" her tone was insolent with a tinge of putting down and blaming the customer. She then added "I'm pretty sure that information is also on our website". The information that they don't buy in December is not on the website as pictured below. The man left with no sympathy or apology from the blonde employee about the inconvenience and misunderstanding. The customer was indeed correct and placing blame on someone for not calling the store is unacceptable. I left shortly after without making a purchase. read more

The Book Bin - Buying counter policy - Bookstores Near Me - Salem, Oregon

Amazing bookstore and the cat of course was stellar! Service was ready to help and check out customers. They offered to have a book ordered if not in stock! Cute and easy layout of the store. Calendars and gifts too! Had new and used books. Great prices read more

You can't miss their huge sign when you're driving around Downtown Salem. After passing by it so many times, I came by to take a look. Because of COVID-19, they offer book pick-up if you call ahead. When you enter, they first ask you to apply hand sanitizer before entering and redirect you to either browse or go to the book pick-up area. I decided to browse and wasn't looking for anytrhing in particular. They have duct tape throuhout the while store and reminder customers to stay 6 feet apart. The staff is very friendly and the AC felt so nice in the summer heat. The books are very reasonably priced. I even looked at Amazon to compare a couple books and they had them for the same prices (if not cheaper!). I wish I had a local book store like this in my town. Can't wait to read the book I picked up. read more

The Book Bin - Outside - Bookstores Near Me - Salem, Oregon

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I had a day on my own in Salem a couple of weeks ago on a trip to the area, and I just wanted three things: books, shoes, and pho. The Book Bin kept coming up in my searches for a nice book store so I went there as soon as they opened, thinking I'd grab a couple of books and be on my way. No. I spent an hour or so browsing and ended up with a sizable stack of books to add to my TBR pile. What a great store! The staff are pleasant and kind, the atmosphere is quiet in a reassuring way, and the books on featured displays are fantastic. It was a great mix of new and used, and the whole vibe of the place was welcoming and fun. It's a great place for book lovers. read more

The Book Bin - Books! - Bookstores Near Me - Salem, Oregon

I love the book bin! The selection is huge and I can spend so much time browsing. The book store cat is also fun.

Super friendly staff, great book selection, and loved how queer friendly they were. I even got to see the cat!

Absolutely amazing bookstore! Really a staple in the Salem community. Service is always amazing, and employees consistently go out of their way to assist customers. Selection is wide and there are always many helpful, relevant, and cute displays. Even if you can't find the book you're looking for in store, it's likely they can get it. It's pretty inexpensive compared to bigger chain bookstores, and there are used book options as well if that's a worry. So happy this place exists. read more

This is one of my favorite book stores. And while I will shop at almost any bookstore, this one feels like a bookstore from the moment you walk in. They even have a cat named Rose (at least I think that's her name). I shop at their Corvallis store as well but prefer this one. The book selection is vast, and the prices are quite reasonable. Pictured is a copy of an older book that was discounted in price. They also have new releases and will even order books for you to pick up (either from their other store or online). The staff is always friendly, even when I forget their names and make great book suggestions too. Just today, the cashier made a suggestions based on the books I was buying and I bought that one too! If you're in the Salem area and love to read or love someone who does, stop by and grab a book. You won't be disappointed. read more

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Why is there a CAT in the store!?!?! I'm highly allergic so I have only ventured in twice both time I had forgotten about the cat. They do have a sign on the door now. I shop elsewhere for this reason alone. read more

They have many used books that line the walls and aisle top to bottom. This place is bigger than what you see from outside! Very neat, organized and clean. We will have to go back to explore more. They do sell some new books and merchandise , but if you are looking for an older no longer available book, you may find it here. The owner was very nice and helpful. read more

I just love bookstores and this one is one to love. Sign on the door warns that the store cat might scratch. We thought that was funny because, if you have a cat, you'd know that any cat has the ability to hurt a second after showing affection. Cats are strange but fabulous creatures. I looked for the cat but quickly got carried away with reading the covers of dozens of books. Walking in, I noticed the place smelled a whole lot like dust but after getting past the doorway, it no longer smelled like anything but paper- oh, a heavenly smell. Not sure if that first whiff was dust or just something outside??? I may never know. I was very impressed with the selections here. I went in without an idea of what I wanted to read next and I was drawn to everything. They have great reads about various historical periods, loads of local books, as well as crafts and cooking. The employee picks and featured books were enticing. I felt like this place has my interests in mind though I didn't know a single person there so it was a coincidence everything I picked up seemed set out just for me. If I hadn't had somewhere to be around noon, they would been kicking me out at closing. Honest, there was so much to peruse. read more

The Book Bin is a cozy, eclectic local book shop. With new and used books as well as an adorable cat (don't pet, just look!) It's always a worthwhile stop in downtown Salem. read more

It is very difficult for me to give this store a low rating, and I am being generous because I believe in this business. I have gone here for longer than any of the employees have worked here. As a child I took piano lessons upstairs in this building. Some of my most cherished childhood books are from this place. Bookstores are a dying breed and I do everything I can to support the ones I can find. And above all I love seeing Rose the cat. This is why I hate saying being so critical but I cannot stay quiet any more. The issue here is the absolute snobbery and elitism from the employees. This is a business that wears their politics on their sleeve, and I am fine with that. But what does it say when you make a point to put up a Black Lives Matter shrine with hand drawn portraits, and put books about racism or by black authors on display so prominently, and yet you don't have a single person working there who isn't white? During the COVID lockdowns I was snapped at for not having my mask high enough on my face. I in fact made it a POINT to wear my mask properly in this store because I realized how seriously they took it. And yet despite this I was yelled at like a child. And I am a customer who has been there enough that they should know me. What does that say about customers who AREN'T regulars? Even when we go out of our way to follow the rules out of respect, you still act like that? After lockdown, this is the only business in Salem that I am aware of in which the employees still wear masks. This is their right and their business, but I feel nothing but judgement now if I walk in without one. I think they have become so worried about ACTING like good people that they've forgotten how to show basic decency to their customers. I really want to keep coming back and supporting this business. I love seeing Rose. But the attitude and elitism has become too much. read more

Years ago the first time we were in this store, there was a cozy group of people listening to a book reading in one corner, and we saw that they had a resident cat. It reminded me of some of the great independent bookstores in Manhattan. Made a mental note that a cat in an independent bookstore that also has a great collection of old and new books and staff who are not elitist book snobs is pretty much heaven on earth. It is years later and the cat is still there, older and usually lounging on the upper-story stairwell, and all the rest is still good. Staff are friendly and helpful and down-to-earth. Huge selection of books in all categories. Way in a far corner upstairs, there are even some lovely very old books, and I have found some treasures up there. If they don't carry a book you are looking for, they will try to hunt it down from their other store or other sources, and will really go the extra mile to try and find elusive almost-out-of-print books, or recommend other local-ish stores that might have it. The Book Bin is a valuable gem for Salem. Long live independent bookstores that aren't chock full of irrelevant gift items and the requisite Starbucks (although there are a dozen coffee shops VERY nearby) AND that also provides a home to a cat. HIGHLY RECOMMEND. read more

OK. Credit where credit is due. I am a bibliophile and I love cats, so I overcame my extreme antipathy for several staff members and resumed shopping here. This company is objectively very professional and manages its inventory methodically. I mean by that that it seems not to rely solely on purchasing used books, but functions more like a hybrid new/used book store. Today I went in looking for the collected stories of John Cheever--and found the edition I sought. Same for O'Hara's short stories. Good condition, and the price was eminently fair. Rose the cat unfortunately has her own agenda, and I seldom find her. read more

Great bookstore. All four of us found stuff we wanted. The staff was super nice. The offer on stuff we sold back was solid. We spent more than twice what we made, but if you're a book lover, well, you know that feels more like you're supporting a valuable resource than anything. The inventory is pretty huge--great big room, two levels, lots of specialty sections, hundreds and hundreds of choices each in all the big genres (lit and light/pleasure reading). The reference and specialty stuff was pretty fantastic, too, with lots of temptations lurking on every shelf. This is definitely a bookstore on the permanent list of places to visit. read more

I would give 0 stars if possible. They people that work here are extremely rude. My wife has frequented this place for some time now and has been very nice to the people that work here despite their rudeness. I will NEVER shop here again nor support this business. read more

Terrible return policy. 7 days, store credit only. This is for a brand new book, obviously untouched, received as a gift, receipt for 18 day old cash purchase in hand. We already had a copy, so drove to Salem from Eugene to exchange it for a different book on the weekend, and even explained this, but still got a flat out no - how's that for manager's discretion? Bad business call. We can still switch to Barnes and Noble for holiday shopping, and we will. They do better. Hope the staff is nicer to their cat! read more

I love books and truly want to support one of the last remaining book stores in my community, but I find the customer service to be snappish or even hostile here. Responses to customer questions and transactions themselves are unpleasant. A friend remarked that there seems to be a sense of elitism among store staff. Whatever the reason, it impacts the happy feeling I would otherwise have when I am surrounded by books. read more

The Book Bin - Bookstores Near Me - Salem, Oregon

I'll miss going to this Book Store. It is so cute in it's little spot in Downtown Salem. Maybe I will come back again some day hoping that it will still be there and the cat that lives here will still be alive and well. If I never return at least I have the memories of it and the cat that is definitely not a people person. Goodbye book bin and Oregon. read more

Was having a problem finding a particular book published in 2007 & at a reasonable price and happened across the Book Bin online. They had the book I was looking for & at a good price; shipping wasn't bad either. Even with the Coronavirus shipping was quick. I will shop here again. read more

I really enjoy going here with my kids when we are in Salem. Which happens weekly. ;) the staff don't hover over you, they give you space. They have always been really nice to me and my kids when I'm there. (Although there was an employee exclaiming to herself while putting books away the last time I was there. That wasn't kid-friendly language, but it wouldn't make an adult blush.) I enjoy the selection of books a lot. I like that I'm able to order books through them as well. I would like more sitting room in the kid and young adult areas. I enjoy sitting with my kids and reading a little in a book store. They are open late which is AWESOME for us! I love it. I definitely do my book shopping here when I can. read more

The Book Bin - Aisle of books, yessss! - Bookstores Near Me - Salem, Oregon

I want to like and support this business so badly but it's hard when nearly every time I've been inside I've heard the employees complaining loudly about customers that've just left. Not a comfortable environment. read more

I went in for three specific books, and figured it was best to shop local instead of Amazon. They didn't have any of them. Probably because their shelves were full of books on gender theory, feminism, BLM, lgbt+. They don't have a ton of space left for other books. if you're a left wing social activist, this is the place for you. If you're a regupar person who just wants to buy a book, might as well just buy online. At least then you won't be rudely scolded for your mask slipping below your nose. read more

What a wonderful place to get lost in some new adventures! The employee who helped us was amazing and able to find winners for our young boys looking for specific books! Customer service was top notch and friendly! Had a wonderful day here and will continue to support this business! read more

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The more I shop here, the more I love it. I'm so happy that The Book Bin is doing curbside pickup during this covid crisis. I can't wait until I can shop inside the store again. read more

::scoff:: Once upon a time this place would have gotten 5 stars. Then their shelves started being crammed with more NEW books than used, and they started turning away very good used books from people wanting to sell, claiming that there's "no interest" in them. Perhaps if this place stopped investing in 90% new, they might have customers with an interest in them. Look, if I want to pay cover price for a brand new book, I'll head over to Borders where everythings new. I, and many other people, come here for cheap, quality used books. If you want to stop offering that, then take the word "used" out of your title. When you do that, you can then set up a coffee stand (like Borders) and offer your customers scones while they shop for hip R and B cd's. I'm so over this place. read more

Great book store in downtown Salem. New and old are available. Hard to leave without purchasing something. I also enjoy the random spotting of resident cat, Rose. I watched her prowl the isle once, ready to pounce on an unsuspecting child. Beware toddlers! read more

Well, I've been back-and-forth on this bookstore, wanting to give it the benefit of the doubt, but I've come to the realization that the thick air of arrogance permeating this store must come from management. Because I love bookstores in general, I want to be kind about this store. But the truth is that it is very rundown looking, doesn't have the best selection, and customer service has always been pretty terrible. In short, they are rude and mean. Uppity no reason, if you ask me. You would think that in today's economy where bookstores are an endangered species, they would be a little more polite. Go figure. I guess they don't want to stay in business or something.... read more

Probably the best independent bookseller in town now that Jackson's (Salem's once-beloved independent bookstore, now long gone) is no more. Which is kind of a bummer; Jackson's Books only stocked new books, and while The Book Bin is a wonderful place to look for used books, its selection of new releases is tiny and eccentric. They've got lots of jokey gag books and Christopher Moore novels (not that the latter is necessarily a bad thing) and hardly anything else. I'd love to do all my book-buying from local independents, but I guess Amazon made the likes of Jackson's Books irrelevant. Nevertheless, The Book Bin gets four stars for its big esoteric newsstand. From tiki bar enthusiasts to meat lovers, pretty much every subculture and hobby is covered here. Also, they are currently the only store in Salem that sells Bust Magazine as far as I know, and that's good enough for me. read more

I enjoy this place. I can get lost for hours. Everyone is nice and very helpful. The have used and new books.

Has a robust and eclectic selection of books & topics. This is a large independent bookstore that has the quirks you'd expect at such a place. You walk into this downtown Salem location and take in the two stories selection of books on a wide array of topics. Has a nice magazine section as well. I was impressed with the quantities of both new and used books, including selections locked up because of tremendous value. Great place to browse for hours, enjoy the smell of books, people watch the wide array of folks that come in here, then buy your book and walk down the street to any number of local coffee shops and consume your new literary find. read more

Normally, I can find the kind of books I want here. Prices can be a bit high for new books ($17 for a paperback is a bit insane, but it did finish up a gift certificate I had for a few years, so I'm not exactly mad), but when it comes to used books, the prices are decent. I've encountered some rude employees in the past, but since they've moved on or just haven't made comments. I think Book Bin is fine, there are some things I wish I could change (I was offered $3 in cash or $6 for two new John Green books, which seemed insane), though I do like the store overall. read more

Meh, Book Bin is alright. Its changed a lot over the years, starting to look more like a Borders rather than a used book store. Still, its a pretty quirky place. This book store is pretty big, especially for being in Salem. They have a decent children's section, its always fun to reminisce for a few minutes there. I'm also a huge fan of the health and cooking section, they have some great stuff there if you are looking for some new recipes or ways to stay healthy. I highly suggest browsing through those shelves. Can't say much about the staff, although I've overheard a few folks at the cash register talk about some weird stuff. Typical strange Salem stuff :) This place is worth checking out every once in a while! read more