This is one of the reasons that Texas can actually be a bastion of literary thinking and creativity. Half-Price Books started life in the 70s as a humble second-hand bookstore operated out of a converted laundromat in Dallas. Now it has locations all over the United States and sells millions of used books every year. Half-Price Books buys your gently used books so you can feel good about decluttering your home library since you are incentivized a few bucks to do so. They will also buy gently used DVDs, CDs, & vinyl. In my opinion, there's no point in spending a whole bunch of money on new books, DVD's, CDs, or vinyl when you can buy them for a fraction of the cost and they're still almost as good as new. Half Price Books also carries various new knick knacks and tchotchkes. And several of the locations in Austin, including the ones on North and South Lamar, allow you to bring your dogs into the store with you as long as they're on a leash, social, and housebroken. No cats, sorry. The atmosphere in the store is wonderful too. The staff are always very friendly and helpful and LOVE books. You may find local authors browsing among the shelves, and literary groups meeting in some of the communal areas. Like I said, Half-Price Books is a bastion for literary-minded folks -- even the ones living in places where science and creativity are looked upon with a certain amount of suspicion. Support literature, support books, and shop more at Half-Price Books!

I found an OOP book that I’ve been patiently hunting for a while at this HPB. I was there in person and needed assistance as the book was behind a locked shelf. After deciding I wanted it I could tell that the employee didn’t want me to walk around with it so I asked for it to be left behind the register until I was ready to check out. He ASKED me my name so he could reserve it for me. After shopping around for less than 30 minutes I asked for the reserved book and was told that it was just purchased by someone who spotted it. I found out that they just moved the book to a visible side of the register with no name under it. They said that it was a honest mistake and gave me a lousy 15% off coupon. While the cashier was looking for another copy of the book online, the manager told her simply, “if it’s gone, it’s gone.” The manager didn’t even acknowledge that I was in front of her. What kind of customer service is that? I suspect that an employee told a friend about the book or bought it themselves, because they asked my name and still didn’t reserve it. Also, I hope that race didn’t play a role, because telling from the staff and most of the customer’s demographics, I probably didn’t appear to be a regular. The worse part was the apathy I got off of the staff in this situation.

I spend 2 to 3 hundred dollars a month at half price books. At various locations, and this location is the worst I have ever been in. This Austin store was beyond bad. I was looking at the audio books for my wife, and you could hear the female employees talking bad about other customers. Then my daughter wants some manga books that are locked up. So I go ask at the front for help. He was the only highlight of this place. One of the female employees came from the side counter and said what we needed. My daughter began to point to the ones she wanted. The employee then stated that you need to tell me the titles of the books. We never had to do that at any half price books before. My daughter has social anxiety, and autism. I know that the employee would not know that, but that still doesn't give the right to talk and act like she did. I wasn't going to buy the books, but my daughter still wanted them so I still got them. I really hope that this wasn't a race thing because everyone was being treated better than us. And we were the only Hispanic people in the store. Also wish I could give this store zero stars, but it wouldn't let me.

I took 25 books to this store today(Apr 7,2018) to sell. Now I don't mind that they are going to make a few bucks on my books, they have to or they could not be in business. Well they offered me $11.00 for 25 First Edition, Best Selling Books, that cost between $16 & $20 new. These books were dated from 2015 -2018 so they are not old either. They sell the same books used for $10.00 & $14.00, so they are making more than a few dollars on each book. I was insulted with their offer, it was not reasonable nor fair. In fact, a better deal would be to give them away to goodwill and get a tax deduction. Sometimes they have a great selection of new Vinyl Records, used CD, VHS and cassette music tapes as well as used books actually more books than you would ever want. Generally, their staff is pleasant. I give them 2 stars because I really felt that they make low-ball offers on used items.

This is not the biggest half price books that there is. The one on Lamar is larger for sure. Still, the thing about half price is that each store has different stuff. We were looking (for example) through the comics, and it was as you might expect a completely different set than what we saw in the last half-price we were in. Also, given the rate they take in books, the stock of course changes frequently. The remainders seems to be similar most places, and that makes sense, but you just never know what hidden treasure will be there this week. Our kids LOVE going there, and this is their treat. They can spend hours triaging what they want down to their budget. Be nice if there was better / more seating to wait in though. They CAN make the trip last forever.

I get stuck for hours even when my husband and fluffy Great Pyrenees are waiting for me outside. I'm not inconsiderate by Nature but all the options and tempting buys are enough to make me want to sit on the floor and have a pile of books around me and I'm budgeting and bargaining with myself and finding things that I just can't sit down and I get attached and then I talk to myself about how silly I am for making a mess so it's like I'm in the way but is it is fun and always walk out spending a lot of time not as much money as you would think and nobody has ever given me a hard time 4 making myself at home in my insanity in all the years I've been going there. It doesn't stop me from feeling socially awkward but hey at least nobody has called me out LOL

It took almost 2 hours to sell them some books. What took so long that they have one guy on the sell desk they also answer all the calls and instore questions. 5 ppl seemed to be working but only one person was doing anything with customers. They let a guy cut in line cause he asked. they switched the person doing the book buying 3 times while i was there. They mostly just made fun of the customers who didnt know what book they needed or that had called. I sat for 2 hours and heard them just belittling the customers and chat about elden ring and how what games they play. I also saw a lady almost get her license stolen with a bag of books that had been left for selling.

I walked with a beautiful smile on my face ready to shop. I said hello twice to the lady at the register. She just nodded and smirked which I thought was odd. I thought maybe she is hard of hearing which is common. I started to shop. As I walked passed her a new male white customer came in. She happily said hello welcome to half price books. I was very disappointed at this point because I didn't receive a welcome just a smirk and nod. I was with my young daughter and had to explain to her what racism look like. This mess need to stop I didn't not feel comfortable or welcomed in this store.

Parmer location is my absolute favorite, i literally drive 30 minutes out of the way and past 3 other ones i have closer to me just to come to this store! Selection is great they always have a great array of books in the genres i like, organization is always excellent and the staff are AMAZING and genuine! every time i come here i have the best conversations with staff, talks with fellow book lovers are always the best and they are always so helpful when i need help finding a specific book or helping me discover new ones! will always choose HPB over big box retailers!!!

I love Half Price, no matter what location I'm at, and this one is just as good as the others I've been to. Only thing I didn't like is how the main entrance off of Parmer (facing HEB) feels like you are walking into the main door, but when I went to check out, the register there is for selling books to the store only. Yes, there is a sign near the ceiling, it just threw me off because I hadn't been there before and I didn't notice the actual register, which is farther away and much smaller than the sell counter. But again, I love Half Price and will always visit!

I really like half price books they have a good selection of books in their store and their prices can be okay. The best is when they're having their sales which happens every few months and you can get some very good Bargains On books and other items in the store. The customer service here is also very good and the lines tend to be not very long. I would recommend the store for anyone that likes books or Pat likes other things they carry. What other surprising thing is that they have a fair amount of kids toys and other items in the prices aren't bad either.

My favorite bookstore since forever. I enjoyed spending hours at the funky old original store on Guadalupe. So many great finds. The staff is always super knowledgeable and helpful. And there's always an out of print book sitting on the shelf, just begging for a new home. There there, little fella. You've got a forever home now. Chain bookstores are just ok. Amazon's bookstore is a glorified airport Hudson's. I wish we still had the old original, but I'll take what I can at the HPBs around town. Keep up the great work, y'all!

It's great bc its only 5 min from where I live. Prices are really cheap too, but wish they had more up to date textbooks and a better new release selection. Maybe something like a current reading list posted would be nice for those of us who mostly like to browse. The staff is nice and helpful even when super busy which is cool. Also the cashier is really friendly and goes out of his way to find things for me. Also, also the tall english guy with the puffy hair is kinda cute. hehe

This store is pretty cool, it's like barnes and noble, only good prices! They have a massive selection of books, fiction and non! From DIY books, to textbooks, to novels, to comic books. They have it all as far as readable material and even have an assortment of other interesting items like gifts, games, and trinkets. If you are looking for a random book to read, and enjoy looking around for what may strike your interest, look no further. Half priced books will cover you!

If you really love books but don't really want to pay the over the top prices for them new at the big box stores... Well then Half-Price is the place to go. Their prices are really good and a great selection as well. Of course if you have old books you are wanting to be parted with, they also buy books, magazines, comics, textbooks, music cd's etc. Go by and check them out. ~ I am not a paid spokesman for this establishment, I just love this place. ~

The employees here are great. We sell books there off and on and they are always quick and efficient. They are also fair and trustworthy. Today they overlooked an autograph in a book (that I didn't know about) and they called me to let me know they owed me more money. I went back in and they showed me the autograph to make sure I knew what was going on. They could have just chalked it up to savings on their part and I never would have been the wiser.

We visited around 3pm on a weekday. The store was pretty sparsely populated abd we were able to maintain social distance at all times. This is a great location with large selection and we found the books we needed plus some awesome note cards for pen palling. They also carry an assortment of journals which were lovely. I love the teacher discount too! 10% off every day for educators. It's a lovely and affordable way to stock the Classroom library.

It is inappropriate to charge 'ebay listed' prices for item, when they have never sold for said amount. I used to love HPB, but like all the other thrift stores now, prices are gouged, and everything is prohibitively expensive. As well as having a 300% mark up. Charge fair market value based on demand and 'sold' prices, not the first thing that comes up on Google/ ebay. I'd really like to trust yall again.

A salesperson by the name of Blake was extremely helpful in searching and taking me to the 2 books I needed. He was extremely polite, professional, and quick at finding the books. I believe he should be rewarded with something! The two books I bought were: "Into Thin Air" and "A Voice in the Wind". I visited may 15 ag around 2pm. Many thanks again, happy reading, and cheers! Best, Sam

Great and helpful staff and a wide selection. Everyone was super kind and helpful. It was the first time my daughter and I visited this store. We stopped by after taekwondo and although we were a bit stinky, we cannot resist bookstores. I am very happy we stopped here and I plan to return to support their store. Thanks for the awesome book experience.

This an okay location. Friendly staff. Decent selection of books although I did not find anything that I was interested in purchasing. Four stars because I am required to wear a mask. That is their right to require one but I have trouble breathing in one and it makes my glasses fog up. When the mask requirement is removed, fifth star gets added.

A really lovely atmosphere with a great and friendly staff! The place was weel organized and we had no problem finding the book we were looking for, not to mention the funny bookmarks and magnets at checkout! They did have some technical issues while we visited and it took a little bit to take care of but thts rlly the only complaint i have!

Store is nice and clean and well stocked. The employees were very polite and helpful. I’ve always loved used books. This store is my addiction. I’ve found treasured books from my childhood, interesting books for my hobbies, and like to treat my kids to a new book instead of a toy or fast food. There is always something here for everyone.

We found a book that had a sticker from another store on it that was less than the Half-Price Books' price and the manager, Mo, would not honor that price, even after the supervisor said they would. Pretty sad behavior from someone who is supposed to be a professional. Sad that Half Price Books is being represented by someone like this.

This place has practically every book you can imagine. Art, religion, music, politics, murder... You name it this place has it. They are in a good convenient location, and there's plenty of staff to help with whatever you need. Puzzles, games , music CDs, glue together models, this is a great place to shop for Christmas or birthdays.

In was pretty excited to find a place like this. Im from a small town and we don't have anything like this back home. Just checking It out for the first time, I ended up walking out with an old Spanish workbook which ended up being perfect while I learn. I was taking $300.00 classes that use the same workbook that I paid $5 for.

Now the bathroom is locked? It wasn't bad enough there's only one for customers, despite the fact there used to be two, now I have to beg for a key before my bladder explodes? That's unnecessary cruel. The mediocre selection of products and annoying employees doesn't help either. And the video games are terribly overpriced.

Full disclosure, I worked for a HPB in the Houston area years ago, and loved it there. This HPB is one of my favorite, I'm a record collector, and I always find something good here. Staff is super friendly and helpful. I have occasionally had books to sell as well, and the process is always quick and easy.

Great store for text books, this is their main offering. They also offer magazines for one or two dollars, new releases, gifts, encyclopedias, instruments and more. This store is a smaller one so their selection is not as large as the other stores. Thier database can see inventories of the other stores.

I have a plan to study Project Management, but it is a little bit diverting my profession. When I was looking books in the store, I got PM book, which was written in clear and simple language, attractive to read with $7. It was unexpected to get the $150 book with $7. I love Half Price Books store

Love the prices, the big selections and ease in finding them. I couldn't find an author I was searching for and although they didn't have any of his books in stock they were able to direct me to a store that did also, they have a wonderful website with ways to buy in state-wide stores.

In all honesty, driving into this Half Price Bookstore is a pain. Traffic is always a nightmare. However, once we actually get into the parking lot, it's really nice. The staff is very informative and friendly. This location is also supportive of local authors as well which is awesome!

Beautiful store but bad first experience at this location. With one other customer in front if me at the sell counter and two working the counter, I stared at them for nearly two full minutes waiting for them to acknowledge me or even make eye contact before I gave up and left.

This is a nice little Half Price books. Like all Half Price stores, you never know what you are going to get when you begin looking around, so it is always a fun adventure. The kids section is well stocked and they have some comfortable chairs near the front of the store.

Great place. I am NOT a reader. That being said, I do buy books and gift cards there, often asking for assistance in finding and exact title for a gift. The staff are wonderful. During Coronavirus you cannot sit down and read-before-you-buy. You can do so while standing.

The half price books was well lite. Good selection of books. The store has big amount of Dvds, not alot of bluray movies. They have very few 4k movies. There were somes employees but did not interact with them. Some other locations have bigger sections of movies or audo.

Staff was incredibly helpful and willing to put in extra effort to help find exactly what I was looking for. I was impressed at their ability to remain pleasant and kind when a disgruntled shopper became aggravated and rude. Great service and collection of materials.

I really liked this book store. It has everything you need. They are used books but in good condtion and for a wonderful price. The photo is a book I looked at for my Boyfriend :) Like I said they have it all. But I purchased A Million Little Peices by James Frey.

Great store. Location is great. The staff is so very friendly. We found the majority of the books we where looking for(children & adult)& the staff looked up the selections we couldn't find and ended up finding them in paper back. Weekends get a little packed.

My favorite location, the team are always helpful and the store us always well-stocked. They have an excellent mark-down section where you can always find something to take home, and if you are looking for puzzles, this location always has a great selection.

Half Price is the best place to find great reads, textbooks, music, movies and games. Built on the ethics of avoiding waste by selling used books, you can reduce your footprint and expand your mind. They will also buy your extra media if you need quick cash!

Great staff....very friendly! Half Price Books is one of my favorite places to shop. They always have exactly what I'm looking for at a great priceI saved over $15 purchasing the books I wanted from here vs ordering them online from another place. …

Half price books in general is a great store. Some of the others are bigger and have a better selection but this one is not usually busy and so it is quieter and sometimes they have unique items that don't get picked through as quickly as the bigger stores.

Was very disappointed that I will no longer be able to go to the most convenient used book store to me. They put up a 30.06 sign on the door, which means I am no longer allowed to enter there store and shop. it is a shame, since this was a very nice store.

Most of the books were in good condition, but alot of them had writings on the inside for to someone so that was a bit annoying. They should try to cover that up. The employees weren't very curtious and helpful or friendly, but had the place looking neat.

Always a good time coming here, great selection but pricing in digital media and games is high in my opinion and the movies that they buy are specific. If it's outside those parameters you may get a small amount in selling with them. Seller be warned.

Went in to find one book and walked out with 4 . Alway great to find a gently used book at half the price. It’s a great store to get in a really look for books that may not be found or are a bit older. I always return for a peek when I am in town.

Almost always have what I'm looking for, and maybe a few things I wasn't looking for! Prices are fantastic and staff is friendly and helpful. I've been to a few other half price books, but I happily drive an extra 15 minutes to shop at this one.

The staff here is friendly and I enjoyed walking through the store. I didn't really find much of what I was looking for the few times I went, but they have a pretty good variety of things. I just wish they were a little bit more organized.

Amazing prices!!!! I found The Chronicles of Narnia for $3.99 on DVD and an ESV study bible for $19.99!!!! I am extremely excited because the bible purchased through my school is almost $250 and the staff were extremely nice and helpful!

If you want to buy a good book, yet don't want to contribute to the Amazon machine, this is your place. The staff is always helpful and friendly, and I almost always walk out with a new book. Support your local book stores, thank you.

I have usually found a treasure on every visit. I love books and resell is the best way for me to get what I really want. I almost never buy full-price retail unless I need or want a specific title and getting it is time-sensitive.

my family was visiting from south of Houston really wanted to go to half Price books all over Austin. We were not disappointed at all and loved the selection here. The staff was great as well. And we would definitely come back!

Books! And they're half price! If you're looking for a specific book it's best to check their website first. But if you're in the store and can't find a book ask their friendly staff and they can check the other stores for you.

This store is big and has lots of great discount and clearance stuff. I like the selection of video games and movies. You will find out that the staff is young and very knowledgeble about most book, movies, music and games.

They seem to have some good books and some used electronics. I purchased a used kindle from there about a year a so ago. It is a decent used kindle and works well. But a recent visit some of the books seemed over priced.

It's a bit of a smaller HPB but it still has a good selection! I've found a few harder to find titles here, and I always find at least one vinyl to take home if I browse the music. Customer service is nice here as well.

I'm always scoring interesting records here, which is funny as it has one of the smallest selections in town. The cookbook section has never failed me either. Friendly, friendly staff no matter who is working.

Easy location to get in and out of on a very busy intersection. Small, organized store. They held a book for me and checkout was easy. I'm trying a new author (to me) while I wait for a new Stephen King novel.

Nice store but lost my trust when they started to lock the bathroom, forcing customers to ask for a key at the register if needed to use the restroom. Does not sit right with me. I now prefer to shop elsewhere

Took forever and made me wait for nothing. They should take a look and let you know ahead of time, what can be bought and what just recycled, so customer can decide quickly and not loose time waiting for ever.

I had never been to a half price that was so big! All the employees were very friendly and kept their distance as well! Though the store did have an odd smell that I couldn't place. Still a great experience!

You can never go wrong with HPB and the staff here are super friendly. I never have any trouble finding what I need; everything is very organized, even the clearance areas. I always feel welcome in this HPB.

This is by far one of the best locations. They have a large selection of books, they ALWAYS have sales, and the general appearance of the store is clean. If the bathroom were cleaner, I'd rate them at a 5.

This store is beautiful! The staff are friendly and make a point of recognizing regular customers. There is very little staff turn over. I believe that speaks volumes for how the company trats their stsff.

Employees very rude and racist. We are Americans with latin heritage and were treated very badly. No respect. If you don't want to be treated without respect we suggest you go to another Half Price Books.

I loved how they greet people as they come into the store. And (I should have gotten his name, I'm sorry) a staff member called another location to have them put an item on hold for me. I love this place.

I specifically stopped by to shop for playstation games. And noticed that they are all price marked so high that it's 3x cheaper to buy used off of eBay, Offerup, Craigslist, or even your local Gamestop.

I love this place and wish I'd looked them up sooner. I could have saved a ton on books. Sometimes the selection isn't as wide as I'd like but you can't beat the price on a new book if you can find it!

Occasionally you can find a gem here but it can be just or miss. Prices can be quite a but above retail so choose wisely. Fair selection of common items. Wish they had a better selection of horror.

Just love books. Used or new. This is a good place to score reading materials on the cheap. Just wished they had an area to sit and drink coffee like Books a Million or any of the other bookstores

score!!!! Easily one of the best book and comic stores in Texas. Every month or so I make the track to every store in Austin. You can usually find some hidden gyms in their collectibles.

The selection keeps getting better. But... they keep making mistakes at the register, overcharging me has happened more than once. I'm too polite to correct the very cheerful employees.

Great bookstore. The selection is good and the atmosphere is pleasant. A good way to enjoy a few hours and speed some money. They have a good selection of nostalgia books and comics.

HPB is one of the few bookstores around, and I do like to poke around. If you're looking for something specific z Amazon is still your best bet. Staff is helpful and mostly friendly

Sold magazines and books here. I never get as much $ as I'm hoping for when I sell stuff here, but I understand they have to make some profit. Very courteous and helpful staff.

Great local used bookstore. Knowledgeable staff. new/used/overstock. Buy and sell books, comics, vinyl records. Never know what you find, but you'll always find something good.

This older lady didn't even let me check the price on a book at 4:53 after I got off of work a little early. They close at 5.... Looks like they wanted to get off early aswell.

Really liked the store, the prices are unbelievably low. There will be 20% discounts on current prices during Thanksgiving. If you are book lovers, then you may want visit it.

Been a regular customer for more than 30 years. Great place to just browse. I try to stop by every few weeks to see what shows up. Probably half of my books come from here.

One of my favorite locations! Staff are always so helpful and nice, selection seems better than other locations I've been too. I can nearly always find a book I want here!

Organized, Friendly Staff and great selection and prices. Erin was super friendly and spent time engaging with my kids and making them feel welcome and appreciated :)

Half Price Books is the place to go! NLamar store is huge. I usuallly hit the clearance books and DVDs first. There is something for everyone here - even non-readers!

My half HPB's on Parmer have the kindest friendliest people. It has a comfortable atmosphere that invites you to sit and read in there chairs. No hurry. I love it!

Pretty good selection and the store was clean. I recommend donating books elsewhere since they give next to nothing for books, even new ones. Good quick service.

It was nice and organized. Staff was very friendly. I found some great used and new books and Bibles. If you didn't know they carry all kinds of Bibles there!

Friendly staff, books are limited though you won't find much if you read non fictional. Ambience is super calm and cool. The smell of books the wooden shelf.

Half price books always has a good local selection of books and media. Was able to find some really interesting stuff this last time. Plenty of parking too!

Friendly staff and a decent selection of books at a very good price. If I'm looking to buy a physical book or just in the mood to browse, I'm doing it here.

An actual book store besides Barnes and Noble and Books a Million--with better prices, too! HPB has a great selection of puzzles with even a few Lego sets.

Friendly staff, quite helpful. This location is smaller and has less, but worth a stop if you're in the area. While limited there's a couple treasures here

They didnt have my book but these people are so flipping great. They have everything so orderly and safe from the virus. Also they are just really nice.

I love Half Price Books! Prices are great and the selection of books is awesome! The people are friendly and happy to help if you can't find something.

They had a DVD of a 40 year old movie I've been looking for. Always a clean, neat store, with nice selection of items for purchase. Friendly staff!

Always my happy place. Found several books I was looking for, and then found some I wasn't looking for. Staff was great, very helpful and friendly.

Extremely helpful staff. Great selection. I don't think I've ever been able to leave the store without a purchase. I might have an addiction. :)

Staffs are friendly and very knowledgeable. Books are quite cheap as expected. Plus, you can ise coupons for even cheaper prices. No complaints.

Nice location. Great selection of books. I take my son to half price books all the time. I go to the business and personal development section.

Half Price Books has great deals on many books, music, and movies. We try to find items here before looking at other book stores or new online.

Great location and has a large variety of books. It's rare they don't have what I'm looking for. Staff is friendly and always willing to help.