I had ordered a book for a former student who is now graduating from a nearby university with her advanced degree. I asked my AI assistant what would be a suitable gift for her. As her major was psychology, he suggested a seminal book that she might like. So, I went on Amazon and ordered it in hardcover. They promptly shipped it in paperback. I returned it and reordered the hardbound. Again, they shipped me a paperback and, just for good measure, refused to publish my truthful review (which Amazon asked for in the first place) as I am not allowed to say anything that might reflect badly on a seller. So, I ordered it from Barnes and Noble in Modesto. Not only was it the edition I wanted, it was ready in minutes and good value for the price. When I stopped by to pick it up, the clerk was cheerful, helpful, and an all-around good ambassador for the B&N brand. I had forgotten how good these folks are. Amazon lost a book buyer and reviewer. Barnes and Noble Modesto gained both. read more

Barnes & Noble Booksellers - Clean, well lit, well staffed. - Bookstores Near Me - Modesto, California

They never have volume 3 of Dragon Ball Super,or volume 4 Of Dragon ball Z its been 6 months since i first started going to this barnes and noble and 23/23 times i went there none of the volumes I'm looking for are available so i end up getting a random comic book,also they have the weirdest manga,Last time i went there i saw a manga called "Please go home,Mrs.Akutsu" i'd rather poop broken glass than come to this place again,but since is the only barnes and noble near to me i have no other option,The staff is pretty nice though. read more

Ordered ebooks. Couldn't open then as their system would lock up and freeze. Tried 3 browsers same thing. Then kicked me out of one of them. Called customer service who issued refund. Never buying ebooks again with this company. read more

You know what, we usually have a great experience here. The women that work here have always been so helpful and so kind. But today it was unfortunately a bad experience. Everyone was kind except for one of the women working today. I couldn't get her name because she had a lot of charms on her lanyard, but she had black green highlighted hair, bangs and glasses on. We simply asked for help and was given a lot of sarcasm. Making it very obvious she did not want to be in that shift. It was my friends birthday and she was already not having the best day. I get it, we all have bad days but at the same time, it doesn't mean it's okay to spread hate towards others. With everything going on in the world that's the least we could do for each other. Thanks. read more

I have been shopping at this Barnes and Noble for decades and have never been disappointed. The store has changed a little in some ways through the years. In other ways, it's changed a lot. But I'm always just so happy to have a physical bookstore to step foot in. I usually go into Barnes and Noble with a plan and a list of books that I am looking for. If there is ever something that I am seeking that they don't have on the shelves, I can ask customer service and they will order it for me. I also often order books online for in-store pickup. I love all the little tables with selected titles in specific areas of interest. I always go back to the children's area to browse for books and small gifts for my granddaughter. It helps so much to be able to see the books and browse their pages before making a purchase. I also really like the small gifts area where all kinds of lovely and high quality items are displayed beautifully for sale. I've given so many gifts from this area: paperweights, solar cats, journals, tote bags, etc. I can't even adequately describe all the various types of items that will be available for sale. I have been a BN Member for years and have always found the annual fee more than pays for itself. I also really love the super high quality BN tote bag that I get every year when I renew my membership. I am a pretty voracious reader. I love audiobooks and ebooks (which I read on my Nook app), and whenever a book is particularly amazing, I have to have it for my bookshelf. I love giving books as gifts. Support your local bookstores :) read more

Finally found a B&N out here since we've moved from the Bay. The store was clean, well kept, and the employees were very helpful. Unfortunately, they don't have a cafe but the vibes were still amazing. I re-up'd on my membership and got a free tote can't wait to keep reading read more

Barnes & Noble Booksellers - Bookstores Near Me - Modesto, California

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This is the closest Barnes & Noble to my hometown and honestly its well worth the drive. I pay for the annual memebership and also think its well worth it, I get an extra 10% off my purchases and earn points which add up to basically free money towards more items that if I want I can use on the website and have shipped to my house for free which is really convenient. I also love how much there is to choose from not just in books, but toys, pushes, stationary, bookmarks, other knicknacks etc there is never a lack of items (sometimes to much haha) every time I walk in I get that amazing smell I associate with a bookstore. Its always clean and well kept the books are always in the places they should be. They people have always been friendly to me, and they are very often helpful when needed. Sometimes they even go above and beyond like today the associate at the help desk googled if the book i was looking for was even a book (I had assumed it was because it was a Stephan King movie) and it turns out it wasnt ever written as a novel! So it was really helpful and extra that wasnt even something I expected and saved me some time. I really love this place as an avid Bookdragon and as a customer. Keep it up guys! read more

(I'm going to stop adding the location in my reviews) I love this bookstore! the kids section has a tiny stage for little book-club-meet te things on certain days. they also have puppets, well sectioned books, and more! they have common ones- Dork Diaries, Wimpy Kids, R.L Stine books, and Narnia series. the adult and young adult sections are big and tidy, too. they have collectibles, books, toys, journals/calendars, and many, many, mucho, books!! ... the only problem? the one that took off 1 star?! ...... The BATHROOMS. they are small and sometimes messy. loud and always out of T.P and paper towel. if a worker or custodian is reading this that works here, please do something about the women's bathroom. Not forcing. otherwise, Barnes And Nobles Bookstore, your stores are Stupendous!!! they are always clean, cool, nicely scented. your employees are nice here and in another store. your tote bags are very durable, your books are never ripped, broken into, or ruined. thanks, please read my review. bye! read more

Safe to say we're pretty much regulars here and it does what a bookstore is supposed to do. They have an incredible selection and only once have been out of a book that we wanted but they were able to provide it that next week! The customer service desk is helpful when we're trying to find titles that we can't locate ourselves and it's never too busy! The thing about the customer service here is we've encountered two ladies who were very nice and helpful. There was one guy who did his job but we noticed was not particularly enthusiastic in helping. And my fiancé had encountered someone who was just rude. One of the times I went in my fiancé was looking for books so I brought the children and just let them peruse the children's area and the lady watched us soooo hard and two minutes later security walks back, TO THE KIDS AREA, and stand like 3 feet from me. Lol we are not there to steal books and if we're not allowed to stay a while and look please do put up signage. It as obvious but we didn't want to judge based on that one experience plus we love bookstores but I am always alert and paying attention. I see other reviews with similar treatment. I had no clue barnes & noble had such a good stationary area, I'm in handwriting heaven lol. They also have great gifts for special occasions here! I will say the first time we went I didn't leave a review because I almost thought for certain I wouldn't return. (Included pics) The bathroom had a very foul smell & it was very dirty on the floors and missing paper towels. But my love for books brought me back and we're usually there so long that one to the kids need to use it. Every time after that it was clean and a more pleasant smell. If I could recommend anything it would be to give the bathroom a little more care and attention. Other than that, we love this bookstore and we really look forward to the free time we get to go and grab some new books and see what else is out! Some may ask why we go back but the books are in good condition and if you know what you're there for it's still a successful trip and we believe bookstores are healthy environments getting out and experiencing as opposed to ordering online. read more

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I had a few people ask if I needed help, which was nice. But when I actually looked for help, they seemed bothered. One even made a rude comment about my book selection. read more

As soon as we walked in my husband asked an employee if they had restrooms and the employee said in a hesitate voice " oh I think they are under construction". So my husband said okay but it gave me more of an iffy feeling the way it was stated. Later on when we started to walk around we noticed all restrooms were open and all shoppers were using them. So someone help me understand why my husband was told other wise in a tone that made it seem like it was more of a race issue than anything else. I've always loved Barnes & Nobel as a avid book buyer/ reader & yearly membership holder. I was really looking forward to being able to come to this location instead of coming to the Dublin Pleasanton but now I might have to rethink this location just for the sole purpose that my husband was made felt uncomfortable. They have fantastic book selections and a amazing Harry Potter and Leto selection but it just made the experience not pleasant. Do better. read more

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My family and I come here a few times a month. The service is always great, and friendly, they usually have everything we are looking for, I always love browsing the bargain sections, as there is always something cool that catches my eye there! The kid sections always has updated book for the season, always clean and tidy! I am so glad we are one of the only towns near by that still has a barnes and noble! read more

A really great bookstore. In addition to their wide selection of music and books there are puzzles, games, crafts and many gift ideas. They offer a small dining area for snacks, sandwiches and drinks as well as a few cozy areas where guests can go relax and enjoy previewing their finds. read more

Gosh! Don't you miss bookstores? I do! I fondly remember, as a kid, going to several bookstores in the mall - I'd browse and usually choose between a Sweet Dreams romance or a Peanuts book. (I just dated myself with that, but I'm good with that.) So, I rediscovered my love of bookstores simply because: I like a book in my hand. A magazine, newspaper...comic book etc. Digital is cool and all, but give me a book! My adult daughter is into Manga/Anime so that brought us into Barnes and Noble where they have a large section of books in this genre. I took my time browsing the same sections I did as a youth, then went to the more "grown up" versions of the same. (Romance, comics etc) I noticed they also had some great toys/collectibles for die hard Star Wars fans like me, as well as other well known characters. I made it to the store previously when there was coffee there, but was pleasantly surprised to find now Tea Daze is there with bubble tea! I left Barnes and Noble with a bag of joy (some books, a plush and a gift) then made my way next door. Relatively speaking it seems books are more expensive now, but again, I am a give me a book kind of girl so to me, it was totally worth it (and they also have sale tables/sections with deep discounts.) read more

Went into Barnes & Noble tonight with my husband to purchase books for our kids. My husband had to use the restroom. It was only 7:30. The manager was rude to him and said that the bathrooms were closed and she would not let him in. This is not the first time this has happened there. We spent ninety eight dollars there tonight and couldn't use the restroom. The customer service was great from the cashiers, but the manager on duty was rude, and again, this wasn't the first time from her. She is short, chunky blonde, and her name starts with an L. Don't remember what it was. Please, uper management, talk to her. This is a coaching opportunity for your staff. This kind of negativity speeds. My husband and I will be ordering our books from Amazon from now on. read more

I love true crime stories & they have a wide variety. Reading is one of my favorite pass times, so I can get lost in here. The prices vary quite a bit depending on what you buy, and how much that book is in demand. The customer service is usually very good. read more

I went into this store to butt probably a couple hundred dollars worth of stuff for Christmas. VERY disappointed at the left supportive agenda. Why do any businesses support either or? SMDH.... Disappointed. Will have to find another book store. read more

They made me leave for not wearing a mask. Literally the only business in modesto who has said anything to me about wearing a mask in 6 months, let alone tell me to leave. I was there to buy my son a Bible for sixth-grade camp. He goes to a Christian school. I am severely claustrophobic and unable to handle anything over my face. The employee I was dealing with was rude and loud. I usually bring my son to this store specifically because he loves reading. My husband and I have used it as a reward system to do good in school. Unfortunately for Barnes & Noble, we will never shop here again. Nor will my family or friends. They all support us and my personal medical decisions. I will be taking my business to Yesterday's Books from now on. read more

Barnes and Noble has always been a great space to read and look for books that peak my interest. I ordered a book on Amazon for someone that I accidentally tarnished. I needed to get a new book and Olivia was such a great help at finding what I needed. Incredible service! read more

Got served old, expired milk or creamer. Told the facility that I had DRANK expired, rotten food. All they offered was to refund the drink.... a multi billion dollar industry, serving rotten products, can only refund your item. Nothing about looking into it, changing the problem, nothing. Be careful, because this was the first time to happen but I'm sure it won't be the last. The white spots are the chunks. They wouldn't melt and we put it all through a strainer and they would not go through. Absolutely disgusting. Cancelled my membership. read more

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I really enjoy this location, it gives me a nice local bookstore feel. My kids love coming here once a month to pick out a new book and to play with the train table. The staff is helpful every single time. Downfall is that there is minimal cellphone service in this location due to the area they are located which makes it hard to check for books online when staff is busy. Parking is HUGE! It's always nice and stocked and clean. I love the coffee shop right next door. read more

Barnes & Noble Booksellers - Kid section - Bookstores Near Me - Modesto, California

Want to know why people buy things online? So they don't have to have encounter cashiers with rude, nasty, attitude, like the one we just had. She was training a new cashier and was belittling the new girl instead of properly explaining. When I asked about my Barnes and noble membership she said it was expired. Then said rudely "would you like to renew it?" I had to ask what's the benefits, Her response was you get 10% while she's yelling at the girl about a gift card. I'm tired of rude ass customer service. read more

I love book stores. It's such a calming environment and I look forward to my weekly visits to this place but this particular Barnes & Nobles has been extremely disappointing. So I come here once or twice a week usually and it's always around 7. Every time I have been here, the minute I walk in, I have employees shouting "WE ARE CLOSING IN 30 MINUTES." And they deliberately shut the music off to hurry everyone out of the place. On top of that, no exaggeration, EVERY 5 MINUTES over the intercom- "WE ARE CLOSING IN 25 MINUTES." 5 minutes later- "WE ARE CLOSING IN 20 MINUTES." And 5 minutes later- "WE ARE CLOSING IN 15 MINUTES." And so on. I obviously know what time you close and so do all of the other customers. It's horrible. I can't stand shopping here anymore. I can guarantee this isn't a corporate policy, just the workers wanting to leave. Guess it's time to find a new book store. read more

One of my favorites! Coming here to rewind for an hour to read a good book really hits the jackpot for me. Great selection and friendly staff. Very clean and organized too which I appreciate! read more

I have been trying to give local stores as well as brick & mortar locations more business because of COVID19. I made a special trip to Barnes and Noble to purchase the book. I approached the customer service area and was helped by the most unhelpful employee. I provided her with the title. She turned her back and looked up at a different computer than the one directly in front of her. Never attempted to say I can help you over here or any indication of remotely wanting to help. She was wearing a face shield and her unhappiness with her job or life was apparent to anyone. She told me the book was "on demand" and made no attempt to make the sale whatsoever. I just left and ordered from Amazon. read more

One of my favorite places to be is a bookstore. I could spend hours in a good bookstore, and I have been known to do so. ;) I popped into Barnes and Noble this afternoon to do a little investigative work. Before I reveal the nature of said investigation, allow me to provide a little background info. I have been really wanting to get an e-reader, specifically the Kindle from Amazon. I've been holding out a little while longer to wait for the technology to improve. Several days ago while searching for internet info on the Kindle, I came across a link for a new e-reader device. This new contender to the e-reader market is the Nook from Barnes and Noble. I read a comparison between the Kindle and Nook and was rather intrigued to seek further info on the Nook. This leads me back to my visit to B&N. A sales clerk approached me as I stood at the center info desk. I shared with her the purpose of my visit. She said the release date is supposed to be November 30, but the manager of the Modesto store is trying to get a demo Nook in store Thanksgiving weekend. I love the idea of being able to "play" with the demo before buying, which is not an option with the Kindle. I also like that there are more books to choose from and the color display at the bottom of the screen. I can hardly wait to check it out! In the meantime, my nose will be in a book (the paper kind). ;) read more

My love for books is what keeps me coming here. That, & the fact that it's the only bookstore in town. While they will never take my loyalty away from Books Inc (in SF), B&N is not entirely without merit. If you're looking for a new release, a nook tablet, or a specialty magazine you don't subscribe to, B&N will do the job. They're also good w customer service; better than Borders ever was, in my humble opinion. The main negative for me is the ordering online situation. I recently came in looking for something in particular, & they didn't have it in stock. They of course offered to order it for me. But having had researched myself before walking in, I knew I could get the book on Amazon for 20 bucks cheaper. I was willing to cut my losses w the 20 bucks for the satisfaction of getting the book immediately in person without having to wait out the shipping time. But, if we both have to order it, only it'll be 20 bucks less if I order it myself, then I'm certainly going to choose the Amazon route & save the cash. This has happened a couple of times. Just don't come in blind when you're after a particular title. Do your homework, & B&N will work for you instead of against you. I was blown away by the fact that they actually had Women's Wear Daily in stock. WWD is really exclusive. It's customarily not available in newsstands. You have to be industry, otherwise a subscription will cost you up the wazoo. It was an old issue, but they still get props just for even having it at all. 3 & 1/2 stars. read more

My experience there was good! I got the book I wanted and the cashier was very nice! Very good for my first time there and I would definitely go again! I was way to shy to talk to the employees read more

Barnes & Noble Booksellers - Book I got. - Bookstores Near Me - Modesto, California

Have a large selection of books and mangas. Great I highly recommend!! I got manga there it's a little pricey but it's worth it :)))) read more

Barnes & Noble Booksellers - Bookstores Near Me - Modesto, California

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Was waiting in the line, which is marked out with duct tape on floor, thinking I was next (as did everyone else in line) when the checker called next person in line, and informed us that the line should be opposite of arrows, rather than synchronous with arrows. Entire line did an about-face, making me last in line. I had probably a couple hundred dollars worth of books, half of which I had already had them hold behind counter for me so I could shop more. I set down the half that were in my arms and walked out. I'll get them online or at Target, which is unfortunate, but get it together. read more

LOVE the smell of this place when you first walk in! It's always peaceful in here. Very cleans and organized! Also a huge plus and the Starbucks that's attached! Love drinking my my coffee while browsing threw the books! FREE WIFI read more

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The real five star bookstore. A great place to reinvent yourself to brush up on your cooking or get lost in an adventure. Remember, if you don't like the story you're reading, it is okay to put it down. Find your journey to a new one and walk down the one of many aisles! read more

Saw lots of kids coming in with their parents or grandparents while we were here and it made me really happy to know people still enjoy a good trip to the bookstore. I came here today in search of the box set for The Umbrella Academy, I frequented comic cons with my mom often growing up and since the show has came out I really wanted to get my hands on the comics again. When I went to the graphic novel section I could only find the first volume, my mom asked one of the employees if they maybe had any in the back and they did!! I was so excited. They have lots of cute stationary things and toys for the kids as well, they also have a huge selection of board games! Haven't been to a Barnes and noble in years so it is nice to know there's still one local to me :) read more

Wow. If you get a "customer service" person at the "Customer Service Desk" who is rude, inept and unapologetic (as well as unfriendly) ... better luck next time (if you ever go back) because the management does not care. Customer Service workers are allowed to give customers the name "Oliver" when customers want to complain. If you tell the cashiers about "the Oliver", their comment will be "I have never had that experience with an Oliver." Well, goody for them. I'll never have that experience with an Oliver again, either. Amazon works just fine. And by the way, I was going to buy two of an item listed at $23 each online. At the cash register, the two items came to $63. The cashier's explanation? Prices can be different online than in the store. Yep. Amazon. read more

Rachel and Robert were of great help to me this afternoon. Robert assisted me in finding all of my books and was incredibly kind and keen to help. Further, Rachel at check out solidified my desires to return. Thank you! read more

I come here once a week and love it every time. They have great customer service, and usually have what I'm looking for if they don't then they happily order it for me. I love this place. read more

Crappy return policy. Note to everyone: always get a gift receipt, that way you have 60 days to return! muahahaha read more

I love to read...not that I ever seem to get the chance to. But when I do, there's nothing like the process of going to the bookstore, searching for that perfect book, and ultimately returning to the comfort of your "quiet" place to read. I was on a mission the other day to find the first two books in the "Sookie Stackhouse" (the books the new HBO show True Blood is based on), and of course, being that the show just came out two weeks ago, the books were sold out. But a pleasant employee offered to go check the store room, and when he came back after seeing there were none, he ordered my books for me. Only one day later, I picked up the first of the two (the other is on back order), and had a pleasant experience with the cashier whose name was Wendy. One of the things I love about Barnes & Nobles is how many books they have on the discount racks at any given time. Hundreds if not thousands. I'd say YAY for Barnes & Noble :) read more

I was in B&N yesterday. A young man named Nate offered assistance in helping me select a good mystery book. He was informative and professional. I purchased a book based on his recommendation. Checkout was very prompt and again the young lady at checkout was pleasant. I always enjoy good service when I shop and B&N did just that. Thank you. read more

When Barnes and Noble first opened in Modesto, I felt like they were SO friendly and accommodating. I was pretty young then, but after going there semi-regularly for at least ten years, I can honestly say they've slipped. What's so maddening is the EXTREME lack of seating in the store. Sometimes my friends and I have to hijack the tables in the CHILDREN'S SECTION and try to flip through fashion magazines and talk about men while seven year olds browsing for stuffed animals and coloring books charmingly gallop about. We'd rather 'hide out' there, because the the tables and chairs by cash registers are always a disaster zone, and worst of all, usually full. If you actually manage to find a lone chair somewhere in the store and attempt to move it 3 feet, an entire SWAT team will come tearing out of Starbucks and the Harlequin romance section to bash and berate you. If you try to sweetly ask someone if you can nab another chair, they'll look at you as if you're requesting a cut of their next pay check. And if you can, miraculously, coax someone into allowing you to move a precious chair for 45 minutes or so, you have to swear on your first three unborn children that you'll put it back EXACTLY WHERE YOU FOUND IT when you're through. They may ask for a hair, blood, and urine sample as well, but that could just be a myth. So. More seating. And more comfortable seating could be great too. What happened to the overstuffed chairs that used to be by the main entrance? And the long tables by the art books? Over the years, all the furniture has disappeared, and the staff have become ruder. And more plugs for laptops would be great; a few extension cords can't cost that much! Finally, I wish Barnes and Noble would lower their prices. I used to be a club card member. I used to happily drop money on books every month as a treat to myself. Then I discovered Half, around the same time that B&N began charging four more dollars for paperbacks than they had a year before. I now reserve actual book purchasing at Barnes for when I'm purchasing gifts, or want to REALLY treat myself. Their journals are gorgeous, and I love their little gifts. But everything is overpriced, and easily found elsewhere. If I lived closer to the mall, I'd spend more time at Borders, which has similar prices, but more sales and a FAR better atmosphere. P.S. Barnes, your return policy SUCKS! read more