Cafe doesn't know how to make drinks correctly. Iced Americanos looks like iced tea and tastes terrible. Cafe staff should be retrained.

We live nearby and have visited this location several times. We're avid readers, so the fact that I didn't write, "Many times," is very revealing: The selection of books is so limited, and the obnoxious "reviews" they attach to specific books is incredibly insulting. The shelves are often a mess, no matter what section you visit. We have gone to look for a specific book or author and we have left empty-handed every time. The selection is so small. To top it off, we bought a book from B&N online, and it didn't arrive in time for an event. When we went to return it at the store, with the receipt, within three days of receiving it, we were told at Customer Service that they only hand out online orders, and that we would have to wait on line for a cashier to make a return. When we handed the book to the cashier, who wasn't nice, (they act as if you are intruding and bothering them), she said she didn't think they would take it! Then she asked a supervisor who wasn't nice, and he said they wouldn't take it. They both didn't apologize or offer guidance, and said we'd have to take it up with B&N online. Funny thing, is that when we did, they said we could return it at the store. They sent us a label anyway, so we'll send it back that way and avoid the ridiculous scene and discourteous treatment at the store itself. Don't bother with this location: There are other choices for bookstores, and the service is much better at any of them. read more

employees have no idea what they are doing. store is overcharging customers. They did not issue any refund rather said they will look into it. Stay away from the store. read more

As a rule, I do not generally purchase NEW books for pleasure reading, I use the local library for that. I do on occasion come here to browse and relax. This store has a small Starbuck's Coffee cafe so one can get a cup and sit and lounge and read. I tend tend to enjoy the cooking and travel sections the most. Also some of the best selections of magazines around. This store has 2 levels, downstairs has the cafe, nonfiction, and upstairs is fiction and children's. read more

Barnes & Noble Booksellers - Toy Stores Near Me - Salem, New Hampshire

I've been in all Barnes' in eastern New England (and several in other parts of the country), this is by far the worst one. Mainly for the service, or lack thereof. Kathleen, Josh and Jess are all rude, with horrible attitude, unwillingness to smile or be helpful in any way. The store set up is pretty poor too and poor inventory. Stay away. read more

Is the Barnes and Noble store in Salem, NH one of the worst in the country? I hope so because I can hardly imagine one that is worse. Airport newsstands have a better selection of books and magazines than this outlet. Anyone who is looking for anything serious in the way of history, biography, etc. is better served ordering items online. Additionally, the store is falling into disrepair; I can't count how often the escalators are out of service and for long periods of time. If there remained any competition in the book selling industry, this place would be long out of business. Where is Borders, Waldenbooks and so many others when we need them? To top it all off, the next nearest branch in Portsmouth, NH is not much better. read more

Not sure how this Barnes & Noble stays open because the layout is a disaster. There's narrow escalators right in front of the entrance, which takes up a ton of room on the first floor. The café is cramped and the entire store has sparse seating available. Not sure how often the store is cleaned but definitely not enough. The restrooms were pretty gross and I saw a girl literally washing her armpits at the sink. Very classy, Salem. Giving two stars instead of one just because I love brick-and-mortar bookstores and unfortunately they're a dying breed. If you want a pleasant shopping experience you're much better off going to the B&N in Peabody because you won't find it here. read more

Walked in to grab a quick book that was 20 feet from the door, I was in the day before and saw it but didn't have my $ on me for it so I do understand that the store closes at 9:00 but walked in at 8:57 and the lady (Acting like a Bouncer at a Bar) said we are closed, I said you close at 9 and it's not 9, she said we are just closed. So are the hours 9-9 or 9-8:57? Too bad you lost a sale read more

There is a small cafe inside this Barnes & Noble, as there is in many. It appears to be a Starbucks, but it is listed as 'Barnes & Noble Cafe serving Starbucks". Not to belabor the point. There is a generally peaceful ambiance, kind of like a bookstore. In the corner of the coffee preparation area is a tiny waterfall which produces the melodic tinkling flowing sound of swirling water, which is very relaxing, accompanied by soft background flute music and occasionally also strings. I looked more closely and realized that the waterfall was actually a constantly running sink. It was relaxing anyway. The service was friendly. I ordered a grande coffee, but was sold on the vente for only 35 cents more. Although I am not usually prone to supersizing, I couldn't resist the inviting offer to pump more caffeine into my blood for an extra quarter and dime. The coffee cake was really tasty too. read more

Barnes & Noble Booksellers - Sweaty coffee - Toy Stores Near Me - Salem, New Hampshire

I ordered a book from the website. It arrived damaged in an oversized box. I brought it to the Salem Barnes and Noble for an exchange. They wouldn't let me just do an even exchange. I used a 15% off coupon for the original order, and they refused to honor it. They also didn't have the book in stock, so I had to put in an order for it. I stood in one line to order the book, and they sent me back into line to make the return. A week later, I hadn't heard anything from them. Then, they called and asked if I still wanted the book, because it was sitting there waiting for me. I told the associate on the phone that I never received a call that it had arrived. She told me they'd emailed me. When I told her I had never received an email, she replied, "Well I don't know what to say. Should we hold it for you?" Not once through this process did anyone at Barnes and Noble apologize for the hassle. I went there the next day and paid full price for a book that I'd ordered a month ago, after having to make two trips to this store. The store itself has such a poor selection, because they're too busy trying to sell you their Nook junk. I recommend you go to Bull Moose up the street - much better prices, much larger selection, and much friendlier service. read more

Barnes & Noble Booksellers - The book I received damaged in an oversized box - Toy Stores Near Me - Salem, New Hampshire

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Incredible service. I came in today looking for an old classic, and found exactly what I was looking for thanks to the intelligent and very helpful staff. It was a very pleasant experience. read more

Went by Yesterday to buy a few books for my winter reading. (I know it was 85 outside but Ms. Snow is coming in hard soon.....) The selection is ok but the store is fairly large and I was expecting more They also had a issue with their store's system that was making the line longer then a food truck giving away free food. The staff did as best as possible. The staff was using there own cell devices to look up books and orders. Because of the system issues I could not get my B&N discount so that made me sad. I will try again but call to make sure the system is up and running. read more

The old favorite. Although I can't remember what was here before Barnes and Nobles (I want to say the plaza had another business in that spot), I have been coming here since '94. I have drank many coffees, browsed many books, smoked many cigarettes out front, and just plain spent a lot of money here in those 15 years. Unfortunatly they have gotten rid of most of the old seating areas and posted 'No Loitering' signs out front, so its not the 'hangout' that it once was. I say that realizing that I am also now 35 years old and was probably way too old for all of that anyway-I suppose the 'cool kids' head over to Borders in Methuen now. Enjoy the sales tax, kids. Having said that, my favorite part of the Barnes experience has always been the bargain table. I can't see the sense in paying 25 dollars or more for something you're only going to read once. But if you have the patience to dig, you'll find good stuff here for sometimes 8 dollars or less. And unlike Crapmas Tree Shops, they actually have bargain books that are about something besides cars or cooking. (As if anyone in the world actually does the '365 Burgers A Year' thing-who the hell has time for this...?) My second favorite part, of course, is the coffee. Fairly recently I was in line and the guy behind me asked the cashier if this was one of the Starbucks that's closing; She shrugged and said 'We're not a real Starbucks.' Good to know! I don't know if they still do soups there but they have everything from toasted sandwiches to brownies to cake, and a refridgerator case full of water, juices and sodas for those non coffee drinkers who still like to read. Overall its quite a good place; I'll take it over Borders and Methuen sales tax any day. read more

Good to see a good old fashioned bookstore still standing. :) Their Starbucks section is great to grab a coffee and catch up with friends or over a book. :) read more

Been years since I went into a brick and mortar bookstore. Used to love it when I lived in a city with a bookstore on my way home from work, but since I'm rarely in the area, I tend to buy books and e-books online now. My sister-in-law and niece are ravenous readers. Both have a stack of books at home in Toronto waiting to be cracked open, but always looking for something new so we popped in to this B&N while in Salem. The parking lot is a bit awkward, and undersized for the number of shops in the little plaza. Holiday shopping parking must be hell. The B&N is deceptively large from the exterior, but seems a little more cramped inside, on the main level. Upper level (via escalator) is slightly more roomy. And they have a vinyl records section upstairs; can even buy a turntable to play them at home, if you are not already so equipped. I didn't pick up anything as I have my own pile of books, but the girls walked out with six books between them. Probably would have been more if we didn't have a time constraint! read more

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It's all about service and I find this to be my favorite Barnes and Noble location. The staff is friendly and the lay out if perfect.

As someone who has been going to this store for years, I've always found the staff to be very helpful, friendly and knowledgeable, especially Sue at the cafe. read more

Well it's pretty much formula here. It's a chain after all. And along with it comes the mediocre service common to chains. I have consistently found the checkout to be tedious long (who lets 6 people wait in line in 2013?) and it's clerks taciturn - bookish - and without warmth or even congeniality. I almost wish someone would ask me, "Did you find everything you were looking for today?" Barnes and Nobles could really take a lesson or two in customer service from other chains such as Target or even Walmart. If B&N had any real competition, they'd be on their way out. read more

extremely clean & peaceful environment. the owner thinks it's a good idea to keep the door open which results in the place being a little too cold, wear a hoodie & some pants if you plan on sticking around to study read more

So sad, it's the holidays and I felt like I was at the Anti-Holiday House of Correction rather than a welcoming, warm bookstore. From the crusty honey in a squished bear for my tea (literally) (and staff) to the 'we're closing in 5 minutes!!!" angry time elves chasing people with their jingle jangle keys, "Ho Ho Ho Ho", it was a twisted Christmas Story alright. The only table to sit at, read a book or do work was crammed in the corner, next to the True Crime section, don't look left. Uggghhhh....there was so much ba humbug, I couldn't wait to leave. Ironically, I wanted to buy a few holiday gifts, but the vibe was so The Grinch Who Stole Christmas that I decided to be on my merry way. I'll be asking Santa for a happy, joyful bookstore that is open on Sunday evenings in the Salem, NH/North Andover, MA over these cold winter months, 'cause this was a hell nah half a star kind of holiday blues. read more

It would be really awesome if they got a better literary magazine selection. Because they have like, 4 literary magazines and they all stink. I asked about it and was told to drive to Manchester or Burlington. Yeah, ok. read more

CAN I GIVE ZERO STARS? ...The worse book store i have been to. I walked in with my kid to grab coffee and books but we had ice cream cups in hand. The cafe lady yelled at us in front of eveyone that food from outside is not allowed. Ok i understand, but does she had to be so rude?? There are other ways to talk to people. As i walked away i could her talking to other costumes how unholy was to work today and how wrong was for the book store to open on Easter! ....i guess she was having a shitty day and wanted everyone else to have one too. Not coming back! read more

Ok so I am not a fan of books unless they show food or airlines. But, I do enjoy this location, maybe because I feel at home here. Its just a nice place to be, especially during the winter. And its Barnes and Noble, how much more can you say? its got what you need and dont need. Great! read more

How can you go wrong with a place that has books and coffee. They have all the books I'm looking for and has great cup of coffee!

This one of the best Book stores I have ever visited! A HUGE selection. Great customer service! And if you're a fan of art books, they have an excellent selection upstairs! This is definetly a great place to go! I reccomend it! read more

It's a Barnes and Noble. Staff is mostly friendly, its always clean, and I could spend hours sitting around reading there.

An old haunt. Filled with cliche hipsters who want to read and drink coffee.. Then you go outside and you are astounded by all the 15 year olds smoking and drinking coffee on the curb. I mean it is the only coffee house in Salem, which sucks. The staff is cute and helpful usually, and don't mind you hanging out on a couch for hours flipping through books. read more

Go to another Barnes and Nobles, avoid Salem, NH,selections here are limited. Today I drove from Salem to Nashua because after a half hour [and that doesn't count the 15 minutes that I was in line], one of the manager couldn't get what she told me she'd get in "just a minute" -- two times. I figured the half hour drive might actually get me the gift I was in to buy, plus, why spend a lot of money where they don't want to take it. The person who offered to help me upstairs, couldn't direct me to another gift that I was looking for. Having stood next to the registers for that length of time, staff could also not point customers [after repeated questions] to the location of merchandise for which the cafe was giving out coupons. By contrast staff in Nashua were helpful, and there was no wait. read more

Okay so have gone there plenty of times... It's a pretty busy but like most stores, try sacrifice customer service for profit. Went in to purchase a current best seller that was not in the associated stack shelves and was most likely Inconveniently located on a disheveled display stack. Trying to find an employee was impossible too. It seemed that the only available employees I could even find were behind registers and there was a line to even get to them. After leaving I called back and had the pleasure of speaking with a condescending manager named Meredith who thought what I really wanted was an education on their bell system and explained to me that they only have three floor employees in Saturdays which are their busiest days. I suggested that they might more floor employees and her sarcastic response was "that would be really great I would love to hire more employees" - if that's the case, go ahead and do it! In the meanwhile I will stick with Amazon. read more

Went into Barnes and Noble not having been in there for like 10 or so years. Brick and Mortar bookstores are probably going to disappear - so most of my purchasing on line, but I could get the book here for the same price and faster, so went inside to pick it up. Went to the correct section of the store, but didn't know the author. I knew if I heard it, I would recognize it. Went to the front to see if there were terminals I could access, but only the employees can do that. Spoke with a girl who was looking for the book - gave her the exact title. She then tried going to the Barnes and Noble website and searching there - couldn't find it; I had told her that it was like the first book of that title or genre to appear when I searched for it on line last week. After about 10 mins of waiting, she went to take care of another customer who was returning something - it wasn't worth all this time. Went home and used the Barnes and Noble website; entered the title of the book, the book and author came up as the first (as well as 3rd) in the list! Just as I said. Ordered the book on line on Amazon - have to wait for it to come in, paying the same price as at Barnes and Noble, but it was a waste of my time to go in there and 10 mins was sufficient time as I had other things to do. Have I been in front of the screen, I would have found it immediately as it was simple to find and exactly where it was expected to be found, with the title and by the author in question, whose name was never mentioned in about the 10 that I was offered (but those authors didn't have a book with the title I had indicated.....) read more

Horrible customer service at the front desk and the cafe is always dirty and gross. The front desk never has enough employees to help customers check out, therefore, there is always a long line. Ugh! It's nice to have these book stores, but they really need to staff their stores appropriately, otherwise, customers won't want to return. read more

really love my books. so sad to have an unfortunate experience here. waited around for 30 minutes trying to find anyone on the floor and watched the cashier take that entire 30 minutes to check out a handful of people. an employee walked past me as i was waiting at the front for the help the cashier supposedly called (which never came after about 10 minutes of more waiting), and an employee that just clocked in walked right past me and got a coffee and THEN i had to flag him down to help me find ONE section. 30 minutes to find one section. even longer to check out. disorganized and understaffed. do better read more

Incompetent service staff and worse "support" when calling to rectify the issue. Don't bother with a membership or the nook. Waste of money and time trying to get help for the problematic membership. I used to be completely pro BN, now I'm thinking of using Amazon from now on. read more

I went to the store to purchase two books I had researched online. I knew that it would cost me a bit more but I was willing to pay more so I could start reading as soon as possible. I couldn't locate the books, asked two different employees for assistance. First was told to wait at customer service while the one cashier was finished with checking out the line of customers. Didn't see an end in sight and decided to venture upstairs to find what I had come in to purchase. No luck, asked another staff member for assistance, " just a minute, Ill be right back". Tick, tick, tick...How long should I wait, have I been forgotten?? Don't waste your time at this location, no customer service, no kiosks to look up items. Save your time and money and order online. I'll NEVER GO BACK TO THIS STORE. Went home and ordered online and probably saved twenty bucks and got free 2 day shipping. read more