Yes they have tons of books, and lots in very good or almost new condition. I haven't compared the prices but I'm sure they are better than in the book store. However, trying to sell things to BMV is another story. Although I understand they can only take items which they need, or could sell, it ends up being very little. And I know that I am trying to sell them really mainstream stuff (well, cuz I don't want it, and I kept the good stuff). However, there's no need to be rude. I found that of the two guys that I've met at the sale table, they go through people's stuff so stoically, it makes you feel crappy leaving the store. These are people's possessions, and I'm sure are attached to it in some way or another. I came in once with a huge bag of CDs. Walked from my house. It was heavy. He went through each of them sorting them in a 'no' pile (very large) and a very small 'yes' pile. Then went through each one to see if the CD was scratched. Even the tiniest scratch, they aren't going to take it. In the end, 2 CDs out of at least 50+ for $5. He did say that soundtracks and christmas CDs are a better bet. I asked about books and what they would take. The guy said almost anything, as long as in good condition. LIES. The next time I came in was with books. I was standing behind two other customers. One guy had a bunch of old art books of which they only took half. $15. Another with DVDs and had the same process as the CDs. He left pretty disappointed. Me, I brought it a bunch of bestsellers. Gently used. He took only 2 books, one a book of short stories, and one something I had to buy for a history class in university which I never opened. $5. The rest he didn't want. What kills me is that Indigo still sells these books brand new for full cost. I get that if people are going to buy books nowadays, they are probably going for cookbooks or reference books, non fiction and themed. Especially people in this area and who frequent used book stores. My only issue is that he could have been nicer about it. I tried my luck down the street, who also didn't want them, but at least he was nice about it and offered me suggestions. When I asked BMV for suggestions, they were rude about it as well. read more

My previous review had to do with buying books (a positive experience). I recently went to sell some books there. The kid at the buying desk clearly had no idea what he was looking at. Picked all the ones I was sure he would turn down and turned down all the ones I was sure they would easily sell, particularly from the philosophy shelf. Gave a mediocre price for them also. I didn't complain because I realize merchants need to mark up to make it worthwhile. Just want to note that I've gotten better prices at other shops. read more

If I were a local, this would be a weekly hangout spot for me. This is everything I want in a store. HUGE book selection, good sized video and LP selection, and a pretty great comic shop up on the top floor! read more

BMW has a great selection of books that are usually half off the original bookstore price which is a huge plus. All their books are in great condition so I highly recommend purchasing from here instead of chapters. You'll save so much money buying second hand books here without feeling like it's used at all. DONT sell your books here though!! Your mint condition book will probably only earn you a dollar at most so it's better to keep it or sell it some other way. There's also no database for their inventory in their store so you might take a while searching for things. However, the purchasers are pretty good at buying popular books and knowing their stock. read more

This is hands down my favorite book store in Canada (thanks to The World's Largest Book Store closing a few years back) and how can it not be? This specific location has 4 stories of absolutely everything you could possibly want in a store. Downstairs is full of DVDs, CDs, Blu-Rays, Music Books, and Vinyl which is almost a must for me to scan. However being the dork I am the top story is the biggest pull in for me as it's where the comics and manga are held. The prices are unbeatable compared to almost any other store with most things (Manga wise) priced $3.99-$6.99 and the comics are all roughly $5-$12 which is a steal. The other 2 stories are packed with every genre of book you could possibly want. I couldn't imagine visiting this city without stopping here! read more

I've been coming to this bookstore occasionally for the last 10 years to check out the brand new leftover books from major retail bookstores. Unlike major retail bookstores like Indigo Chapters or Coles, the customer service at this place is weaker than using a string of fruit roll ups as rope to tie a sailing boat to a dock. If you want to find out if they have a particular book in stock or any assistance for that matter, do expect the feeling of asking someone for their stem cells, as most employees here feel like you would be asking way too much if you want to ask if a book is in stock at a frigging bookstore. If you have any books you want to sell to clear out your living space, you can definitely try selling them here but keep in mind, it is not guaranteed they will buy it from you. If you do however do end up selling some books, do expect a small financial return or enough money to buy a meatball sub as they will plan on selling your used book way much more than what you get in return. For instance, let's say if you are selling a book written by Dustin Diamond (That's right, Dustin Diamond from Saved by the Bell), you will earn $0.75 from the store, and they will sell it back to the public for $8.00. Believe it or not, this is a place of business (trying to make a profit) after all even though it's not much of one. read more

Final word: go to another BMV. The location is larger than other BMVs but the selection was awful. I was specifically looking for business books and they had very little. They had quite a few empty shelves in other categories which was surprising. Prices however were decent. Service was what was to be expected. read more

Alright Tricks - kick a leg up and let me holla at you for a second. If you like to read, and if you like paper, and if you like people who write, and if you like covers, and if you like paperbacks, and if you like beginnings and middles and ends.... Well you should be a librarian. ....If you don't know how to become one, I'd recommend buying a "Librarians for Dummies" AT BMV BOOKS! One of my favourite places to buy books in Toronto - very friendly staff, huge selection, great environment, amazing location. They even have VHS carts outside that screams.... "We should be throwing this shit out - but why not sell it for a dollar - cause there is a Steven Seagull movie in here somewhere, and it's worth a dollar" On a personal note, I like buying my comics here. I'm a guy who has one foot in and one foot out of the comic world - I like reading them but I'm no expert - so it's hard for me sometimes to go into SilverSnail or Hairy Tarantula and ask questions as it usually ends with them scolding me with their glasses.... or being too witty. If there is one thing I don't like is a witty nerd - cause outside the store I'd be making fun of them - but the Dark Horse aisle is THEIR Turf.... So I just check myself before I wreck myself.... ANYWHO - point I was trying to make is that the comic book guy on the third level makes you feel at home and is very easy going / knowledgeable. He answers the dumbest of questions with a smile and makes excellent recommendations. All in All this is a great gem that Toronto has to offer... jewel thieves beware, this is one ruby you don't want to tango with. read more

I don't believe in love at first site... that is of course before I walked into BMV. Sure she's not as shiny and new as my beloved Richmond Chapters but what she lacks in aesthetics she quickly makes up in character... and price! I have no idea how they manage to carry such a diverse and well stocked supply of books but they do and the prices are terrific. Most paper backs will run you a reasonable $5-$8, while larger or hardcover books $8-$15. I don't know if I'll ever buy a book at Chapters again! Well that's a lie since these guys don't carry everything, but from now on Chapters will be playing second fiddle to my new love... BMV! read more

One of the best book stores in Toronto. Period. You see, there are bookstores, like what Indigo wants to be, with a cafe shop in-house and an area where they sell useless knick-knacks... seriously, who buys that overpriced stuff? And a few sofas here and there and heck, let's throw in a grand piano for that cocktail party feeling... and voila, they are trying to sell you an 'experience!' And they sell books too. ...AND then, there are BOOKSTORES, stores where books (okay and some music and video) are by far the main attraction. BMV Books is like that. Two stories full books, about every conceivable subject. Yup, they sell books. Plus the prices are not bad at all. They are quite competitive and beat places like Indigo hands down. Generally when I go book hunting (yes, with riffle in hand :-) I will swing by Seekers first -my favourite book store and if I do not find anything that tickles my fancy then I will head over here since BMV tends to have newer selections, albeit at a slightly higher price. Sorry Book City, I so want to support my local bookstore but I do not appreciate your nickle and diming me on new releases. Anyway, I would say, if you love to read, to visit any of the bookstores I have mentioned above, if not to buy then to have the chance to be surrounded by books and just browse. Something is likely to grab your attention. And sure beats xbox --for me, at least. Sometimes when I have time, I would come here after brunch in the Annex and just browse, and the hours would simply melt away and hopefully walk out with a new book in hand but if I didn't, who cares? It was still fun and maybe even learned some new during my visit. Also if you have a brunch date with someone who loves to read, this makes for a fantastic, intellectual and subtle date. Highly recommended. read more

I'm not sure what else I can add to the previous reviews, but this place really IS awesome. I can spend a good hour browsing though books here when I have some time to kill. BMV is a GREAT place to buy gifts. I always find really unique things here for ridiculously low prices. They have lots of new books for super reduced prices. (I just bought my dad a giant hardcover National Geographic book with pullout maps, letters and CDs and only paid $19.99. I just checked and it costs $70 at Chapters and $50 on Amazon. It's still shrink wrapped and obviously brand new. Score!) BMV has 3 huge floors. It's big and spacious (like an Indigo/Chapters), but unlike most other used bookstores. Their selection of cookbooks and artwork is especially impressive/extensive. There is not a lot of staff around and sometimes I'm stuck looking all over if I can't find a particular book or section. But otherwise A+ read more

4.5 This place is badass, and by that I mean in a great way. They have a killer self help section, and development section and particularly buddhist collection going on which I dig. Also great dvd collection downstairs. This is the kind of place you can load up on books for great prices, and then, get annoyed because theres so much more you want to buy, but you gotta read what you've got first. Such great selection. read more

This is easily my favourite bookstore in the city. The entire third floor is devoted to comics and on its own would be a fairly good comic store. The basement houses some used music CDs and the main 2 floors are all books. You can't really come here looking for something specific or brand new, so if you want that go to an Indigo/Chapters or better yet just order it online. Instead, you just come here to browse and explore, and you can almost always find something interesting in awesome shape and cheap. Be prepared to part with some of your money if you visit: it has that effect. read more

I went here, twice. No maybe, was it three times? Great place for #xmas presents. Pretty simple to do a good job it seems. People were packed in, stretched out on the floor leafing through coffee tables books, and such other bookish behaviors. Will say that I can't give more stars because I prefer the service of being able to look up stock. In other words accessing info to help me look-up books that I'm looking for. Most libraries and book stores provide this service. read more

- sick selection of new and old at great prices - can easily eat up an afternoon just browsing around in here - sorry chapters, you lose. read more

I'm not sure what else I can contribute to this review. The high rating really speaks for itself. The Bloor street BMV is the best used book store in Toronto (the Yonge/Eglinton one is not bad either). Come to think of it, I don't think I've been to a better one. Books at 50-70% off depending on condition, age, and popularity -- every genre imaginable. It's also pretty easy to navigate too with clearly marked areas. If you're into travel or are planning a trip, I must say that the Yonge/Eglinton BMV has a better travel guide section with far more new versions of Lonely Planets. Just saying. read more

Books aren't cheap, unless you go to BMV. When I say cheap, I'm talking about prices that made me look twice, even three times. While not all books were marked down, you can be sure to find some treasure if you wander around. There's a recommended/popular reads section when you walk straight in with all the books on that table marked down. Dostoevsky and Tolstoy books for $4-5? I'll have one of each please. For the New Yorkers, let me tell you, Strand Bookstore got almost nothing (except location) compared to BMV. While Strand has that $1 book pile outside, but when you're looking for good reads at affordable prices, Strand usually has them at maximum 20% off, which is perfectly acceptable when trying to make ends meet in Manhattan. BMV books? 40-50% off. Note: The only reason why I deducted one star off is because of the unusual, foul-smelling odor that I smelled walking into BMV Books. I don't know if it's because of the books or not, but the odor was very unpleasant. read more

Best Used Bookstore in Toronto Voted by Cinnia Wowwie. Selection, excellent. Staff, friendly. Condition of books, awesome. What more do you need in a bookstore? I always take a turn into BMV and spend hours just sifting through their selection of books. If I go there specifically to look for something 90% of the time, it's there. I will admit, I am a huge bookstore snob, and while others are expensive or disorganized, BMV offers well organized book selections at reasonable prices! Hands down, they should open this bookstore all across Canada. Tip: if you go and you love books, plan to spend a good chunk of time there, you will be sucked in. read more

with the slow death of the 'bookstore', it's almost nice to have a or any bookstore in your city; BMV is especially good, huge selection, fair prices. Be great to have an online element (for reserve, catalogue, etc...), but that's a challenging process, plus the amazons/indigos have most of that wrapped up. Great location, clean and simple decor. Challenge I've found is staff; too cool to help you (damn hipsters!!!), sense they are doing you a humongous favor by answering a simple question, etc... Also great that you can sell your used books. Made a few bucks this way a few times, couple of the buyers were really 'grumpy' but such is life... Stopped in on a first date with my wife, how can I not give it 4 stars!?!? If we get divorced I'm changing it to a SINGLE STAR!!! Just kidding. read more

I cannot not go in here and come out empty handed. So I gave myself 1 rule. ... Finish reading your books you purchased before then you can get another one or two. Price are so damn good. Must resist read more

Probably THE best publisher's clearance bookstore in all of Canada. I dropped in a couple of days ago with my friend Alex who was looking for some books on business. As massive as this place is, it is expertly categorized so you can go to any of the three floors and actually find exactly what you are looking for. Plus they carry such a huge selection of stock that chances are you'll find copies here that you wouldn't be able to find in just a regular bookstore. Just a note for all you music lovers - they have an entire floor (the basement) dedicated to CDs, vinyl and DVDs. I found some REAL classics down here for super cheap prices. Plus some of them hadn't even been used! Why shop at Chapters or Indigo when this place exists? These guys have got more selection, it's better organized and the prices are more consumer-friendly. In my books, this is the only place to go ;) read more

The best bookstore in the city! This place has it all. It offers a huge selection of used books at reasonable prices. You can find a lot of cool and interesting selections here and spend a lazy afternoon hanging out discovering new books, comics, music or movies. They really do have it all. Hours are also excellent staying open late every night to satisfy the night owls quest for a good book. I love this place! read more

I stop by here everytime before I do my grocery shopping at the nearby Metro... And I always come out with something in my hand - paid for, of course - they're priced very well. If it's not a good cookbook, there's always a good dvd from the basement or just recently, I got my hands on a complete set of Douglas Adams' 5 part trilogy of The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy from the 3rd floor Sci-fi section - My old set has seen better days =P I've also browsed the travel section, but would rather buy the latest edition of a travel book. Admittedly, i'm not a big reader, but this BMV makes want to read. Great bookstore, very big and organized. read more

Bmv is NOT the place to go if you have a specific book in mind. It keeps cost down by not keeping a digital database and it is too huge to operate like an old school bookstore where the owner knows every single book. Instead it is like a well organized library with quality selection and inexpensive prices. Only complaint, it seems that the science section has been dumbed down by all the new age science books but they still accept used books I believe. It is always fun to spend time in this bookstore and I spent a fortune here. I hope time would not degenerate this store. read more

Easily comparable in size with any of the large Indigo or Chapters bookstores, but offering a significantly broader selection at lower prices, rare is the time I venture into the Annex without at least passing in for a quick look. Well-organized, bright, and with a helpful staff, BMV is a gem. (I've found the store good at buying books in reasonable conditions off of customers, too.) read more

Excellent selection of used and remaindered books. Most of the books in the store seem to be remaindered and so are in excellent condition. It's very easy to find great titles for a third to half the price of their suggested retail price. Good science fiction section upstairs and classics on the main floor, a small section for politics and economics is also on the main floor. A well-maintained, well-stocked store. read more

Great place. We stop there whenever we are in the Annex, I have bought so many books here intending to read them, however I have nothing but a pile of unread books. Well lit, and the staff never bothers you when you are browsing around. read more

I loveeeee this bookstore! I was able to get my txtbook for college for $14.99, when my school bookstore was selling it for $80-90 dollars! This bookstore has 3 levels, categorized by topic. It's a great place to get books that you want, whether it's to brush up on your physics, dating life, or even cooking skills. I literally spend hours here, going through books that I'm curious in purchasing. Staff here are kind. Last time I've gone, I had 8 books for $50! read more

People who live near this book store are SO LUCKY. I never even heard of BMV Books until a couple of my friends decided to come in on a late Saturday evening (enough of this closing at 9pm crap Chapters/Indigo). I instantly fell in love with all the cook books that were at discounted prices. And these aren't cook books from yesteryear - very recent publications and very expensive at an Indigo/Chapters. The ground floor is expansive with the Architecture/Graphic Arts tables, Cooking tables, Classics tables etc...and as you walk further into the room, you will get to see a lot of neat and old books - perhaps books that people have sold to the store. The second floor has a great business section as well as a kids section that wraps around almost half of the second floor. Kids books can often be so expensive, but trust me, not at BMV. And here is my FAVE floor. To one corner of the room there is a narrow set of stairs that leads to the COMIC section. Love at first sight. You can get lost here (as I did). There is also a neat old magazine section where my friends and I perused TIME Magazines dating back to the 1950's - definitely great to see all the events that touched people's lives. I made a promise to myself that I would come back here, but I haven't had the chance. I live in North York with a Chapters around the corner, so it is hard. But if I had a truck I would come to this BMV location to stock up on all my books from A-Z because the prices are unbelievable and the selection is great. You have to come! read more

This is a huge bookstore (located in the Annex) which sells used books and remainder copies of new books (you can tell by the marker spot on the edge of the pages). If you are looking for a particular book that is out of print, be sure to check this store because there is a big chance that a copy will circulate through here. This bookstore offers many books, plus cd's, comics, and even movies. You can still find old VHS tapes here! On the third floor, they offer comics and manga. This bookstore offers books at lower prices compared to other used bookstores. BTW, if you purchase a lot of books, you can pay by debit. read more

This place is always great to browse in. So many books, movies to look at. Better yet, the guy that runs this place is what I call a great business owner. He's polite, knowledgeable, friendly & efficient. read more

I like going to BMV books when i want to spend some quiet time alone often after grabbing some tea then browsing the books in the store. They have had the book i had in mind or atleast one of the top 5 in my booklist at all times. The prices are great! usually 50% or more off of what you'd pay at Chapters. Its my favourite place to buy books as I usually take my time with them and like to own them when I've read them mostly. Make a day out of it by going to the ROM, some cheap sushi in the annex and then hitting up the bookstore. :) read more

"Let's go in BMV!" "No. Can't. You go ahead. I'll be out here." "Hunh? Um. Ok, but I may be a while." "It's ok, I'm just trying to budget. Use the library more, ya know? Go ahead. I'll wait." Last night, I stood outside in the cold for 3 minutes starring across the street just to avoid binging at BMV Books on Bloor. But the glow of the brightly lit, glass-windowed storefront made my shadow on the sidewalk look lonely. Plus, I got a heavenly whiff of books every time the door opened and closed. With a quick pivot, I was in budget book abyss. I fingered the spines of new and old, leafed through about fifty books along the cultural studies section of one wall, closed my eyes, and inhaled. Forty-five minutes later, five books in a bag, I left with ambivalent feelings. At the same time, I thought: 'yay, more books!" and "hmmm, more books?" Today, I feel much better. I'm back on the bandwagon. I didn't break the bank at all. In fact, I BUDGETED on more books! * For those of you who also get wobbly at the smell of books, proceed with caution. As you know, that scent is intoxicating. Walk on the other side of the street if you must. But if you're going to relapse, BMV is a safe place to do it with deeply discounted prices, titles in virtually every genre/topic, friendly staff, and opening hours late into the night. BMV also has loads of videos, but I couldn't get away from the books to check them out. My only mini qualm: The books aren't organized according to author's last name. Therefore, I ended up reading way more titles than necessary (read: seeing more books that I "have to have") while searching. read more

Each time I walk into BMV, I walk out stuffing my new purchases into my bag, annoyed because this was going to be the trip that I "just browsed". With books starting at a dollar, though, it's really easy to stumble across a paperback you've been meaning to pick up for just a couple of bucks. I nearly always have to bring a wad of tissues with me (or shamefully ask the front cashier for some) because the old book smell/dust just gets my allergies going real good. And maybe that's for the best or I'd be in there long enough to buy a cart full of books instead of my standard one or two. This is a great place to go if you've been recommending a book to someone who just won' t go out and get them. The low price means you can borrow/give it to them without risk of never seeing your favorite novel again. I'm really glad I don't own a VCR anymore, because in the summertime the long outside bins of dollar videos really sings to me. I occasionally take a glance but pull myself carefully from the lull of obsolete technology. read more

This store has greatly proven themselves. They sold me the entire Martin series, Seinfeld dvds and Curb Your Enthusiasm. There are very good TV shows on DVD at very reasonable prices. read more

If you love books both fiction and non fiction and want to save a few dollars BMV Books on Bloor St. W. is great place to shop. A huge store with a good variety of publications on just about everything. Chances are you'll go in looking for something specific and come out with a whole bunch of books that were just too tempting to pass up. For the most part they specialize in newer publications though from time to time you can find older out of print publications. The place lacks the charm of some smaller used book stores (with that old book smell), but what it lacks in charm it makes up for in sheer volume and affordable pricing. In addition to books you can also find DVDs, music CDs and even video games. Though there are good deals to be had I suggest hitting the bank machine before entering the store as to not deny yourself the many books and such that will meet your fancy. read more

I took a stack of art books and DVDs yesterday to this location and although one of the sales staff was initially sarcastic with me, saying, "on a Sunday?", when she looked at all the DVDs, I politely told her that her colleague standing next to her had told me to bring them in today. After that she warmed up and was helpful. I got $90 for everything and I was thrilled. Of course I ended up spending more than that in new books but volume for volume (pun intended;) I got a great deal! read more

I frequent BMV quite a bit since I live and work very close to it. It was the first place I checked when I needed a cookbook; I wanted something cheap and I wanted it right away. It didn't take very long to find what I needed in the store. It's organized by genre along the walls. The tables in the middle of the room are a random selection of the most popular titles. They're somewhat organized by genre as well. If you're looking for cookbooks, they are among the first few tables as you walk in. It seems cookbooks are the biggest seller here. The prices are definitely competitive. Not all the books are used, and even brand new books are pretty cheap. If you're the type to buy random books and want to do it on a budget, this is the place to go. The shop owner is also very helpful. I always have questions about specific titles and he can tell me right away whether or not he has it available. You can get lucky if you're looking for a new, popular title, but he usually stocks those right on the counter and they're sold out fast. read more

This is a great place. It is very big, with a huge selection of hard-to-find books and movies. If I lived closer, I'd probably be here all the time. On second thought, maybe its a good thing I DON'T live closer! read more

To me, BMV is catastrophic; it's dangerous. When I walk by with friends I have to say to them, "Don't you dare let me go in there!" I feel anger and love combined all at once. And the only reason I feel anger is because my apartment is the size of a peanut and if BMV supplies me with any more books it will be the size of a grain of rice. My only complaint about BMV is that they don't keep records of what's in stalk. Nowadays, most used bookstores do. If you're in a section like Social Science, Cultural Studies, Anthropology, or Photography, for example, it's probably not going to be very organized. I am pretty sure most of it is not properly alphabetized but the rest of the bookstore seems to be. (I guess that is two complaints, then). The building is so bright at night, with all the lights and the glass, that it radiates like a t.v. screen. And really, who doesn't want to feel like they're inside a giant, radiating t.v. screen full of paper, binding, and nerds. read more