My last couple visits to BAM have been accented by a really friendly and engaging guy who has come from behind the counter to help me find a particular book, magazine, or gift. And last week, he was wearing a cool Puerto Rico baseball jersey (Santurce Cangrejeros) with Roberto Clemente's number (21). BAM also has an extensive magazine collection that you just don't see anymore. It's right next to the coffee shop, which accentuates the book and periodical browsing experience. read more

I love that there's still a bookstore in town. There used to be that amazing bookstore over in the Lincoln Center mall, and we had Borders, but now this Borders has closed and turned into a Books a Million. Everything is laid out about-ish the same that Borders used to have it laid out. There's music and movies in the same spot, the children's area in the same spot, the coffee and seating in the same spot, and of course, the bathrooms haven't moved. Shopping here is nice. They have a ton of clearance, but that seems to be standard for a lot of bookstores. Prices are pretty standard for books (higher than online), but they also are lower than prices I've seen at Barnes & Noble, so that's a positive. It was easy to locate the area that I was looking for. There are large signs on top of shelves that let you know what type of books are on there. They have a pretty large biblical/Christian section which I found surprising. It's larger than quite a lot of the other sections, and I think it actually might be getting close to the size of some of the fiction sections. Over in the Transportation section, I found what I was looking for pretty easily. They even had a good selection. However, the books were not in order like they should have been. Books about airplanes were strewn throughout and between books about motorcycles, trains, and cars. They were in the right section (Transportation), but definitely not organized how they should have been. So if you're looking for a specific book, make sure you look through the whole section. There were quite a few Clearance books, and I came out with 5 books instead of the original 1 I was looking for. Most of their clearance is very reasonably priced at about 50% to 75% off the original price. The books are in decent shape too. I had a really fun time looking through clearance. Check-out was nice and simple. They asked me to sign up for their membership program which I declined. They also offered me to sign up for their "3 free magazines" deal, but none of that was particularly pushed on me. They were really friendly about it and didn't push when I said no. Staff was extremely friendly and I was greeted on multiple occasions. Didn't try out the coffee area or look through the Children's area. Final thoughts: I'd definitely come back. The prices are higher than what I could get online, but there's something to be said for in-store book stores. I love being able to buy a book locally and help support the local economy as well. Plus, looking through Clearance is easily one of my favorite aspects of bookstores. I came out with 5 new books at least than $40; that's definitely amazing for book prices. I'm glad Ames still has a local bookstore. read more

Went to BAM yesterday to buy some new reading material. It's a nice clean store with a good selection of books. Elizabeth at check out was very friendly. Thank you for a great shopping experience! read more

My only issue with this store is when I have to check out. Every single employee (and especially the older grey haired gentleman who I assume to be the owner/manager) will accost you like a used car salesman with trying to get you to join their membership, receive promotions or donate a book to charity. This has gone on for years, but last week was especially bad. I politely declined joining anything or wanting to purchase any other items other than the gifts I had picked out. I was looked at as if I was strangling the clerk's cat in front of him (meaning shock and horror). I believe once a customer says "No thank you" once that should be the end of it. The old guy was waiting on two +70 year old women and like a snake oil salesman was laying it on thick. I literally come to this store once a year, which is what I told the guy, and have decided I will drive to Des Moines next year to avoid this kind of harassment and anxiety. read more

I like BAM. It's pretty typical of the Borders, Barnes and Noble... whatever bookstore chain. It's not bad. About 3 months ago, I probably would have give a lower rating as I HATED checking out here. I always turned down their magazine deal and always felt judged by the person checking me out. I would avoid this place just due to that, however, that was not my experience the other day. I turned down their membership (I think it costs around $25) and the gentleman working was actually really understanding. I like that most of the people that work here generally know a lot about books. I've had conversations about Cormac McCarthy, Sylvia Plath, and Tobias Wolff with staff members here. That's really nice considering I'm an English major and I can't even have some of these conversations with my classmates! I really wasn't a fan of their current display they have in front of the store. It seems like they put SO much emphasis on the popular young adult stuff now. Don't get me wrong, I love sitting with a John Green book over the weekend and having a good adult lady cry, but I'm old fashioned. I believe it's a bookstores duty to help introduce people to great writers, new and old in several genres. I get that this is a corporation and that they're just doing what they know sells, but because it's a corporation I don't feel badly for dropping a few stars. I also don't recommend their coffee. As my friend said, "It tastes like dog food." There are much better options that are near by, so even if you are desperate, don't bother. read more

It's a regular chain bookstore like others, but the employees here are Iowa nice. And Iowans are cheap so the clearance rack is full of super cool deals on books. read more

I like this store. It's not quite as nice as Borders, but the books are the same, and the prices are lower. Their club offers great savings. I'm a fan of Joe Muggs coffee. My biggest complaint was that they just rearranged things a little bit from how Borders had them so it was hard to find things. But now I've forgotten how Borders was arranged. We're all good. read more

The guy behind the counter harassed me for about 5 full minutes trying to get me to buy the membership. He wouldn't let me check out unless I agreed. Finally I agreed, and it was super expensive and useless. Never shopping here again. read more

I work near BAM and decided to go after work to get a coffee and pick up a new read. I didn't get their name but the employee at Joe Muggs was so nice! I had never been and wasn't sure what I wanted and they were so kind and made something perfect for me! The store was also super clean and everyone had masks on. 10/10 will definitely be my new favorite coffee spot and book store! :) read more

Thumbs up. Good selection of books, movies, games, etc. And it's nice to have a bookstore off campus. As a frequent Amazon shopper, if I need something unusual, I'd just go there. If the Wifi is a selling point for joining the Millionaire's club, here are my measurements from speedtest.net: Ping 73ms, Download 1.96 Mbps, Upload 0.53 Mbps. read more

This is my not my first time to Books A Million, but it is my first time back since they have gotten the store fully set up. I love the selection and I love the discount books, since I'm one of those people who hate to pay full price for anything. Yes I'm cheap but it works for me. Friendly staff but would be nice if you could find staff out on the floor so you can ask them where things are. read more

I regretted not going into this store on my other trips to Ames. On my last trip I went in out of curiously and loved it. Kind staff lots of cool stuff including a huge collection of Sugar Skull themed things. Lots of toys linked to games and books it was a fun visit. The guy who checked me out was patient and non judgmental or irked when I had a problem with my card. I stayed right there and dealt with it. It's next to a Best Buy so it's really a great thing to be able to take care of so much shopping stuff in one location. If I moved to Ames and needed a job I'd apply here. Very nice place read more

My big gripe against BAM! : I don't want their membership card. I don't need their membership card. Think about it. For a $20 annual fee, they take 10% off all your purchases. You have to spend $200 in their store before you make that $20 back. And it comes back bit by bit. After that is when you do see a discount. I don't remember the last time I spent $200 in an entertainment store. I don't think I would annually spend $200 in an entertainment store selling books and DVD's. Sorry, it's not in the budget. It's not worth it to me. The cashiers at BAM! are pressed to push this card hard. I've stood and listened to shpiels from several cashiers there. The ones that talk the most also have the smarmiest looks on their faces. Like they think their salesmanship is so on the mark that they'll succeed with every pitch. I've worked in telemarketing and I've seen that same look on the faces on reps who thought they were so slick they could sell lawn care service in a beachfront community. To their own Grandmother. Makes me ill at times. Border's membership card was a freebee and I appreciated it. I don't like paying $20 for the "privilege" of locking my entertainment dollars into your franchise. I reserve the right to shop elsewhere as it suits me. BAM!, please rethink your membership card policy. Maybe I'll come back. A BAM! cashier "huckster" once told me "Hey Buddy, we're the only bookstore in town. I have one word for him I should have used instead of politely declining. That word: AMAZON. read more

BAM is awesome! I guess they are a chain, but this is the first one I've ever been too. I love their selection of bargain books, it's huge and they have a great selection of YA Books. I'd say that their selection is pretty good overall though. Also they have cool knickknacks, toys, and their magazine selection is to die for. It's way better then Barnes and Nobles. They have super cool fashion mags that I'm pretty sure I've never seen anywhere else (whereas B&N only has like Vogue and Cosmo from 12 different countries.) Plus I think the store is pretty well organized too. Joe Mugg's is pretty good, and I like their specialty drinks that they have sometimes that aren't on the standard menu. Also if your a member the savings are amazing! read more