If you love this place, then you totally understand the hype to it however, if you're like me and you were introduced to this from another person who absolutely adores it, but you don't care for places like this you find it confusing. So this is a massive bookstore, music store, video store, toy store that specializes in buying used items and reselling them. So if you have an aversion to musty dirty used items, this is not your place. Which I happen to have. However, this is not McKay's fault. It is a great place to offload things you don't need and get a little cash on the side. I have a touch of sensory bias, which is why it's difficult for me to enjoy it. But I totally understand why others do. If you are planning on selling stuff, make sure you get there early. If not, when they open there will be a line not of people wanting to sell stuff just people wanting to get in there to check out anything new that came in the night before. It is always busy so do not expect to come and it not be packed. If that is an issue for you probably not your place. But a big plus is the parking lot is absolutely massive. You will find a parking spot regardless of how busy it is. And to that I give it five stars. read more

I was so excited to get back to McKay's for the first time in years. I was completely taken aback by the prices of books here now. Many books I found were overpriced for used books. There's no pricing system based on book condition, which would be nice. You may find a book in fair condition and pay the same amount for the same book in excellent condition. Customer service was great as always. read more

https://www.reddit.com/r/nashville/s/uIEoyOqj9k I recommend buying stuff from here but in NO WaY should you sell them stuff! I brought a mini Mac in here to sell and try and get a fair price for. Not only did they lowball the hell out of me but they put a password on the mini Mac! I took it to another place to cell so I would get more money for it and I couldn't sell it due to their password. I called Mckays to get the password. These bums refuse to answer their phone. What kind of business is to LAZY to answer their phone! So I had to drive all the way back out to Mckays the lazy bums who won't answer their phones and get them to take the Mckays password off it! This wasted so much time dealing with this level of stupidity because they are to Lazy to answer Damn phone! Like I said, don't waste your time and it's these people! read more

McKay's is a hidden treasure in Nashville. My friend and I were looking for things to do that were not drinking. Both of us are bookworms so when I saw that McKay's had over 300 reviews, I knew we had to check it out. The store is massive. It's 2 floors so their selection is not small. I was just expecting to only see movies and books but there is so much more. They have vinyls, Funko Pops, video games and guitars. We easily spent an hour here looking at everything. McKay's is a secondhand store so the prices of the books can be on the cheaper side compared to ordering them online. I bought 3 books and it only cost me 14 dollars! read more

McKay's - Nashville - The view from the second floor - Used Bookstore Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

Upside is they have a lot of choices in a lot of categories. Downside is they are pricey and don't pay well for items you sell to them. Maybe it is due to high overhead with so many employees working on a daily basis. read more

We like this place but hadn't been back in 7 years (we live on the west coast). This time I had SO much trouble finding anything, super disappointed. No more shipwreck section like I found last time (and like we often find in used bookstores). I spoke with two different staff people and all I found were Lusitania stories in WWI section. Strange we couldn't find anything international or even the Perfect Storm. Then I looked for a Writing section but it doesn't exist. What??? Standard elsewhere. Worker guessed I should try Literary but all I saw there were poetry books, analysis topics, and reviews. How come both me and a staff person couldn't find the section? Frustrating experience. I was ready to buy but the organization and worker knowledge thwarted my desire to buy something. My husband found two books so that was good. Prices were pretty good. read more

Love this place but incrediblydisappointed. We brought in 1,300 books to mckays and they gave us $114 in store credit. Enough said.

Definitely a hidden gem for finding second hand stuff for a good deal. Everything is organized and the selection is vast. The prices completely depend on how popular/in demand said item is. For example, a Sarah j Maas novel is $14.00 compared to Jane Austen novels all being less than $5.00. The people working here are dedicated to keeping it clean, which I can appreciate! read more

Fun store. I love the fact that there are 2 levels to this bookstore. It made for a fun time. I did not find everything I was looking for but I did find almost all the books I needed to complete one of my series. My sister and I spent a bit of time in there and it was packed. The staff did seem to get everyone through the line rather quickly though read more

McKay's - Nashville - Used Bookstore Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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The size of this place alone is really impressive, and SO well organized. They have video games, books, CDs, vinyl, board games, puzzles, Pokemon cards, figurines and more. They also buy and if I were a local I would definitely want to sell here, I figure there's a better chance of someone finding a specific item they're looking for. My big purchase was a 95¢ puzzle, no complaints! lol read more

McKay's - Nashville - Many, many categories that books are sorted into - Used Bookstore Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

Woah. This place is huge. Large parking lot, was no issues finding parking. There are some free bins in front which is interesting. Inside, it's like stimulation overdrive. I couldn't figure out where to put my eyes. Pretty much everything you can think of is here. Books, records, movies, video games, toys, funko pops, etc. There's an upstairs that I didn't even see till I was leaving. It's very popular, was really busy on a Friday afternoon. Lots of people bringing in items to sell. It was a bit warm inside which made me leave earlier than I'd want to, but will be back when it's cooler. read more

McKay's Bookstore is such a fun place to browse with endless shelves of books to explore! The staff is friendly & helpful, whether you're dropping off books to sell or just looking for your next read. It's the perfect spot to trade in books you've already finished & you can easily spend hours looking around. Prices are fair, with popular titles marked a little higher, but if you enjoy discovering hidden gems or waiting until the hype dies down, this is the place to go. read more

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This place is a true gem for any type of audio or vintage collector. They have everything! CDs, vinyl, video games, toys, electronics, books and so much more. I could spend days in here. Very surprised that when I searched CD stores on Yelp this place did not come up. It was recommended to me by another local music store in Nashville. I was able to find numerous hip-hop CDs that I needed for my collection all for barely a dollar each. When you walk in it almost feels like a Walmart or some kind of superstore. They have shopping carts, hand baskets and literally thousands of things to dig through. Can't wait to come back again.! read more

McKay's - Nashville - Used Bookstore Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

For a used book store, the pricing is ridiculous. Some of there books are more expensive than the original price of the book that's written on the cover. They had a USED Settlers of Catan for $56 when you can get a brand new one for $60 or cheaper at target. A cookbook we got was $15.50 and the price on Amazon was $16. Their profit margins are ridiculous considering they do not pay nearly anything for the items they receive. This is such a unique store, but it is robbing its customers and swindling its sellers! Same as the one in Knoxville! read more

Okay... the service is great, people are super helpful. The selection is good, especially In the manga section. I have one small issue though... there was manga that was being sold for $17 dollars when the retail was like $13 or something, like in what world does $17 = $13 there were also alot of manga that were either overpriced or just retail. The only books that were a teeny bit cheaper than retail were the very used ones and the out of print ones. Overall if you want a specific book I think it would just be easier to buy at a retail bookstore since most of the books there are either overpriced, retail, or used. read more

SO MANY BOOKS!!! I had just come to look at the place, but I couldn't stop taking things off the shelves. I left with 15 treasured books.

Picked up Pet Shop Boys Bilingual and Toto Tambu both on CD also the Jeopardy Book keep up the good work and I'll be back you stand out in a cookie cutter and brick and mortar world like a precious gem ! read more

McKays is a great place if you're looking for used books, movies, games, toys, music, etc. There is such a wide array of things to shop for here that it can be a little overwhelming in a good way. If you've never been here before make sure you give yourself PLENTY of time to look around because it's huge. The prices are pretty steep, to be honest, on most items. (You can likely get what you're looking for cheaper on ThriftBooks in most cases.) Especially considering you can find some of these titles for just a few dollars more brand new at other retailers. You can also sell your used items to McKays for cash or store credit. If you choose store credit you'll more than likely get double the amount. It makes most sense to redeem it as store credit but it also kinda negates it because their prices are steep. All in all, a great place. Not necessarily the best deal but I know it's not the worst deal either. read more

McKay's - Nashville - Used Bookstore Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

I've been a Nashville McKay customer for over a decade but in the last year this place has became as horrible as it can be. First, the remodel was dumb and pointless. Wanna shop for records? Nearly impossible because of how cramped and stupid their arrangement of the shelves is. The previous layout made so much more sense. And now there's no place for kids to be sectioned off so they just lay in the floor of the collectible "toy" aisle. Second, the staff and management. They used to have the nicest employees. And there's a few that are still there but lately everyone is so incredibly rude, judgmental and condescending. And don't try being a female and ask a male that works there a question unless you want to be talked down to like a child with some typical mansplaining. Again there's some exceptions- there's some wonderful people there too but they're covered up by these others. Also apparently some of the people in charge are (insert some names that yelp would not be happy with) as I hear the employees talking about. Want to shout out the guy behind the instrument and electronics counter (don't know his name but he always has a ballcap and glasses) - nicest guy and very helpful. Third, trading in stuff. They scan all the media items and go through them just fine but if you're bringing in non-media items- good luck! I've witnessed several trips in a row, my order and others be taken off the conveyor belt and immediately put on the "done" shelf. Your bucket was apparently not full of gaming equipment and a guitar so it wasn't fun enough for the employee. It's plain rude! Even had an employee tell me to bring my stuff back another day when another person was sorting through the stuff because he knew the guy there currently, did that. Fourth, the selection. The shelves have been SO picked over with no replenishing - maybe because (see my third) they're not even bothering to buy stuff. And sometimes they leave their stocking carts just in the aisles for hours. I used to be a biweekly customer but now I have to really decide if I want to bother coming in once a month. I know a ton of people who are also frequent customers and my complaints are almost identical to theirs. Mckays is getting a reputation around town lately that is far from favorable. When you're obviously the king of the used media and collectible store in town it's easy to drop your standards and survive, but why would you want to? Now these kind of stores always attract some rude clientele but my rating is for the store itself so I don't blame them for their customers behavior. Except a little enforcement of minors would be nice. No one wants to dart nerf gun bullets or kids chucking cassettes from the balcony while they shop. Yelp wants me to talk value. It's fine, there's some deals - there's some overpriced stuff they've had for a decade- you know typical record store stuff. Haha. read more

WOW!! Whether you're a book lover, record lover, or a gamer you MUST make a stop at McKay's! My friends and I were absolutely blown away by the sheer size of this place, but that's not all that's amazing. The books and stacks are incredibly organized, and you will have no problem finding your favorite author or book series. The prices are incredible as well, we ended up with 20 books for less than $40! The selection is mind blowing. The store is also incredibly clean, including the bathrooms. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable as well. All in all I HIGHLY recommend a trip to McKay's. Pro tip: bring a sturdy reusable bag with you, you're going to find more books that you'll have to have then you think!! read more

McKay's - Nashville - The stormtrooper near the legos. Hello! - Used Bookstore Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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Godddddd i miss McKay's. Prices CAN'T be beat and the selection is good, too. I have a half price books near me, but it isn't the same. For one, HPB has a bunch of obviously new things, which i don't go to a store like that looking for. Second, I figure they still overcharge. I got a ps3 game from here for 3 bucks that I know HPB was charging double for. I guess it's good I don't live in the service area anymore or I'd be blowing way more money. read more

I wish I knew how many hours I have spent here over the years, it's such a treasure. I love the concept of trading and usually sell items for store credit, particularly books and puzzles. I love the nostalgia of all the cds, vinyls, dvds, and other forms of media. I really appreciate their staff and the vibes are always on point, even when it's a busy packed house. One thing that can sometimes not make sense is overpriced board games, I get for hard to find items, but often popular board games are more expensive used here than brand new elsewhere. read more

McKay's - Nashville - Used Bookstore Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

This place is massive inside. They give you the option to sell your used items and also buy them. Parking lot is huge. Some items were dirty in the store but that's to be expected since everything is second hand. I'm all for reusing and thrifting, but some of the prices were way too high for second hand items. Not sure why but I wish they would be cheaper. It also smells a little funky inside, but definitely worth a visit if you need some books. They are pretty organized by genre of book and oddly specific. They also have board games, video games, toys and more. read more

McKay's - Nashville - Inside - Used Bookstore Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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Huge bookstore! Used bookstore and anything else you can think of including action figures, video game stuff, cassettes and CD's, DVD's, comic books galore. Cashier checking us out was super friendly. Parking lot is all cobblestone. Elevator for second floor of goodies. Great place! read more

This was a cool bookstore. Half-priced books on steroids. The downside to having a store this big is that there wasn't anyone to help with any problems. They had a few people at the register and then a whole mess of people working in the back who were buying the books and sorting/cataloguing. I tried looking for someone but I ended up waiting in the selling line just to ask a question. And since the line was so long, there was no time for me to wait to check out. It was a Saturday so that was understandable. I'd love to go back again. The service I did receive was very helpful and they were very nice too. read more

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You can see my original 5-star review from 5+ years ago for what is best about McKay's, particularly when they were at their best. While I will still be stopping in here every couple of months as I always have, McKay's just ain't what it used to be. The reasons for that aren't entirely their fault, as it's hard to blame them for some things that are the result of the collector market, inflation, the economy, online competition, etc. But here's the thing--if you trade in items here in 2023, you're going to get far less for them (even trade-in credit vs. cash) than you ever have BUT if you purchase from them, you're going to pay more than you ever have as well. There's a huge variation on pricing across the board--some true bargains can be found any day of the week here, I'm talking good quality books, Blu-rays/DVDs, etc. for less than $2. Other items are going to be inexplicably high, however. I've uploaded a couple of pictures, check the one with stacked copies of Maya Angelou's "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings." There are almost 50 copies of mass market paperback editions of this book on the shelf right now and they are charging $8.50 a piece for it (!). It's a classic that should be in everyone's library, but there is obviously not a shortage of this title so why charge as if there were? A quick eBay search shows me that there are numerous copies of this book for less than $4, shipping included! Kurt Vonegut's "Slaughterhouse Five" was stacked even deeper and they were charging $12.50, even for a post-2000s mass market paperback! The same as the vintage collectible editions! I eyed a hardcover of Silvia Moreno-Garcia's much buzzed "Mexican Gothic" in the horror section for 3 years or so and though there have consistently been 10 copies or more at a time, they never charge less than $13.50 for it! No one is buying it for this price, clear some shelf space! You can luck up every now and then of course, snagging limited editions, signed copies, 1st editions, etc. for the same price as a new used hardcover as they typically don't upcharge for antiqurian editions, and that makes the hunt fun (still). But collector's often ravage this place and where I used to be able to walk away with stacks of vintage horror, crime, and pulp novels for a couple of dollars apiece, those sections are often near bare when I show up now. That's not their fault, of course. The inexplicable pricing on mass market books is, though. Records? A few gems from time to time but easily the most over-priced in the Nashville area. And if you collect CDs, as my nephew recently began doing as it's a much cheaper physical media hobby to get into, they'll charge you the prices of the 1990s for some reason. Movies are the last great hold out in value here, as DVDs and Blu-rays are consistently cheap and/or a bargain. So if you want to load up on all of those films and TV shows that continue to dissapear (or were never added in the first place) to your favorite streaming services, McKay's is still (for now) a good place to do so. So yeah, there are much better places in the area to scoop up comics, records, and books (most of the time), but I'll always stop in and marvel at the sheer quantity and skillful organization of McKay's. And every now and then I'll walk away with a deal, just far less than I used to. read more

McKay's - Nashville - 50 copies of a mass-market edition classic for $8.50 each (online everywhere for 3.50 as of 2023) - Used Bookstore Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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This place is AMAZING. Like a used book Costco, a book lover's fever dream! I could have stayed in here for days and explored everything! It seemed almost too good to be true--row after row of used books, albums, dvds, games, instruments, you name it! We went well off of our path to visit this place, and it was more than worth the trip! I only wish they had something like this in my city! read more

Books as far as the eye can see. It just keeps going and going...and then goes some more. This, my friends, is a bibliophiles dream. I spent an hour just taking it all in without a specific list of books I wanted but found some goodies that I couldn't leave without. If you love books and love to browse for books this is the place to be! It's very organized and everything is categorized well (especially for a used bookstore) so my OCD was happy, too. If you can think it, they have it. They also have games, old vinyl records and toys. I didn't have any interest in those as I was here for the books, but it all looked organized as well. Love, love, love the book exchange program and you can bet if I lived in Nashville this is where I would be 90% of the time! read more

McKay's - Nashville - Used Bookstore Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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HUGE. Books and DVDs. Organized! I mean, absolutely huge. ABUNDANT! Not just well priced but downright cheap.

This used to be the go to place for a really good deal on used books, games, and music. Now, they're selling dirty and beat up books for 20% down retail. I even saw used books at full price. Why on earth would anyone buy a used book at full value?? I feel like McKay's has really lost what made it magical. I'm going to stop recommending it to out of towners because it's not worth it anymore. read more

I am a used bookstore connoisseur, and I've never been somewhere like this. HUGE selection of music, books, board games, and more. What I couldn't get over is how cheap everything is (like, NYT bestsellers for under a dollar). I spent hours looking through everything, and had a blast! I'd never walk into a used bookstore hoping to find one specific book, but you CAN here. Unforgettable fun for bookworms like me! read more

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I love this store so much. If you are in need of a book, chances are they have it! They also sell everything media related. DVD's, Music, Vinyl, cassette tapes, toys, games. Its a wonder to browse the store. Another great thing they do is accept books and dvd's etc from the public. They have a failsafe method of cataloging everything you bring in. Its really great to give your books new life again to eager people. That process is super easy and convenient! They are more than fair in their prices and you couldn't ask for a better experience. The place is so huge and awesome. Take a stroll down nostalgia lane and see all those 1990's CD's you bought when you were in college :) Overall a wonderful place. read more

McKay's - Nashville - Used Bookstore Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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Time for another post-pandemic review update! I'm happy to report that not much has changed at the nerd nirvana known as McKays. The selection is as mind-blowing as ever, the staff is as pleasant as ever, and the parking is still as free as ever. My last visit happened to coincide with McKay's 15th Anniversary celebration so there was free swag, free hot dogs, contests, and a scavenger hunt. There was lots of extra fun to be had. The only difference I noted was that there was about an hour to one-and-a-half hour wait time when I sold my books. I'm not sure if this is the new normal, or occurred because I happened to show up during their celebration. Or maybe I've just lucked out the last few times I've sold my books by not having to wait as long. I will also add that I look back at my last review mentioning that I will go at a less busy time and I have to laugh at my naivety. I go a few times a year and it is always packed. It is especially busy when school is out in the summer and on weekends. read more

The biggest secondhand bookstore I've ever been in. Everyone is always really nice and they give you good prices on stuff you bring in. The prices on stuff you buy are good, too. read more

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They have in impressive selection of just about anything you may need concerning media. If you're a comic book enthusiast, they have a lot but you have to dig it very well organized by brand(Look below the shelves, they have overstock there as well. Music lover? Tons of great music to be found in all formats- Vinyl,Cassette,8-Track,DVD-all sorted genre and artist and easy to find. Books-Almost all subjects- I've gotten recipe books for as low as $.25. BUT the best part would be the assorted DVD-Blu-Ray section. They are usually $1-3 each and have tons of hard to find things(once again Check the overstock under the tables. That section is usually very crowded so get in where you can fit it. Even your cheapskate friends would like it. Great service and quick check out times. Either go early or late evening for less crowded times.. Only thing I would change would be the rearranging the toy section and giving more space for the dvd section. It keeps a little difficult to walk thru if checking out the video game selection. If you leave here empty handed, you haven't look hard enough..you may find things you thought you didn't need until you get there. read more

Came for the used books. But there's a LOT here. Busy but friendly people. I mean, they're my people. Purposely didn't get a basket or cart; I had to check out my arms were full. Decent inventory and, based on the number of people who were selling, likely a lot of turnover. read more

I see this place off of I-40 every time I drive through, and my interest has been peaked a few times and I've gone inside. This place is big. Overwhelming big. They have A LOT of stuff...book, toys, funkos, comics, dvds. You get the gist of it. They have a lot of sections ranging from romance novel to military. I'm not going to lie, I've had a very difficult time finding books I'm looking for. They need someone on the floor that can help you out. Or an information desk to point you in the right direction. It seems like all their staff is geared toward buying books and at the register. I can't say anything about what they pay for books, so leave that as you will. The book prices are ok, toys are decent, but the funko prices are high. Cool store, just wish it was a bit more user friendly. read more

What a cool place!! This was our first time visiting-- recommended by a friend. I have to say, we will be back! Parking lot is fairly large-- good thing too because people were lining up at the door to get in. The building seems very organized. As soon as you enter, there is a station where you can sell your books, movies, whatever. Then, to the left, you see the rest of the store. It is, at least, two stories and labeled pretty clearly. The bathrooms are fairly well kept and have a changing table, as well as handicap access. Speaking of, there is also an elevator in the middle of the store. I spent most of my time in the children's book section-- things are labeled in alphabetical order, but also sorted by holidays and other topics. It reminded me of a library really. Pricing is pretty decent. I was looking for Christmas books to start building an advent calendar for my daughter next year. I went in thinking after Christmas would be the perfect time (maybe the would be a sale ‍) but I think the books are pretty cheap normally. They did have a fairly large selection and everything I picked out was .60 to $2. I left pleased! Hoping to be back soon to sell some books. read more

Collectors of all media will have a field day browsing the endless selection at McKay's! This place is seriously huge, and every time I come back there seems to be tons of new inventory. The issue is the big discrepancy in what you'll be offered if you try to trade in your goods, versus what you'll pay to buy a used item. I could just be bitter from low offers on my trade in items, but lots of reviewers seem to agree that trade in value is low, while the retail prices in the store keep rising. Still, if you're looking for a book/movie/record/game but not wanting to break the bank, I'd check out the selection at McKays before hitting "buy" on Amazon. read more

Amazing selection of paperback and hardcover books for cheap. After my first visit I had to go back and check the aisles I missed the first time around. I still never made it to the upstairs sections. It's only missing a cafe. read more