See previous review. I've been a Book Worm fan for decades. Fell off visits for a while because my work schedule. I hate being redundant - but my work schedule really does impact my ability to be out and about. I was always introverted - but the pandemic plus working a primary gig from midnight to 5am / midnight to 8am AND working a part time gig from 1 - 5pm has turned me into a bit of a mole person. I tend to combine errands - and don't leave the house a lot.
If you've read any previous reviews - I mentioned that my Mother passed away last year. Before she passed away - she was very ill - on a respirator / life support, organs were shutting down ... but then she rallied / recovered ... and went to a nursing home for rehab. Sorry to overshare, but this is relevant.
I've always LOVED to read, but life gets in the way so I hadn't been reading as much as I would like. During my bedside vigil, my brother bought piles of books to me to help past the time. Then ... libraries were closed when I came back to town, so my donation pile grew. THIS is how I wound up with a box full of books!
Today, I had a doctor's appt in Hiram, so I put ONE box of donated books in the trunk and planned to stop at The Book Worm on my way back. I know used book stores won't take duplicate copies of an obscure title (unless it's one of those titles that has continued or trending demand - ie Stephen King, Bridgerton series) so I vetted the box beforehand. I pulled into an empty parking lot (save for one car) - but light was on. I parked next to the side door and called. While waiting for someone to answer, one customer exited the business and made her way to the car.
When the phone was answered, I explained that I was outside with a box of books and wanted to know if someone could help me bring it in - or if they had a trolley or cart I could use to bring it in. The person on the phone seemed very taken aback.
1) FIRST, she told me that they don't take boxes bigger than banker's box. This was Walmart box, but I'm familiar with banker's boxes so I told her it was about the same size. Told her it was small but a little heavy because a lot of the titles were hardbacks. See photo.
2) THEN she advised that if the box was too heavy for me - it was probably going to be too heavy for her. THEN without pausing, she said that's why they typically tell people if they have a lot of books, they should split it across 2 boxes.
3) THEN she told me that she was by herself so she was the only person that could come out to help. I didn't get mad or argue during this litany of excuses, I simply said, "Ok. That's fine, I'll just take them to the library." She then semi-chuckled and said, "OK."
Let me be clear - I'm not unreasonable.
a) I've been here before - and had to stand at the register until someone took notice of me and checked me out. So the idea that you can't lock the register and come assist a customer for 60 seconds - smh.
b) Also - I never asked that they come pick the box up and heft it into the store by herself. I said, can someone come HELP me. If the box weighs 40 - 50 lbs - it's a lot easier for two women to manage versus one woman. So much for GIRL POWER. Lol. I'm fairly strong - but I'm still recovering from a meniscus injury. Plus - it's difficult to manage opening a door with both arms occupied. And I hate walking more than a few feet when I can't SEE my feet. It's a trip hazard and I'm clumsy.
I drove less than 1/16th of a mile away to the library - where the librarian who was not 'old' - but appeared to be a 'well-preserved' 15 - 20 years older than me - INSISTED on accompanying me to my car when I asked if they had a dolly or a wheeled trolley. And INSISTED on helping me lift the box from the vehicle's trunk to the rolling trolley. Lol. The experience was night & day.
A) I don't mind donating my books. B) And absolutely no one is ever going to get rich off taking books to used books stores (at least not the type of books I'm reading) so I don't have a problem with simply donating them. I REALLY was trying to be supportive of the business.
Since the new owners took over in 2020, I've been here to purchase books 3 times and on a 4th visit, I did a box of book trades and made a purchase. Maybe if I was a 'regular,' I would have been treated differently.
I love supporting woman-owned, minority owned, small businesses. So unless they ban me based on my review - I can't say that I won't EVER go back - but I'll definitely hit up The BookNook, Book Miser, Book Exchange or 2nd & Charles before trying them again. read more