Used Book Policy

Snowbound’s Used Books Policy

Cleaning out your bookshelves? We buy used books.  We tend to be a little picky because we’re limited on space, and we also want to provide only the best selections for our customers.  Below are a few general guidelines regarding what we do and do not take back:

Things we like to get:

  • Recent fiction, mystery, sci-fi/fantasy, horror
  • Recent non-fiction, as well as timeless staples like Bill Bryson and David Sedaris
  • Michigan history, especially about the Upper Peninsula
  • Classics, especially in trade size or nice/unusual hardcover
  • Science & Nature
  • Young adult, middle reader and nice picture books, the more recent the better
  • Recent/classic religious books
  • Occasional old, esoteric texts

Things we don’t buy:

  • Encyclopedias and most other sets
  • Things that are dated (travel guides, Guinness World Records, political science, diet/health books, sciences, etc.)
  • True Crime
  • Most hardcover fiction - including mystery and sci-fi/fantasy - after it’s released in paperback. (There are some exceptions.)
  • Most coffee table books

A Note on Condition:

  • Books need to be in very good shape for resale. We cannot accept books that are dirty, musty, mildewy, falling apart, underlined/highlighted/written in, or smell like cigarette smoke.
  • Hardcovers need dustjackets, unless they were issued without.

 

You don’t need an appointment to bring in books.  There is almost always someone here who can purchase titles. Unless we’re swamped, we will go through your bags/boxes within a few minutes.  While we are pretty quick, we ask that you don’t bring them in five minutes before closing. 

We offer store credit, or half that amount in cash. The store credit does not expire.

You are responsible for taking the books we can’t use with you. If you want to donate them, we recommend Peter White Public Library, the Women’s Center, Jacobetti Home for Veterans, or any of the thrift shops (St. Vinnie’s, Goodwill, local AAUW, etc.).