Bookstores
BMV Books
BMV Books is one of Toronto's most loved independent bookstore chains. The photo above is outside their location in the Annex.
The city tower as the fog lifts on Front St.
By Jerrold Litwinenko.
Saturday, May 25, 2013
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Partly Cloudy 11°C
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http://www.blogto.com/bookstores/bmv
By way of example, I had two copies of the same book that I took there to sell on different occasions. Both books were in brand new condition as that's how they'd been purchased. The guy who bought the first one (with some others) told me, when asked, that he was giving me $7 for that particular book, and a fair price. I went back about a month later with another small bundle, and this chick tallies up my pile and her grand total seemed a bit low to me. So I asked her for a breakdown of the buy price for each book, and lo and behold, the book that netted me $7 was only worth $4 in her eyes, and it was in the same condition and, in fact, had never been read since it was a duplicate. I grimaced a bit, but took the money as I needed to unload these books to make room in my apartment, but from now on if I slug a backpack full of books all the way down there and I see her, I'll tip the f**k back out the door.
I still recommend BMV as a place to buy books as their prices are generally fair, but now that I KNOW their profit margins are increasing exponentially on certain used products brought in by customers, I'll be more cautious in the future. And DON'T tell me they're doing it because of the economy. The other two locations are still rather generous.
The Yonge & Eg store also beats the others on Blu-Ray discs, oddly enough. Picked up three recent arrivals there on the weekend that hadn't even been on the market more than about two weeks. Each was $11.99. They're catalogue titles, but they're still more than double that price at the mainstream stores. I had to double check with the guy why these (and a few others) were even lower than many other Blu-Rays on the shelves, and he gave what seemed a reasonable answer, particularly when I noted the "spoiled" UPC codes on the back (small hole punched in them).
I too took books in there on many occasions and will probably continue to do so, as the prices were reasonable on almost every occasion. I've sold stuff to three different guys in there, and only one seemed a little chintzy one day, but obviously I can't say if that's a recurring situation the way it is with the girl at the Annex location, who's DEFINITELY cheaping out on what the store pays in relation to what they re-sell for.
You'll note above that I said I sold them the second copy about a MONTH later. In between, I visited the store three times (it's a favourite haunt), and on one of those visits, I saw my book for sale on the shelf (and yes, I knew it was mine -- there were clues, plus it was a damned nice book, and an easy reseller).
I looked again for it, thoroughly, while in the store on a second visit, and it was gone. I was in the neighborhood a few days later and checked again. Still gone. I'm a frequent visitor to BMV Annex, so I DO buy other stuff when I'm in there, but in this case, I did this specifically BECAUSE I had another copy I wanted to unload.
BMV does not keep computerized inventory of every book their buyers purchase. These two identical books were bought by two different people. Theyse people don't check a computer database to see if they've already got a copy so they can adjust the payout downward -- if they did, you'd be waiting all day. No, they buy based on resale potential and condition, and that's pretty much it. If a book has resale value, they WILL buy more than one copy, often unwittingly because there's more than one buyer and they don't have telekinesis. And two identical books a MONTH apart are unlikely to jog a BMV buyer's memory even IF the same person bought the book both times.
I stand by my original comments. The girl who does the buying at BMV is a cheapskate, and that store probably has higher profit margins on many titles as a result. I guess that's good business. Or something.
Sell your books privately if you don't like the price being offered by the used bookstore. Of course, then you'd really get an idea of how much your books are worth :)
Bloor/Spadina (Annex)- Has a great collection of books for all subjects: Literature,History,Children's,Language,Fiction, Non-Fiction,Entertainment etc. They are also the only location to have VHS/DVDS,Magazines, CDS, and Records. Comic book lovers, GO THERE!
Yonge/Eglington - Also has a great collection of books, varying all subjects (I was there the other day and got 8 books for $33).They also have movies. As a tip, go there if you are looking for children's books. They have a LARGE collection. They also have comic books.
Edward St - This BMV is the weakest of the three chains.It used to be awesome, but they redid the whole store to make it look like a snobby Indigo. They have a minimal collection of literature compared to the other two, and they shrunk down their VHS/DVD area. The largest area of that store is the Erotica/Porno section. Classy.
So book readers, hope this blog has helped you, and thank you for supporting the BMV chain. Only snobs go to Chapters/Indigo, and Toronto doesn't need snobby people (There's Mississauga for that)
"The largest area of that store is the Erotica/Porno section. Classy." <---- Snobby comment.
That's supposed to be a joke. Why don't you lighten up? Maybe you're the snob yourself.
And for the writer, you sound like someone who is either a bit slow on the uptake, or someone who is looking to dump alot of books at Used bookstores.
Come clean!
Do you work at like a U of T bookstore? Do you stuff the books in your undies on the way out, and then pawn them off on BMV for a few lousy dollars?
Only the truth will set you free!
I have bought countless birthday and christmas gifts here for next to nothing (which is great, since I am a student and have no income)- I find treasures on everything from foreign languages to cooking to graphic novels to music history! This store is fantastic and I encourage every single person who passes by to go in and browse- you will be amazed at all the great things you find and how affordable they are!
You REALLY have to read deep between the lines to make up the kind of BS about me that you did.
Let's see, you suggested I'm: a frustratedwriter; Slow on the uptake (you're an ass); and a UofT library employee? who steals.
What a scuzz you are for making such accusations based on nothing more concrete than a response to a web article. Man, some life you have there.
"Does it look open?" he replied.
Not believing that someone in a customer facing job could be so incredibly rude and sarcastic, I said "Yes". Then I asked him again, "Is store open?"
"No," he replied and shut the door behind him.
I then proceeded to book city where I spent $458.00 on books. I'll never go near BMV again.
http://surftofind.com/joe
Book City's much too expensive for my taste, though. I spent 60 buck at BMV for books I would've spent more than 500 bucks on elsewhere. I guess I'm one of those few people who can easily tolerate idiots for the sake of getting good books for a good price. It's not like good service is the one buying me books.
i haven't sold anything to them yet, but i should be going tomorrow and i'm hoping it'll be a pleasant experience..these reviews have been quite helpful in confirming that this is in fact a great place to buy books, or maybe even just do a nice trade.
thanks :)
And screw The James Joyce Irish Pub. Screw you with a big rubber dick. Spamming is a definite way to lose potential customers.
i love bmv bookstores but im not too sure if i should sell the books i have right now to them. I am a student and I need some cash and i have some books in brand new condition that I want to sell to them. I have about 15 books... how much would bmv be willing to give me as I don't want to just go there and be ripped off .. and from the constant reviews i keep hearing .. the salespeople need to work on their customer service
Too funny.
Almost time to go back - I've cleared off another shelf...
If I hadn't been in a bit of a financial bind and needed the money right then and there, I would have told him to shove it.
Think I'll check go to the Yonge and Eg store next time.
The state should take control everything...then the real customer service will teach you fuckers a lesson.
But really, cant we all just be friends? Make love not war. John Lenon is the best. And borat, and bush. Clintons not bad - we love him for kosovo and dampening cigars inside lewinsky. Leonard cohen proposed by canadians to be nominated for nobel prize in________? really? or cause prince charles listens to him? or just cuz he was buddies with dylan? Dylans an ass n nobody knows it. All the stores in toronto should have pushed customer service at BMV to be UNNNBEATABBLE!!! Just like it should be in all other stores in like - THE WORLD!!!! But humans are protesting against pretending to be robots. And we are all going to suffer because of it. Badly. Long live the fart...
BMV...sounds like those small bikes sumersaulting in the air. Do they buy used furniture or appliances? I have an old fridge I want to unload. It's a bit of a gamble to lug it to the Bloor location without knowing if the store is open, or the fake blond is still working there, or whether they're overstocked on old fridges. But like James Joyce used to say, "no pain, no gain". I think I'll use the dolly...
Edward Street location has dwindled in quality somewhat, but they're still ok. As far as DVD's go, the more obscure ones seem to turn up there as opposed to the other 2 locations. The old guy was smug, but fair and gave good prices. These new young guys aren't quite as good, but for book-buying they give you more than the snot-nosed hippie punks who work in the Annex.
Yonge/Eglinton gives good prices for books, but they seem to have a generic selection. Anything available there should be able to be found at the other 2 locations. I would go there more often, but it's out of my way and not much else to do up there.
Edward Street location has dwindled in quality somewhat, but they're still ok. As far as DVD's go, the more obscure ones seem to turn up there as opposed to the other 2 locations. The old guy was smug, but fair and gave good prices. These new young guys aren't quite as good, but for book-buying they give you more than the snot-nosed hippie punks who work in the Annex.
Yonge/Eglinton gives good prices for books, but they seem to have a generic selection. Anything available there should be able to be found at the other 2 locations. I would go there more often, but it's out of my way and not much else to do up there.
I've never experienced such terrible customer service. BMV has completely lost me as a customer; I'm buying used from the other stores on Bloor, and selling there too. Bye, bye, BMV.
So I took my book...and dumped them at BMV's back door. Recycle that, assholes.
I wasn't asking for a fake smile or a thank you, I was just asking a simple question you idiots.
I have sold to BMV many times. They take some, not others, and pay all right. I would not expect to be able to leave books they didn't want. They're not a Goodwill, after all.
So you weren't acknowledged immediately? As SOON as you walked in the door to sell your book? THAT'S OUTRAGEOUS! They DIDN'T give you the price you expected? THE NERVE! They wouldn't let you into the store the MINUTE the first employee arrived? FOR SHAME, BMV! They don't have a searchable database and can't tell you if they have the single book that you're looking for among their THOUSANDS? UNBELIEVABLE! And, oh my goodness, they wouldn't take & dispose of the books that they didn't buy from you? Sigh - you mean you CAN'T do all the work that I can't be bothered to do myself?
What kind of business is that crazy BMV running, anyways?
I've never had a problem with BMV's customer service. Sure, the employees can be a bit curt, bordering on rude at times, but to anyone who has worked in customer service - especially at a retail job - must know of the excess of incompetent idiots who shop on a daily basis. Sometimes, being asked the same question for the HUNDREDTH time ("Can you tell me if you have this exact edition of this exact book?"; "Do you know where I can dispose of these books that no one seems to want?") can be a bit grating. Tempers rise, patience is worn thin, and people just generally become sick of ignorance. It happens.
Before comments are made concerning the "necessity" of a good attitude for those working in customer service, I just want to you to think about whether or not you've actually worked in customer service. If so, just harken back to the days when you were incessantly asked the same stupid question to the point you felt like throttling someone. If not, well - I always question those who bitch about poor customer service when they themselves have never been on the opposite side.
That said, I love BMV - all of the locations, but ESPECIALLY the Annex. The selection is incredible, the prices are always fair, and my encounters with the staff have always been as pleasant as I need them to be - which, truthfully, don't always rank among my highest "pleasant encounters of the day," but come on. I'm there to buy books, not to chat with the employees. If all I hear from them is a grunt, a "next in line please," and a final total for my purchase, who gives a shit? I'm walking out of there with a backpack full of books for about $100 less than what I would have purchased the same books for elsewhere.
If you need someone to hold your hand through the book-buying process, go to Chapters - that's what their employees are trained to do.
The old man (Dave I think) at the Edward store is cool as long you don't push his buttons...but watch out if you do. I've seen him in action and it's pretty funny
BMV employees can be a little short, but they never rip you off. They usually sell books for about half cover price. So, your 120 dollars worth of books is 60 dollars to them, if they paid you 27, that's more than the third they usually pay for books. Sound OK to me...
i spoke to a girl on the phone but she told me super fast and just seamed really eager to get me off the phone
If it's a well-known fact, you wouldn't be asking why no one knows, would you?
Seems common sense isn't so common these days.
Sorry, I'm unable/unwilling to drive all the way there to do it myself.
Terrible phone manners if you ask me. How did this place make #1?
I get that you're probably busy, but if a customer asks a question, it's your job to find the time to answer it politely and completely. Thrilled to see that BMV has finally hired a young man that understands this.
Also, esther, I've seen textbooks there, but more of a general variety.
After reading all these comment about the badass behind the counter, I'm terrified of walking in and getting barked at. I'm a litto Asian girl :(
Can anyone tell me if they will buy my Twilight books??
It's just not what it used to be. Their DVDs often sell for more USED than what HMV sells for NEW. DVDs have really fallen in price at the big retailers and BMV never really followed along. They also have this habit of taking any DVDs that are a little bit rarer and jacking up their price 14.99-19.99 and higher. Now it seems like it's good business practice but they used to NEVER to that. You could find a lot of great movie gems there inexpensively.
The top part of the annex was converted to a comic book store. The BMV used to sell 90% of their comics for a buck or 2. Only key books would go for more. If any book was not in at least a VF condition, it would sell for 50 cents or maybe a dollar. But somehow, the owners must have got into their head that they were also some kind of comic book store and the prices reflect that. I also think they charge more for old comics to make their vast selection of trade paperbacks more appealing.
And yes, Kasumi, they /do/ sell manga there up on the 3rd floor along with the comics.
I've only been to the Yonge location, but the gentleman there seemed pleasant. Loved their children's section - it was HUGE! - but it didn't have what I was looking for, sadly. Not a bad YA section, either; found a couple titles I really had been hemming and hawing over! Not only that, but on the ground floor there were some adorable journals for great prices. I was really impressed! And upstairs they also have a small section for RPGs! Definitely my new favourite haunt.