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Eliot's Bookshop

Posted by Staff / Posted on January 14, 2008

20 Comments

Eliot's Bookshop
Eliot's Bookshop is a three story bookstore near Yonge and Wellesley that sells a huge variety of used books including many classic literature.

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20 Comments

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Nexus 6 / May 27, 2009 at 10:41 pm
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Eliot's scholarly books are way overpriced. He has titles that've been on his shelves for years because no one is willing to pay what he's asking. What's more, he's not really big on negotiating a fair price. Atticus Books is considerably better.
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Colleen / June 23, 2009 at 04:25 pm
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I've lived in Toronto for about 5 years now but only recently made my way to Eliot's. I can't speak to other sections, but their literature selection is phenomenal.
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bookhunter replying to a comment from Nexus 6 / August 11, 2009 at 11:29 am
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half the cover price or less is overpriced? They have the best selection of books of all categories (in the best condition too) in the GTA,period.
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Ticaccomb / May 17, 2010 at 08:15 am
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terry the censor replying to a comment from Ticaccomb / June 8, 2010 at 05:14 pm
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@Ticaccomb Don't hijack pages for your own benefit. Shame.
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mj / December 15, 2010 at 05:23 pm
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Eliot's has a great selection of literature and fair prices, no doubt, but after 20 years of loyal patronage, I won't go back. What happened was that as I was browsing near the front of the store when a couple brought in a number of very old books dating back to the 1750s. The negotiation of price between the couple and the owner didn't seem to be going very well, and I confided in a low voice to the man that perhaps he would have better luck with an antiquarian book dealer (what he possessed was extremely rare and would undoubtedly command a much higher price than what was being offered). Well, the owner heard what I had said to the man (how he heard, I don't know), exploded in a rage that bordered on unbalanced, and ordered me out. A very ugly scene and quite disturbing for me and the couple (who promptly left, but thanked me outside of the store). If you shop there, I suggest you keep your mouth shut, hand over your money, and quietly leave.
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mj / December 15, 2010 at 05:29 pm
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Was I wrong in the sense that I potentially stole a profit from the owner of Eliot's, or was I right in the sense that I kept 2 unaware people from being potentially ripped off? It's a bit of a moral quandary for me.
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terry the censor / December 15, 2010 at 05:48 pm
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@mj
> Was I wrong
Yes, you were wrong. It's a place of business, but not your place of business. Unless you see clear fraud happening -- and this is not the case, based on your description -- shut up.
I also am highly skeptical that the owner blew up the way you describe it while he was trying to negotiate with sellers.
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Matt replying to a comment from mj / December 18, 2010 at 09:46 am
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No, you were not wrong, I'm sure the people who were selling the books appreciated your comments.
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Rupert Psmith replying to a comment from mj / March 13, 2011 at 10:42 am
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No, you were not wrong. You most likely prevented the sellers from being ripped off. The post by Nexus 6 here also doesn't think highly of Eliot's negotiations.
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Liz / May 6, 2011 at 10:33 pm
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mj No, you were not wrong. It is not right to sit by and see something that is not right and do nothing. The fact that the couple left the store does say that something happened to cause them to leave, and obviously more than just a discussion of how much they could get for their books.
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Satch / June 30, 2011 at 02:16 pm
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Hey, that's poerwufl. Thanks for the news.
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Mike / November 11, 2011 at 09:51 pm
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Wow. That does not inspire me to want to go in there. As someone that lives outside of the city and it takes a fair bit to commute, I can cross this one off the list. You'd think with the power of technology and social media, they have yet to catch on to word-of-mouth advertising as the most powerful tool from consumers. If I were the owner of this place, I wouldn't defend my actions, rather apologize and give them what they want. The customer is always right no matter how much you think you're more.
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Massa / December 18, 2011 at 04:26 pm
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Does this book store have coffee table books? Or... fat big books about art or culture?
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Lynn / January 23, 2012 at 07:59 pm
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I just called there to ask about online shopping. The man was cranky and abrupt. He had me off the phone in 30 seconds, no kidding. I am visiting Toronto next week...and now I will Not be stopping in there. I don't know how he stays in business. Maybe it's time to retire.
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Jenn / April 14, 2012 at 11:43 am
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I had a bad customer service experience with the guy at the counter, not sure if hes the owner or what...

I walked in and he was chatting it up with his friend behind the counter - whatever no big deal but heres where it went downhill:

After browsing a while, I asked him where the biography section was. He pointed to an isle, I headed towards it, rather than getting off his ass to show me where the shelf was, all i got was him directing me saying " keep going....further....further....by that little sign over there..... keep going....... turn left.....a bit further......u missed it...... walk a step back...." GET OFF UR ASS AND DO UR JOB DUDE. it was a bit embarrassing.

it didnt stop there; then i headed upstairs to browse, found a book and went to pay

then got really irritated.

I put the book down and was like 'Ill take this please' ....so i stand there for a good...3 minutes!...(i saw the time when i checked my cell) as he IGNORED me and talked to his friend behind the counter about the hunger games!

I think this guy was high or something, his eyes were REALLY glassy ...he was extremely rude. He should not be dealing with customers. Ive worked front desk at plenty of places and I have been able to process a transaction while talking to someone AT THE SAME TIME.

The selection was decent but i am so not going back bc the staff is terrible, this dude needs to be fired ASAP
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David / April 28, 2012 at 05:22 pm
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This is one of the best bookshops in Toronto. The collection is very diverse, one can find treasures in the shelves and he owner is a gentleman.
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bekkem / June 5, 2012 at 10:14 am
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can i get books to prepare for PEBC exam?? misbah books??
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bob / August 12, 2012 at 10:12 am
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you know what kids, think about it, when Seinfeld ended their t.v. program, the soup nazi needed a job, so now he runs a bookshop. nuk! nuk! "no book for you - out"
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Jasson / August 13, 2012 at 02:19 pm
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owner has no elementary knowledge !!! He came from Turkey or Greece when he was very jung. And worked in sex shoop for more then 15 years, and after open a bookstore!!!
I ask from him Petrarca and Cesare Pavese poetry,Hi never heard of that before and give me a weird look for no reason?
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Location and Contact Details

584 Yonge Street (Get Directions)
416.925.0268
Yonge & Wellesley
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