2nd Chance Books

Recommends

CaryGirl

Joined 4 years ago

Very nice store!. I was happy with the price they paid for used books as well as the price they sell books for. Good selection.

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doxiegal

Joined 5 years ago

Friendly and stocked well. This was the best used book experience I've had. The store is small but is stocked well-- great variety and I found quite a few of the books I was looking for. The prices are some of the best I've seen and I can't say enough about the friendliness of the staff! I will DEFINITELY revisit this store.

Doesn't Recommend

Quelei

Joined 5 years ago

Meh. I really really love books, so of course I was really excited to go check out this used book store that had received such great reviews. A lot of people said the owner was very friendly helpful in giving recommendations, etc... well when I walked in, the guy behind the counter barely glanced in my direction. I found the selection to be lacking, I couldn't find a single book that I would want to read. If you like chick lit, romance, or mystery books you might find something that appeals to you here, but I just was not impressed at all. I prefer The Reader's Corner or Ed McKay's in Raleigh or The Bookshop in Chapel Hill any day.

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amercanidle

Joined 6 years ago

We've Tried Them All... But This IS The Place To Go. This is one of the first bookstores that my wife and I visited when we first came to North Carolina several years ago. We were astounded by the format of this used book store, and were of the mutual opinion that such an upscale endeavor would never work long term... I mean, imagine! Wonderful books, most of them in pristine condition, for sale at used book prices. And the store itself was so pleasant, comfortable, and organized. When we asked the owner about how she came up with the idea, she just went on talking about how great bookstores were "her dream." In reality, starting a business because it's your dream rarely works. However, four years later, she is still there, and the store is still magnificent. We did go visit a bunch of other used book stores from Chapel Hill into Raleigh, but we keep coming back because 2nd Chance is just that much more better than those other places. If you like great books, and aren't above spending a lot for them, you should consider visiting 2nd Chance Books. Book lovers beware! You may just fall in love with this store.

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call_me_ishmael

Joined 6 years ago

This is a WAY Cool Place to Shop for Books. I "found" these guys thru anad in the Life section of yesterday's N&O; didn't know this bookstore was around even though I shop pretty regularly at Sam's Club which is next door. But I went in today for their anniversary sale and had a great time buying too many books. What I really like about this store is how easy it is to find the books that I'm looking for and the great condition of the books. I like the prices too of course. I read a lot, and it doesn't make sense to me to go out there and pay some department book store six or seven bucks for a paperback when I can find the same book in really great condition for half price. The owner, Mindy, said she'd just bought around 1,000 great sci fi books, and I loaded up for the summer for less that a movie (with popcorn and soda). Actually, I saved enough to go to the movies anyway. I'm cheap, but I want value too, and this is the store where I can have it all.

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frumpy1234

Joined 6 years ago

What a great find!. I've been shopping at 2nd Chance Books in Cary for almost three years now. I love the selection and the prices. Everything is so clean and well organized that it takes me little time to find what I'm looking for almost every time. They pay more in cash for my books than any of the other used book stores around, and their trade policy lets me double their cash offer so I can buy more books for even less. The store smells great (not musty or old bookish) and sometimes I'll just sit and read for an hour at a time. Mindy's really nice, and very knowledgable about books and her inventory. I wish they served coffee too.

Doesn't Recommend

kelvan

Joined 6 years ago

2nd Chance is more like the Worst of Citysearch, try Edward McKay's or Mr. Mike's. I don't know how this store won the best of Citysearch. With so many great used bookstores in Raleigh and Cary to choose from, I wouldn't waste my time with 2nd Chance Books.

Let's start with their awful trade credit policy. The owners will only let you use one-half of the trade credit that you earn from them towards the cost of books that you buy from them. Ex. if you earn $13 trade credit from them, you must buy $26 dollars worth of books and pony up the other $13 out of pocket. No other bookstore in this area has this kind of policy. Not Edward McKay's, not Mr. Mikes, not Booksmart, not Reader's Corner, not Nice Price...no one. All of these stores will allow you to use 100% of your trade credit towards the purchase of more books.

Additionally, the store is not always staffed with book buyers. Their website advertises that no appointments are needed and that you can bring your books in anytime. However, I went in this Sunday only to have the young man tell me that no one was present to buy books, but if I would leave the books there, someone could get back to me in a few days. How is this helpful? Especially considering that the store has very limited hours on weeknights and they demand that you be back within 3 days time to pick up your books.

Don't waste your time with 2nd Chance. For those of you who have given this place a great review, I suggest trying Mr. Mike's on N. Harrison or Booksmart on NW Maynard. They both have great selections and trade credit policies that are more customer friendly.

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bmartin443

Joined 7 years ago

A Great Bookstore. We moved to Cary over a year ago, and I just found this store last month. On my first visit, I was surprised how clean and orderly this used books was. I was able to find several books that I had been looking for in other venues and was amazed to find them in such good shape for so little a price. Mindy was very helpful in explaining how the store was arranged, and even helped me find my books. The level of customer service is very high and very professional. This is the best used book store I've been able to find on the East Coast, and with all the great books they get in everyday, I might as well stop looking! Many thanks, 2nd Chance Books!

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greekie

Joined 7 years ago

Best Book Store In the Triangle. For a great selection, the best prices, and great personal service, 2nd Chance Books is the place to go. Both Mindy and Mike really care about their customers. They quickly knew me by name when I stopped in to browse, having only been in their store a few times before. That made me feel valued. I continue to shop at 2nd Chance whenever I need a book. In fact, it's the first and usually the only stop I make when purchasing a book for myself or my family. The store is so well organized, clean, and friendly. Mike and Mindy are there to help you find the book you need or to suggest a book or author when you're looking for a good read. They are such nice, wonderful people who want to deliver only the best for their customers. For a used book store, the selection is great and the prices are unbeatable for quality and very gently used books.

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Editorial Review by Citysearch Editors. This quaint bookstore features previously owned books, books-on-tape, videos and DVDs marked at least half off the cover price.