Are there any bookstores that allow you to search their real inventory?

[crispini]

Online? It seems like this would be a nobrainer for Borders or B&N. Go online, search for a book, and have the option to see if the book is available right now at a store near you. I'd love that -- sometimes you don't wanna pick up the phone and call the store (or 4 stores) to see if they have a book, but you want it soon, you don't wanna wait to order it.

[khashka]

1. The perfect solution to bookstore angst

Powell's. They have damn near everything. I've never dealt with them online, but when I'm jonesing bad for a book, I just call 'em up and they get it to me.


Khash.

[blondeatlast]

2. Great online service, too. Forget Amazon--Powell's is the best.

I buy books for my local library, and we have used Powell's to obtain out of print books on occasion.

The nicest thing about them is that you can absolutely depend on their quality assessments of condition and they only buy good or better in quality.

I've never been to one of their stores but the online service is as good as one can expect online to be.

[crispini]

3. wrong spot

[crispini]

4. if only there was one nearby... oh well.

[khashka]

5. Don't worry about that

with computers everything is local.

Really, they're very good.

I have odd tastes and most things I want are out of print. They've always come through for me. Aestival Tide? No problem. A.A. Milne's "The Red House Mystery"? No problem. (The copy they sold me was in pristine condition and it went out of print before I was born.) The only problem I did have was getting a copy of So Vile A Sin - and they warned me that they would have trouble getting it and it was going to end up costing a lot (and it did, 80 bucks for a paperback!)

But if they don't have it, they can get it. And they'll be entirely upfront with you about cost, condition, etc .

Khash.

[mzteris]

6. Borders does this

http://www.bordersstores.com/search/search.jsp?tt=gn

[crispini]

8. BRILLANT! Thank you!

I knew somebody would have thought of this.

[Darth_Kitten]

7. I like abebooks.com

I like to buy old and out of print books......

[Telly Savalas]

9. Chapters/Indigo in Canada does.