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Half Price Books

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Half Price Books reviews

3.7

70% would recommend to a friend

(718 total reviews)
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Sharon Anderson Wright

64% approve of CEO

55% positive business outlook

Half Price Books has an employee rating of 3.7 out of 5 stars, based on 718 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The Half Price Books employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Retail & Wholesale industry (3.5 stars).

Reviews by job title

718 reviews
3.0
Dec 7, 2013

It's alright

Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

They don't cut your hours, everyone is full time. They also have decent medical and don't take this out of your paycheck. Everyone gets a chance to work register, stock, and buy. I have talked to former co-workers that told me they were able to be hired with a federal offense. You also have some freedom in how you arrange your sections.

Cons

There is a certain attitude that prevails of self righteous hipsters and if you "fit" you can get away with anything. I went to management with a complaint of sexual harrasment against another employee and was told that he had had multiple other female employees accuse him of sexual harrasment, but he was too fast of a worker to let go. I was then moved away from the section I loved. Only friends and girlfriends of shift leaders were promoted. Finally, when I transferred I was given no choice, but to work the late shift every day.

3.0
Nov 27, 2013

Okay, But I Wouldn't Go Back

Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Majority of the coworkers are young and college-educated. A progressive and accepting attitude is typical amongst the employees. Liberal dress code, and there are no regulations regarding piercing and tattoo visibility (at least not for booksellers). The majority of customers are patient and sane. Generous employee discount, and a nice holiday check towards the end of the year. There is something very authentic and non-pretentious about this place, which I appreciate.

Cons

Being even 2 seconds late can and will cost you your job. I saw it happen more than once in the short time that I was there. Some of the booksellers and Store Inventory Managers regularly like to make-believe that they are full-blown managers and/or that they own the entire store. You have to stand your ground with these personalities, otherwise it will only escalate. If you are even slightly attractive (heck, even if you are not attractive at all), you can and will be the recipient of lustful advances from fellow employees and customers. A few of the employees are insanely gossipy, so steer clear of sharing information that you are not okay with the entire store hearing about. Some of the employees will get their flirt on with each other like they are hormonal 15 year olds; it gets really gross to be around after a while.

5.0
Oct 29, 2013
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The energy was great, the managers were wonderful, my coworkers were amazing, you got the LATEST details on what's hot in book series, and the benefits were a grade A added bonus.

Cons

I didn't get to spend as much time with my family and I missed a lot of important events because I had to work all the time.

Viewing 667 - 669 of 718 Reviews

Glassdoor has 759 Half Price Books reviews submitted anonymously by Half Price Books employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if Half Price Books is right for you.