Questions we answer so you don't have to ask.

Do you rent audiobooks?

What kind of books do you buy?

We are general interest stores, so we look at all kinds of books. Due to limited space,  though, we have to be picky. We do not take library books unless they are stamped 'withdrawn'. We also tend not to buy Westerns, romance novels, textbooks, hardcover mysteries, computer manuals, damaged books, or books with writing or highlighting in them.

What do I need to trade my books?

For cash buys (offered at Dog Eared and Alley Cat only), you must have a valid photo ID such as a Passport or State-issued Driver's License or Identification Card. When trading books for store credit, any store may request your name and ID for our records.

Will you buy all my books?

Sorry, but there are some titles we just can’t use. If you don’t want to carry those books home, we have free bins right outside all our stores where you can donate them to whoever wants them.

How much do you pay for books?

20% of a book's cover price in store credit is the usual amount, though the percentage can be a little lower or higher depending on the book's condition, how many copies we have on hand, and how current the title is.

Can I get cash instead of store credit?

Dog Eared and Alley Cat may offer cash as well as trade, but are much pickier when selecting books for cash. Any book for which we pay cash is worth 50% more in store credit. For example, a $3 cash book would get you $4.50 in store credit.

How do Dog Eared and Alley Cat decide whether to offer cash or store credit for a book?

The decision is based on what sells and what we have in stock. We tend to only offer credit only for very common and/or cheaply produced books such as mass market mysteries.

What hours do you buy?

Ideally, we buy all day until an hour before closing. It is, however, a good idea to call first and make sure we have a buyer in — occasionally, a newer employee who isn't trained to buy yet might be working alone. Saturdays and Sunday afternoons tend to be very busy for us and are not the best time to bring books in.

Can I drop books I want to sell off and pick them up tomorrow?

Sorry, no. We don't have enough room for storage. You may, however, drop off books and then go for coffee — it rarely takes us more than a half-hour to do a buy (unless we're really busy or you have a dozen plus boxes of books).

What can I use store credit for?

Store credit can be used for all merchandise, including new books and magazines. They do not work on collectible items (the expensive rarities kept behind the counter or in locked glass cases.) We will give you a trade slip indicating the amount of your credit, but we do not keep records of these trade slips, so don't lose them!

I have a trade slip from Dog Eared. Can I use it at Phoenix, Red Hill, or Alley Cat?

Trade slips can be used at all four stores.

How long is my credit good for?

As long as we are in business.

Will you come to my house to look at books? Do you do estate buys?

If you are selling an entire collection or library (upwards of a thousand books) of the sort we deal in, we may be able to do an “out buy” at your home. Just phone the store nearest you and ask to speak with a buyer.

I wrote a book, zine, comic, etc. How can I get you to carry it?

Please come by and show the item in question to a store manager. We will review your publication and let you know whether we think one (or all!) of our stores can sell it, and discuss the terms. We do not take materials on consignment. For zines and comics, we suggest you try Dog Eared Books only.

Are you hiring? How do I get a job here?

Our turnover rate is low, but you are always welcome to leave a resume. Applicants may be asked to take our legendary Book Test, which gives us a general idea of your familiarity with titles and authors. We prefer at least a year of previous bookstore experience.

Do you sell new books? Used books?

All four stores sell new, used, and remaindered books.

What is a remainder?

Remaindered books are discounted new books. Sometimes they are publishers’ overstock, in some cases, are slightly damaged. Either way, we get ‘em cheap... you get ‘em cheap.

If you don’t have a book, can you order it for me?

If the book is in print and our distributor has it in stock, sure.  Special orders generally take about half a week to arrive.