Not the store it used to be! I’m saddened that this formerly indie bookstore has franchised, and it is nothing like it used to be 20 years ago. There selections are mostly new books, few vintage on their shelves. Further DON’T EVER TAKE YOUR USED BOOKS TO SELL THERE! You’ll get a better deal by putting them on eBay. They no longer redeem your old books for cash or credit, they only give in-store credit now, and the amount they offer on credit for your old books is insulting. I used to love shopping at Powells City of Books, but I won’t give them my business any longer. There are better indie bookstores out there that have quality books, quality service, and truly care about the customer.

Terrible business practices Terrible business practices. I recognize that in order to make money selling used books you need to get them for a decent price. However, this place is a gold mine. It's not just that they pay insultingly low prices for your books, it's that they're rude to you while they're doing it. They truly act like they're doing you a favor, and forget that without you selling back your books, they would be out of business. What's worse is that they have aggressively put every other mom-and-pop bookstore in the area out of business. Portland used to have a thriving used bookstore presence but Powell's has driven their competition completely out of existence. And they ripped off their customers with a contemptuous eye-roll while doing it. There are alternatives, albeit mostly online (Thanks in part to the business practices of companies like Powell's). I get that there is a thrill in hunting through thousands of books in order to find a diamond in the rough, but for ethical reasons, I will be going elsewhere in the future. Don't waste your time.

Thank You for your professionalism Today saw the funeral of a friend and colleague of mine,who sadly passed a few weeks ago. I attended the funeral as part of WYP in the capacity of friend and colleague. The funeral numbers exceeded in excess of 250 people, with some real sensitivities to manage and get things right for the family. The service was attended by WYP, Chief Constable John Robins and a number of other senior officers as part of his team. Comment was made throughout regarding the WYP guard of honour at the church and the professionalism and etiquette of Melia Powell’s and the fact everything ran so smoothly. The funeral Directors, Merv Pemberton and Dean Newton were exceptional at such a sad time. Thank you for making this a day to remember, for all the right reasons. Your staff are a credit to yourselves at Melia Powell’s. Thank you !!

Not great for Canadians My order shipped on july 16 and did not received yet, wrote them a message and told me to wait another two months. They did not want to give me a refund ( i would of sent the books back when i got them ) i live in canada. Just a bit disappointing.

Well known indie bookchain Well known indie bookchain, now located in the Pacific Northwest. I've never had any difficulties ordering items from the web from them. They were early pioneers of e-commerce, before the 'big gorrila'. Their strength is new and used books, especially academic and scientific publications. This family owned company is a well known collector of used books in North America.