Weller Book Works

Doesn't Recommend

Craig P.

Joined 1 year ago

Selling a rare book? Beware. Recently went to the new Trolley Square location. Presented an LDS employee 2006 gift book, italian leather bible, never out of the box. A used one sold recently on eBay for $201. New in-the-box ones are becoming rare. Nothing currently on Amazon and the last on on eBay a year ago went for $250.

I have a large collection of new LDS employee gift leather books and was shopping for a local buyer by bringing a cherry to see how I would be treated and if I would get a fair price.

First of all, Tony Weller, the owner, took my book out and began handling it without gloves! I was apalled as it had never been out of the box and protective liner paper.

He searched his computer and offered me $20 store credit, citing that cash for books is reserved for large sellers.

I told him I would pay him five times the offer, $100 in cash for a similar book. He said he didn't have any.

This is my second attempt in 15 years to sell a collectible to this organization. The first one was "The 19th Wife." They offered me $20 then also, saying that binding restoration would cost them over $100. I sold it on eBay for $491.

Not a rumor, but first person story related to me was a young man who was attempting to sell a First Edition Book of Mormon he inherited from his father's estate. He asked for $5000. Wellers told him it was worthless since it had no title page. As he was leaving, the rare book buyer said, "Oh. I'm in a good mood today; I shouldn't, but i'll give you $50.

He went to another book dealer in Salt Lake who said he'd give him the five grand or sell it for him on 20% commission. He agreed and the book sold for $21,000.

I wasn't expecting anything even close to retail, but $20 store credit? Don't waste your time unless you were on your way to a thrift shop to donate your rare or collectible book and decide you want to sell it instead and buy a bagel.

What Tony doesn't seem to appreciate is that potential sellers won't be back with other treasures.

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utahtoad

Joined 5 years ago

Check it out. I love this store. SLC is so fortunate to have such a grand old bookstore. It's the perfect place to call in sick on a wintery day and spend hours browsing. I like to start in the basement and work my way up. The second floor is where the rare and beautiful books are. However, expect to be treated like a criminal when going to look at them. They're even located behind bars in something that resembles a jail cell. The cell even has a "warden" in the form of an aging Nurse Wratchet who likes to belittle customers. But if you can get past that, it's a great time. The rest of the staff, and even those at the built-in Coffee Garden area are very freindly and helpful. Well worth the visit. More people should support this downtown institution. Take the kids and show them what a real bookstore looks like before it's gone.

Doesn't Recommend

slcer

Joined 5 years ago

Horrible organizatio for fiction. This used to be one of my favorite bookstores, but they have now split up the fiction section so that part is in the basement and part is in the balcony (which is a one-way maze). This makes it next to impossible to browse fiction, or to find a specific book quickly. The employees even seem to have difficulty remembering which books are where. I love to support local businesses, but not when they have such little consideration for their customers.

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garciaen1

Joined 5 years ago

great place for waisting time while drinking a cup of coffe. this is such a nice place the staff has always been helpfull and if they dont know about what you are looking for they will find someone who can help you, the prices are within reason specialy on used books, and the selection is amazingly big.The childrens area is really fun and don't forget to checkout the rare books room. Great place for the entire family.

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utecougar

Joined 6 years ago

Best bookstore I've ever seen. It's a real shame the previous reviewer had such a bad experience. The brusque employee he dealt with (I'm sure I know who he is) is no longer there. I have found the employees to be of varying degrees of competence, but most are extremely knowledgeable and polite. Anyone who can't answer a customer's question tries hard to find someone who can. The collection is HUGE and if they don't have what you want, they will try to help you get it--and if you browse, you will surely find something else you can't live without. Great ambiance, a nice coffee shop, great deals on used books, a Spanish book room, and a fascinating Rare Book room. Go there. The TRAX train stops at the front door.

Doesn't Recommend

rewhuk

Joined 8 years ago

Rude, unfriendly staff!. Sam weller may be a great book store but the staff need a little help in the friendly manner's area. The last time I went in this bookstore I had several (100 or more) books that I made an appointment to have them look at. I was treated like a number. I was not told "thank you" for coming to the difficult downtown area. They threw my books around a blurted out a ridiculous price for my books. I was so disgusted I left with my books. I WILL NEVER GO BACK!

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

New and used books exist in perfect harmony at one of the last, great, independent bookstores.. The Scene
The used-book experts tend to lurk in the dungeon-like basement, but don't let this scare you. When approached, the employees are extremely friendly and knowledgeable. The main level contains an impressive selection of new books, and rare books upstairs. If the out-of-print title you are seeking doesn't happen to be in stock, Sam Weller's will conduct a book search for a $1 fee. This service is consistently efficient and successful.

The Goods
There's a good selection of new fiction and non-fiction, cookbooks, maps, guidebooks, cookbooks, gardening books, Western Americana, LDS (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) topics and local history.

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robyngalbos_citysearch

Joined 11 years ago

Book-lover's dream. Most of the independent bookstores around town have been run out of business by the national chains, but Sam Weller's is hanging in there. The store has a wonderfully extensive selection of new and used books and they're more than happy to place an order for you if they don't have what you're looking for. Great selection of cookbooks and travel books. Keep an eye out for the bargain of the month.