Our Store Policy for Used Books

The Story Peddler does not pay cash for books. Instead, customers receive store credit for half the value of the books traded in. This credit is kept on file and never expires.

The Story Peddler accepts a wide variety of books in fine, near fine, or good condition, but we reserve the right to refuse any book brought in for credit. The reasons for refusal may include age, condition, and/or number of copies already in our inventory. Library discards, textbooks, and most book club editions are not accepted. Unaccepted books will be returned upon request and must be taken with you when you leave.

The credit policy is based by price on a two-for-one principle. For example, if you bring in two books of a certain value, you can trade for one of our used books of the same value, paying only the handling charge and sales tax, which must be paid in cash (not with store credit). The handling charge is 10% of the amount of credit used. Used book credit may only be applied toward the purchase of other used books. It can never be applied to new merchandise.

How Used Book Credit is Calculated

• Paperback Books - The original U.S. Printed cover price of each paperback is totaled, then that total is divided in half. This half-price is applied to your account as paperback credit. Paperback credit cannot be applied to hardcover books or any books marked "Collectible/Treasures Found".
• Hardcover Books - The original U.S. Printed cover price of each hardcover is totaled, then that total is divided in half. This half-price is applied to your account as hardcover credit. Hardcover credit may be applied to hardcover and/or paperback books. It may not be used to purchase any books marked "Collectible/Treasures Found".

Two Important Restrictions

• Science Fiction / Fantasy / Manga - If you would like to purchase books from these genres with store credit, you must bring in science fiction, fantasy, or manga books. The credit is calculated as described above.
• Series Romance - Credit received for books in this genre can only be used for more series romances.

How We Rate a Book’s Condition

In the bookselling industry, most book dealers use a rating system of “fine,” “near fine,” “good,” “fair,” or “poor”.

• Fine - Books in this category are rare. They display no rubbing from shelf wear and their pages are clean and unmarked. Essentially, these books look new.
• Near Fine - These books might have a scratch or two on their dust jacket or cover, the previous owner’s name might be on the first page, or it might have a few minor flaws. Even so, these books still look nearly new.
• Good - These books have some noticeable flaws, but nothing that degrades the overall quality of the book. These books look as though they have been read a few times, but they are still clean and whole.
• Fair - Books in this category are seriously flawed. The dust jacket may be torn or missing, the binding may be coming unraveled, the spine may be cracked, there could be water damage, or the book contains annotations. Books rated as fair are books that have obviously seen better days.
• Poor - These books are basically falling apart. The cover is loose, the pages are loose or falling out, the spine is broken, there could be water damage, or any number of other things. Most book dealers won’t sell a book in this condition.

Books may be donated in any condition. If we can’t resell them, we will take them to the Fortnightly Club in Brenham to see if they can get a second lease on life.

If, after reading this, you would like to open a used book credit account, please contact the store.