Special orders
Special orders & used books
Can’t find it on the shelf? We can get almost any book in print. Have shelves of your own to clear? We’ll make you an honest offer.
Any book in print, in about three days
If it’s in print in the United States, we can order it, and most books arrive in two to three business days. Walt handles special orders and will tell you honestly if a book is likely to take longer.
There’s no deposit and no obligation. You pay when you pick it up, and we hold it for two weeks. Out of print? Walt will search used and rare book networks and give you a price and a condition before you decide.
- No deposit, no obligation
- Pick up in the shop or have it shipped
- Out-of-print searches are free
How a special order works
- 1
Ask us
Tell us the title and author at the counter, by email or through our contact form.
- 2
We order it
Walt orders it from our wholesaler the same day, or searches for a used copy.
- 3
We email you
You hear from us the moment it arrives, usually in two to three days.
- 4
Pick it up
Pay at the counter and take it home, or we’ll ship it for a flat $5.
We buy used books
Walt buys on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 1 to 4 pm. Bring up to two boxes, and he’ll go through them with you and make an offer in cash, or 30 percent more in store credit. For a large collection, about 100 books or more, he’ll come by anywhere in Washtenaw County.
We take fiction, mysteries, history, cookbooks, art books, poetry and good children’s books. We can’t use textbooks more than three years old, encyclopedias, condensed books or anything damp or smelly.
What books cost, used and new
A rough guide, so you know what to expect. Condition and demand change the number, and Walt will always explain it.
What we usually pay
Cash. Add about 30 percent in store credit.
- Paperbacks in good shape$1–3
Fiction and nonfiction
- Hardcovers in good shape$2–6
Without a missing jacket or writing inside
- Cookbooks and art booksPopular$3–10
Clean, with no splatters
- Rare and signed booksAsk
Walt will tell you what they’re worth, even if we don’t buy them
What we usually charge
In the used-book room, a third to half off new.
- Used paperbacks$4–9
Most are under $7
- Used hardcovers$6–16
Rare and collectible books are priced separately
- Paperback box of fivePopular$22
Packed by Walt to your taste, ready in two days
We pay by cash or credit on the spot. Prices are a guide, not a quote.
Prices updated October 28, 2026
Gift cards that never expire
The easiest gift for the reader who has everything. Buy a card online in $25, $50 or $100 and we’ll email it right away, or ask at the counter for a paper card in any amount. They work in the shop and on this website.
Questions about orders and used books
How long does a special order take?
Most books in print arrive in two to three business days, and we email you the moment yours is in. Books from small presses or overseas can take one to two weeks. We’ll tell you what to expect when you ask.
Do I pay a deposit for a special order?
No deposit, and no obligation. You pay when you pick it up (or when we ship it), and we hold it for you for 14 days.
Can you find a book that’s out of print?
Often, yes. Walt searches used and rare book networks and will give you a price and a condition before you decide. There’s no charge to ask.
Ask Walt
Send us the title, the author and anything else you remember, and we’ll tell you what we can do.