C & W Used Books

This place is a great place to buy used books. The guy who was working the counter, although as quiet as it gets, was very helpful and seemed to know where every book was. About every book I was looking for was in the store and they were all still in excellent condition. I would definitely recommend this store to anyone looking for a used book and will definitely come back.

Nestled in an unremarkable shopping area right near the Potomac Mills mall area, this independent bookstore has a quiet charm.
Some may say creepy book store, but I call it a nice respite from the outside world. I’ve been here a handful of times. It can have that relaxed atmosphere, and the book store has been located here since the shopping center has been built (over 20 years ago, not sure exactly). Highly organized shelves.
Very old school used-​book place type. I’ve been here at night a couple times; one might want to bring friends. Not necessarily the store itself, but the shopping area can seem a bit isolated.
You’ve got to dig in the surplus of common stock books & bookshelves to find some hidden gems here. A decent selection of books includes sci-​fi, history, literature & modern classics (my interests). As well, a fine selection of current affair texts are present. It also carries used DVDs in the back area and some graphic novels, a few comic books too, near the front. There is even a section for readers of children/​YA literature right by the cash register area.
The prices are alright (a hit or miss sometimes), but you may find some other deals online or at other retailers. Do your homework to be certain. It’s the book trade program you want to check out.
The service from the person behind the desk may not be so pro-​active in comparison to overly enthusiastic representatives like from the major retailers across the street, but I thought the guy on duty was very available and knowledgeable of the current inventory to respond extensively to my questions.
I wish it had a few more chairs and tables designated in various areas for browsing/​reading. If you have the time and if you’re willing to lose yourself in a single row of bookshelves, this may be a place to get lost when you’re not concerned about crowds. Books are treasures. Some are even worth the effort to find in a place like C & W.

Been coming here since I was a little kid. The place is not the newest looking thing, and prices are decent… Sometimes overpriced for used classics that can be bought for cheap new at Barnes & Noble. Still impressive to me, though, because the staff always knows exactly what books I ask them for, no matter how obscure they seem to be.

This is a quiet mom and pop bookstore. The best quality is their trade in program. They are far more fair than the nearby 2^nd and Charles. They have an extensive selection of books though most are older used versions. The staff is friendly though often when you come in it is just you and the staff, which can feel awkward when browsing. The staff are knowledgeable though, and don’t pester you as you go about. They have some great prices on books and some that you would be better getting off of Amazon. Usually when I come in here I am trading old books for other cheap paperbacks. If you are looking for expansive selections of romance or mystery novels, this is a great option.
Overall, a good experience and fair pricing. It is a small town bookstore and you definitely get that vibe when you come in. They have a couple chairs if you want to sit down and browse. I think it is a good stop for any local bookworm.

My second visit to this locale was about as awkward as my first. I don’t demand a strong vocal presence in a bookstore, but this place is eerily creepy and uncomfortable, which carries on to the staff. The older gentleman who works there is quiet and replies to questions with what could be called a light whisper. The books are variably priced; some great deals and others hardly below market value. The DVD’s are expensive too, making it hardly a rival for any other used media store like MovieStop or FYE. This is a bad quality for an independent book store (or any independent store for that matter). They are generally fair with book trade values, which is great if you have some overstock you want to put toward some new reading. The selection is decent too, but nothing extraordinary.
The Verdict:
If you are looking to save a buck on your next read, C &W is an OK choice. Just be ready for some awkward customer service during your scramble for a book that more than likely isn’t in stock.

Anytime I’m down in Woodbridge I stop here without fail. I actually keep lists of «wants» for my mom and myself on my phone just in case I’m in the area.
The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. I love that they keep new /​popular titles on a shelf up front so if you’re just running in to try and score a deal on something on the best seller list you don’t necessarily have to go through the entire store.
Its also one of the best organized used book stores I’ve ever been in and has tons of stock. Half the store is non-​fiction and I’ve hardly scratched those sections. They even had some titles from old fiction series that I’ve never been able to find anywhere else. They do take trade-​ins but there are some type of books they don’t accept so if you have a question, best to call and check rather than lug them there.
I have a kindle and read a lot of library books on that — but some books I really want to own the actual thing. Curling up with an e-​reader on a cold afternoon just doesn’t achieve the same nostalgia for me. Besides, I love the smell and feel of paper. C& W feeds my intrinsic need to wall my home with books.

This is the best used bookstore I’ve been to in a long time (quite possibly ever.)
Staff were friendly and not overbearing. I was able to spend quite a bit of time here just browsing the shelves. Lots of great titles-​both «mainstream» and unknown. I wish I would have known about this place in college– I recognized many titles from my required readings at great prices.
Oh and they also have a program where you can sell them your used books for credit!
Great place for your inner bookworm.