Sam Weller's Books

09/12/2008 Posted by utahtoad

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.

08/05/2008 Posted by slcer

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.

Pros: good selection of used books, nice children's section

Cons: difficult to locate fictional books

01/01/2008 Posted by garciaen1

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.

01/02/2007 Posted by utecougar

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.

Pros: Wonderful used book selection

Cons: Muzak

12/03/2005 Posted by rewhuk

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!

Pros: books, books, books

Cons: Rude staff, No manners, creepy

06/14/2002 Posted by robyngalbos_citysearch

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.

Pros: Special orders, Downtown location, Great selection

Cons: Street parking, Limited magazines