Used book bookstores can be broadly classified into two types: The standard used book store keeps all kinds of used books especially textbooks and differentiates itself by offering them at significantly lower prices than what you would pay for a brand new copy of the same book. The rare used book bookstore, on the other hand, differentiates itself on the range of books it carries including books that are rare, out-of-print, first editions or author-signed.

The clientele at used book bookstores also varies depending on which type of used book bookstore it is. The standard used book bookstore caters basically to students who are looking for a cheaper way of getting their text-books. The latter category of bookstores though, often gets those who are looking for a rare out-of-print book for either their own use or so that they can sell it for profit. Needless to say, careful browsing at these stores can sometimes lead to a very rare and expensive book that is being sold at a fraction of its real value. Many used book bookstores also have their own area of specialty and they stock many used books on the subject thus becoming a paradise for the committed collector.

One good source of information about used book bookstores are “The Used Book Lover Guides.” Used book stores can now be found online as well.