Last Updated on September 23, 2021 by BookScouter

Powell’s Books has the distinction of being BookScouter’s only vendor to buy used books that aren’t textbooks. Powell’s is not merely an online company, but a large independent bookstore headquartered in Portland, Oregon, with stores throughout the surrounding metropolitan area.

Powell’s City of Books

Its main location, known as “Powell’s City of Books,” occupies an entire city block in downtown Portland. The “City of Books” is aptly named because it spans 68,000 square feet. No worries about filling that warehouse. There’s also a coffee shop, event rooms for visiting authors, and a total inventory of more than two million books across several locations.

Powell’s Bookstore

The size of the bookstore shouldn’t turn you away. Plenty of assistants wait to answer your questions all around the store. And there’s even a Powell’s app to help you navigate the color-coded rooms of the massive store. Powell’s is different from most bookstores because it features new and used books side-by-side rather than separated into different sections. The store was founded in 1971 by Walter Powell, and its strong connection to literature is illustrated by the carving entitled the “Pillar of Books” outside the main entrance to the “City of Books.” The carving features eight classic works of literature: Mahabharata, 1000 Nights and a Night, Hamlet, War & Peace, Tao te Ching, Psalms, The Odyssey, and The Whale (Moby Dick).

Powell’s Selling and Buying Used Books

Other than operating their booming bookstores in Portland, Powell’s buys several thousand used books online every day. Recently, BookScouter experienced problems with Powell’s website. Their website could not handle all the traffic coming through from BookScouter, but they promptly fixed the issue. Powell’s is currently a preferred vendor on our site, which means they are well-vetted and have a good relationship with BookScouter.

You can check out Powell’s profile on our website. They pay via PayPal and provide a shipping label. Powell’s has a strict conditions guideline, so be sure to read it carefully before you sell books to them online. Get the most money for your books and help build the great Powell’s “City of Books.”