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About our Store
Welcome to The Castle Bookroom, where students, professors, business and professional people, and just general booklovers shop for special treasures! Our books are treated with T.L.C. - which includes being cleaned with a special solution to remove the oils, dirt, and residues of handling, and if there is a dust jacket in fragile condition, we cover it with an archive-quality acetate protective sleeve (if you're wondering if a certain book will come with the acetate, please email us and ask!). All books are wrapped carefully and professionally before shipping. ~ Thanks for checking us out!
Buried in books - and loving it! We're a family-run online book and antiques & collectibles business – If we can help you in any way please feel free to e-mail us with any questions or comments.
We started this business on a whim and a shoestring over 10 years ago. We were very small, and it was a part-time affair, selling in a rented space in an antiques mall. Because of our love for books and reading, we gradually built up the bookselling end of the business. Eventually Sarah, my wife (and the owner of this business), went full-time, and opened her own used books & antiques retail store, along with the help of our teenage daughter. I helped out when I could, but with my out-of-town job as a general manager of a furniture store, I had little time to contribute.
However, in 1999 I was suddenly downsized out of a job! I came to work at The Castle Bookroom full-time, and have been here ever since. Despite having been previously self-employed both as a freelance commercial artist, and as a licensed remodeling contractor ("Castle Builders" of California USA), I have never had a business or a job I enjoyed as much as I do internet bookselling.
Around 1996 we got our first computer, which I used mainly for typing business contracts for my remodeling business. In 1998 we got our first "internet-capable" computer, and hooked up to the web in wide-eyed wonder. In 2001 we closed our walk-in store to focus on our internet sales. By the end of that year we reached a real milestone (which you are experiencing) - our own website! And we still have a small store inside an antiques mall, selling used books, antiques, and collectibles.
Unlike many internet sellers for whom books are just "things" to sell, we love reading, and we love books - and we hope that our appreciation for our work, and for good books, is reflected in the way we handle our merchandise, process our orders, and treat our customers. Our feedback on both ebay and Amazon shows that our customers are enthusiastic about buying from people who care about the product they are selling.
Special requests are not a problem! We’re located in Bakersfield California, the address for our store is: upstairs 701 19th Street at The Central Park Antique Mall, open 7 days a week. That's our physical address, our online business address, for mailing purposes, is 6613 Peggy Way, Bakersfield, Ca. 93307-5686. Any questions give us a call at 1-661-835-0623 Have a great Day - and hope you enjoy our website!
what do our Amazon customers say about us?...
Click Here to See For Yourself All Our Amazon Feedback!
Great Communication, Very Safe Packaging, Fast Shipping, Fun Transaction!"
Date: 11/27/2001 Rated by Winner: gstancil@ncpsolutions.com
"Beautiful book, excellent service. So glad to find you!! Great seller!!"
Date: 11/26/2001 Rated by Winner: dkszymanski
"The item I ordered came in a very timely manner, and was in excellent condition."
Date: 11/26/2001 Rated by Winner: bryantn
"Smooth transaction"
Date: 11/23/2001 Rated by Winner: jandina4
"Fast service, nice packing, the book looks like brand new. I'm happy"
Date: 11/19/2001 Rated by Winner: bdg040799
"Product came quickly and was as advertised."
Date: 11/19/2001 Rated by Winner: acapco
"A+++ communication & service - Thank you!"
Date: 11/19/2001 Rated by Winner: jeffntricia2000
"Arived instantly and in brand new condition"
Date: 11/16/2001 Rated by Winner: aaron__c
"EXCELLENT SELLER, WHAT A JOY! GREAT BOOK!"
Date: 11/16/2001 Rated by Winner: ether-sales
"Good, quick service."
Date: 11/16/2001 Rated by Winner: tgivens@lahacienda.com
"Book was in better shape than I expected and was shipped very timely."
Date: 11/16/2001 Rated by Winner: patrickhogan2
"Book was received in good condition overall. I'm thrilled!!"
Date: 11/14/2001 Rated by Winner: tonniharris
"book in very good condition, wrapped with care, prompt delivery, thank you =)"
Date: 11/12/2001 Rated by Winner: gchang816
what our ebay customers say about us...
Click Here to See For Yourself All Our Ebay Auctions Feedback!
redfronteds (125) Nov-25-01 19:34:55 PST Thanks. Looks great.
doc790 (92) Nov-25-01 09:52:55 PST quick,as promissed.
patdc@aol.com (54) Nov-22-01 07:59:33 PST Recommended. Fast delivery. Book in great condition.
ipaytoomuch (224) Nov-13-01 18:53:26 PST Thank You - GREAT SERVICE A+A+A+A+A+
maebaby1 (69) Nov-13-01 17:02:56 PST Wonderful tray. Love it. Thank you Seller.
lordjeff69 (11) Nov-05-01 11:03:47 PST very good to work with
udjat1 (1053) Nov-03-01 09:24:50 PST perfect book, beautifully wrapped. recommended seller
allengoodwine (15) Oct-30-01 06:55:35 PST Fast contact, fast ship. Thanks
pinksuger (85) Oct-27-01 14:15:22 PDT PLEASANT AND EXCELLENT TRANSACTION QUICK RESPONSE
cpauctions (96) Oct-27-01 12:02:08 PDT Excellent Ebay'r. Item better than described. Would deal with again. Thx. A+
daleandron@home.com (36) Oct-22-01 12:22:33 PDT Great communication, fast delivery, item as desribed..Thanks!
tie_guy (44) Sep-24-01 17:19:47 PDT Tremendous book, fast service and great communication! 5 stars and 2 thumbs up!! bookshop mascot oversees web-page production
LETTERS FROM OUR CUSTOMERS
Howdy,
Don't know if I've gotten a note to you to let you know that I've received
the book "Kites : An Historical Survey--[Paperback] Hart, Clive" and I'm
very pleased. Could not figure a way to do feedback on Amazon for
purchasess. Would be glad to leave possitive if you can tell me how.
Thanks again.
By the way, I thought I would be getting a papperback, and got a hard bond.
Very please, was most impressed by the packing.
I received the 1936 Texas Centennial medal today, and wanted to take this opportunity to let you know how delighted I am with the piece. It makes a great addition to my Expo collection.
Please keep me in mind if you should run across any neat 1939-40 Golden Gate Expo memorabilia. I am a very strong buyer of nice material from this fair.
Positive feedback has been posted for you.
Thanks a million.
Jim
Just received my order of Helldorado by William Breakenridge. The book is in excellent condition and will make a fine addition to my collection of Old West histories. I had been looking for a copy, not diligently, of Helldorado for a few years. I always heard that Billy Breakenridge had a controversial point of view based on his personal connections to the O.K. Corral. Now I will be able to read and add this account to my library.
Thank You, Glade
Dear Sarah,
the book arrived here in good order at 11 July 2002, that was a very
fast delivery.
Everything is OK, thank you for good packing.
With best wishes from Germany,
Roland
Hi,
I got the book, "GMC; Goal, Motivation and Conflict", in the mail yesterday. I gave you a five star rating on feedback. I only wish I were back in Southern California and I could have picked it up personally. Thank you for your service and the quality of the product. If all vendors on the net were like you, I would do more business through the web.
Thanks again
Just a quick note to inform you that I received the Civil War "US"
Cartridge Box Plate which I won in your eBay auction earlier this week.
I am very pleased with it and have left feedback for you. If you have
not done so, I would appreciate it if you would do the same for me.
Thank you for your fast delivery. I look forward to doing business with
you again in the future.
Sincerely
Hello:
Cap box arrived today..it's a keeper..Thanks
I have done your positive feedback, and trust you will do mine shortly.
Best
Gil
I received the Vox. I wanted to thank you for the care in packaging. It arrived in mint condition. It is exactly as described and plays like a charm. This is the first guitar I have bought from an ebay vendor that I am absolutely 100% pleased with. Thanks so much.
Larry
It arrived today, absolutely mint. Thank you.
I received the scabbard in the mail today. It arrived in good condition and I am satisfied with the purchase and will leave positive Ebay feedback and ask that you do the same. By the way, the piece is not a Hall's bayonet scabbard, but a transitional post Civil War piece. If it had been a Hall's 1828 or 1839 scabbard I suspect it would have sold for around $200 or more. I have been looking for a transitional piece like this and feel that this has been a good transaction.
Thanks.
Steve
Hey There!
I just received an order from you, and it was a 5 star edition in 5 star
condition!
What a treat. I won't hesitate to use you again. Class Act.
Bravo!
Laurie
Dear Sarah,
I meant to tell you when I emailed my thanks how IMPRESSED I was with your packaging.... It was outstanding.......
Jest wanted you to know........ 8)
Kathy
Just to let you know that I received the book last Thursday, with many thanks. I am delighted with it ....... and very quick delivery !!
Thanks for the great service !!
Dear Sir/Madam Many thanks for the speedy delivery of the book Alexander Dolgun's Story : An American in the Gulag. My husband has been looking for this book for years, and will be delighted with this surprise gift for Christmas. It was just as you described it.Yours, Lynne L.
Hi and thank you for the quick delivery of a recent purchase. I had ordered Dear Cora by Cora Holmes... Being an Alaskan book written by an Alaskan author I thought I should be able to find it no problem at any of our bookstores here in Anchorage, Alaska. I was wrong....every bookstore was out of stock and the publisher had stopped publishing her book. So...something I have never done before struck me....try the internet....and sure enough I jumped out of my seat when I saw the book come up on the site. I couldnt believe it!!!! I couldnt believe that her book was actually available and I could purchase it for my brother-n-law just in time for xmas! Not even our used bookstores had it on stock!
THANK YOU!! The delivery was rite on time and everything went smooth...I am now a true believer on purchasing via internet.
Happy Holidays and thank you again. -lisa
Book came in today, thanks so much for packaging it tightly, I live in a rural area and the mail lady left it on top of the mailbox, it stormed for about 2 hours this afternoon before we got home to get it. The book was safe. I'll leave a 5 star later. Thanks again. Garnett
Hi. I received the book I ordered and was very pleased with it. It was as you described it and you sent it as quickly as you promised. Thank you.
Bobbie P.
Hello,
I received the reel today and am well pleased. Thanks for the super-fast shipment and for offering the reel on Ebay. Positive feedback has been posted and would certainly appreciate the same if you are satisfied with our transaction. Keeping a close eye on a couple of your other auctions. Hope we can do business again. Thanks again.
Mark
I received the above-referenced book today in excellent condition. Thank you
for the great and prompt service. I will leave some nice feedback at Amazon.
Many thanks!
Ingrid
Hello: Sorry we did not reply sooner but are DSL was down for a week.
Yes, we did receive the book and it is in great condition, and we have left postive feedback. Thanks again, Kelly C.
I received my book in today's mail. It's in fine shape. Thanks very much, Bill McD.
I wasn't satisfied since I thought I was getting the hardcover text. I ordered Corporate
Finance.
Doug (yes, this happens one in awhile. I just threw this in to see if anyone was paying attention!)
Received in excellent condition. Thanks.
Book arrived today!
Thanks, CAB
The book arrived today in fine shape. Kudos to you and USPS. Your 5 star rating has been submitted. Thanks again.
Chum
Recieved lure. Thanks for doing such a nice job packing it.
Nice lure! Gary
Hi -The brooch arrived today. It's beautiful! Thanks! ( I will leave positive feedback) Donna
I'm about to send in a 5-star rating on your company to Amazon. The book is
in the condition I had hoped for. PLUS, I ordered two used books that day.
From The Castle Bookroom, I ordered at the regular delivery charge. From
the other Amazon seller, I paid the extra amount for fast shipment.
However, your book arrived first. Thank you. Surely, your business is
doing well, and I hope it will continue to do so. I will order from you
again, if I'm given the opportunity.
- Joy
I wanted to thank you for your wonderful service. My book arrived so fast and wrapped very well. Thanks again and I look forward to using your service again. I love books.
- Bridget
Sitting alone on the park bench, my eyes and mind drifted, often in wildly divergent paths, as I tried to focus my brain in the early morning mist. The night’s chill lingered in the dawn air, as the sun attempted to cheer the still and mirthless day, massaging it’s warmth into the unwelcoming earth.
Suddenly I became aware of it, ‘though it had doubtless been there all along. Catching my side glance, it spoke up, without emotion, “You look awful, buddy.” I tensed at the insult. Yet unshaved and un-showered, I knew it was true. I shrugged it off, and relaxed again.
“And a rosy good morning to you too“, I sarcastically countered. I had never talked to a book before, although I’m sure I must have known that they could speak.
“It’s a brutal world“, the book continued, ignoring my comment. “But then you look like you ought’a be aware of that already.” Another insult. I remained silent, not knowing where this was heading, not sure that I wanted to know. But I sensed an inner pain trying to express itself, rather than any actual malice.
“What do you know about a brutal world?”, I asked, taking the bait. A long silence ensued, followed by a low sigh.
“You wanna know about a brutal world? You don‘t care. What do you care?” I remained silent, but attentive. “My spine is killing me. It was permanently twisted, when my original owner left me leaning crooked on a shelf, for months. It wasn’t even neglect - it was intentional! Something someone saw in a decorating magazine ? A DECORATING MAGAZINE, for crying out loud!” He spat contemptuously, and continued, “Then the sun, day after day the merciless sun. Faded my spine, ruined my shelf-appeal. Once your shelf-appeal is gone, it’s over. They don’t look at you like they used to, they never pick you up and hold you anymore, never even tickle your pages or look at your jacket blurbs. Of course, I never had much of a chance to begin with, my story was over practically before it began.”
I raised my eyebrows, and waited, not wanting to break the spell. “Open my cover.” I hesitated, feeling awkward. “Open my cover, go ahead, I’m not ashamed of my scars!” I opened the cover, and saw. I must have gasped, the torn hinge looked so awful, the laceration was so deep. “First day home, a kid cranked my cover back. I was still green, hadn’t been broken in yet, and he just CRANKED it back, just like that. That hurt.”
Then my eye caught something else, an inscription on the flyleaf, in ink. “Yeah, so you noticed that too. Funny, they never write on other gifts, never scar a doll’s forehead with a ‘hope you like this doll’ message. But oh, they love defacing us books, don’t they? Turn me over.” This time I didn’t hesitate. There on the back cover was an ugly coffee-cup stain. I felt ashamed, knowing I had thoughtlessly done the same to many a book in my day, never thinking. But what could I do now, other than vow silently to myself never to abuse another book again? I said the only thing I could think of at that moment. “Mind if I read you?” I could've sworn I saw that book actually SMILE! But then, books can't do that, can they?
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