How Does This Work?

Since 1983, we have bought, sold, and traded with customers through the northern Virginia area. We started with just books, but now we are so much more than that. Interested? Well, there are a few things you should know about our process, so keep reading.

 

How does this work?

Well, that’s a big question. The general answer is this, you bring in the merchandise you want to trade and or sell. We’ll check in up to THREE (3) bins per adult (18+) per day on Saturday and Sunday, FOUR(4) as possible Monday through Friday. We will assign a price to each piece of merchandise that we can sell, and give you a percent of that in trade credit. We offer cash for some items, but not all.

What items do you accept?

The list is pretty long, but here you go!

  • Fiction Books
  • Non-Fiction Books
  • Text Books
  • Children’s Books – must be free of writing, stamps, and stickers on the exterior. 
  • Literature and Classics
  • Comic Books
  • Graphic Novels
  • Digital Video Discs (DVDs)
  • BluRays
  • Audio Books on Compact Discs(CDs)
  • Music CDs
  • Vinyl Records
  • Board Games
  • Wooden Children’s Puzzles (With low piece counts)
  • Video Games
  • Music Cassettes
  • Magazines in the following categories:
  • Video & Computer Gaming
  • Science Fiction
  • Movies & Cinema
  • Music & Musicians
  • Cosplay
  • Magazines with Specific Titles
  • Analog Magazine
  • Crime Illustrated Magazine
  • Epic Magazine
  • Fate Magazine
  • Mad Magazine
  • Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction
  • True Detective Magazine
  • Thrasher
  • Action Figures
  • Funko Pops
  • Beanie Babies
  • Matchbox sized Diecast cars
  • Nerf Brand Nerf Guns
  • Magic The Gathering Cards

Do you pay cash for everything?

Due to the nature of supply and demand, we are unable to offer cash for everything. 

What we pay trade credit only for:

  • Fiction (Cash is generally available if released in the last three months)
  • General Demand Children’s Books
  • Most CDs
  • Audio Books
  • General Demand Comic Books
  • Most DVDs
  • Skylander Figures
  • Most Magazines
  • General Demand BluRays
  • Beanie Babies
  • Classical Records

What we pay cash for:

  • Video Games (except for Skylander Figures)
  • Vinyl Records (except for Classical/Instrumental)
  • High Demand CDs
  • Very High Demand DVDs
  • High Demand BluRays
  • Most Non-Fiction
  • Children’s Award Winners
  • Children’s Fantasy Books
  • Children’s High Demand Authors and Series
  • Action Figures (New AND Used)
  • Board Games
  • High Demand Magazines off our magazine list
  • Matchbox sized Diecast Vehicles
  • Nerf Brand Nerf Guns

We must scan your valid state issued ID containing full name, address, and photograph in order to issue any cash or check amount. You must be 18 or older to receive cash or a check. Any amount over $30 will be issued in the form of a check. No exceptions will be made.

When can I bring stuff in?

Bring in your merchandise 7 days per week up until 1 hour prior to closing. Large orders (more than 3 bins) are accepted as space allows.

Is there a limit to how much I can bring in?

We would love to be able to accept an unlimited amount of items from all of our customers, but due to the large quantity of merchandise that we sort through in a day, we are able to accommodate varying amounts of merchandise depending on the season. At most, we can check-in 4 bins* per adult per weekday, and 3 bins per adult on weekends.

Orders over the daily bin limit may be submitted as “Large Orders” if space allows, and can take anywhere from 1 to 2 weeks to process. Please see our check-in clerk or call for information regarding the “Large Order” process, as it differs from our normal procedures.  “Large orders” are available on a first come, first serve basis, we do not accept reservations for “large orders”.

*A bin is defined as one of our processing bins and is measured at 18”x13”x12”

Can I leave and come back while you work on my order?

While we do our best to get your order processed while you shop, we understand that sometimes that’s just not feasible. When you bring in merchandise, you have up to three(3) hours from your drop off to pick up any items that we cannot accept or up to three(3) days to claim any trade and/or cash/check/PayPal/Venmo. We are unable to hold any returns after 3 hours due to the volume of merchandise we process.

Is there anything that you just don’t take at all?

Yes, there are certain items that, for one reason or another, we just can’t sell. Those items include, but are not limited to:

  • Library books, current or discarded.
  • Children’s books with any names, writing, stickers, or stamps on the exterior.
  • Books previously belonging to a school/library with identifying marks.
  • Fiction books missing dust jackets
  • Music and Movies without an original case
  • Rental DVDs & BluRays
  • Wet or water damaged items
  • We will not accept anything from orders that contain live bugs.
  • Encyclopedias
  • Time-Life Sets
  • VHS
  • Books on Cassette
  • Computer Games and Software
  • 33 1/3 Records Without an Inner AND Outer Sleeve/Jacket
  • Music Cassettes without cases and complete liner notes
  • CDs without cases and complete liner notes
  • Action figures that are broken or missing pieces
  • Video Game Consoles – Current Prince William County legislation prohibits us from buying and reselling these items from individual consumers. While we are working on a solution, we are unable to accept any consoles at this time.

How much do you pay for what you take?

We will pay up to 40% of our selling price in trade credit depending on the type of item. Cashable items payout at up to 25% of our selling price, depending on the type of item – we do not pay cash for all items, see ‘What we pay cash for’ section above.

How long will it take to process my order?

Merchandise is processed in the order it is received. We try our best to have your order processed while you are in the store shopping. The turn around time will vary based on how many orders have been checked in ahead of you and the type of merchandise you are submitting.

My boxes are really heavy; can someone come out to my car to carry them in for me?

We will gladly provide you with a hand truck or wagon to bring your boxes in from the parking lot. Unfortunately, we do not have staff available to bring in merchandise from outside the store, so please plan accordingly.

Please note that the red shopping carts are for indoor use only. 

I don’t have the cases to my disks; can I still sell those to you?

All disks, records, and cassettes must be in original cases. Video game cartridges may be taken without their original cases and boxes.

Do you offer dealer discounts?

McKay’s is built for individual consumer use within our community. Everyone is welcome to use the store, dealers may shop after 3pm; no discount is provided to dealers. 

What if I have gift cards and trade credit from another McKays?

Richard McKay Used Books, located in Manassas, VA, is a separate company from McKay Used Books in Tennessee, and McKay Used Books in North Carolina. We are unable to accept trade credit or gift cards issued from those stores.

What form of payment do you accept?

Due to the current COVID pandemic, we strongly prefer the use of non-cash payments. We currently accept charge, mobile pay, and trade credit (as applicable), as payment. We do not accept $100 bills for sales under $35. Any charge/e-pay sales of $75 or more will require a photo ID. We do not accept checks.