A Different Light Bookstore

11/24/07

Good selection, not cruisy (not too much)

by jericsmall at Citysearch

When you hear the words "book store" associated with a gay neighborhood, first impressions can leave you wondering. However, A Different Light is a different kind...actually, the normal kind of bookstore. Yes, they have gay-focused selection and the requisite collection of body books and stupid greeting cards, but it's a well-lit and light feeling book shop. Prices and selection are great. Patrons actually browse ... for books. Mostly. And this location is good for the casual stroll down the boulevard. Different Light is an excellent book store.

09/26/06

Great selection of GLBT book items, Poor customer service, Avoid using your credit card

by juliandivision at Citysearch

I go to this bookstore every now and then to check out a wider selection of gay-themed book items.

The clerks (with attitude!) who run the counter lack the knowledge and training in terms of providing the best customer service. (But then again, that seems to be the trend with bookstores nowadays, even the mom-&-pop's types. Gone are the days of competent sales clerks at A Different Light in West Hollywood; you'd have better luck in San Francisco.)

I know it's discouraging but it's really the only legit gay bookstore in Los Angeles. (Unless you're looking for adult magazines, then you can proceed to Circus of Books or Drake's.) If you must go to this bookstore, be prepared to:

1. Pay for parking. They don't have their own lot.

2. Have cash in hand. Avoid using your credit card because, based on my experience, you'll end up with a rude, ditzy and incompetent clerk who would mess up the transaction and bring about double charges on your account. (This happened to me a couple of times and when I called, they could not fix it over the phone---you really don't want that kind of hassle. I just let it go both times since the transactions were under $10 and I didn't really wanna spend the equivalent amount for gas just to have a $10 charge rectified in person.)

3. Most importantly, if you're buying items that are on sale, make sure that the clerk rings up the right total. Each and every time (and I mean that literally!) that I bought an item on sale, the clerk ended up ringing the full price of the item. (I know that it's good to give a little donation to the gay community, but really, that's just not the right way to go!)

On the upside, despite all the cons I've listed above, A Different Light still holds book signings and readings by gay and gay-friendly authors. So, go check it out anyway. Just be prepared for a little disappointment with the customer service demonstrated by the clerks.

• Pros: Selection, Book Signings
• Cons: Incompetent Clerks with Attitude