AbeBooks’s earns a 1.7-star rating from 12 reviews and 57 complaints, showing that the majority of book collectors are dissatisfied with purchases.
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no longer using AbeBooks
I had had several years of great service from AbeBooks. BUT then I had two of their sellers, Hippo Books and Discover Books , fail to deliver books, probably never actually mailed those books.
I then had a dreadful time obtaining refunds for those non-delivered paid for orders. I did finally get my refund, after hours of effort and over a dozen emails. I then removed my card from my account and tried to close the account. not sure if I was successful in getting it closed or not
for those of you who have had problems with AbeBooks, I'd suggest you might try Biblio.com, which is a totally independent organization through which sellers can sell and buyers can buy. I am trying it now, will see how that goes
ABEBOOKS HAS BEEN A BLESSING
ABEBOOKS Has Been Much More Than Just "Alright".
I have ordered some 20 or 25 books or cassette programs over about 6 years.
Not only have I ALWAYS gotten the correct book or cassette program,
But it has Always been in the "good" condition that was posted.
(In the "preowned books", usually there's been only 1 or 2 lines of writing in the whole book. I always order "in GOOD" or "in very good" condition--not "fair".)
To this date, there has always been speed of arrival, as the prompts will tell you how soon to expect it. When I order 3 books at a time, obviously, they might arrive at different days, due to different vendors.
So, until I have any different outcomes, I feel this site has been a blessing. (And I am NOT affliated w/any ABEBOOKS personnel in any way.)
Addendum: 2015, I got a book incorrectly gauged as "Large Print", but (Abebooks and) the vendor wonderfully responded when I contacted them about the error.
CliffordII in Georgia, USA
Fast, Informative, and Legitimate
I can't speak on behalf of Abe regarding purchasing books, as I've never ordered anything from them, however I did recently place an order with them to sell my old textbooks, and having never done so before, I was hesitant especially after reading so many bad reviews. I don't normally take time to write reviews, but in this case I felt the need to because out of three companies (Abe, eCampus, sellbackyourbook.com) I placed sell back orders with, all of which I shipped out and placed on the same day, Abe was by far the best in terms of keeping me updated throughout the entire process, the promptness of shipping and processing, and issuing payment in a timely manner. I placed my order and shipped out my books on March 28,2018 and I received my payment April 9,2018, which is great as far as I'm concerned! The check is issued through textbookrush.com. If in the future I have textbooks to sell, I would definitely go through Abe again based on my experience with this transaction.
There are several places to choose from to buy used
There are several places to choose from to buy used books. AbeBooks is the easiest, best-organized and most trustworthy of the companies I have dealt with. Type in the name of your book and/or author in the search box and you'll get a list of holdings from least to most expensive. Except for payment (they can keep your credit card on file for one-click checkout, which I love), that's where AbeBook's responsibility ends. Your mission is to decide which book is priced correctly and in the condition or format that pleases you most, and whether or not the vendor offering it is reliable.
If you have a problem with your purchase, you can complain to AbeBooks or directly to the vendor. I have received refunds or replacements on the few occasions I was unhappy. Most of the time, however, booksellers are true believers in the printed word, and will be honorable. Each vendor is rated from one to five stars, and you can restrict your search to the highest-rated sellers.
Once in awhile, you may find better deals elsewhere; otherwise, you will discover that the the same sellers also advertise the same merchandise on various other book sites. AbeBooks wins my vote because I've bought about a thousand books from them over the years, and I still have most of them.
Excellent
I see a lot of reviews bashing on abebooks. Most of the complaints (from what i can tell) have come after ordering a book from outside of the US. In my case, I ordered a book from Better World Books, based in Indiana. It arrived within the estimated timeframe, was in the described condition, and left me completely satisfied. I wish there was a way to review the sellers on the website itself, but it seems to not be possible, currently. I do advise anybody who wishes to purchase from the website to do their research about the seller that offers the book they are interested in purchasing. I'm so glad to have found this website. The book i purchased was in Russian, and published in the early 2000's, not even available in the most common russian books retailers. Plus the prices are amazing.
Edit 2019: Since writing this review i have purchased about 10 or more books using abebooks marketplace, from a variety of sellers. The only time something went wrong was when a seller sent me a book they had mislabeled, which was not the book i had ordered. They issued me a refund after contacting them directly. No other issues, deliveries always within estimated time frame. Note: the books i have purchased have been mostly fiction (about $3-$5 per book) and 2 textbooks ($70-$100)
One of the Lucky Few
Thought I was getting screwed, just like a lot of other people, based on the review section. But I can honestly say this. If you are dealing with Bookplate as your seller that won't happen. Bookplate were honest and upfront. Did what they said they were going to do. Friendly customer service. And delivered the product as described on the website. Bookplate 112 S. Cross St. In Chestertown, MD. I would definitely order from them again. Here's the story. I bought a book for my wife, a Christmas present, so I paid extra for expedited shipping. I received an email from E (not using their full name) a couple days later letting me know my order shipped, but had made a mistake and only sent it out regular mail, This was when I looked at the reviews on Abebooks, and read a bunch of them where basically the same thing happened. I responded to E with my concerns about the mix up in shipping, and they insured me it was just an honest mistake, and that they would refund me back the difference in shipping. I agreed, but after reading all the bad reviews, I figured I wouldn't see the refund, and would be lucky if I ever saw the book I ordered, But E at Bookplate actually refunded me the whole shipping amount, and I still got the book before Christmas. Not all sellers on this site are out to screw their customers.
Always a good experience
I guess I'm one of the few 5 stars. I have ordered many books from AbeBooks, including a long lost out of print book that nobody else could help me with. I have never had a bad experience. I must always get the good vendors. I always look for the very good to excellent quality of book, when given the chance, and weigh it against the price, choosing the best price and shipping, and I have never once been disappointed. It's been a while since I ordered from them so for the first time ever, I checked out the reviews and was shocked to see so many unhappy customers. I had already completed a purchase of a book listed in good condition, and for another very hard to find book (found in England----Abe checks all over the world). After reading the reviews I tried to cancel my order the next day but was told by my credit card company I couldn't. I was really disgruntled but to my delight the first book came EXTREMELY well-packaged and in 1/2 the time stated. The second one came from over seas so it took longer, but was well-packaged. Neither had high shipping charges and both were in better condition than I expected. I will continue to order through AbeBooks and highly recommend them until I have a bad experience. I pay close attention to the satisfaction percentage rating for the individual vendors and shop accordingly, as I would expect others to do also.
Surprised at bad reviews
I was on SiteJabber to review a site I am disgusted with, and ran into AbeBook reviews. I was shocked at the number of one star reviews. I have used AbeBooks for several years now and have ordered dozen and dozens of books. I shop several sites before going to AbeBooks so I know what the current prices are, and almost always end up purchasing from AbeBooks if a used book will fit the bill. I mostly order children's books (I'm a teacher) and I have never been disappointed. The condition has been true to the description. Sometimes I get library bound books and that is a bonus. The vast majority of books are less than four dollars with free shipping, when other online sites have new copies for ten to 16 dollars with additional shipping- I can't beat the price. I know the satisfaction with the sale depends on the actual seller, but I haven't come across a bad one yet. I have also purchased paperback books for myself for pleasure reading- fiction, memoir, humor, scifi, and all have been fine. It seems a lot of the bad reviews are for textbooks and books needed in very quick time, so maybe that is part of the issue. I recommend you give AbeBooks sellers a try if you wish to save big dollars on book purchases- it's worth trying them once on an inexpensive book just for the savings, and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. I hate to think bad reviews might have stopped me from finding such a great source for the many books I need. AbeBooks is a go-to for me.
First, there's a lot of complaints about abebooks not
First, there's a lot of complaints about Abebooks not being the actual sellers. That's obvious because the seller and the city and state they're located in is plainly stated. Lots of websites do this, Ebay, Amazon and many more. Second, when people review Abebooks it would help to name the seller. As far as textbooks, if it's the beginning of a semester there's probably thousand of students looking for books and who knows how many are on the same page when they hit that buy button. Now for my review. I've put in several orders through Abebooks and I'm very satisfied. Books were as described and arrived within stated time. The companies I've ordered from were Better World Books, Green Earth Books, Hippo Books and Thrift Books.
11-19-14 I just wanted to add an update. I ordered 3 books from Blue Cloud Books through Abebooks on 11-14 and they came in on 11-17. Very fast but the package only had to go from Phoenix to Tucson. The email for order confirmation was sent from Thriftbooks.com so they must be affiliated with them.
4-9-17 With all the bad reviews I just wanted to say I still have not had any problems. I even ordered several books from Better World Books in Dufermline, United Kingdom and all was fine! PLEASE STATE THE NAME OF THE ACTUAL COMPANY YOU'RE BUYING BOOKS FROM!
4-27-17 I ordered a book from Better World Books/West (Las Vegas) through and they sent the wrong book. After contacting them they authorized abebooks for a refund and let me keep the book.
I ordered from Abe books about last month on the 16th and ordered two one piece volumes the transaction was done and it
I ordered from Abe books about last month on the 16th and ordered two one piece volumes the transaction was done and it was a good price for both of the books but after a week and two days only one of the books arrived being volume one but my omnibus did not arrive and I emailed the post office and looked around my establishment to see if it was hidden somewhere so there wouldn’t be a theft but found nothing and I know the packages would be separate but I only got one tracking number for both of the books and it says delivered but only volume one came, I just want my one piece omnibus 30 volume and if It can not be found than that it is fine with me as long as I get my money refunded. My volume one of one piece came in the estimated time with good packaging but I only give 3 stars because I’m still missing a book after a week and 2 days other then that I do recommend buying from Abe books but make sure to make separate orders for this not to happen.
They don't honor their return policy. I purchased a book listed "like new," a surplus book from the publisher. I received a damaged book (torn spine). When I requested a return, I was denied and given a convoluted excuse: “Like New” books are technically a type of used book (because of the modifier “like”) and used books sometimes get damaged, so I should have expected to receive a book with a ripped spine. I had to pay for return shipping for a damaged book even though their return policy states that I should be refunded return shipping. They are dishonest.
I did my first online order with Abebooks and it has been most unpleasant
I did my first online order with Abebooks and it has been most unpleasant. I ordered a book from *** thru Abebooks. Three times I requested how book was shipped and asked for a tracking number, for it has not arrived. Seller would not even tell me how it was shipped. They said they refunded the money, but it's been 9 days & still no refund on my card. I was willing to wait longer, then purchase a second copy from different seller, but did not want to pay for 2 books, should the first one show up eventually. Since seller was unwilling to be upfront about how it was shipped, makes me believe they never shipped it & kept my money til I inquired about shipping. I closed my acct with them, they did that super fast, so guess that's just another tactic to keep people's money. Not sure they can track it now. Will be filling a complaint if my refund does not show up soon.
I have never had a problem with AbeBooks
I have never had a problem with AbeBooks. Always professional, books earlier than expected and great prices.
AbeBooks Complaints 57
A book order through AbeBooks from HippoBooks.
I ordered the book below via AbeBooks / Hippo Books on March 10, 2024. I received the tracking number below. Dear William Darrow, Hippo Books has provided tracking information for AbeBooks Sales Order Number [protected]. Shipping Company: USPS Tracking Number: 9241990246919886508086 › Track Your Package The shipper, OSM Worldwide, advises me that...
Read full review of AbeBooksHippo Books
Let me first say that I have ordered on Abebooks from several sellers. And I haven't had an issue.
However, Hippo Books is a scam. And I've seen several of the posts here that mention their name. So I know it's the business and not just me.
I placed 2 separate orders with this company. The first one was March 13th.
I understand that "Most orders ship within 2 business days but it can take up to 14 business days"
However, it's been 16 business days, and 22 days total, and I haven't received my orders.
I was provided a tracking number, but the usps tracking site tells me that it can't be found. And it has been that way for well over a week.
I did reach out to the company, and requested a refund with no response.
And now their inventory is "temporarily unavailable"
So... You took my money, never sent my orders, and now your shop is closed?
I've been scammed. At this point I don't even want the books. I just want my money.
Desired outcome: Refund
Confidential Information Hidden: This section contains confidential information visible to verified AbeBooks representatives only. If you are affiliated with AbeBooks, please claim your business to access these details.
Abe Books Sales Order No. [protected] / [protected]
Order Placed 8/1/2024
tried to track progress today (1/2/2024) [as this was the last day within the likely delivery date range given by Abe Books.] Found that my original account had been deleted. I had previouly requested deletion but only AFTER the current order had been fulfilled. No means of contacting AB other than social media which I do not engage in. Order detail :-
Bookseller: GreatBookPricesUK
AbeBooks Purchase Order No.: [protected]
Purchase Method:
Visa
Estimated Delivery Date: February 1, 2024
Approximate Shipping Speed: 5 - 14 business days
Title: Modern Method for Guitar Scales
Author: Baione, Larry
Quantity: 1
ISBN: [protected]
Binding: Soft cover
Book Condition: New
Book Price: £ 9.88
Postage Price: £ 2.80
The book was paid for using my Visa credit card.
Claimed loss: £12.68
Desired outcome: either the delivery of the book I have paid for or a refund of the purchase price.
Confidential Information Hidden: This section contains confidential information visible to verified AbeBooks representatives only. If you are affiliated with AbeBooks, please claim your business to access these details.
Is AbeBooks Legit?
AbeBooks earns a trustworthiness rating of 91%
Highly recommended, but caution will not hurt.
We found clear and detailed contact information for AbeBooks. The company provides a physical address, 2 phone numbers, and 2 emails, as well as 5 social media accounts. This demonstrates a commitment to customer service and transparency, which is a positive sign for building trust with customers.
AbeBooks has received 11 positive reviews on our site. This is a good sign and indicates a safe and reliable experience for customers who choose to work with the company.
A long registered date for abebooks.com can be seen as a positive aspect for AbeBooks as it indicates a commitment to maintaining the website and its domain name for a long period of time. It also suggests that the company is organized and has taken steps to secure its online presence.
The age of AbeBooks's domain suggests that they have had sufficient time to establish a reputation as a reliable source of information and services. This can provide reassurance to potential customers seeking quality products or services.
Abebooks.com has a valid SSL certificate, which indicates that the website is secure and trustworthy. Look for the padlock icon in the browser and the "https" prefix in the URL to confirm that the website is using SSL.
Abebooks.com has been deemed safe to visit, as it is protected by a cloud-based cybersecurity solution that uses the Domain Name System (DNS) to help protect networks from online threats.
We looked up AbeBooks and found that the website is receiving a high amount of traffic. This could be a sign of a popular and trustworthy website, but it is still important to exercise caution and verify the legitimacy of the site before sharing any personal or financial information
However ComplaintsBoard has detected that:
- While AbeBooks has a high level of trust, our investigation has revealed that the company's complaint resolution process is inadequate and ineffective. As a result, only 12% of 57 complaints are resolved. The support team may have poor customer service skills, lack of training, or not be well-equipped to handle customer complaints.
- If you purchased a website from AbeBooks that is currently for sale, and you did not receive what you paid for, you may be a victim of a scam. To try and get your money back, you can try contacting the seller, filing a dispute with the payment platform, or reporting the seller to the relevant authorities.
- We conducted a search on social media and found several negative reviews related to AbeBooks. These reviews may indicate issues with the company's products, services, or customer support. It is important to thoroughly research the company and its offerings before making any purchases to avoid any potential risks.
No upload of new prices.
I have already written to you twice with no response from you. Even though I uploaded updated listings after my sale, to Abe, Alibris and Biblio, Abe IS STILL SELLING MY BOOKS AT THE DISCOUNTED SALE PRICE. Alibris and Biblio, using the same file upload, have the new prices added correctly.
This is costing me money with every sale. This is the kind of "support" I get for $40/month?
Michael Slosberg
BASEMENT BOOKS
Desired outcome: UPLOAD MY NEW PRICES
Book order
I ordered a book for my child on August 17. It had a ship arrival date of the latest time of September 2. A shipping notice was emailed to me in August. On September 5 the book has still not arrived. When I checked the shipping status on the book just the label had been created but the book had never shipped. At this point, I contacted the company and said...
Read full review of AbeBooks and 1 commentOrder never received
I ordered a textbook online about 3 weeks ago - the initial estimated delivery date was August 19, then subsequent emails showed August 23rd as the latest date by which I should receive my book. However, using the tracking number showed that USPS hadn't even received the package - it only says shipping label created on July 30. The order summary on AbeBooks states that my order shipped, but I still don't have my book and it seems highly unlikely that I will be receiving it anytime soon. At this point, I'm likely to ask for a refund since it won't be arriving in time.
Desired outcome: A refund would be great, but my best option would be to have it express shipped to the new address.
Inability to update my credit card on Abebooks.com site or to contact them about it
I have never had any problems using Abebooks website. I have, in fact, ordered many books from them over the years. I need to update the credit card I am using on my online account. The system won't accept the card and asks me to enter another credit card. The credit card I'm using is active, valid, and I use it everyday, so I have no idea why their system won't accept/use it.
The more significant issue is that their online customer service is non-functioning. The links do not work. There is no phone number on the site, no working email to contact.
Desired outcome: I want their website to accept my valid credit card as the method of payment on my account so I can start ordering book from them again.
Disappointing Experience with AbeBooks and Third-Party Seller: Lost Book, False Promises, and Refund Issues
I recently made a purchase on AbeBooks, a popular online marketplace for books, and unfortunately, my experience was not a positive one. I had ordered a new copy of a rare and expensive book from a third-party seller called GoldBooks for $131.43. However, I soon realized that something was amiss when I never received the book, and the tracking number showed that it had never even made it to the post office.
When I contacted GoldBooks, the owner, Alysia Farmer, claimed that the book was lost in the mail and that she had sent me another new copy. However, I became suspicious when I saw that GoldBooks had listed the same book for almost three times what I had paid, despite there being very few new copies available. When I finally received the book that Alysia had sent, it turned out to be a completely different book, and not nearly as valuable as the one I had purchased.
After many emails, Alysia finally admitted that she had my book and promised to send it to me. However, she has since stopped responding to my messages, and AbeBooks has only issued a refund without giving me a clear timeline for when I can expect to receive it. This is concerning, as I have seen other reviewers on the website report similar difficulties in receiving refunds.
Overall, I am disappointed with my experience on AbeBooks and with GoldBooks in particular. It is frustrating to have been defrauded by a seller on the platform, and even more so to feel like AbeBooks is not taking the issue seriously. I hope that the company will take steps to improve its policies and protect its customers from similar situations in the future.
Disappointing Experience with AbeBooks: No Tracking, Poor Customer Service, and Late Refunds
I gotta say, I'm pretty disappointed with AbeBooks. I mean, I know everyone's been complaining about them lately, but I didn't think it would happen to me. I ordered a book from them that I needed for a course that was starting right away, and it never showed up. And the worst part is, I couldn't even track it because they don't provide tracking numbers! What kind of company doesn't provide tracking numbers in this day and age?
So I reached out to them to ask for proof that the book had been shipped, and all I got were these canned responses that didn't really answer my question. They kept saying how important it was to them to respond in a timely fashion, but they never actually gave me any useful information. It was really frustrating.
After three weeks of waiting, I finally asked for a refund. But even then, they insisted on making me wait until the last possible deadline. I couldn't even confirm whether they had the book or not, or when it was supposed to arrive. It was a total mess.
And when I looked at the customer reviews for this store, I saw that I wasn't the only one having this problem. There were tons of people who had to make claims for refunds through their credit card companies. I was lucky that I paid with a credit card, because otherwise I would have had to go through their website to apply for a refund. No thanks.
Honestly, I wouldn't recommend doing business with these guys. It seems like they might be running some kind of scam, taking orders and collecting money without actually delivering the goods. It's just not worth the risk.
if they did not provide a Trackig Number, you can be 99.44% certain that they never shipped your book.
wonderful that your credit card company cancelled your payment for you.
AbeBooks used to be a great way to buy books. but now it looks like too damn many of their sellers are non-shippers, happy to defraud buyers. and getting refunds through the AbeBooks Customer Support is a long arduous process.
so I no longer buy from them, after years of buying a lot from them. they made it too damn hard to get my refunds for 4 non-shipped books (2 from Hippo and 2 from Discover)
I am now ordering from Biblio.com, which is an independant. (Abe now belongs to Amazon, which might be not irrelevant to their desire to avoid making refunds)
Terrible Experience with AbeBooks: Torn Pages and No Response from Seller or Company
If you're thinking about buying books from AbeBooks, you might want to read this review first. Personally, I had a terrible experience with this company. I ordered a book called "No Limits-Just Edges, Jackson Pollock paintings on paper" from them on February 21, 2022. When I received the book, I was shocked to find that pages 73 through 74, 95 through 108, and 111 through 124 were all torn out of the plates section. This made the book completely useless to me.
I immediately contacted the seller, Discover Books, to complain about the condition of the book. However, I received no response from them. I also tried calling them, but their phone was conveniently disconnected. Frustrated and angry, I decided to send them a message via Certified Mail to demand a full refund.
To make matters worse, I discovered that there were several layers of protection between the seller and AbeBooks. It seemed like they were trying to shield themselves against liability. This made me even more upset, and I decided to take action.
I sent a message to AbeBooks to let them know about my experience. However, I haven't received a response from them yet. I plan to keep lodging complaints against both the seller and AbeBooks until I get a full refund and they are permanently banned from selling on the internet. I also plan to give AbeBooks all the negative exposure I can offer.
Overall, I would not recommend buying books from AbeBooks. They seem to have little regard for their customers and are more interested in protecting themselves from liability. If you want to buy books, I suggest going to Barnes and Noble or another reputable company instead.
Discover is one of Abe's dishonest sellers. they went out of business but still took orders and stole people's money for a while. now no longer able to sell on Abes
Hippo is another bad actor
there's a few more bad actors on Abe
too bad, because the vast majority of Abe sellers are excellent. but it just takes one bad experience to make one say "fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me" and then never buy from Abe again
I am now trying Biblio.com, which is independant
Avoid AbeBooks: Terrible Experience Selling My College Books
I have to say, I had a pretty terrible experience with AbeBooks. I decided to sell my old college books since I won't be needing them for law school (obviously). But boy, was that a mistake. I never received my payment and had to email them multiple times just to get a response. And when I finally did get a response, they told me I had to wait another 15 days for the check to arrive. It had already been two weeks!
So I waited the 15 days, and still nothing. I emailed them again, and this time they told me I had to wait 45 days after the check was issued. Are you kidding me? So I waited even longer, and still no check. I emailed them again, and they told me they had already sent the check and that I had cashed it. But that was impossible - I checked with my bank and there were no deposits on that day.
They finally sent me an email with the check, but it wasn't cashed by my bank and it didn't have my signature. They refused to send me another check, and I was beyond frustrated. This is not how a company should treat its customers.
I highly suggest you never use AbeBooks. They are uncooperative and unhelpful, and I wouldn't wish this experience on anyone. Save yourself the trouble and find another company to buy or sell your books. Trust me, you'll regret it if you don't.
Abebooks Review: Scammed Out of Money and Sent Wrong Book Twice
So I was looking for a rare 3rd edition of a book, and I stumbled upon Abebooks. I was thrilled to find the book I was looking for, and I immediately emailed the seller to confirm that it was indeed a 3rd edition. They replied back confirming that it was, and I was over the moon. I placed my order and eagerly awaited its arrival.
However, things took a turn for the worse when I received an email stating that my credit card had been declined. I knew that wasn't true, but I decided to pay via PayPal anyway. To my dismay, I was charged twice for my 3rd edition book. I was not happy about this, but I decided to wait and see what would happen.
A week later, a box arrived from Amazon, and inside was a book. But it wasn't the 3rd edition I had ordered. It was a worthless 4th edition, and the receipt had a much lower price than what I had paid. I was furious. I contacted the seller and was told to return the book for a full refund. I did as I was told, but then I found out about the double charge. I was promised a refund, but nothing happened for 2 weeks.
Then, to my horror, another box arrived. And inside was yet another worthless 4th edition book. I was told that this was for my double payment, but I knew that was a lie. I returned the book, but still no refund. I was told that they never received the books, even though I had tracking numbers. I had to start a dispute case with my credit card bank and PayPal in order to get the seller to admit that they had received my returned merchandise and that they were lying about not having received the books.
This whole ordeal was a complete waste of my time. I spent countless hours communicating with the seller, making trips to the post office, and emailing back and forth. It was a nightmare. I am going to file a complaint with the BBB because this company is clearly trying to scam people out of their money. I'm sure most people just give up and accept the worthless book they received, but I refuse to let them get away with it.
If you have been tricked into buying a valuable product and have been mailed something worthless, I urge you to file a complaint with the BBB. Maybe together we can put an end to this nonsense. If you want to donate your money, please do so to a reputable charity instead of buying fraudulent products from this company. Thank you for reading my review.
Buyer Beware: Issues with AbeBooks Customer Service and Seller Management
AbeBooks is a subsidiary company of Amazon.com that acts as a platform for book sellers. However, there are some issues with their customer service and seller management that buyers should be aware of.
One of the main problems with AbeBooks is that they do not provide adequate support for customers who have issues with sellers. Their customer service representatives may offer kind words, but they do not take any concrete steps to rectify the situation. Additionally, AbeBooks does not seem to be very selective about who they allow to sell on their platform, which can lead to poor business practices.
When you buy a book through AbeBooks, you are essentially buying blindly. You have no idea who the actual seller is, and they could be located anywhere in the world. This lack of transparency can make it difficult to resolve any issues that arise during the buying process.
It is important to be cautious when using AbeBooks and to question why Amazon.com would allow their reputation to be tarnished by this company. The owners and partners of AbeBooks should be ashamed of their lack of oversight and support for customers.
Overall, while AbeBooks can be a useful platform for finding rare or hard-to-find books, buyers should be aware of the potential risks and limitations of using this service.
Disappointed with Abe Books: Wrong Book, Poor Customer Service, and No Refund for Shipping Costs
So, I was looking for a book for my class and decided to order it from Abe Books. However, the order actually came from some company called Indoo in NJ. When I received the package, I was surprised to find out that it was just a card with a code on it. I knew that this was how I was supposed to access the book online, but when I scratched off the code, it turned out to be for a completely different book! I was so frustrated because I needed the correct book for my class, and I had already paid for it.
I tried to contact Indoo, but they didn't respond for three whole days! I mean, come on, my class was starting soon! So, I decided to go through Abe Books to get a refund. They started the return process and told me to ship the book back to their address and to enter the tracking number when I did. I was annoyed that I had to pay for return shipping on a book that Indoo messed up the order on. But, I followed the instructions and packaged it up, including a tracking number.
When I emailed Indoo again and told them how much the shipping was, they said they would only refund me for the amount of Media Mail through the USPS. What?! Then why did Abe Books require me to pay for tracking too? I was so confused and frustrated. I messaged Abe Books and went back and forth with them about this. But, they kept saying that they weren't required to pay me back for my shipping costs. I couldn't believe it! I paid them in good faith for the correct book, but they screwed up and sent the wrong one! If they had just done it right the first time, I wouldn't have had to return the book in the first place!
I have been a loyal customer of Abe Books for a long time, and this was my first problem with them. I expected better from them, but they let me down. They keep emailing me these smug emails saying they aren't required to pay me back for my shipping costs. It's so frustrating! I'm so disappointed in Abe Books, and I won't be ordering from them again. I'll also be warning my friends and family not to purchase from them either.
Disappointing Experience with AbeBooks: Promises Broken, Lies Told, and Frustration Ensues
I decided to give AbeBooks a try since it's a Canadian/BC based business. I was looking for a specific book and found it from a UK seller on their platform at a great price. The seller had a high rating and the shipping was supposed to be no later than March 31st. The confirmation of purchase was received, but no tracking or dispatch information. Unfortunately, the 31st came and went, and I didn't receive any updates. I followed the site instructions and messaged the seller, but didn't hear back from them. I then decided to email AbeBooks, and they responded fairly quickly. However, I was informed that the seller canceled the order as they didn't have the book in stock. I was disappointed, but AbeBooks provided a standardized response about how I could contact the seller to find out why it was canceled and that orders canceled by the seller would count against their rating.
A different email received shortly after, stated (ABE) they apologized for the issue and had in fact sourced another book that would be dispatched within 24 hours- Great! I was relieved to hear that they were trying to make things right. However, two days later, I still had no follow-up to this email, so I sent another request. To my surprise, I received the same cookie-cutter response regarding how to contact the seller, etc. I sent six emails asking them to confirm whether or not I needed to source this item elsewhere as they still hadn't confirmed the promised replacement. Instead, I received an email that the purchase had been refunded. I asked again, but received the same cookie-cutter response. To make matters worse, the same seller (World of Books) was STILL listing this item for sale.
I sent another four emails, but this morning I received an email stating they weren't able to find a replacement (lie since there are multiple on their site but they were more costly than what I paid) so my order was refunded. I understand that things happen, but what I don't appreciate is when a company makes a promise to "make things right" then ghosts you, then outright lies. It's frustrating and disappointing. I guess it's back to ordering from Amazon. In my opinion, AbeBooks is an absolutely garbage company.
Disappointed with AbeBooks: Lack of Communication and Transparency from Site and Seller
So, I usually get my books from Amazon or Ebay, but I thought I would try a different avenue since Abe's seemed to have a lot of mom & pop shops, and I like to support small businesses. On July 26th, I ordered 2 books from 2 different sellers. Today is August 18th, and I have received 1 book, but the other is in limbo. Shortly after I placed my order, I went into the dashboard (myaccount) and noticed that the status for the missing book had been changed to delivery expected "5 weeks." I contacted the seller immediately and asked for a refund but did not hear back. In fact, there has been ZERO communication from Abe's books or the reseller. No email letting me know the book was shipped and here is the tracking number, etc., so there is no way to trace this and confirm it truly has been shipped as is stated on the account page. The irony in this whole thing is that the word "Xpress" is in the seller's name, which, if you have to wait 5 weeks to receive your book, it's nothing like express shipping as implied.
Keep in mind when I ordered the book, nowhere in the listing did it say that it was going to take 5 weeks. In fact, looking back at the listing now, I realize nowhere does it say how long it's going to take. Lesson learned since I assumed it would take the usual amount of time for shipping in the USA, which is under 2 weeks. What I've learned is that this site has some good decent sellers, but it also has some shady AF sellers. Even though the listing says the seller ships from the USA, clearly they are not in the US, and I'm probably going to receive a counterfeit book from India or China IF I receive a book at all. I don't see myself buying another book from AbeBooks, which is a pity since I do want to help small businesses. Hopefully, they will sell on Amazon or Ebay where there are more customer protections.
***Word of advice, when using their system to send emails to the seller or customer service SCREEN PRINT it since that is the only way you will have proof that you tried to contact them***
Overall, I was disappointed with my experience with AbeBooks. While I appreciate the platform's focus on small businesses, the lack of communication and transparency from both the site and the seller left me feeling frustrated and uncertain about the status of my order. Additionally, the fact that the seller's shipping time was so far off from what was advertised on the site raises concerns about the legitimacy of the seller and the quality of the product I may eventually receive. While I may consider using AbeBooks again in the future, I will be much more cautious and do my research before making any purchases.
Customer service
I received a book in poor condition with welding burn marks on most of the cover. It arrived wet and possibly more damaged than when it left. I simply sent a message to alert Abe books of the issue. I was not impressed by the customer service’s response. Rude and not professional would describe the email that was returned. Twice I’ve asked to speak to someone in management, I have also tried call and speak to someone… no luck with that. Very Disappointed!
Cancellation Refund not received
I had ordered a book - National Physical Therapy Examination Review and Study Guide
O'Sullivan on July 13th (Sales Order # [protected]).
The order was cancelled from the bookseller on July 18th with a message " We're sorry! AbeBooks sales order number [protected] has been cancelled because the item is unavailable. The item may have just sold to a customer in the bookseller's store or via another website. You have NOT been charged for this order."
An amount of 20.37 dollars was debited when I placed the order and has not been refunded even after the cancellation till date. However the cancellation message states I was not charged, which is incorrect. I had sent 3 emails to the customer service and no response about the refund or the details about the transaction ID has been given.
This is very disappointing and frustrating from their customer service and I would appreciate if you could help.
Thank you
Gitanjali Dileep
Desired outcome: I'd appreciate if the cancellation refund was credited.
Childrens book
Purchased a children's book for my grandaughters school library as a donation. The book arrived falling apart separated from the spine completely in several large clumps and shreds. The pages were falling out and it basically just completely fell a part in my hands as I tried to open it. I must say I was more than a little disappointed. But lesson learned. I will no longer be buying anything from AbeBooks!
Desired outcome: Warn other buyers
Nicky & Vera by Peter Sis
I ordered Nicky & Vera by Peter Sis from Great Books Prices that,despite its description, is in German. When I inquired about returning it received this.
From [protected]@superbookdeals.com
"Thank you for your interest in our return policy. Your satisfaction is our #1 priority, so we make it simple for you: 30 Day, from shipping date, money back guarantee- 100% refund on the book purchased. To be eligible for a refund, you must return the item in the same condition you received it - Video, DVD's, audio, and computer software purchases, returned in the original packaging will receive a 100% refund. Video, DVD's, audio, and computer software purchases, returned opened and not in the original packaging are non-refundable. Shipping fees are non-refundable.
In order to receive your refund, please enclose a brief note stating the reason for your return with the items that you are returning. Send the item(s) back to us so we receive them undamaged within 30 days of shipping. We do not accept packages marked return to sender. Postage fees incurred due to packages sent return to sender, refused, undeliverable or deemed to have an insufficient address by the carrier will be deducted from the buyers refund. Shipping and handling charges, for returning the item, are the responsibility of the buyer.
Please ship all returns to:
9220 Rumsey Road
Suite 101
Columbia, MD 21045
**Tips for returning: Be sure to purchase tracking and/or insure when shipping your package! That way if it is lost or damaged you will still get money back from the shipping company. Also, please allow your return enough mail delivery time to reach us within the 30 day period.
Sincerely
Customer Service
GreatBookPrices"
The vendor should describe the book accurately and should not make returning it difficult. This was not my error. Perhaps you should drop [protected]@superbookdeals.com from the Abe Books vendors.
Desired outcome: Improve your service
Overview of AbeBooks complaint handling
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Checked and verified by Jenny This contact information is personally checked and verified by the ComplaintsBoard representative. Learn moreJul 03, 2025
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Terrible Experience with AbeBooks: Torn Pages and No Response from Seller or Company




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