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I have had the experience now two times of ordering a textbook on AbeBooks, but receiving the wrong edition. In the first instance I ordered a calculus textbook but received the solutions manual for it instead. In the second instance, I ordered the 4th and most current edition of a biology textbook, but received the 3rd instead. With the calculus book, it cost more money to ship it back for a return than I paid for it, so essentially I just lost my money. I am sending back the biology book and hoping I will get my refund as it cost me almost $170 with the postage and tax, but I will only get back what I paid for the book. I strongly advise against trying to save money on textbooks by using AbeBooks instead of your school bookstore/publisher. The sad part is, AbeBooks used to be a very reliable place for buying books (I was a customer for years), and I can only think it went downhill after being taken over by Amazon.
Tip for consumers:
You have to be careful about ordering books from AbeBooks vendors. The customer ratings for a vendor do not necessarily reflect whether you will receive the correct product or what you ordered. I have started buying from Thriftbooks or from Powell's instead, as they are more reliable. After this last experience with the biology book, I will delete my account with AbeBooks.
Products used:
I did not end up using the books I ordered. The calculus book I received was not what I ordered but it cost more to return it for a refund than I had paid, so I donated it. The biology book I received was not what I ordered, and since it cost a ton I have sent it back for a refund. The refund amount does not include postage and tax paid.
Freya W.'s review of AbeBooks earned 2 Very Helpful votes
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