AbeBooksReviews 715

Sellers can be very scummy with their book descriptions on AbeBooks, and there is no way to leave a seller review to warn other buyers of their issues.

I've received many damaged books, not matching their descriptions at all, from AbeBooks sellers and there is no way to leave a review about them. It's extremely frustrating spending hundreds of dollars on a book, only to receive them in a poor condition, horribly damaged, pages cut or torn, and the sellers don't care at all.

Their return process is extremely annoying, and there's nothing you can do about it.

AbeBooks is a last resort option for me when purchasing books.

How terrible. I waited over 1 month for the book and they just printed the label never sent the item. I'm waiting to see if I'm getting my money back!

Ordered from this company as it was a Canadian/BC based business. Found the book I was looking for from a UK seller via the platform, at a great price. The seller had a high rating and the shipping was slated for no later than the 31st of March.(World of Books) I received confirmation of purchase but no tracking or dispatch information. The 31st came and went and I messaged the seller (as per the site instructions) to find out what was happening. I didn't hear back from them so I emailed ABE books. I did receive a response fairly fast, however, I was advised that the seller canceled the order as they didn't actually have the book in stock. They 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!
Two days later, I still had no follow up to this email so I sent another request. To which, I received the same cookie cutter response regarding how to contact the seller etc.
I sent 6 emails asking simply for 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 email that the purchase had been refunded.
I asked again.
Same cookie cutter response.
Also, the same seller (World of Books) was STILL listing this item for sale.

Another 4 emails.

This morning I receive 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 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.
Guess it's back to ordering from Amazon.
Absolutely, garbage company.

For some reason this site gets a lot of bad reviews, most of which I read after I placed my 5 orders. I was nervous but all 5 books arrived just as they said they would, all for a very reasonable price. The books from US vendors came right away, but the ones from London took longer, just because of the distance. I would use them again in a New York minute!

I've been ordering books through Abe books since about 2015. In the last two years the quality and descriptions of the books have deteriorated. When I order books in very good condition, they come ripped up torn up and with missing covers. And depending on the seller, it can be a nightmare trying to get a refund. I think I'm officially done. Stick to eBay where you can get actual photos of what you're buying.

Ordered a book that was supposed to be new. What I received was an obviously used book in Fair to Good condition. In addition, it was not shipped from the advertised seller. I would never use again.

Almost impossible to get the site to work on my phone, keeps trying to get me to download some blank "completion file" and then continues to not log me in

Bought a "new" book from seller GridFreed. The description said it was new and shrink wrapped. Found pen marks throughout. They shrink wrapped a used and damaged book and sold it as new! What AbeBooks and the seller consider a full refund doesn't include return shipping or any duty, taxes or brokerage that it cost to receive the book. Therefore, returning the book is going to cost me close to $100.

I even contacted the seller before to confirm it was definitely a new book.
And they sent me a book with a worn cover that was ripped on the corner.
And the title page was soiled.
Buy books in person. This was a sham.

I've only ever placed a few orders with AbeBooks, however, none of them have ever went well. To date this company still can't seem to do business with booksellers that actually care about their customers. Once again I placed an order for a SINGLE book, and lo-and-behold it never got shipped by the fraudulent bookseller who was supposed to ship it out. The tracking stated a label had been created, but then stayed in that status endlessly until I finally filed a claim with my card issuer to recoup what was owed to me. Word to the wise, DON'T DO BUSINESS WITH THIS ROTTEN COMPANY! ALL THEY'LL DO IS TAKE YOUR MONEY AND RUN! SCREW ABEBOOKS!

I waited for a tutorial book for four weeks, and I was shipped the wrong book that had NOTHING to do with the book I ordered. They accepted my return request, BUT they also required me to send the wrong book directly to the seller "as soon as possible". The return costs would have been three times the price I paid for the book and there would have been no guarantee that I had (a) received the book I ordered and (b) that I would have been compensated a Euro-cent.

From this on, I will NEVER buy anything from them. I will get a CORRECT book in a week from other sellers.

I bought a book and it came in bad shape. The book was sticky on the cover and the hard cover was dented on the side. Even the pages where dented. I asked to return the book. Was told to send it to an address and that I would get my money back for the book but not both of my shipping cost to me and back to them. The book was sent back to me and I asked the seller why and no emails where returned. They also would not contact Abebooks. Abebooks wanted me to send it again with no guarantee of any of my money back at all. I am still in the process of get my money back a month later. I do not recommend Abebooks or it's sellers on the site.

I purchased a book which needed an access code. They did great and sent the book with the access code. Book looks new. I am thankful.

I ordered a math book needed for class ASAP as the one I use is online and very hard to use. On Jan 23 I paid for expedited shipping 3-6 days maximum. The book I ordered was used. On Jan 28 I looked at tracking and saw the book was still in PEnnsylvania, the next few days the same! On feb 2nd I asked for refund as this was already way past days of latest delivery date. To which I was told to wait 2 days for "correspondence" from seller! In 2 days I asked again and got the same response! They are not refunding my item, I paid for expedited shipping and still no item. I was forced to order another textbook and still these thieves won't refund me. I will contact my card and stop payment

I have been using abebooks for the last 3 years and they seem to be the marketplace for a wide selection of books that you will not find on other platforms.
All the books I ordered arrived as described.

I ordered a book, was sent the wrong one. After waiting for them to contact me back for over a week, they informed me I would have to send the book back and would not be reimbursed the full amount of the return shipping. I should not have to pay for their mistakes.

BE WARNED!

Ordered eight books through AbeBooks, which they then confirmed the order had been forwarded to Wilmington Books & More. I have previously ordered books from AbeBooks and received them in a timely manner.

NOT SO with Wilmington Books!

I have sent repeated e-communications to both AbeBooks ("we are forwarding your message to Wilmington Books..." -- which, now, has proved entirely useless and an evasive shirk by AbeBooks) and to Wilmington Books -- which have all gone unanswered. A request for a refund of my several-hundred-dollar-order has resulted in nothing. AbeBooks merely continues their evasive shirk routine, refusing to take any responsibility in the matter.

God save us from putrid, dishonest con-men/women like AbeBooks and Wilmington Books! Not going back there, to be sure.

If you get a wrong item from a seller, you are responsible for contacting the seller AND PAYING SHIPPING COSTS. Never, ever buy from these people.

I cautiously tried AbeBooks for the first time this past fall. WOW! I was so impressed. Of the 5 books I ordered (at great prices) all but one looked brand new. I have since ordered books from time to time and continued to be impressed with the quality and affordability. Abe Books has allowed me to purchase books that normally would just remain on my wish list. I am so thankful for their selection and prices.

For what it's worth the subjects of my orders have included science, history, art, culinary, literary and just plain fun.

I only received a partial order. The company makes it hard to contact them via email text or phone. Tracking is out of the question as well And I have no way of finding out which sellers sent me their orders and which one did not. They also make that complicated. I've written off the order as a bad order and understand my money is gone. I will not buy from AbeBooks again.