• Alibris UK

Alibris UK

Overview

Alibris UK has a rating of 4.61 stars from 8,163 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally satisfied with their purchases. Reviewers satisfied with Alibris UK most frequently mention good price, excellent service, and shipping costs. Alibris UK ranks 2nd among Textbooks sites.

  • Value
    4
  • Shipping
    3
  • Quality
    3

Proactively asks for customer feedback

This company does not typically respond to reviews

Positive reviews (last 12 months): 90.7%
Positive
1,801
Neutral
123
Negative
61

What reviewers want you to know

Positive highlights

  • Good shopping experience except the system wouldn't accept my debit card.
  • Easy to use site, great price, effortlessly sourced a copy of Anna Biller's 'Bluebeard's Castle'.

Critical highlights

  • After several frustrating attempts I ended up putting my card details in which I didn't want to do.
  • The site forced me to repeatedly enter my order details: credit card, address, etc.
How would you rate Alibris UK?
Top Positive Review

“Description of the book condition as simply "good"...”

David H.
3/26/24

Description of the book condition as simply "good" lacks more precise details.(e.g. Ex Library book? Dust jacket? Etc.) Otherwise, a fairly satisfactory experience.

Top Critical Review

“The site has been poorly programmed”

John L.
3/27/24

The site has been poorly programmed. For example, I had to try several times to enter the details on my credit card, because the site requested the county rather than the state in the U.S. There were other electronic glitches as well. Eventually was able to place the order, but it was not easy and required a good bit of persistence.

Reviews (8,163)

Rating

Timeframe

Other

Reviews that mention popular keywords

shopping experience (56) use site (30) web site (37) card details (61) hand books (18) place order (23) credit card (80) billing address (20)
Thumbnail of user jeffreyc855
1 review
0 helpful votes
October 19th, 2021
Verified purchase
• Updated review

Excellent... my only concern is that the £2.99 shipping from the USA to the UK (which is very reasonable) will either mean that I receive the book sometime in two years time, or else I will end up just getting a message next week saying "Sorry, we actually meant to meant to charge you £XX. XX". In addition, with buying something from so far away, until this book is in my hand I will almost certainly be worrying if my money will go missing!

Reason I chose this business:

Access to a reasonably priced second hand copy of a hard-to-find book

No probs at the website end of things
September 1st, 2021
Verified purchase
• Previous review

No probs at the website end of things - let's see if there are any delivery issues...

Reason I chose this business:

Serendipity led me to you! (A wander through Google!)

Thumbnail of user jeanh355
1 review
0 helpful votes
March 26th, 2024
Verified site experience
• Updated review

I found what I wanted, very easily, and at a great price. I enjoy your website, sometimes discovering new authors, and also, if I am not familiar with the author, being able to read a short summary/ precis of the book. Excellent.

Reason I chose this business:

I chose Alibris in order to read about an unfamiliar author and book before purchasing. Alibris always gives me enough information to influence me one way or the other, i.e. To buy or not to buy.

A wonderful selection of books...
August 13th, 2023
Verified purchase
• Previous review

A wonderful selection of books... and I found some of my favourite authors.

Reason I chose this business:

I am in need of some new books to read and I chose not to spend too much money by purchasing new books.

Am very please to have found two books which I know...
November 5th, 2022
Verified purchase
• Previous review

Am very please to have found two books which I know I will enjoy. The website is easy to navigate, and the reviews/precis of each book are a good insight for the potential buyer

Reason I chose this business:

Great selection of books, reasonable prices, and a good way to discover what other books are out there

Enjoyed browsing, the short descriptions of each book...
March 13th, 2021
Verified purchase
• Previous review

Enjoyed browsing, the short descriptions of each book are very useful in helping to decide. Terrific prices and a wonderful choice of books.

Thumbnail of user suec629
1 review
0 helpful votes
March 9th, 2024
Verified site experience
• Updated review

I was looking for a particular title and you had it available. I'm delighted! Thank you.

Reason I chose this business:

You’re my number one go-to site for books. I appreciate your range of stock, and you have the advantage of not being Amazon!

I found a title I'd been wanting, but didn't think...
September 9th, 2021
Verified purchase
• Previous review

I found a title I'd been wanting, but didn't think I'd be able to obtain - thank you.

Reason I chose this business:

You’re my go - to book site. You have a good range of titles at reasonable prices, and I don’t like using Amazon. Delivery times could be better, but I can put up with that!

The title I wanted was available at a reasonable price
June 13th, 2021
Verified purchase
• Previous review
Reason I chose this business:

My understanding is that you support independent booksellers. You have a good range of titles, usually at reasonable prices, and usually with good service. I try to avoid Amazon, and you are my go-to choice. Thank you.

Thumbnail of user davidh5935
1 review
0 helpful votes
March 26th, 2024
Verified site experience
• Updated review

Description of the book condition as simply "good" lacks more precise details.(e.g. Ex Library book? Dust jacket? Etc.) Otherwise, a fairly satisfactory experience.

Reason I chose this business:

Used satisfactorily in the past.

Very good!
August 30th, 2021
Verified purchase
• Previous review
Reason I chose this business:

Reliability and competitively priced.

Thumbnail of user felipep37
1 review
0 helpful votes
March 15th, 2021
Verified purchase

Alibris has a huge offer of used books at a convenient price. I have found here several difficult-to-find or expensive book which are in good conditions and perfectly useful.

Just one suggestion. It would be convenient to expand the payment options with, for example, Paypal or other non-credit based options.

Reason I chose this business:

Because I fount the book I was looking for cheaper than in other bookshops.

Thumbnail of user lesleyd119
1 review
0 helpful votes
January 24th, 2024
Verified purchase
• Updated review

As usual you have the book I want at a good price and the whole process is very straightforward.

Reason I chose this business:

I don't want to use Amazon or AbeBooks (owned by Amazon) so have been very pleased to find Alibris. As usual you have the book I want at a good price and the whole process is very straightforward; and I'm supporting UK booksellers.

Happy to find you have the books I want, and easy to...
November 8th, 2023
Verified purchase
• Previous review

Happy to find you have the books I want, and easy to find them, and good prices.

Reason I chose this business:

Good to be able to support booksellers who aren't Amazon; and you have what I want; and your customer service is excellent.

Easy and convenient, huge range
January 4th, 2023
Verified purchase
• Previous review
Reason I chose this business:

Because you have the German language title I was looking for. Having found you I will definitely be back.

Thumbnail of user kathrynm881
1 review
0 helpful votes
January 1st, 2023
Verified purchase

I placed a book in my cart then went to checkout to pay for it. When logging in, I found that I needed to change my password first. I got my password changed successfully but in the process, the screen containing my cart with the book I wanted to buy had disappeared. I had to wait 12 hours for the book in the cart to be released and made available for me to place in a new cart for me to finally buy it. Not a good shopping experience! I think it would be good if you could fix this glitch on your website.

Reason I chose this business:

Good value books and good value postage.

Thumbnail of user alexj511
1 review
0 helpful votes
February 21st, 2021
Verified purchase

Great! Thanks so much - appreciated.

Reason I chose this business:

Because it pays tax, unlike Amazon, and treats its employees with respect and dignity, unlike Amazon. In general I try to support ethical businesses and in particular I aim to back independent booksellers.

Thumbnail of user joew1577
1 review
0 helpful votes
March 23rd, 2024
Verified site experience

First time I've ever purchased anything from / off an international website - it was a very, unexpectedly, straightforward process.

Reason I chose this business:

I was looking to buy some US CDs that aren't easily purchased in the UK. Found Alibris on the Internet. The site was easy to navigate, well put together and (hopefully) appears reliable.

Thumbnail of user elizabethg1391
2 reviews
0 helpful votes
January 19th, 2022
Verified purchase

It was great, though you have to think outside the box and search on international versions of alibris to really be complete about scouring for good deals.

Reason I chose this business:

It's refreshing to find an outlet that isn't amazon!

Thumbnail of user sandrat653
1 review
0 helpful votes
March 30th, 2021
Verified purchase

I am so fed up with websites that change my 'Delivery' or 'Billing' information to something else AFTER I've entered it CORRECTLY. I had to enter details 3-4 times to get both categories (in different countries) to be how they needed to be. I AM so sick of taking over an hour to order 2 books. These glitches have happened largely at at Used Book bookstores! What is it? Driving me mad! Next time, I'll pay full price and give my business to Waterstones!

Reason I chose this business:

At 'World of Books' the issues noted above were even worse!

Thumbnail of user michaelj3271
1 review
0 helpful votes
July 11th, 2023
Verified purchase

Always easy to find what you need and checkout is super simple.
Never had a bad experience with a seller either.

Reason I chose this business:

Range of buying options is way better than other sites.

Thumbnail of user soniac378
1 review
0 helpful votes
September 19th, 2023
Verified purchase

Simply amazing, I wish I knew about this site in my first year of Uni not the last.:-)

Thumbnail of user richardb5855
1 review
0 helpful votes
February 8th, 2024
Verified purchase

So far so good, we'll see if the book actually arrives and hopefully it will be as described.

Reason I chose this business:

Found a book on google

Thumbnail of user laurenceb121
1 review
0 helpful votes
October 5th, 2022
Verified purchase
• Updated review

Buying from you for 10+ years and never once found any of your vouchers relevant. Most 2nd book purchases are sub £10 so you really need to lower your voucher thresholds

Reason I chose this business:

Cheapest on bookfinder

Very few sellers on your website ever put photos which...
July 3rd, 2022
Verified purchase
• Previous review

Very few sellers on your website ever put photos which is annoying.

Also every voucher email I receive from alibris are very useful

Your vouchers always expire too quickly and have too...
May 2nd, 2022
Verified purchase
• Previous review

Your vouchers always expire too quickly and have too high a limit on validity. Most books purchased are below $30!

Reason I chose this business:

Cheapest on bookfinder

Voucher threshold set too high most 2nd hand book purchases...
April 5th, 2022
Verified purchase
• Previous review

Voucher threshold set too high most 2nd hand book purchases are £5-£10 not $30!

Reason I chose this business:

Cheapest site

Be nicer to see shipping rates earlier
January 13th, 2021
Verified purchase
• Previous review
Reason I chose this business:

Cheapest cost

Thumbnail of user cynthias1317
1 review
0 helpful votes
June 8th, 2021
Verified purchase

As usual - shopping for used books at alibris is clear, simple, straight-forward - with choices and book conditions adequately described.

Thumbnail of user alasdairm9
1 review
0 helpful votes
December 23rd, 2023
Verified purchase
• Updated review

Great shop, I wish it was easy to put in several titles at once to see if can get from the same seller to save on shipping

Reason I chose this business:

I like it isn't apparently owned by Amazon but maybe it is

Love this site
May 7th, 2022
Verified purchase
• Previous review
Reason I chose this business:

It's not (hopefully) owned by amazon

Great, easy to find
February 10th, 2021
Verified purchase
• Previous review
Reason I chose this business:

It's not amazon owned

Thumbnail of user gerainte3
1 review
0 helpful votes
February 29th, 2024
Verified site experience

Ordered many. Many book from Alibris. In my experience all the individual suppliers provide fast efficient service. Books are true to stated condition. A great site to find books not available elsewhere. Great fan.

Reason I chose this business:

Availability of wide array of books. Honest site.

Thumbnail of user januszo3
1 review
0 helpful votes
November 13th, 2021
Verified purchase

Easy to navigate. Attractive interface. A book/film/music shop that doesn't flood your screen with garden furniture, electrical goods, clothing, groceries, DIY goods, bicycles and countless other things you weren't looking for when you're just browsing or searching for a book.

Reason I chose this business:

I'm escaping from Amazon but I also grew very concerned when I heard about Amazon's recent policy to ban certain books. It doesn't matter to me that I might not even be interested in those titles. The act of banning books is a heinous crime against freedom of speech AND thought. I do not want to support a bookseller that chooses my reading for me.

Thumbnail of user maurizios15
1 review
0 helpful votes
September 4th, 2022
Verified purchase

All good! But one star less because the website still doesn't have direct information about the stock situation like on bookdepository or other bookstores, so it is possible that after a week or more, the order gets canceled by the seller, making you waste time and/or maybe losing a better offer somewhere else

Reason I chose this business:

I checked the prices for those titles among different resellers using bookfincer.com as always; Alibris was the most convenient, and finally, shipping costs are reasonable now!

Thumbnail of user alicew282
1 review
0 helpful votes
February 1st, 2021
Verified purchase

Great except a technical error with the website but that might be because i was inactive for too long

Thumbnail of user marks3851
1 review
0 helpful votes
February 8th, 2024
Verified purchase
• Updated review

Generally very good. A little more clarity on shipping charges to my destination (UK) would be helpful. Using the term "Estimated shipping" at the point of checkout does not inspire confidence that that is what I will actually be charged.
Otherwise, all good. Thank you.

Reason I chose this business:

Alibris was the only place I could find this book advertised for sale in an acceptable condition.

All good apart from the confusing way that changing...
June 29th, 2021
Verified purchase
• Previous review

All good apart from the confusing way that changing billing and shipping address options are presented and the lack of logical simplicity in how this can be achieved.

Reason I chose this business:

The book I wanted was listed on the Bookfinder website with a link that took me to Alibris.

Thumbnail of user nicholasc796
1 review
0 helpful votes
August 10th, 2022
Verified purchase

Always brilliant. Everything on your web-site is clearly set out, I know exactly what I'm getting, and the book-dealers are uniformly excellent!

Thumbnail of user timb921
Tim B.
1 review
0 helpful votes
December 22nd, 2021
Verified purchase

So far so good, although I haven't received my product yet! Alibris is an easy site to navigate and I found what I wanted without any problems. However, it appears slightly dated in interface design, which made me slightly wonder how secure it was. I then landed on the payment page, which also didn't install me with secure confidence. However, fingers crossed everything will be OK. But that's my feedback.:-)

Reason I chose this business:

I found alibis via Google. I particularly wanted this specific book to add to my collection and it was available at a good price.

Thumbnail of user jennyc781
1 review
0 helpful votes
November 9th, 2023
Verified purchase

I will put us more stars when arrived my book, because is the first time that I used this online library.

Reason I chose this business:

Was the causality, I find us researching in interned my book.

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From the business

Company Representative

Thumbnail of user amya33
Rob L.
Typically does not respond to reviews

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