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Alibris has a rating of 4.72 stars from 81,251 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally satisfied with their purchases. Reviewers satisfied with Alibris most frequently mention great prices, good price, and shopping experience. Alibris ranks 1st among Used Books sites.
Proactively asks for customer feedback
This company responds to reviews on average within 23 hours
Very impressed w/ orderly arrangement of products for sale, e.g., music, books, movie, etc. Makes sense! Also, the choice of sellers is easy to understand & navigate--I contacted one book seller Solr by email to find out if the used book they were selling was highly dusty (allergies) & they emailed back w/ details & evident concern. Alibris is now my "go-to" source for great prices, selection & quality of sale. Thanks for doing a great job!
Very Difficult to change shipping address. Had to quit internet browser and log back in again. Shipping choices limited. I know from past purchase that independent sellers can take their sweet time shipping items and often do. Why does alibris appear to charge at 1st class parcel rates and deliver at slower and cheaper media mail rate? Delivery window excessively wide.
I'd gone to Goodreads, as is my usual practice, and linked to you for the book "The Economics of Discrimination," by Gary S. Becker. I was asked to sign in but wasn't returned to the book page and the message said there were no available copies.
However, when I went back to Goodreads and linked in again there was the page I'd first seen with the list of this book. I hope that it is actually available and will arrive! :O
You have the best price on a book I wanted and I consider you a trustworthy seller.
Great prices on used books
Great deals compared to other bookstores!
The checkout was a jagged experience, kinda repetitive and error filled that necessitated a number of "back clicks" to double check info, seller's name, SHIPPING PRICE, and to reload the cart it said was empty, when it wasn't.
When I saw the seller was "boards and wraps" I thought I bet they sell bags. What a great time to throw some in the order! But there was no good way (like clicking on the seller's name) to go to the sellers store & look for other items.
KInda "sales un-friendly"
Because you were NOT better world books or second sale
It's very scattered. I have to go back & forth to make sure it's the right copy, Widows flash open & closed again (after I've started checking out, so I *really* have to back Up & check to make sure I didn't accidentally click the wrong prompt.) The book entries are not consistent. The site's visually a mess - like an old school BBS. It doesn't need to be slick, or hyper stylized, or an exercise in stark modernism / minimalism - I'd hate those, but it's not engaging as it is. It doesn't get you to click around and shop, or even compare different seller's copies of specific books. It actively discourages you for that. And I checked the seller's store for other books hoping to combine shipping - but THAT doesn't happen, so it's just easier to go elsewhere and shop a nicer platform for cheaper books and takes less time & I find more to buy.
Best price (worst shipping price). I use Bookfinder, and when I came to check out the best price copy I saw it was by a real collector so that made me want to support him.
Shopping cart kept timing out before I could finish putting in the order.
My local post office is TERRIBLE. I hope your seller is packing / wrapping book carefully. That's the main reason I'd need a follow up (see last question below)
A remaindered book and less than 1/2 my local store that I *usually* support. That's a significant difference for something the publisher considers garbage paper/ loss recoup.
While the low prices are considerable and unimpeachable, I'm very annoyed with the high threshold for most coupon codes and the fact that those thresholds only count the item totals instead of the order totals, especially considering that the emails I get about them say they're counting the order totals. Thus, including taxes and shipping, the actual cost required to use the coupon codes is considerably higher than advertised.
I needed to order my college textbooks.
I wanted multiple copies of a book. But sellers are allowed to list under several nearly identical names, offering only one book at a time at a given price. If one tries to order two books from the same seller the price is increased for every additional book purchased. Or one can pay for each book to be shipped from the same location but under different names as in HBR inc and HBR-emerald and HBR-ruby. This method of doing business is for the benefit of the seller and the buyer is left holding the bag (or two or 3 or 4). I can't condone this system and will only use this site if no one else has the book I want.
ONLY because you had the book I wanted. I didn't have fun - it took me 20 minutes to order the book even though I knew exactly what I wanted.
* Alibris attempted to help this customer through the Sitejabber Resolution Center, but the customer did not respond
This is the only site that charges shipping. Just raise the prices so you can. It seems very misleading.
I needed a textbook.
Your technology is crude compared to that of Amazon. There is only ONE right way on Alibris for everything. NO room for intuition or multiple routes. Hence lots of unnecessary frustration that will discourage younger, technologically sophisticated users from sticking around.
Because it is NOT Amazon and has good deals and often better prices.
No bibliographic detail about individual items. Compares poorly in this regard with Amazon. No detailed customer feedback--just the crude star system. Compares poorly in this regard too. Furthermore your navigation system is wooden and not user-friendly.
Because it's NOT the devouring monster, Amazon. Please, however, do better so that I don't have to buy from you as a charity case.
NOT enough bibliographical detail, no ability to review contents or read feedback of customers.
Because it's NOT Amazon and prices are roughly comparable.
Need reviews from customers. Also need ability to look at table of contents. Like Amazon. Most important: need detailed review of sellers. It's NOT enough not to be Amazon!
Cheaper than Amazon, at least for books I bought.
I remove one star because there's lack of bibliographic detail or customer feedback. If you're competing with Amazon, you've got to do better.
It's NOT Amazon=still independent. May Alibris stay that way!
Format to enter info needs some attention. I could not see what I was typing there, doesn't show. Had to then renter all, a few times.
For a paticular book my mother wants to read.
Tried to order some additional books that showed they were "free shipping" from your alibris location@ 46 or 47 dollar total. Well above the 39, and it tried to charge 15 dollars in shipping for them. I put them on a wish list instead of buying them. What happened? No free shipping during christmas?
Very frustrating shipping policies! You're charged per item even if it's from the same seller. I ordered a thin children's paperback and thought I'd get 2 but they charged an additional 4.95 for each book ordered. I wanted to buy from someone other than Amazon but I'm not sure I'll go through this site again due to the very high shipping costs. It's also frustrating that you have to go so far in the ordering process before you can check shipping costs especially when it seems you charge about $5 per book to ship.
Tried to use someone other than Amazon
It took me too long to locate and type in my credit card information. If you implemented Apple Pay a press of my thumb would have been enough. But, I guess, I imagine you believe books are very important cultural items which should not be subject to impulse buying: You deserve credit for that, I think.
And, please, don't get me started on you forcing me to allow you to share this purchase with that wonderful benign overseer of our culture known as Google. I totally agree to allow you to share this explanation of why I will never visit your site again with the whole world.
Low financial cost compared to Amazon. I'd no idea that would be offset by the extra time I had to spend working my way through your circa 2000 user interface.
This is my second order for the same textbook. Everything was easy to find on here, but AFTER I had placed my last order, several days later I received an email saying they don't have that book anymore. Why was it on the site and why did it allow me to buy it then? I'm still waiting on the refund for that, but I need the book and they still have lower prices here. I've heard good things about this site so I'm giving it another chance.
Heard good things and the prices are lower
It was easy to find the product I wanted. I was looking for a student edition but the teacher edition was cheaper and works too!
The textbook was cheaper here than it was anywhere else I looked.
After your system recommended a chipper option, you cancel my order. Obviously, the system was wrong. I had to reorder. I'm little disappointed.
Well first of all it will not let me leave shipping instructions. For the amount of money he wants for shipping. This should still be here with his priority. That is way too much money for shipping...
He doesn't give the quality of the liner note or any details on the compact disc hardly. I want this in mint condition it's opened and i'm very worried. I also needed at my house by saturday morning. I'm not gonna pay ten dollars to ship it from dallas to wichita. I could drive there and pick it up cheaper. Thx
Because you had the product I was looking for. Except that it wasn't sealed. I hope this works out he does not have any info.
This website has an excellent stock and range of prices to chose from. Unfortunately you are dealing with third party sellers going through the site. If you do receive the wrong book (like I did) the site is only willing to give refunds for returns, and are unwilling to put for shipping (3.00$ rebate however). I wish they were more upfront with the policy.
Recently ordered 11 items from Goodwill Seattle, all were cancelled because the were already sold. That's very poor inventory mgmt and a big waste of my time! Sellers like that should be restricted or fined in some way by alibris.
Not amazon!
VERY EXPENSIVE SHIPPING! Especially considered it is Media
Using a digital scale will give you the most accurate rates since a difference of one or two ounces can mean the difference between one rate level and the next. Media mail rates currently begin at $2.66 for an envelope or package that weighs one pound or less. For every additional pound in weight, the media mail cost goes up 51 cents.
Thirft books did not have the books that I wanted to order.
I am happy for the final price, but the email I got said "$10 off". The site only gives that much if you purchase at a certain price point. It would be more truthful, accurate to tell the customer "up to $10 off". Otherwise, it feels like a bait-and-switch tactic to me. Overall, however, really good prices and I appreciate the discount. I'm just a stickler for transparency to the consumer.
I received an email Notice today 4/27/23 for $5.00 off my order. It was not accepted. Why not? Don't send me email $500 off Notices if you don't accept them. You must be aware of my Order as you emailed my cart would soon expire. Irresponsible customer service! Hopefully, the novels will meet at least "Good"
Description. I will check the Checkbox to obtain my Order but don't wish to have any of my comments published anywhere. This is a scam world. I wish to protect my identity.
Marilyn
A source for Marianne Wiggins's older novels.
Tried to buy book listed (by the Bookworm store) and got a "we don't have that book"; take it off so it doesn't show up as available. ANNOYING
I was looking for a particular version of a book I had when a child. It took me quite some time to find it (I think it is the one as there were no pictures). That was the one you listed as available but was not. I live in hopes this one is the right one--I picked the highest-price one in hopes that it was.
Since I can't go to my favorite bookstores, shopping on line is the next best thing, even if my bookshelves are full. Alibris is one of my favorite sites.
Prices are fair, I have been disappointed before and received books which were obviously library books, but had not been described as such.
This is my second order. What I find attractive is the pricing is very competitive. However, details in descriptions are sometimes vague from 1 item to another.
Also the last/next question is absurd. Any organization should follow up to make sure every customer is always satisfied. I had my own business for 31 years. My policy was to create realistic expectations and always exceed those expectations. There was no doubt the customer was satisfied because I would not accept final payment until they were. It is redundant to ask should we follow up. Don't ask, just do it. No doubts.
In all the time I have shopped with Alibris, there are still two books that have not been delivered. A biography of George Orwell by Bernard Crick, and Open Guides to Literature on Seamus Heaney, ordered at the end of last October. Can you find them and send them please? Also, I am concerned that the orders from the UK will be delayed because of Brexit.
Although the Brexit situation isn't good, I took a risk and ordered from Alibris UK for most of my order. Please don't let me down!
The first time I shopped here my Discover card number was stolen. Now I'll try PayPal. I just bought a DVD set and now learned it's available cheaper from same seller. I wish I'd known that before I completed transaction. Neither of these things are necessarily their fault but it still colors my shopping experience here.
Lowest price on what I wanted and I’ve shopped here before.
I signed up for a $5 off coupon and the coupon was not sent. I placed my order without receiving the benefit of the coupon. Also, I find it ridiculous that 3 of my books came from the same location and yet the shipping was still over $11. Shipping should change according to the size order that is coming from one location, especially since shipping is so low on books. I feel that the current setup is somewhat of a scam for your customers.
The prices were low compared to other places I buy from.
Shipping prices are unfortunate. :/ Quickly removed other items from my cart due to the huge jump in price.
Variety and affordability
Credit card # field doesn't work if you type in spaces, THE WAY IT APPEARS on CARD!
It's a small screw-up - but one that potentially impacts Most of you customers.
There's a Reason you aren't bigger, despite good pricing.
If you are comfortable being a third-string, niche provider, then, by all means, don't bother to fix anything.
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We love browsing books, drinking coffee, and talking with people who love good stories.
Born from Interloc, a database for proffesional booksellers, Alibris has spent over two decades connecting book lovers to book sellers. It's the premier marketplace for textbooks, used books and rare, out-of-print books and supports countless small booksellers across the country. With over 270 million books, Alibris has something for you.
