AbeBooksReviews 715

I used AbeBooks for the first time to try and buy some Folio Book versions of the classics for my kids. Brand new, these books are quite expensive, but I heard that there are lots of used copies around. After searching the site for Folio books, finding ones with the Folio version pictured, and paying $55USD for 3 books, I got 2 of 3 books. They were ugly, cheap abbreviated versions. I am debating recycling versus donating them. :( So disappointed.
When I contacted the seller, I got a "not our fault" message saying that they often just use whatever photos they want, so you need to check the ISBN number. Hope that helps if you decide to order anyway.
I buy a lot of books, and if this would have been a positive experience, I would have been a repeat customer.

A few days after I ordered a couple of books I received an email that they under charged my shipping and needed me to approve an increase in the shipping charge. I approved it. A few days later I get an email stating my order is being delayed and they have no estimate for when it will ship, so they ask if I want to keep the order of cancel it. I respond within two hours to cancel it, and I subsequently ordered the books through Amazon. The next day I get an email stating they already shipped and it's too late to cancel/refund. I advise I've already placed another order and I want the refund. No response. Then FOUR HOURS LATER I get an email stating the shipping label had JUST been generated and tracking info showed it hadn't shipped yet and delivery ETA is 3wks. These people are scammer scum and couldn't be trusted to deliver for GrubHub.

Terrible service. Ordered 8 books and only received 1 book correctly. Other books were thrown in at random with a $1 tag still on them. Seeking refund, closing account, and moving on. Books I didn't order smelled like cigarettes or smoke. Oh, yeah, I didn't even get all 8, the box only had 6 books. Too much incompetence, no customer service, and waste of my time and money. I can do better than this! Stay clear from ABE BOOKS and BETTER WORLD BOOKS! No sales receipt or anything. Just the box full of crappy books I didn't order and CANNOT USE or DON"T WANT because I DIDNT ORDER THEM!

Quality of book and delivery as promised. Excellent condition less a signature on the inside flap that was identified prior to purchase. Otherwise the jacket is in excellent shape as the book. Delivery timeframe as expected.

In addition, this is by far the best price I found.

They listed an incorrect ISBN number and sent wrong item, even after I'd asked for confirmation. Ignored all requests for refund. Ship elsewhere.

Received wrong book. Can't contact Abebooks directly. They forward your concern to the actual bookseller that they have partnered with. Been over a month and I still don't have the correct book I ordered & still can't talk to anyone directly at Abebooks. Will never buy from them again. Didn't realize Abebooks sources the purchased out to 3rd party sellers that are impossible to work with :(

I purchased a book in Feb for school, we are at the end of May it hasn't arrived. They said they will refund me but they actually debited 3 times for varying amounts with no refund. Upon telling them they asked me to contact thier merchant but didnt provide details. They are dishonest. I would not trust this website. It is definitely fraudulent.

AbeBooks was the only company that had the vintage book I wanted at a fair price! The communications and the shipping time was great.

I purchased a used book from them, two days later I got an email saying that *I* canceled the order which I did not. I now see the book relisted for double the price. What a scam.

This is one of many companies that say they have a book in stock when they don't. So they take your money and then cancel your order and say the cancellation was requested by the purchaser.

I was supposed to receive a set of books because that's what the description state. I only received 1 book.
I emailed the company w wrap times over 3 weeks without a single reply.

I use abebooks to get deals on new books. So far all of my purchases has been successful and i've gotten what i wanted. If your just looking for some cheaper books this is the place!

I ordered a University textbook for my son (to be shipped form the UK to South Africa), because I could not find it locally anywhere.
Less than an hour after ordering though - on a SUNDAY - my son found a second hand version via a friend.
I immediately tried to cancel my order, via 3 different channels (email, web form and, return function).
On Monday mid morning I was finally responded to and told my order could not be cancelled as it had already been picked - not SENT mind you, just selected form a shelf. So I should wait for it to arrive and then I could send it back... again it was getting sent half way around the world to South Africa, that makes no sense. It was still right there!
Now over 2 months later it has not arrived, and their only comment is, 'oh well let us know if you want to order another one, it must be lost in the mail...'. No tracking number, no details, no interest, no nothing.
Wow fabulous customer service all around. NOT. Thanks for literally nothing Abe books, except costing me money.

I ordered one book that was described as a Folio Society edition and received a cheap Random House edition. I ordered another book at the same time that was described as a Franklin Library edition and received another used, MUCH cheaper book (see photos). No response to numerous attempts to contact their "customer service". I will have to open a dispute with my credit card company and eat the return shipping.

Sadly, abebooks has had a decline in service for which originally they blamed Covig. However, they apparently have very little or no staff to oversee issues. Booksellers get orders but are not notified by e-mail as has been the standard for the previous decades. Whether this is because of Amazon's take over or some other problem at the management level, it is a reason this has become a substandard platform.

I have been using Abebooks for years, NEVER an issue. I see negative reviews posted... do buyers look at book condition which is usually listed? As they say, you get what you pay for. Books that are in better condition (listed as "like new, very good, good") cost more than a book listed as "acceptable". If buyers purchase a book that costs less, it may be listed as "acceptable" condition. Not sure if buyers are aware of the small print which lists book condition. Just my 5 cents worth :)

Ordered a few here and there and had no issues. Ordered a few Calendars too and all came just as good.

Ordered an Abrams book for $102.97 described as "new" and received a book with a broken binding. Ready to fall apart. Could have bought a new copy from from another seller for $40 less, but couldn't guarantee delivery when needed, or a good used copy from eBay for $35. As this was a birthday gift, wanted a pristine copy and on time for birthday. Outrageous and unacceptable!