Check out our latest communities fighting
AI scams on Reddit and Facebook

SmartCustomer Website Reviews and Complaints
business logo of Alibris

Alibris

4.7

On SmartCustomer, businesses may not offer incentives or pay to remove reviews. Learn more about our Review Guidelines.

From the business

We love browsing books, drinking coffee, and talking with people who love good stories.


alibris.com
Founded in 1998
Berkeley, CA, United States
How would you rate Alibris?
grey stargrey stargrey stargrey stargrey star

Alibris Reviews Summary

Alibris enjoys a generally positive reputation among customers, particularly for its wide selection of used books at competitive prices and reliable shipping. Many customers appreciate the timely delivery and the ability to track orders, contributing to overall satisfaction. However, concerns arise regarding the variability in book conditions, with some items not meeting expectations, and delays in shipping for urgent needs. Additionally, the separate shipping fees for each book can deter purchases. Despite these issues, the platform remains a favored choice for many due to its extensive inventory and user-friendly website.

This summary is generated by AI, based on text from customer reviews

service
1,012
value
12,370
shipping
12,360
quality
12,354
This company responds to reviews on average within 1 day

We monitor reviews for authenticity

1 review
0 helpful votes
Follow Martha N.
Unfollow Martha N.
Share Review
Report Review

Shopping on line isn't exactly an experience, but it is convenient. Alibris describes the condition of its books accurately and has been very reliable in shipping them.

Date of experience: March 6, 2026
1 review
0 helpful votes
Follow Brett M.
Unfollow Brett M.
Share Review
Report Review

Bob
March 16, 2026

I ordered a book, I got it. What more is there to say?

Date of experience: March 6, 2026
1 review
0 helpful votes
Follow Leah K.
Unfollow Leah K.
Share Review
Report Review

Some items are priced higher for rarity but I can avoid most of that. Shipping averages about 4.99 if you get something from a different seller so keep that in mind when shopping.

Date of experience: March 6, 2026
2 reviews
0 helpful votes
Follow Gloria F.
Unfollow Gloria F.
Share Review
Report Review

Easy to find the book I was looking for. Would like to have had faster shipping option. But overall, very fine shopping experience.

Date of experience: March 5, 2026
1 review
0 helpful votes
Follow T M.
Unfollow T M.
Share Review
Report Review

Got my delivery in a timely manner. Book in great quality!

Date of experience: March 5, 2026
Canada
1 review
0 helpful votes
Follow Evelyn H.
Unfollow Evelyn H.
Share Review
Report Review

Great Service
March 15, 2026
Updated review

I ordered an out-of-print book by Andy Goldsworthy. It arrived quickly, the condition was as described, and I am really happy to get a copy of the book.

Date of experience: March 5, 2026

Easy to navigate site, good search engine, straight-forward check-out.

Date of experience: February 11, 2026
1 review
0 helpful votes
Follow Eleanor C.
Unfollow Eleanor C.
Share Review
Report Review

Book in great condition; quick shipment
March 15, 2026
Updated review

Easy find what I want, easy checkout, good communication, quick shipment. What's not to like

Date of experience: March 5, 2026

Easy to find what I want
February 15, 2026
Previous review

Easy to find what I want. Quick check out. Plenty of price and condition options.

Date of experience: February 5, 2026
1 review
0 helpful votes
Follow ALAN K.
Unfollow ALAN K.
Share Review
Report Review

Excellent all round service
March 15, 2026
Updated review

I could not get the book that I wanted in UK, so I found your website. The book was priced reasonably, but I'm sorry to add that the postage from USA was more than doubled the book price. However, it was a book that I wanted, so had to pay the price. Communication with Alibris was excellent and I was informed about its progress at all times. Thank you all.

Date of experience: March 5, 2026

Good website, but to send to UK it is estimated to...
February 22, 2026
Previous review

Good website, but to send to UK it is estimated to take 21 - 31 days for shipping. This is a LOT longer than receiving goods from other Companies. Perhaps this should be looked into

Date of experience: February 12, 2026
1 review
0 helpful votes
Follow Rebecca P.
Unfollow Rebecca P.
Share Review
Report Review

Placing my order was quick and simple. I hope to receive my items within the time promised!

Date of experience: March 4, 2026
Canada
1 review
0 helpful votes
Follow J L.
Unfollow J L.
Share Review
Report Review

I bought a pretty-hard-to-find CD from a store in the Dallas, TX area. The price and the shipping price were great. The CD was in pristine condition (somewhat of a surprise)! My only negative-ish observation was that, contrary to shipping time on the invoice of 16 days, it actually took 21 days. Not a big deal, all things considered, especially since the package appears to have gone from Dallas to Los Angeles to Toronto to Edmonton, but a little nerve-wracking, wondering if it had gotten lost or stolen along the way.

Date of experience: March 4, 2026
California
1 review
0 helpful votes
Follow Cynthia H.
Unfollow Cynthia H.
Share Review
Report Review

I love Alibris
March 15, 2026

I love Alibris. The site is well organized, and I like the feature of choosing various matches to a search, as well as edition and binding search filters for each book.

Date of experience: March 4, 2026
1 review
0 helpful votes
Follow William S.
Unfollow William S.
Share Review
Report Review

Consistently good service.
March 14, 2026
Updated review

Books are what they are described to be. The few times I've had a problem with a given supplier, Alibris has facilitated helping me to resolve it.

Date of experience: March 4, 2026

Always direct and satisfying
February 9, 2026
Previous review

Always direct and satisfying. Yet it requires a lot of words to recommend.

Date of experience: January 29, 2026
1 review
0 helpful votes
Follow Michael G.
Unfollow Michael G.
Share Review
Report Review

They did not offer different shipping arrival date options. If the order does not arrive before March 10, I will do everything in my power to make sure that my dissatisfaction is known.

Date of experience: March 4, 2026
Maryland
1 review
0 helpful votes
Follow Deborah K.
Unfollow Deborah K.
Share Review
Report Review

Since I am an older person, use the public library...
March 14, 2026
Updated review

Since I am an older person, use the public library all the time, and hardly ever order books, except as gifts, I will greatly appreciate any savings. ‍

Date of experience: March 4, 2026

Many of the books I need are priced so low hat I can...
January 25, 2026
Previous review

Many of the books I need are priced so low hat I can afford them. I also am grateful that no pop-ups appear.

Date of experience: January 15, 2026
Washington
1 review
0 helpful votes
Follow Sue B.
Unfollow Sue B.
Share Review
Report Review

Great Prices
March 14, 2026
Updated review

I have been buying used books for over thirty plus years but many have closed in my area. Alibris has a great selection of the books I am looking to fill in my series gaps. Thank you so much.

Date of experience: March 4, 2026

Got what I was looking for at a fair price
January 2, 2026
Previous review

I have used Alibris before and had a great experience then, so why go anywhere else.

Date of experience: December 23, 2025
Pennsylvania
1 review
0 helpful votes
Follow Stephen L.
Unfollow Stephen L.
Share Review
Report Review

I wish giving you feedback was as quick and easy as...
March 14, 2026
Updated review

I wish giving you feedback was as quick and easy as ordering the book.

Date of experience: March 4, 2026

It was easy to get info on the book and check out today, as always.

Date of experience: July 27, 2025
Canada
2 reviews
3 helpful votes
Follow Peter H.
Unfollow Peter H.
Share Review
Report Review

Buying the Family Life Encyclopedia
March 14, 2026
Updated review

The price fo this large hardcover book in good condition was less than $6! The cost with shipping was about $22. This was good value for money and the book was in excellent condition.

Date of experience: March 4, 2026

Good Prices at Times
January 24, 2025
Previous review

This time the prices was excellent for such a large and quality cookbook--2000 recipes with lots of tips!

Date of experience: January 14, 2025
1 review
0 helpful votes
Follow Theresa M.
Unfollow Theresa M.
Share Review
Report Review

Good prices, fast service!
March 14, 2026

Been eyeing that particular book for a while on several platforms. Finally found it at an acceptable price with the deals and it was brand new. Received quite swiftly. Happy customer.

Date of experience: March 4, 2026
2 reviews
0 helpful votes
Follow David L.
Unfollow David L.
Share Review
Report Review

Interface is easy and very clear!
March 14, 2026

Interface is easy and very clear! Details of the books are easy to find and exact.

Date of experience: March 4, 2026
Georgia
1 review
0 helpful votes
Follow Carissa J.
Unfollow Carissa J.
Share Review
Report Review

Shipping!
March 14, 2026

I usually place one large order a year. Even though some of the books are coming from the same place, I am always charged a separate shipping fee for each book. Now that the shipping charges have gone up it's not as great of a deal. I've decided just to order as needed and use the library when I can.

Date of experience: March 4, 2026