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

business logo of Better World Books

Better World Books

3.3

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

How would you rate Better World Books?
grey stargrey stargrey stargrey stargrey star

Better World Books Reviews Summary

The overall reputation of Better World Books is mixed, with notable strengths in their extensive selection and competitive pricing, often praised for delivering books in excellent condition. However, significant concerns arise regarding customer service, particularly related to shipping delays, fulfillment errors, and inadequate packaging that often leads to damaged items. Many customers express frustration over the return process and a perceived lack of responsiveness from the company. While some customers remain loyal due to the ethical practices and commitment to literacy, recurring issues with order accuracy and support hinder a consistently positive experience.

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

service
234
value
234
shipping
240
returns
78
quality
233

We monitor reviews for authenticity

Israel
1 review
0 helpful votes
Follow JOshua F.
Unfollow JOshua F.
Share Review
Report Review

Better World Books is one of the go-to sites when I decide a want some hardcopy book. Wide selection, low prices, free shipping, including internationally.

Date of experience: January 12, 2021
Florida
2 reviews
0 helpful votes
Follow Mary B.
Unfollow Mary B.
Share Review
Report Review

This site is so fun; I can search for books and usually find at least three or four so I can take advantage of their latest promo. Plenty to choose from, plus low prices, free shipping, and a worthy cause... I've had to buy another bookshelf for my den!

Date of experience: January 12, 2021
Missouri
1 review
0 helpful votes
Follow Dane O.
Unfollow Dane O.
Share Review
Report Review

This was my first time purchasing and I am Very satisfied with the condition of the books. The shipping process went very smoothly and there was good communication of expected deliveries and package tracking numbers.

Date of experience: January 11, 2021
Texas
1 review
0 helpful votes
Follow Lucio A.
Unfollow Lucio A.
Share Review
Report Review

Good quality used
January 11, 2021

I got a used book with good quality and no issues. Bible was obtained as a Christmas gift for my father.

Date of experience: January 11, 2021
France
1 review
0 helpful votes
Follow Romain A.
Unfollow Romain A.
Share Review
Report Review

A perfect present
January 11, 2021

Thanks to this website I've can bought the perfect pèsent for my friend, a book impossible to find in France and despite the coronavirus pandemic and the brexit troubles the book arrived on time.

Date of experience: January 11, 2021
Greece
1 review
0 helpful votes
Follow Bo M.
Unfollow Bo M.
Share Review
Report Review

Trustworthy
January 11, 2021

I have purchased so many books from the BWB for the past six years. I am so grateful to them. Once, when I didn't receive my package, I got my money back. This is the site I recommend to all my friends!

Date of experience: January 11, 2021
Canada
1 review
0 helpful votes
Follow Jonn K.
Unfollow Jonn K.
Share Review
Report Review

One of my favourite online used bookstores. Little bit more expensive than others, but I think that's because the price of shipping is worked into the book prices, and they frequently have sales for anywhere from 10-30% off used books – every book also donates a book and proceeds go towards literacy efforts worldwide.

Date of experience: January 10, 2021
North Carolina
1 review
0 helpful votes
Follow Ruth H.
Unfollow Ruth H.
Share Review
Report Review

Excellent service
January 11, 2021

Timely and reliable alternative to Amazon with free shipping and quick delivery. Always check BetterWorld first.

Date of experience: January 10, 2021
Colorado
1 review
0 helpful votes
Follow Joe C.
Unfollow Joe C.
Share Review
Report Review

Great service with a plus.
January 11, 2021

In addition to the normal acknowledgment of an order these folks sent a creative delightful letter while the order was in progress. I won't give you a spoiler about what it said - you'll just have to order a book yourself to see. I shared a copy of it with all my adult children. One response was "Those are some people who really love their work." I agree and their support for literacy programs is a real plus.

Date of experience: January 10, 2021
GB
1 review
0 helpful votes
Follow David H.
Unfollow David H.
Share Review
Report Review

I was very pleased to find that the company had a copy of a long out-of-print book on painting techniques that I'd had as a kid, and which I wanted to get for two children I know. The book was in good condition, as promised, and fairly priced - and I didn't have to wait long for it to arrive. Email communication was efficient and friendly, too.

This company does its work admirably, and gives comnendable support to charities. Do use them.

Date of experience: January 8, 2021
Colorado
1 review
0 helpful votes
Follow Valerie S.
Unfollow Valerie S.
Share Review
Report Review

Good Service
January 9, 2021

Everything was great! I received the correct book and it arrived promptly. The only feedback I would offer is to be careful about the glue or backing on the stickers used on your books. I ordered an out of print, older book with a colored paper spine and the sticker placed on it removed some of the colored paper, exposing patches of the lighter color underneath. It was a little disappointing to deface the book by removing the sticker. Despite this, I would order from them again.

Date of experience: January 8, 2021
Massachusetts
1 review
0 helpful votes
Follow Matthew S.
Unfollow Matthew S.
Share Review
Report Review

I found this website looking for alternatives to buying new books in-stores during the coronavirus pandemic. And to bypass the giant internet retailer many people default to. The books I have ordered have been in a much better than described condition, and the prices are many times lower than what I thought I was going to pay. Instead of adding a couple cookbooks to mmy collection, I've stretched the money I budgeted to about a dozen books! The wishlist feature is excellent, I get e-mails when a book I've added becomes available.

Date of experience: January 8, 2021
Missouri
1 review
0 helpful votes
Follow Cristiano C.
Unfollow Cristiano C.
Share Review
Report Review

An Amazing Service
January 9, 2021

I love what they do at Better World Books, and it allows me to expand my library while doing a small amount of good for the world!

Date of experience: January 7, 2021
California
1 review
0 helpful votes
Follow Nan M.
Unfollow Nan M.
Share Review
Report Review

Good source of books
January 8, 2021

I appreciate recirculating books that are in good condition. Prompt delivery.
Wide range of available titles.

Date of experience: January 7, 2021
Massachusetts
1 review
0 helpful votes
Follow MSite B.
Unfollow MSite B.
Share Review
Report Review

Happy with all aspects of my purchase.
January 6, 2021

Seems like a great business. My books came quickly and were in good shape. I will continue to order from BetterWorldBooks!

Date of experience: January 6, 2021
California
1 review
0 helpful votes
Follow Christiana R.
Unfollow Christiana R.
Share Review
Report Review

Original fonts and art, set in firm contemporary bindings, so we can just ENJOY reading this beautiful story!

Date of experience: January 5, 2021
California
1 review
0 helpful votes
Follow Raquel G.
Unfollow Raquel G.
Share Review
Report Review

Good Textbooks
January 6, 2021

Good textbooks at good prices. Very good book conditions, even though it s a used book. Used books have the same content as the new books.

Date of experience: January 5, 2021
Virginia
1 review
0 helpful votes
Follow R S.
Unfollow R S.
Share Review
Report Review

Great, service
January 6, 2021

I order from Better World all the time and the price, even it has risen, and great service. With last order my error ordered one book twice. My problem is I read Large print books as I am handicapped and one book I received was not in large print. BWB advised that book listed with the number beginning with 978 would be large print I received Pompeii and it is not large print. This is first time that I have had a problem, BWB does a great job and everyone should use their service.

Date of experience: January 5, 2021
Switzerland
1 review
0 helpful votes
Follow Jaume L.
Unfollow Jaume L.
Share Review
Report Review

Excellent buying experience meets great values
January 6, 2021

At BetterWorldBooks, I not only had an excellent buying experience, but also learned that they have great values (for example, they support literacy with book donations). Keep up the good work!

Date of experience: January 5, 2021
Colorado
1 review
0 helpful votes
Follow Daniel E.
Unfollow Daniel E.
Share Review
Report Review

Great for new and used books!
January 5, 2021

I ordered two books on new and one used. Both were delivered when I expected them. The new book is clean and new as expected. The used is definitely used but in great shape and has a better feel to it with the usage. So excited!

Date of experience: January 4, 2021