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The company has garnered mixed feedback, with some customers expressing satisfaction with the variety and pricing of books. However, a significant number of reviews highlight serious concerns regarding order fulfillment, such as receiving incorrect items, damaged books, and poor customer service responses. Customers frequently report difficulties in obtaining refunds or exchanges, indicating a lack of adequate support and communication. The overall sentiment leans towards dissatisfaction, with many stating they would not recommend the company due to these recurring issues, suggesting a need for improvements in customer service and order accuracy.
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While we were a little apprehensive based upon the reviews of ThriftBooks we had read, our experience with them has been very good. Over the past couple of years we have ordered several used books from them Each time the order arrived on time and the book was in the condition described.
Selected, bought and paid for a book by Brian Shul. Actually received a crappy cardboard calendar dated 1997. Threatened legal action, they have promised a refund - if this is not forthcoming immediately l will sue. This company is a fraudulent scam, never ever deal with them! Unfortunately l cannot give a zero star rating- would give a minus score if l could.
Don't buy from these guys especially through eBay. I paid and they did not send my book. EBay will not help after 90 days. ThriftBooks still state they have the book in stock on their website, but refuse to fix the problem saying it has to go through eBay. They have my money but are not ethical enough to send the book. Some people were lucky to get defective books when they paid - I received nothing and they will not support their customers.
I've ordered 2 books well over a month ago. They still haven't arrived. The one star is for Ryan from customers service who although was clearly lost, was really polite.
I use thriftbooks to buy books all the time. My books have always arrived in great condition, mind you i always purchase the cheapest condition. Ive been using this company for years and will continue doing so. Also delivery is with a week... for me at least.
Ordered a book that I was very excited about. Book did not arrive. After waiting several weeks and continually checking the tracking, I checked in with the post office, who informed me that the book had never been shipped. When I tried to contact Thriftbooks customer service to ask what was going on, they responded by refunding me and telling me there was nothing else they could do. They refused to help me try to find the item or even to confirm that they had actually sent it. When I sent them the USPS message stating that the package wasn't sent, they just stopped responding altogether. Poor customer service, dishonest business practices. Absolutely do not recommend.
I ordered 5 books from here with the hopes of getting books that I can use for copying for our Bible Study. I understand "gently" used, but not "totally" used. There is no where for us to write, let alone use our own thoughts as we study God's word. I am so disappointed with ThriftBooks for selling me "totally used" books, regardless of the price. Don't just take my word for it, judge the books from the pictures yourself.
Impressed is an understatement regarding ThriftBooks Chicago's customer service. So much so, that I am choosing to write my review before I have my product in hand (I will attach pictures & additional info when I do). I received a delivery notification 5 days before the expected delivery date. However, my package was no where to be seen (I haven't had any issues regarding missing packages since moving to this neighborhood). Frustrated, I contacted the seller on a Saturday evening explaining everything with a message to expect a response within 2 business days. Today, SUNDAY MORNING, I had an email from Heather in customer service apologizing for my not receiving the book I ordered and the tracking info for a replacement that they have already sent out. For the lack of a better term, I am blown away with the quality of customer service I have received.
Ordered a book last month from them. Expected arrival date was the 1/1. It's over a week later, and nothing. The label was printed instantly, but it then took 4 days to be delivered to the first processing center, according to tracking information. There have been no further updates, after that. Also contacted the shipping service with the tracking number I was sent, and they emailed back saying that it was an untracked service.
Edit, as of 4/2
Reached out via email to ThriftBooks, to explain what was happening, a couple of days after posting my initial review. The person who responded to me looked into things, couldn't find any further details, and issued a refund within 24 hours. They also stated that were the book to show up, there was no need to pay again.
Then, on January 29th, 29 days after the estimated arrival, the book showed up in my letterbox.
So, great customer service has completely changed my opinions and feelings in regards to everything that's occurred.
4/5, due to slow delivery, poor packaging, and a tracking number for a book sent through an untracked service while I was given a tracking number. Would shop again, and recommend to others, but only if you're not in a hurry.
I have recently discovered that the same thrift books I have been ordering off of Amazon I can get directly now from the supplier. Their free shipping rate is easy to achieve, the books are in the condition, or better, than they advertised and they come in a very timely manner. After 4 orders of 4+ books each, I've been nothing but pleased! Keep up the good work Thriftbooks employees!
I LOVE Thriftbooks! It's like book heaven The availability & inventory is beyond GREAT! But above all, the Customer Service is AWESOME! VERY KIND & Caring staff! AND they mean it! I LOVE the selections they have! I ALWAYS get my books ahead of schedule! GREAT SERVICE! Thank you!
I love, love, love thriftbooks. I found out about thriftbooks when I was looking for a book, but could not find one for a good reasonable price. As soon as I saw the options on thriftbooks, I shopped there ever since. I advice you to shop there. Your orders are also delivered quickly to your convenience. Thankyou thriftbooks for your reasonable prices and the best books ever. God bless!
Honestly I have nothing but good things to say about thriftbooks. They give you rewards that don't have any special conditions to redeem. They give you a huge selection of titles, both new and used, and let you select the condition you want. They give you the option of being notified in a variety of different frequencies for books that are out of stock. And when they make mistakes on the order? It's absolutely hassle free to get the issue fixed. I recently purchased a book that arrived that wasn't in the advertised condition and within 6 hours they contacted me back and refunded my money when they didn't have another copy in stock. It does take 4-5 business days to get the money back to you, but that has more to do with banks and the accounting side of the business, rather than the customer service/ quality side of things. I feel like that time delay would happen no matter where you shopped. All in all, amazing site of you love/need books as much as I do.
Bought 2 books, "as new" condition rating, delivered in reasonable time and in decent condition. No noticeable blemishes, no torn/folded pages, covers in good shape. Waiting on a second order and looking forward to another decent experience.
Very disappointed with the product provided and with following customer service handling the complaint.
I received a gift from my sister, who went through an extensive search to find exactly what i wish for: first hardcover editions. She found them by the advertising description on thriftbooks.com.
What i got, however, wasn't what was advertised, but the same work of literature in a paperback, even with the previous price sticker for $3.99, when my sister paid $60.
She was able to recover $30 for the second faulty paperback version of another book. However, since I removed without thinking much about it, (it was a gift, after all, and NO note with order details was included in the package).
When addressed with the company rep my sis was told that since this small sticker with barcode is missing, they will not return her payment, although my sister provided them with her order details AND photos.
I sent away for this Bro Decoder book with ring. The book is used with scribble marks throughout plus the answers in the book has been written all over! This book suppose to come with a decoder ring which has been ripped out!
I've been able to get the best prices, free shipping, and a free book almost every other order because of their rewards program. Great set up!
I would not recommend ordering anything from this outfit. The wrong item was sent to me and they wanted me to jump through hoops to get a refund. The book they sent me was not worth the hassle. It was garbage. I took the loss and trashed the book.
I originally ordered a whole set of magic tree house books. 18 paperback books. I paid $45 for the set which was a very reasonable price. I received my order today which took a bit longer than usual. When I received my order it was not what I purchase. I only received one of the 18 books. Customer was friendly and helpful so for that I'm grateful. However, I was informed that it was a barcode label error. I was then told that they no longer had the whole set that I ordered and that they were only able to send single books instead of the set. I explained to her that it was supposed to be a Christmas gift and she then offered a full refund. I took the refund and shopped elsewhere for my purchase.
I would strongly recommend to stay away from this reseller. I ordered Gruning's book and instead received Live Sex Acts book full of pencil marked notes. Stay away!
Answer: It sounds like a question you need to ask them directly.
Answer: You should think twice before paying international postal rates and customs fees for used books.
Answer: When this happens, just tell them and they'll give you a refund. Books are sent via USPS, so good luck with a tracking number. Very occasionally they will lose a shipment, and this is not Thriftbooks' fault.
Answer: Library Binding is a term used for books that are in large print.
Answer: I donate my books to the library for their book sale
Answer: I ordered through the ThriftBooks website. They send me an order confirmation email. Then they send me shipping confirmation email with tracking. Shipping confirmation emails may be sent separately for each book if they come from different locations. If you keep track of the emails, you know exactly what the situation is for your order. I have ordered over 30 books, have check on the status often, and had no problems. I'm not sure what happens if you don't have email, but is that a possibility in this day and age? If you ordered by phone, I'm not sure why you didn't call them for the status.
Answer: They do not accept checks or money orders. You need to use credit, debit (cards), or PayPal.
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