WobReviews 1,390

I ordered a "Like New" book on June 18. The book didn't arrive until July 13, and was in pretty bad shape with significantly bent front and back covers, writing inside, etc. I let Wob know, and was asked to send photos, which I did. On July 23 they replied that they would send me a new book of my choosing within 24 hours, because they claimed they had no copies of that book anymore (though, from what I can see, they did and still do). It's now August 17, and I never heard back after replying to that email, and I am not sure it will ever be resolved, even though two months have passed since I ordered.

Aside from all these issues, they seem to rely heavily on Artificial Intelligence (AI) to reply to customer service inquiries, often with irrelevant information, which left me feeling unheard and not helped.

Edit: Though they offered me a book, I eventually got an unexpected refund instead, on August 23. I added another star since I appreciate them trying to make good in the end.

The book I received had been extensively damaged by water — cover warped and rippled, pages swollen — yet the WOB listing said it was in good condition. Their definition of "good" includes this: "a book that has been read but remains in clean condition." My book was not in clean condition.

Dishonest listing. Do not recommend.

They get books from charity shops, but can sell UK wide. Always have what I want for fraction of the price. Three bios this week. Can't wait. Bedtime reading. Paul O'Grady, June Whitfield and Jono Lancaster. Jono is so inspirational

The book I received was not in the advertised condition (Very Good). WOB apologised and asked me to send them pictures, which I did. When I did not receive any further communication from the seller I sent a further email requesting a response and stating I would return the item the following day by Tracked 24 Royal Mail. I heard nothing from the seller to say the item was delivered back to them, but had proof of delivery from Royal Mail. I contacted WOB to ask why I had heard nothing and again they did not trouble themselves to reply. In the end I have had to raise a Claim with PayPal. I am very disappointed by the goods I received and by WOB's woefully poor customer service.

Ordered two books July 25,2023. Recieved 1 book within alloted time frame. Contacted customer service daily, post 10 day shipping. 1 response to say "USPS is backed-up and shipping could be delayed" Book never shipped, no response again from customer service. No refund issued. Book ordered and paid for was a college textbook. USPS tracking posted July 26,2023 from New Jersey, never updated after initial 'shipped'. "Alex" from WOB was customer service rep. Telling me to "be patient", direct emailed him x4 with never a response after initial email. Also re-emailed WOB "Contact Us" page, and spoke with BOT daily with zero added information. Never will use this site again. Infuriating to say the least.

Ordered a book for a gift on July 18th, it is August 2nd and the book has yet to leave their partner shipper (ODL Worldwide). They give you a bogus usps number that only updates after you initiate a refund (that I have not gotten). The book was a gift and the birthday has come and gone. Poor business practice, wish I had known about their shipping issues before I ordered.

A $21. Book took 3 weeks to arrive, was ripped open and completly trashed in unreadable condition. Not "very good" condition. Good luck getting a hold of any body there. What a farse and a ripoff

Order book on July 6, and tracked shipment. USPS states, "Your item was picked up by a shipping partner at 4:49 am on July 8,2023 in SECAUCUS, NJ *******. This does not indicate receipt by the USPS or the actual mailing date."
Picked Up by Shipping Partner, USPS Awaiting Item.

Sent email to WOB.Com on Friday July 22st, and finally heard back on July 26th. Their responds was, "We're currently experiencing a high volume of emails at the moment across all storefronts and we are prioritising them on when they arrived in our inbox.

You can expect a response from our Customer Support Heroes as soon as possible, please refrain from sending multiple emails as this will reset your response time. "

Worst customer service I have dealt with, stay away from the company. Better Business Bureau gave then an F. Should have looked at the BBB before I did business with World of Books!

I ordered a two volume set of books which was misdescribed on their website. They only sent one book for which I paid 59 pounds. The only way to contact them is by way of an AI chatbot. No response from a real person. Avoid.

I placed an order for about several hundred dollars of books. I received a confirmation email and nothing else (besides marketing emails) for several weeks. Eventually, I tried to log in to check the status of my order and the order was not linked to my account. Instead, I used the chatbot to ask to ask about the status of my order. According to the bot, all my books had been bought by someone right before I did so none of them were available and would be refunded. I tried contacting by email several times and received no response. Several months later I had no books and no refund to my card. I still have been unable to reach anyone about this problem.

I ordered a book advertised as very good condition, it arrived with writing all inside it in biro, on the inside cover and inside many pages with kits of pages underlined, made it impossible to read. I've written to WOB twice with nobresponse, on the third time of writing in they have got back to me and offered a replacement, just hoping the replacement is in better condition

I wished I would've read reviews before purchasing from Wob. I placed an order on July 2. As of July 3, there has been a tracking number assigned. The tracking shows the items have been picked up by shipping partner, OSM Worldwide, on July 3 and USPS is awaiting the package. Shipping appears to be non existent. No way to contact the company and speak to someone. However, I've already been charged for the items. The package is still hundreds of miles away. Very frustrating. This was my first and last time ordering from Wob. Terrible experience.

It's now been two weeks since my items supposedly shipped and still have not received them and the tracking STILL hasn't updated. I sent a message to the customer service email noted in their comment and no one responded. I let them know via the bot that my items never arrived in the time frame, and was told a customer service rep would contact me in 48 hours. Well, this alleged message from customer service was yet ANOTHER automated message! The exact same message they sent previously. This is beyond ridiculous. I have now filed a dispute with Paypal so I'm hoping I get my money back that way. What a terrible company! Never again. If you want a reliable online used bookseller in the USA, go with Thriftbooks or Betterworldbooks.

Another update - I get another automated message that now the shipping time is 7 - 30 days - unbelievable! And the tracking status STILL hasn't changed. And still NO reply from WOB at all. Filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau so HOPEFULLY they reply after that. Worst company ever.

I ordered a very specific book relating to sailing on the East Coast which was confirmed by their invoice but they sent book relating to the English Channel, which to me living in the North East was about as much use as an ashtray on a motorbike. They took my money and have failed to respond to emails - lousy customer service. Won't be going back!

Tried to buy from them on ebay. Got a tracking number that doesn't work with DHL, the supposed shipping partner. USPS says some kind of partner has the package...but it's being sent all over the country...but not to USPS. Ordered 3 weeks ago...and it's still in limbo. Contact the company and I get computer generated runaround. Avoid this company!

I orderded some cd's. One of them brandnew. The boxes from 2 out of 3 were severely dammaged. How on earth does it comes to mind to sent cd's in just a flimsy plastic bag. This never can end well! I am truly disappointed and this was my last order ever at WOB. René van Leeuwen, Waddinxveen, Netherlands.

Their site says orders available in the US will take 5 to 12 business days. I was told 7 to 10 (which was fine) then they changed it to 7 to 14, now they changed it again to 7 to 30! The only option for contacting them is a chatbot which is really unhelpful. I would think twice about doing business with these guys.

The shipping price for delivery to EU is only 2.50£, even when ordering a heavier book! WOB prices are unbeatable as well. This is truly an awesome seller for anyone purchasing English books outside of Britain or America. In the last two years, I bought over a hundred books from WOB. Their customer service is also phenomenal if anything goes wrong.
BUT PLEASE, BE AWARE: Britain is not part of the EU anymore, so there is a high chance you will have to pay additional 10 EUR (depending on your country) when importing your order! (This is not WOB's fault; it is a normal procedure because the Brits voted for the stupid Brexit.)
Also, understand that WOB ships their orders in a thin recyclable plastic, which does not protect the books from occasional bumps and knocks...
Anyway, I always save around 40-90% on a book title when ordering from WOB, so I find them indispensable. I rate them highly and purchase from them on a weekly basis.

Excellent service, books arrived quickly and in as described order/condition. Easy to use website with a really good selection of books.

I am fairly new customer to World of Books. The previous books have been clean but the last two, The Great Circle and Love in the time of cholera were really used, one of them looked as if it had been dropped in water. I am very disappointed and doubt if I will ever read them even as they were chosen for our Book Club's monthly read.
Normally I am pleased with the books I had ordered and the service from WOB is excellent

Yours
K.Sanford