AbeBooks Reviews

Wrong product delivered, and they said for Print on Demand reasons, they can not offer what was originally ordered and I will have to ship the book back in order to receive a refund. I lost money and time on shipping a book back that I didn't even order.

A month ago, I purchased two textbooks from AbeBooks, I was expecting to receive it around 11/12 of February and so I emailed through to them asking if there was any tracking number. A customer service rep got back to me within a day or two detailing why there is no tracking. She also advised that I can expect my order end of day on 12 February. I waited the whole day and nothing, so contacted the contact centre again. I saw her response the following day apologizing that my books may have been lost and that I'll be refunded. While I am panicked and disappointed that I'm not getting my books, I've found another solution of sourcing my books, the service I received was better than most. If looking to purchase from AbeBooks, Prices are great, it literally comes down to risk.

I don't understand why Abebooks has negative reviews, I have found staff to be extremely helpful and prompt with deliveries etc. I would not hesitate to purchase from them again. And as a FYI I had a missing book, no issues with Abe they were extremely helpful. I will continue to purchase 2nd hand books from Abe and advise others to do same. From one happy customer Lauren.

Some sellers ask for extra money, some for extra shipping (the book is heavy), so sellers are dishonest in the aspect of pricing. Misleading descriptions, books may have a lot of acid damage or pages missing that they don't tell you about. Misleading.

I purchased a book that was supposed to be new and it was used and the registration code did not exist. I was offered a credit, then the next day I received an email asking me to purchase the agent an iTunes card and mail it to them for the amount of the credit that was supposed to be issued. Hmm very strange I asked for a refund they can have their used book back with the useless code.

100% FRAUD. They sold us a book, charged us for it and sent us a phony tracking number. They then told us the book was unavailable and refused to refund our money. Apparently, this is normal for these scam artists.

They sent me ebook instead of paper book.overcharge me and never refund my money,never buy books from them

I ordered a textbook, ONE textbook, at check out it said 19.99 which was right. I hit proceed and it charged me for 2 books. It also said an electronic copy would be available immediately which was a blatant lie. I didn't receive electronic access for 24 hours and totally thought I had been scammed. Wouldn't recommend this (honestly I haven't even gotten my book yet so we will see if it even shows up).

STAY AWAY! Ordered 3 books from them. They all came from OTHER sellers. One was the WRONG book. Sarah said she would give me a 20% discount on the book I didn't order and didn't want. FInally, she said she would give me a refund. I returned the book to her (tracking says she recieved it). She now does not respond to my e-mails and I still haven't gotten a refund after weeks of the return. They claim to be a small bookseller but they just farm-out all their orders. If something goes wrong they have ZERO control of it. ABE BOOKS IS ALSO NOT HELPING.

AVOID AVOID AVOID!!!!!! I ordered a book for college and was told only the first page was written on and it included dvds LIE. Every page had been written on in ink and dvds were missing. I had to pay to send the book back and it has been WEEKS and I am still waiting for my refund.

Run as fast as you can. They supply you with a tracking number and it’s NO good. Claim it’s lost in shipment. Asked for refund. Took a week to get back to me and now claim their system has reshipped it without any new tracking. I’m contacting the credit card company I wish I had read reviews before ordering from these crooks

I ordered a book on 14.02.2018. Today is 24.12.2019. I have never got the order. I got the wrong book. Then I asked for refund but I have never got that. I lost my money. When they will close this thievish shop?????

It would be useful if abebooks were to explain the outrageous differences in delivery charges for the same book from the same country. 42 copies of the same book are being offered through this company and, understandably, the basic prices vary dependent upon condition. What requires investigation is the way in which low prices are 'counterbalanced' by delivery charges in some instances 300% higher than the cost of the book itself. Country of origin is not an excuse; the delivery charges are from the same country, and with regard to the USA, from the same state within that country. Looking at the overall low rating from hundreds of customers, and with no response from the company itself, it is clear that abebooks does not concern itself with customers. Consequently, customers should not concern themselves with abebooks - and should purchase from companies with less 'creative' pricing.

Utter Failures. I ordered a vintage, two book Junior Instructor set in November, 2019. They were described as Like New. I received only one of the books, and it was in Poor condition. It was unbelievable, but I tried again. I selected the highest priced set of those same books, which were also described as Like New. That time, I didn't get the books, at all. They sent me a cheap, paper Math workbook. When I brought it to the seller's attention, I was told that I must return it prior to receiving a refund. They were holding $65 of my money, while I had at most about $10 worth of goods. I had to provide shipping materials and then spend over an hour of my time to return the item they'd sent me, which I had not ordered and did not want. The error was unbelievable, and 100% the seller's fault. I had promised to return the book in my email, and expected that the seller would extend me a bit of trust and courtesy, since they had caused me such inconvenience, and there was very little of their money at risk. But, they chose to be petty and adversarial, and add insult to injury. AbeBooks carelessly exposes buyers to inept sellers who provide terrible customer service. I will never deal with AbeBooks again. It was nothing but a waste of my time and money, and I didn't even get the books I ordered. They still advertise that they're available, but I was finally told that they do not have them. It's false advertising. This is the most ineptly run company I've encountered in many years -- maybe ever.

Utter Failures. I ordered a vintage, two book Junior Instructor set in November, 2019. They were described as Like New. I received only one of the books, and it was in Poor condition. It was unbelievable, but I tried again. I selected the highest priced set of those same books, which were also described as Like New. That time, I didn't get the books, at all. They sent me a cheap, paper Math workbook. When I brought it to the seller's attention, I was told that I must return it prior to receiving a refund. They were holding $65 of my money, while I had at most about $10 worth of goods. I had to provide shipping materials and then spend over an hour of my time to return the item they'd sent me, which I had not ordered and did not want. The error was unbelievable, and 100% the seller's fault. I had promised to return the book in my email, and expected that the seller would extend me a bit of trust and courtesy, since they had caused me such inconvenience, and there was very little of their money at risk. But, they chose to be petty and adversarial, and add insult to injury. AbeBooks carelessly exposes buyers to inept sellers who provide terrible customer service. I will never deal with AbeBooks again. It was nothing but a waste of my time and money, and I didn't even get the books I ordered. They still advertise that they're available, but I was finally told that they do not have them. It's false advertising. This is the most ineptly run company I've encountered in many years -- maybe ever.

I ordered from abebook in November and never received my books. This is absolutely insane. How can you all scam people out of their money like this. I wish I would have read the reviews first. I have never experienced this with amazon, eBay, Barnes and noble or thrift books. If you’re reading this please do not order from this unethical website. They will steal your money and information.

Ordered a book November 25th as a Christmas gift. Never came, no response from the seller. There is a reason AbeBooks is rated so poorly. Go Biblio. They shipped the same book within 48 hours.

Boy I wished I had checked reviews before wasting my time using this site. Order on 12/2, no tracking info, inquiry to customer service supposedly to be answered in 24 goes ignored, email bookseller to get automated email that they will answer in two days. In this day and age, if you can't supply tracking information, you shouldn't be in the online sales business. I will end up buying something else to ship to my granddaughters in Florida for the holiday and use this order down the road...assuming it shows up. If you are reading reviews to decide whether to use Abebooks, keep clicking over to Amazon or B&N. Not worth the time.
UPDATE 12/19- Bookseller finally responded to inquiry that the books were out of stock the whole time. Two weeks after ordering and getting a shipped status!!! What a joke. Avoid this site at all costs.

I ordered 2 of the same book for gifts from two separate booksellers, same day, same hour on December 1, 2019.

One book was delivered on December 9, 2019. Great.

Now I'm worried about the second book being lost in transit, so I requested a refund. At the time, I was not aware that Amazon.com owns AbeBooks.

Finally on December the 13th, the second book is delivered, and I immediately emailed the bookseller, Naval something or other, "Bob." The book arrived well packaged and in good condition. I informed him that the book had been delivered, no worries.

Today I received a flurry of rude emails from this bookseller. He ordered me to return said book to him, and I told him that the book was already en route to the recipient in Austin, Texas. It's part of a gift for my husband's daughter, and I don't intend to request or order her to return the book to me to send on to "Bob."

His tone and words were threatening. He basically accused me of trying to cheat him, as in getting a refund, then keeping the book. I would never consider doing such a thing, so I guess he's projecting or has had bad experiences from other buyers.

He threatened to contact AbeBooks in a few days, but I've already emailed them to explain the situation. When I have proof that my account has been refunded for this book, I will gladly have them charge me again for payment. I'm not able to email Amazon unfortunately. This is no longer an option.

But Bob can very easily contact amazon and handle this issue easily and graciously. It's his choice. I'm not going to pay him twice for the same book.

I shop online with Etsy, eBay, Amazon, etc., and this is by far, the worst experience I've had with a vendor.

Peace on Earth goodwill toward all.

I bought a box set of books from AbeBooks, the sellers where
Irish Booksellers. The set was to come with a new box that the books go into. The books didn't come with a box at all and the books looked like someone throw them in the mud. The covers where all thorn and writing all in the books. They lie and are dishonest about the condition of the books. After two week trying to get them contact me they contacted me to tell me they will give only 20% off.... or I can return them...I can't return them because they cost too much to return. (6 hard back books) The girls English was poor in her writing and she acted like she didn't care or even knew what I had ordered. I will never order any books from this seller or Abe Books again. Stay far away from this website and company.

I am so fed up with this miserable company. My order with Irish Booksellers has gone sideways, and when one tries to write to either the seller or ABE books, you get an answer that your email has been sent and you will hear back within 2 days, hopefully. Good Lord. It is the most lackadaisical company I have ever dealt with. Response hopefully within 2 days?????? Worthless. Buy on Amazon, where the sellers feet are held to the fire, and the sellers get things done--and fast--or are booted out.

Ordered a book. ONE BOOK. Said it was in stock. Was supposed to be a Christmas present. Paid on 12/13/19. As of 12/31/19 it still hasn't arrived. Supposedly coming from same country (USA). How difficult is it to throw one book in a bag and mail it???

A book that was ordered on November 19th for a Christmas gift was never received. A bitter disappointment. Do NOT use this vendor.

They are a MF'ing joke!!!!! Do not order from them.I ordered my book 11/12/19 n still no book. Wish I wld have checked the reviews before I ordered, lesson learned. $#*! AbeBooks!!!!

dude you can literally buy books for $1 here! it's crazy and unheard of but it's true! whenever i'm at barnes and noble and see a book i like i check to see if they have it for cheaper here first and they almost always do!