AbeBooks Reviews 

1,022
•
TrustScore 1.5 out of 5

1.6

While we don't verify specific claims because reviewers' opinions are their own, we may label reviews as "Verified" when we can confirm a business interaction took place. Read more

To protect platform integrity, every review on our platform—verified or not—is screened by our 24/7 automated software. This technology is designed to identify and remove content that breaches our guidelines, including reviews that are not based on a genuine experience. We recognise we may not catch everything, and you can flag anything you think we may have missed. Read more

Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Looking at 155 reviews, most reviewers were let down by their experience overall. People frequently experienced frustrating shipping delays, with orders taking multiple weeks to arrive or sometimes failing to show up completely. Consumers frequently received heavily damaged items or completely wrong book titles, making the overall product quality highly unpredictable. When trying to fix these mistakes, buyers struggled with complicated refund processes and unhelpful communication. However, some reviewers were happy with the service, noting that specific orders arrived quickly and items arrived in great condition. A few consumers also mentioned having smooth purchases in the past without encountering any major trouble.

What people talk about most

Product

Reviewers highlight ambiguous aspects of product quality, with some consumers expressing delight upon... See more

Order

Clients share profound dissatisfaction regarding their order experiences, frequently reporting that purchases... See more

Website

Users describe negative interactions with website features, noting that pages send people in circles and fail... See more

Delivery service

Customers had negative experiences with delivery service, reporting that shipping took forever and orders... See more

Refund

People report negative experiences with refund policies, expressing widespread frustration over delayed or... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Ordered twice at two different sellers. Paid already more than normal British postage rate for getting book shipped to Nethrrlands and, after placing order got request for additional shippibg fees for... See more

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

I have bought books from Abebooks before with no problem. This time I bought a used book described as "good" condition. It had a pea soup-like substance on the cover and the pages were wilted like i... See more

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

I was ready to place an order for five books, but changed my mind when the shipping rates were higher than the value of the books. Not sure why: there are options out there, and I've purchased dozens... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I ordered expedited shipping and didn't receive it. Abe books will not help. They do not care about their customers enough to have a contact option available. You're much better off using thriftboo... See more


Company details

  1. Book Store
  2. Hobby Store
  3. Rare Book Store
  4. Used Book Store

Information provided by various external sources

AbeBooks is your source for Used, New, Rare and Out of print books. Find classic collectibles, rare signed editions, used textbooks, and inexpensive bestsellers from independent booksellers worldwide.


Contact info

1.6

Bad

TrustScore 1.5 out of 5

1K reviews

5-star
4-star
3-star
2-star
1-star

No history of asking for reviews

This company hasn't invited their customers, so reviews may not be representative

How this company uses Trustpilot

See how their reviews and ratings are sourced, scored, and moderated.

1.6

All reviews

(1,022)

157 reviews in the last 12 months

Write a review
Companies on Trustpilot aren't allowed to offer incentives or pay to hide reviews. Reviews are the opinions of individual users and not of Trustpilot. Read more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Don’t buy books via AbeBooks

I ordered a book to my home in London. The seller was AproposBooks&Comics, London, UK. They took my money, told me they had sent the book and provided a Royal Mail tracking code. Royal Mail tried three times to deliver but couldn’t because of an error in the postal code, and Royal Mail also provided conflicting information online on the item’s delivery journey. Ultimately, however, Royal Mail marked the book as Returned To Sender. The seller claims they haven’t received the returned book from Royal Mail and refuses to refund me, asking why they should be out of pocket for the transaction. I requested a refund from AbeBooks as per its T&C. I got an odd reply with the tracking number, which was not at all helpful. AbeBooks has no formal complaint procedure that I can find online, no method of contact beyond a contact form. I feel that there’s nothing that compels the seller to act in good faith. I feel that AbeBooks and AproposBooks&Comics have behaved badly — I bought an item but didn’t receive it and they won’t give me a refund. How is that OK? In my view, it’s not. Wish I had read all the negative reviews here before buying. I won’t use AbeBooks again and advise you to do the same.

29 June 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Wrong book sent…

I ordered a book from abe books and received the wrong book. They wanted me to ship the book back to them on my dime. Then they would refund me . The cost of shipping was half the cost of the book. Why are they having the customer pay for their error? Sent three emails and got an automated reply back.

17 June 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Missing part

First of all, I guess always check the reviews

Secondly, just pay the extra $.80 and buy it from Amazon and get it the second day
Because you’ll get it right away instead of three weeks later
And you’ll get what was described or at least you can get a refund that way

I got the book they ripped out the access code so I can’t watch any of the videos and I paid just as much as if I was going to get the book with the video/access code from else ware

Oh well
Lesson learned and I will never use them again

The shipping took forever!!!

Very very dissatisfied
And here I thought I was supporting a good old-fashioned company said it wouldn’t go out of business

I’ll just stick with Amazon!!

21 June 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great Customer Service

We've ordered from AbeBooks in the past, but this time, my instructor assigned a book that wasn't easily acquired. AbeBooks rushed the order and it arrived on time. The book wasn't especially pricy, but AbeBooks packaged the book carefully so that it arrived as fresh as from a bookstore shelf. Thanks AbeBooks!

16 June 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

If you can't deliver, don't advertise

I buy a book, as follows:
'Item Status: Confirmed Title: Les châteaux des croisés en terre sainte . ---------- Tome 1 , Le Crac des Chevaliers - étude historique et archéologique ------ SANS L'ATLAS, Author: DESCHAMPS ( Paul ), Quantity: 1, Book Description: Paris 1934. Tome 1 ( sur 3 ). 1 volume/1 -- Volume de texte seul , sans l'album de planches. Broché cousu , format in-4°( 28,5 x 23 cm )( 1165 gr ). -------- XXXII-327 pages avec 57 figures in-texte dont une dépliante en 3 volets . PLAN DE L'OUVRAGE : Préface de René Dussaud / avant-propos / Bibliographie / Carte des états latins de Terre-Sainte / La conquête et la colonisation / Géographie historique des états Francs / L'organisation de la dé...Binding: Soft cover. Book Condition: Fine. Book Price: £ 250.30. Postage Price: £ 30.38.'
Back comes this message from the seller:
'Dear customer, Not available before one year because stock déménagement. Do you keep the order?'
Well, a year to wait is a bit much so I cancelled. These people didn't even try. They advertised. Then failed to deliver. Must be the high temperatures in Europe causing an outbreak of LAZINESS. Message: If you can't deliver - don't advertise, AbeBooks and Bookseller: Okmhistoire. Jointly useless.

23 June 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Don't order unless you want undisclosed import fees

The book I ordered was from Basi6 based out of Irving, TX USA and I am in NYS, USA so therefore this would not be international. However, I got billed from FedEx with a US Customs Import Tax for this book. At no point was this disclosed it was coming internationally and when contacting customer service because the seller doesn't respond to any emails, they tell me to order within my own country. Last time I checked TX and NYS are both in the USA. ABE Books are a complete scam and I will never use them again.

22 June 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

There is no support for this TERRIBLE site

There is no support for this site. Their site is a total, frustrating disaster. Their site will not accept multiple tries of valid credit cards for a purchase. The process would never go through. I finally gave up and purchased the same book through Amazon, from the same bookstore ! ! ! I think this is my last try doing a purchase through this company, after only one previous success.

19 June 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I don't know why they are getting such…

I don't know why they are getting such a bad review. I have ordered several times. The prices are good and I have been very pleased with the condition. The only thing some one may say is that the delivery is slow, but I'm not in a hurry!
Dorothy K

14 April 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Ordered a book & paid immediately with…

Ordered a book & paid immediately with Credit Card.
The Shipping charge was very high for a small book.
However I wanted the Book asa gift for a client.
The seller in the USA claimed he used UPS to ship the Book . He sent me on a UPS Tracking Number which was NOT recognised by either UPS in the USA or by UPS here in Ireland.
The Seller has my money - I have NO BOOK .
Nor will I get any BOOK - because as far as UPS are concerned - the Tracking No is NOT in their system .
Raised this with Seller & ABEbooks - with ZERO results .

29 May 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Terrible packaging

Ordered a book in "good condition." The condition of the book was okay, but it was shipped basically in a thin plastic bag, with nothing else to protect the book.

11 June 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Be Ware

Be Ware! Abebooks does not have customer service! I bought a book that was listed as "Like New" for $25. When the book arrived the pages were sticking together and had previous water damage that looked moldy. I did not want to give a moldy book to a child. The refund request process was horrible and very frustrating. When you contact customer support everything is forwarded to thrift books who kept telling me they couldn't do anything and to contact Abe books. Abe books does not have customer support. Their automated response leads you to think you can get a prepaid return shipping label, but they will not pay or reimburse for return shipping.

8 June 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

They closed my account for no reason

They closed my account for no reason. I asked them why and they couldn't even give me a legitimate reason. A man named Adam who replies to emails is very nasty. He should be fired. He's the reason why AbeBooks is declining. Avoid this website at all cost.

31 May 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I have used Abebooks for a long time…

I have used Abebooks for a long time however in the last year i have had two unresolved experiences. The first was in purchasing a book I neither received the order nor a refund nor any communication whatsoever. This month I purchased a book and the wrong one was sent. Again I wrote in good faith asking for a correction and/or a refund. I have written several times with no response from the bookseller. In finding their telephone number on line I called only to be told that I was connected to a bookshop and that their online service via Abebooks did not have a telephone number nor land address and no way to communicate directly with them. Further, there is no way to communicate with Abebooks. I am greatly surprised at the low level of quality review Abebooks has this forcing me to look towards Amazon for future purchases.

17 April 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

AbeBooks has a paperback travel book

AbeBooks has a paperback travel book, A Civilized Traveler’s Guide to Turin for sale for $148!!!! It is sold on many other sites for $7-10. At best unethical! If I could give them ZERO stars, I would.

26 May 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Recieved My Book in Great Shape

I recieved my book in about a week. It was well wrapped and was in almost mint condition. The seller was Dividing Line Books in Redgewood, NY so I guess this review is really for them. I'm so glad because this was a replacement for one of my favorite books that I loaned someone and they never returned it. (Claimed they didn't remember borrowing it. Never again!) Since it is long out of print I was go glad to get such a good one! Thank you Divine Line Books!

20 May 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I ordered expedited shipping and didn't…

I ordered expedited shipping and didn't receive it. Abe books will not help. They do not care about their customers enough to have a contact option available. You're much better off using thriftbooks.com. I'm tired of doing business with companies who simply can't be bothered to provide normal support.

24 May 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

They want you to pay return shipping on damaged book

I ordered a kids book through a seller thriftbooks. The listing was for like new no marred pages no writing. I received the book with mildew damage throughout. I couldnt open the pages they were all stuck together. I took pictures and video and they wanted me to return the book at my expense. I let Abebooks know and they refuse to back it up. So basically any seller can sell you garbage and they will refund you if you pay return shipping. I cancelled my account and put the dispute in with the credit card company.

16 May 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

The wrong book was sent

The wrong book was sent. However the enclosed slip had the correct title and author. When zo looked into returning it, there is no phone number, everything is online and I wasn't getting anywhere with inputting the info. So I am stuck paying for a book I don't want and never received the book I ordered. Never again!

18 May 2026
Unprompted review

Is this your company?

Claim your profile to access Trustpilot’s free business tools and connect with customers.

Get free account

The Trustpilot Experience

Anyone can write a Trustpilot review. People who write reviews have ownership to edit or delete them at any time, and they’ll be displayed as long as an account is active.

We use dedicated people and clever technology to safeguard our platform. Find out how we combat fake reviews.

Learn about Trustpilot’s review process.

Here are 8 tips for writing great reviews.

Verification can help ensure real people are writing the reviews you read on Trustpilot.

Offering incentives for reviews or asking for them selectively can bias the TrustScore, which goes against our guidelines.

Take a closer look