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.
Is AbeBooks legit?
AbeBooks (www.abebooks.com) has a 1.6 out of 5 rating on OK.one, based on 102 user reviews collected here. It is listed under Hobbies & Crafts and its reputation is poor. 79% of reviews are 1 star, a relatively high share; The business has not yet replied to negative reviews; Reviews mostly discuss Product, Price. Last updated 2026-08-11.
What reviewers say
AI generated
Most reviewers were consistently let down by their negative experience overall. Customers expressed deep frustration over receiving heavily damaged products, incorrect book titles, and unexpected extra fees charged after completing their purchases. People also encountered severe delivery delays, with several orders failing to arrive entirely, lacking proper tracking, or being mistakenly sent to wrong addresses.
Some reviewers were happy with finding hard-to-find reference books at very reasonable prices and receiving them quickly in pristine condition without issues. Consumers additionally appreciated surprisingly prompt shipping times and completely flawless items that wonderfully satisfied all their specific personal reading and academic needs.
Auto-generated from all reviews of this business. For reference only.
Avoid this lot at all costs- ordered a book early January, tracking number doesn’t exist, approached Abebooks- delivery date hasn’t passed yet can’t refund- delivery date now passed - Abebooks “ seller has issued a tracking number( not a valid one) so it must be sent , contact seller - so if you want to throw money away on books that won’t arrive with a company that couldn’t care less Abebooks are the ones to deal with, if not use someone else.
Unfounded malicious requests for additional shippibg fee
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 over EUR 23 each order. Order got cancelled by seller when I did not want to pay. it is a malicious and misleading practice to raise the profits, with already normal book prices. Bad thing AbeBooks doesn't check on that, which could be quite easy built in
I had a troubling experience with a stolen book, marking the fourth time this has happened to me as a self-publisher. My author name is Dorina Roua, although it is sometimes altered in metadata to "Roua, Dorina" by various publishers.
Currently, AbeBooks is selling my stolen book titled "Home Visit Best Practices: An Essential Guide for Social Workers and Care Professionals (Second Edition)," which was published with IngramSpark on June 26, 2025. On that very same day, my book was stolen and listed for sale on AbeBooks, where it is still today.
Despite my attempts to have the book removed, Nieseniq cancelled the ISBN and title, yet the company continues to profit from my stolen work. It is incredibly disheartening to see my work being sold for the benefit of third parties. The book is priced very high, and my royalties total £0.00.
I encourage readers to think twice before purchasing books from this company. It is crucial to protect authors' rights, as buying stolen materials only perpetuates unethical practices and encourages the exploitation of their work.
Wish I had researched this company before I purchased any books, but at least I did not spend a lot of money. I ordered two childrens' books. One was cancelled because it was not in stock and they did refund my money for that one. The second one was a different book than the one I ordered, same author, different book. Requesting a refund is easy, but as others stated, you have to pay to send the book back and no guarantee the refund will be given. Customer service is a joke, again as other stated, as Joe Walsh leave a message, maybe I'll call.
We have purchased books from a ebooks sellers for decades. In general I would say we would give it 4-5. Books that didn't come but charge removed, books that shipping took longer. Otherwise great experience; I was looking at body in the library and my husband thought he would surprise me, but I had purchased the book and we discovered it before the book arrived; we immediately contacted manor Collectables, but didn't hear back and they refused to take back an $1100 book; we said we would return it overnight by fedex, but they refused. We could have paid additional handling but no; this just bad by practice. The fact that after 20 years abebooks doesn't think it needs to intervene is sad. Avoid manor collectables, not reputable
Don't even think about using this company. I purchased a book, was informed it would be with me before Christmas... it wasn't. The book never turned up and Abe Books didn't care. In the end I had to go through my credit card company in order to get a refund.
They gave me the wrong book with the same name, Told me, once they receive return they will refund, then lost my book and told me I can only get refund with tracking number?!
I ordered a cookbook for my daughter for Christmas. Abe Books sent me a book about animals. I found out how to return the book they sent in error for the correct book, or.a refund. Well, they just canceled my refund because they said I didn't follow the rules. Amazon, their parent company, I'd notorious for screwing ppl on refunds. Will not be ordering from Abe again.
Be very careful of dealing with an Emile P, his command of English is extremely poor and he is extremely lazy. He refused to help me sort a problem and I lost nearly $300 because he has blocked any correspondence and access to the abebook platform.
I dont recommend any one to sell from Abe books, they are delaying order and after that they said your book is not available.
I send them to refund the amount but they didnt send unfortunately.
Avoid them ,dont order from them.
I ordered 3 books. They arrived and the price was amazing. The books are in fantastic condition.... I saved a considerable amount of money. I would definitely recommend this site....
Not good. Poor customer service and lead time. Bought expedited shipping (3-5 days), its now 8 days later and no book. No response from seller or abebooks in days. Avoid this company that cant seem to do the right thing or even respond.
Sent a different book than the one I ordered. Same author, but not the book title they advertised for sale. I ordered the I Hate to Cook Book and they sent the I Hate to Cook Almanack-very different books. I asked to return for refund-they accepted it but I will have to pay shipping. What a scam-it will cost almost as much as i paid for the book! I feel it is a deceptive practice on the part of the individual seller to get rid of books no one wants sitting in their inventory
I ordered the books on Dec 5th, with 5-14 day delivery. They finally arrived a month later on Jan 5.
Their response - Dec 11, 2025, 07:43 EST
We apologize for the delay. Your order will be shipped by this coming Saturday.
When I emailed back to say I wanted to cancel it because of the delay in shipping, I got the following response:
We are working on adding expedited shipping as an option, but are currently unable to do so. Our typical delivery timeline for delivery is approximately 4-14 business days via USPS Media Mail.
It took another 8 days to be picked up but wasn't actually dispatched until Dec 30
Picked Up By Shipping Partner, USPS Awaiting Item
WAUKEGAN, IL 60087
December 19, 2025, 11:44 am
Shipping Partner: OSM WORLDWIDE
It was finally delivered to my address in California on January 5.
But here's the thing - they are a big enough company to use zendesk software which isn't cheap. I needed the books for students in a class I teach so they had to wait over 2 weeks for the books. And to add insult to injury, I never did receive notification of delivery.
Worst site ever. Go around and around trying to find answers with the highlighted links bringing you NO closer to a resolution. Can't even get to the form to close it...If someone figures it out post it!!!
Deceitful Seller's Ratings + Supports Bookjackers
Seller's ratings on their website are misleading because they are based only on successfully completed transactions. The buyer's experience or any other "normal" star rating criteria are ignored. You (eventually) receive your book = 5 stars!
Abe Books also supports bookjackers!
For example, Greatbookprices is deceptive and "relists" another seller's book from a different platform (eg. on amazon from a different seller on Abe). As a bookjacker, they do not own or stock the book, they are the middleman profiting off a marked for a listing you did not see elsewhere. Because they are not the shipper, this explains the long shipping timeframes with no knowledge/support.
Abe books is a great way to help the world use books efficiently and lower your cost of book buying. I had a poor experience recently, informed AbeBooks of it via "contact customer service" and got a fast reply that was both positive and evidence of upholding quality. Unexpected and much appreciated.