AbeBooks Reviews 

1,096
TrustScore 2 out of 5

2.0

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Considering 148 reviews, most reviewers were unhappy with their experience overall. Customers frequently experienced severe delivery delays, with many orders taking several weeks to turn up or failing to arrive completely. Consumers also struggled to obtain financial compensation, because automated responses and disputed tracking numbers severely complicated the refund process. Buyers additionally received damaged books, moldy pages, or incorrect editions that did not match the original online descriptions. However, some customers also noted that certain shipments arrived promptly and items matched purchase expectations remarkably well. A small group of reviewers additionally mentioned receiving good value and books in excellent condition during their online transactions.

What people talk about most

Product

People report ambiguous experiences with product quality, noting both satisfaction and severe issues. Some... See more

Order

Reviewers mention ambiguous feedback about order experiences, highlighting a mix of timely deliveries and... See more

Delivery service

Clients share negative opinions on delivery_service, expressing frustration over delayed shipments and items... See more

Refund

Customers consistently note negative experiences with refund processes, highlighting long delays and... See more

Website

Consumers find website experiences to be ambiguous, describing the platform as a hit-and-miss portal relying... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

I was about to buy 3 books from this online store but emptied my basket when they insisted on having my phone number in order to make an account. I don't give my phone number to any organisation or ch... See more

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Very disappointed. Found a sought for item, listed at a reasonable price with stated postage. Placed order and paid the necessary price. Later received an email demanding extra postage as the item was... See more

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

It is always hit or miss at AbeBooks. Most of the dealers are very bad at describing their books. There are far too many "dealers" like ThriftBooks and HalfPrice books that do not have the book they a... See more

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

I only ordered from them twice, but had issues both times, as the books never seem to arrive on time or arrive at all. I'm giving them 2 stars because I got my money back both times.


Company details

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

Information provided by various external sources

Your source for used, new, rare and out-of-print books. Find classic collectibles, rare signed editions, used textbooks, and inexpensive bestsellers in our 80 million books.


Contact info

2.0

Poor

TrustScore 2 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

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2.0

All reviews

(1,096)

146 reviews in the last 12 months

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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 2 out of 5 stars

problems and no contact

I have used Abe a few times.. for this book I have been sent the wrong edition... twice. Both times a reprint with very inferior colours.. which for an art book is bad.
And completely impossible to contact them.

9 September 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Did not receive product

Bought a book on 17th Aug 25, expected delivery on 24th Aug 25, did not receive the item (today is 5th Sept 25), seller doesn't reply, and can not start refund because the seller added a tracking number to the order, so the system thinks the order is coming.
Royal mail doesn't have any information on that tracking number.

17 August 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Dishonest business. No book recieved…

I ordered and paid for a book from this company on 10/8/25. To date (4/9/25) i have not received the book. I have emailed the company twice with no response. Consequently I have raised a dispute with my bank to try and get my money back. Other reviewers comments about being impossible to contact this company or tracking numbers they provide not being recognised are true. This is obviously a dishonest business who effectively have stolen my money. Do not use them is my advice.

4 September 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Terrible experience

Terrible experience. I ordered a book for my mother early August and still no book received. The website is very difficult to negotiate. It does indicate that we should be able to get a refund if the book has not been delivered. However when I try this option it says not eligible for a refund as tracking information has been provided. However, tracking information seems to have gone into a black hole. No responses from requests for updates to the supplier Great Book Prices UK. Don’t trust them

3 September 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

SUCH POOR SERVICE!

I order a book, get a order and shipping confirmation with a estimated delivery time of 5-12 business days. After 14 days I follow up and they're like there's a problem, there is no book, let me refund you. It was a gift, THE PERFECT GIFT, an autographed book that I had told someone I was giving them, it related to the recipient's special interest area. And now Abebooks says, oops there was a problem, they don't have anything similar. So in addition to missing the persons birthday, I also have to tell them I can't get them the thing I told them I got them. I got a refund yes, but that is not nearly the point, what am I supposed to do with that that, I would rather wait another 30 days for the book, it was such special a gift.
SUCH POOR SERVICE! BEYOND POOR

28 August 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Incompetent at best Fraudulent at…

Incompetent at best Fraudulent at worst. Do not trust or use this company. They took payment and shipped without shipping info, it never arrived. On complaint they refunded after 35 days. No apology or explanation.

27 August 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Very Good - Not really!

I have bought secondhand books from a number of sellers over the years and always aim to buy the best quality available. While subjective, AbeBooks definition of very good is somewhat distant from mine and I would recommend you shop elsewhere if you want a good quality book for a fair price. Will check Trustpilot next time!!

1 August 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful experience

Wonderful experience. Boo was in awesome condition and much cheaper than the market price. Highly highly recommend. Book arrived in 2-3 days.

9 August 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

AVOID ABE BOOKS & BAHAMUT MEDIA PURCHASES!!

Following my complaint email to Abe Books/Bahamut Media, within a day I received a response from them apologising for the poor condition of the book. A refund was immediately forthcoming and my account was credited the same day. I was told to keep the book or ditch it so at least I got somewhere so if you're not happy with your purchase, let them know!!

11 August 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Good service and they got the customers back

In my experience all my orders have come through to Chile in South America with no problem. Sometimes you just have to be patient on international shipping.
The one time I had a problem it was with the seller WORLD OF BOOKS Goring by the sea on Abe (Avoid that specific seller at all cost, it will cost you), and the book they sold me never came, though mysteriously it now appears for sale again from them, I don't think they ever sent it.
After a month and a half waiting I requested a refund which I received within a week.
All good for me

1 August 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Zero customer service/help

I paid more than normal for a small pocket calendar. I wanted the 2026-27 edition now and so I was prepared to pay a little more as nobody else seemed to be selling next years calendars yet. So far it’s been weeks and the calendar still hasn’t arrived. Their help and customer service is non existent. I’m almost beginning to think the whole website is a scam. They took my money immediately the order was placed but no order. Beware before buying.

27 July 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Shop elsewhere to avoid disappointment.

Sadly, like so many others seem to have experienced, I have been the victim of false advertising.
A series of 10 books was advertised, but after payment was made only one book was delivered to me. It even states “10 book set” on the billing invoice/confirmation!
As far as I am concerned, this supplier is nothing more than a scam site.
AVOID!

7 July 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

VERY POOR SERVICE - BUYER PAYS FOR NOT AS DESCRIBED RETURNS

ORDERED A SET OF ENCYCLOPEDIA - TOTAL OF 7 BOOKS... SEVEN. RECEIVED 1 BOOK VOLUME 4

ALWAYS ASSUMED A BOOKSELLER WOULD BE GOOD AND FAIR. EVEN THOUGH HAVE NOT RECEIVED WHAT WAS ORDERED WE ARE EXPECTED TO PAY FOR RETURN LABEL.. THIS IS THEIR STANDARD PRACTICE SO BEWARE OF THIS AND LOOK ELSEWHERE

25 July 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Two months on

Two months on. Abe Books misadvertised a book as VERY GOOD.. It arrived tattered, torn and scribbled on. That to me says VERY BAD. Book returned. Refund promised. Not a penny. The saga continues but I refuse to give up.

25 May 2025
Unprompted review

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