About AbeBooks
Since the mid-1990s, AbeBooks has been providing booksellers and buyers with a platform where they can find each other and network worldwide.
They have around 113,000 followers on Facebook and almost 150,000 views on their YouTube channel. They have sellers in more than 50 countries and also offer textbooks, collectibles, and art.
In this AbeBooks review, I want to take a closer look at this platform to find out if it’s worth your money. To do this, I’ll look at the products, promotions, and customer reviews.
Overview Of AbeBooks
In 1996, when the internet was still in its infancy, AbeBooks was founded as a platform for booksellers to offer their products online.
The company originated in British Columbia, Canada, but was available to sellers and buyers around the world. It started out mainly with books—rare, new, used, and bestsellers—but now also offers collectibles and art.
In 2008, Amazon purchased AbeBooks from Rick and Vivian Pura and Keith and Cathy Watersand.
The company continues to operate out of their headquarters in Victoria, BC, and now has six international sites, with sellers from more than 50 countries worldwide.
Before I check out some of the products found at this established platform in this AbeBooks review, let’s take a glance at some of their highlights.
Highlights
- Offers a place to find any book, new and used
- Discounted prices
- Sellers from around the world
- Rare books available
- Sells art and collectibles as well
AbeBooks Books Review
AbeBooks is a platform that brings sellers and buyers together in four categories: new and used books, rare books, art and collectibles, and textbooks.
As every student knows, textbooks are very expensive and you usually only need them for one school year. At AbeBooks, students can find new and used textbooks at affordable prices.
Used books from AbeBooks offer avid readers the opportunity to purchase books in all kinds of conditions at huge discounts.
There are also new books and bestsellers for those who still prefer the feel of paper to an e-book. Book collectors can find rare books, while collectors of comics or movie memorabilia can purchase all kinds of fan merchandise and rare editions.
While some products, such as lithographs and bestsellers, are available in large quantities, many are one-of-a-kind items, such as rare editions. In this AbeBooks review, I will showcase some of their products to give you an idea of what they have to offer.
AbeBooks The Exorcist Original Poster Maquette for the 1973 Film Review
AbeBooks The original “Maquette” poster for the 1973 film “The Exorcist” is a great example of what you can find in the “Rare Film Memorabilia” section of Collectibles.
The haunting image of a priest standing in the light of a window sends shivers down the spine of every fan of The Exorcist. This unique item costs $8,500.
AbeBooks The Lord of the Rings First Edition Set Review
If you search for “The Lord of the Rings First Edition Set” on AbeBooks, you will get four options depending on how much you want to spend.
A paperback box set in good condition with only minor damage costs $22, while a hardcover with dust jacket of the original 1954 edition costs nearly $52,000. This addition to my AbeBooks review is intended only for the most die-hard Tolkien fans.
AbeBooks DC Super Heroes Poster Book Review
What DC Comics fan wouldn’t be thrilled to own an AbeBooks DC Super Heroes poster book from 1978? On the cover, they’re all running towards you.
Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman are in the foreground, with other lesser-known characters such as Robin, the Joker, Batgirl, Aquaman, and Flash behind them. The posters are all present and in good condition.
This poster book is offered by three dealers and costs between $150 and $320.
Who Is AbeBooks For?
From everything I have shown in this AbeBooks review, I conclude that this platform is suitable for anyone looking for books, artworks, and/or collectibles.
At a time when e-readers are popular, those who like to hold printed books in their hands find it more difficult to buy them, especially if they are not new releases. At AbeBooks, people can find books—new, used, and rare—from many sellers in one place.
Those interested in collectibles such as movie props or old comics/graphic novels will find items from dealers around the world here.
AbeBooks Reviews: What Do Customers Think?
Now for my favorite part of this article: What do AbeBooks customer reviews tell us about the brand?
Let’s start with TrustPilot, where there are 4 reviews and a rating of 5/5 stars. Here is some quite telling customer feedback:
“The selection ranges from nearly new books at higher prices to books from libraries, for which you only pay shipping costs. It’s easy to find ten books for less than $100… I compared it to Amazon and returned to Abe. You won’t regret it.”
So this customer uses AbeBooks for used books at an exceptional price. If you don’t mind minor damage and don’t want to collect the books, this is ideal for you.
The next review for AbeBooks comes from Influenster, where the brand has achieved a score of 4.3/5 stars from 373 reviews. I just had to include this review because of its positive vibe:
‘This platform helps families like theirs find hard-to-find and rare books for every interest. The next AbeBooks review on the brand’s website uses it to find college textbooks at a lower price. It says:
“I use this website to buy textbooks for college. It has never disappointed me. I love that they offer prices that are sometimes cheaper than Amazon. I would definitely recommend this website. I will definitely continue to use it :)”
So, these AbeBooks reviews show that people can find everything they are looking for through the retailers on this platform. But how easy is it to navigate?
The next customer left this review on Reviewopedia – which has 5/5 stars based on 2 reviews – that answers that very question. They say:
“Go Here First. This is the best place to find almost any book available with the default order of results being lowest price first. You can search according to hardcover, paperback, first edition, etc. and you can make your search very specific. This site is like stepping into a huge second-hand bookstore where you can browse and find hidden treasures.”
After seeing these great reviews, I should also make note of a few bad reviews on Sitejabber and some complaints on the Better Business Bureau website.
The problems usually concern the delivery process, with some items never arriving. Since AbeBooks consists of many sellers, some are not as conscientious as others, but this risk is worth taking.
AbeBooks will reimburse you for the cost of such problems. There is also a 5-star rating system based on the percentage of sales that a seller processes that are not refunded or canceled. I recommend checking these ratings before purchasing from a seller.
Is AbeBooks Worth It?
So let’s get to the heart of the matter: is AbeBooks worth your money? Yes, definitely, but I recommend that you check the seller ratings carefully.
As an online marketplace with sellers from all over the world, AbeBooks is the best place to find books – new, used, rare, and textbooks. It’s also a great place to find artworks and collectibles.
Where To Buy AbeBooks
As an online platform, the only place to get AbeBooks is on their website at abebooks.com.
FAQ
Who owns AbeBooks?
AbeBooks has been part of Amazon since 2008.
Does AbeBooks ship internationally?
Yes, AbeBooks ships internationally, as its sellers are located all over the world.
What are AbeBooks’ shipping terms?
As AbeBooks is a platform with many sellers, each seller sets their own shipping costs and times, depending on where they and you are located. Books are usually shipped within two business days.
What is AbeBooks’ Return Policy?
AbeBooks has a 30-day money-back guarantee if you are unhappy with your purchase because the seller misrepresented it or it never arrived.
For any other issues, you need to contact the seller directly.
How To Contact AbeBooks
If you have any questions that I haven’t answered in this AbeBooks review, you can contact customer service via the “Contact” page.
