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    Alibris

2024 SITEJABBER AWARD

Alibris

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Overview

Alibris has a rating of 4.7 stars from 90,208 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally satisfied with their purchases. Reviewers satisfied with Alibris most frequently mention great prices, good price, and shopping experience. Alibris ranks 1st among Used Books sites.

  • Service
    529
  • Value
    5882
  • Shipping
    5873
  • Quality
    5871

Proactively asks for customer feedback

This company responds to reviews on average within 2 days

Positive reviews (last 12 months): 93.2%
Positive
18,525
Neutral
803
Negative
551
View ratings trends
30
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How would you rate Alibris?
Top Positive Review

“Very impressed w/ orderly arrangement of products for...”

Cate Z.
9/16/21

Very impressed w/ orderly arrangement of products for sale, e.g., music, books, movie, etc. Makes sense! Also, the choice of sellers is easy to understand & navigate--I contacted one book seller Solr by email to find out if the used book they were selling was highly dusty (allergies) & they emailed back w/ details & evident concern. Alibris is now my "go-to" source for great prices, selection & quality of sale. Thanks for doing a great job!

Date of experience: 9/16/21
See positive reviews
Top Critical Review

“Very Difficult to change shipping address”

Stephen I.
5/17/21

Very Difficult to change shipping address. Had to quit internet browser and log back in again. Shipping choices limited. I know from past purchase that independent sellers can take their sweet time shipping items and often do. Why does alibris appear to charge at 1st class parcel rates and deliver at slower and cheaper media mail rate? Delivery window excessively wide.

Date of experience: 4/17/21
See critical reviews

Reviews (90,208)

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Reviews that mention popular keywords

shopping experience (1087) web site (334) use site (204) credit card (484) billing address (196) coupon code (234) shopping cart (173) email address (78)
Thumbnail of user christopherf1580
Washington
1 review
0 helpful votes
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October 26th, 2024
Verified purchase

I received 3 books and a CD in a relative short time. Actually one book and CD were received within a couple days of ordering. The other two books were received in about 2 weeks. The products were in good condition and as expected. Satisfied, as usual, with Alibris.

Reason I chose this business:

I have been using Alibris for at least a decade. Alibris delivers a consistently good product.

Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: October 16, 2024

Thumbnail of user marcias261
New York
1 review
0 helpful votes
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August 29th, 2024
Verified purchase
• Updated review

I'm a fan of books that are no longer in bookstores and I've had excellent success in finding old out-of-date books. They arrive in good condition from stores all over the country and even abroad. I buy several a month and never had one come that was in poor condition. As a book lover, I like knowing I'm helping those independent stores all over survive.

Occasionally, over the years, a book doesn't arrive either lost or because the seller no longer has it. I've always received refunds.

Reason I chose this business:

I think the last comment explains.

Service
Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: August 19, 2024

Easy to locate books, both contemporary and ones published...
September 25th, 2022
Verified purchase
• Previous review

Easy to locate books, both contemporary and ones published long ago at bargain prices. Never had a problem with shipping.

Date of experience: September 25, 2022

I've ordered countless books from alibris and never...
October 28th, 2021
Verified purchase
• Previous review

I've ordered countless books from alibris and never been disappointed in delivery or in the books living up to their descriptions.

Reason I chose this business:

I always do.

Date of experience: October 28, 2021

A great way to get new and old, sometimes VERY old...
May 23rd, 2021
Verified purchase
• Previous review

A great way to get new and old, sometimes VERY old books that are in good condition.

Date of experience: May 23, 2021

Thumbnail of user michelef569
New York
1 review
0 helpful votes
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October 8th, 2024
Verified purchase

Why does everyone give me homework! I placed an order and I received it in a timely fashion. I should not have to write a thesis to give a review for a book. I will purchase from you again but I will NOT do another review.

Reason I chose this business:

I don’t shop with Amazon.

Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: September 28, 2024

Thumbnail of user marks11008
New York
1 review
0 helpful votes
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November 19th, 2024
Verified purchase

For a book printed in 1932, the copy I received was in good shape, especially since it was only listed as in "fair" condition. The book itself represents painstaking research from the original Latin sources; the narrative, however struggles from its bewildering array of individuals, many of which are very obscure. It is better at representing the history leading up to the Fraticelli rather than an analysis of the writings/ideas of the precursors of the movement.

Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: November 9, 2024

Thumbnail of user christyn105
New Mexico
1 review
0 helpful votes
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December 18th, 2024
Verified purchase
• Updated review

I buy most of my books from Alibris exclusively, since I know I will get a good deal! The shipping can be a bit slow, but I understand the books are coming from all over, so shipping times vary.
My latest order arrived recently. Both books (A Prince of Song and Sea, and A Heart so Fierce and Broken) are in great shape and as-described!
Will be buying from Alibris in the future, as always!

Reason I chose this business:

I always get good deals on the books I need, and I’ve always had good experiences!

Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: December 8, 2024

Found the rest of a book series I'd been meaning to...
September 30th, 2024
Verified purchase
• Previous review

Found the rest of a book series I'd been meaning to read and got it all for a good deal!

Reason I chose this business:

I find the best deals on Alibris.

Date of experience: September 20, 2024

Great books, great prices!
September 22nd, 2024
Verified purchase
• Previous review

I shop on Alibris for almost all my books! I can find the books I want at a great price, and I've always had good experiences. I have suggested Alibris to all my reading friends!

Reason I chose this business:

I've found it's the best place to get a good deal on the books I'm looking for.

Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: September 12, 2024

Great books, great prices!
August 12th, 2024
Verified purchase
• Previous review

I shop on Alibris for almost all my books! I can find the books I want at a great price, and I've always had good experiences. I have suggested Alibris to all my reading friends!

Reason I chose this business:

The prices are fantastic, and I've always been able to find books I was looking for!

Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: August 2, 2024

The books I wanted were easy to find at a great price!
April 1st, 2024
Verified purchase
• Previous review
Reason I chose this business:

It's easy, convenient, and saves me money on the books I love!

Date of experience: March 22, 2024

Every book I've ordered has arrived in good condition,...
March 23rd, 2023
Verified purchase
• Previous review

Every book I've ordered has arrived in good condition, and as described. I've purchased five books from Alibris, and will likely buy more again!

Reason I chose this business:

I've had past good experiences buying from Alibris, and the prices are better than other places I've checked.

Date of experience: March 23, 2023

Thumbnail of user ruthc2188
Arizona
1 review
0 helpful votes
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December 21st, 2024
Verified purchase

The site is easy to navigate. I found a great selection of textbooks. I was surprised at the shipping charge. Perhaps I shouldn't have been. And perhaps the shipping charges are not the fault of Alibris. That's what stopped me giving five stars, though.

Reason I chose this business:

Great sale!

Date of experience: December 11, 2024

Thumbnail of user duanec352
Colorado
1 review
0 helpful votes
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November 15th, 2024
Verified purchase

It cost me 60% of the price of the goods I bought to ship them. $15 to ship $25 worth of goods. I don't buy from alibris as much as other places because of this cost factor. I can buy from others for more and still pay less overall.

The service was OK but the results were not suitable to the problem.

Reason I chose this business:

They had the exact items I wanted.

Service
Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: November 5, 2024

Thumbnail of user thomaso1964
New Jersey
1 review
0 helpful votes
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December 17th, 2024
Verified purchase

Very easy to find what I was looking for. The only thing that I found annoying was that I wanted to just use the guest checkout, but because the email was part of a client login I was barred from using the guest checkout.

Reason I chose this business:

I usually find what I am looking for and have been satisfied with the overall service.

Date of experience: December 7, 2024

Thumbnail of user patrinap1
California
2 reviews
0 helpful votes
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November 26th, 2024
Verified purchase
• Updated review

Easy to negotiate the website - it was very clear. There was also a good amount of choice for the book I was looking for. I have been buying from Alibris for many years and have always been satisfied with the quality of the the books and service.

Reason I chose this business:

Looking for a particular item at a reasonable price. I was successful in finding it

Date of experience: November 16, 2024

Great website, easy to find items and narrow down your...
May 18th, 2024
Verified purchase
• Previous review

Great website, easy to find items and narrow down your requirements.

Reason I chose this business:

It had the books I was looking for with great prices

Date of experience: May 8, 2024

Great
October 29th, 2022
Verified purchase
• Previous review

Great. Site is very easy to navigate and the prices are good. I have never had a bad experience with Alibris

Reason I chose this business:

Good selection of books available at various prices

Date of experience: October 29, 2022

Always great
March 26th, 2022
Verified purchase
• Previous review

Always great - and book selection wide and mostly in stock

Reason I chose this business:

It had the books I was looking for at reasonable prices

Date of experience: March 26, 2022

Thumbnail of user carolyns3040
Oklahoma
1 review
0 helpful votes
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December 14th, 2024
Verified purchase

I have been ordering book from Alibris for many years. I have been completely satisfied with every transaction. This is the first time I have been required to complete a survey. I DO NOT appreciate the survey!

Reason I chose this business:

I don't know.

Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: December 4, 2024

Thumbnail of user jeffreym2065
Minnesota
1 review
0 helpful votes
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September 20th, 2024
Verified purchase

It's annoying that what seem like good values on books quickly evolve into an expensive order, BUT, you don't discover that until you place the order and learn that the delivery fee for each book can cost as much as the book itself. Arggh

Reason I chose this business:

Because they represent dealers that have decent inventory AND, most importantly, are NOT OWNED BY AMAZON

* Alibris attempted to help this customer through the Sitejabber Resolution Center, but the customer did not respond

Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: September 10, 2024

Thumbnail of user jenniferb3696
Massachusetts
2 reviews
0 helpful votes
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December 9th, 2024
Verified purchase
• Updated review

The website is very easy to use and I found what I was looking for swiftly. I have always found that ordered items are as advertized, are shipped quickly, and arrive in good condition. I expect no less for this order.

Reason I chose this business:

I have dealt with Alibris many times and know it to be a good source. In addition, I am very glad of a chance to avoid using Amazon.

Date of experience: November 29, 2024

Ordering Kugler - Whaling in New England
December 6th, 2024
Verified purchase
• Previous review

The website is easy to use and the produce was as advertised.

Reason I chose this business:

I have used Alibris for years. It is a good service and has the additional attraction of not being Amazon.

Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: November 26, 2024

Thumbnail of user mt605
New York
1 review
0 helpful votes
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September 6th, 2024
Verified purchase

Has books from the 1980s and 1990s which is nice. Searchable by many ways. My favorites are publisher, year and genre. You can use your points from your credit cards which is nice. Not sure how long this will last but it's a great perk of shopping along here.

Reason I chose this business:

Wanted to find a specific publisher.

Date of experience: August 26, 2024

Thumbnail of user jmc53
Texas
1 review
0 helpful votes
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August 17th, 2024
Verified purchase

I've only had good experiences shopping on Alibris, but their site design could use an update, and it would be nice if there was a more efficient way to sort the books with a bunch of different editions.

Reason I chose this business:

Good prices and selection and they take PayPal

Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: August 7, 2024

Thumbnail of user deboraha133
Georgia
1 review
0 helpful votes
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September 16th, 2024
Verified purchase
• Updated review

I ordered this book on the same day I ordered 3 more from another seller. The book from Alibris arrived very quickly and the other books came over a week later. I will order from them, Alibris, again.

Reason I chose this business:

They had the book I needed at a good price.

Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: September 6, 2024

Fast...
April 25th, 2021
Verified purchase
• Previous review

Fast... easy

Reason I chose this business:

Saved search

Date of experience: April 25, 2021

Thumbnail of user donaldm2153
California
1 review
0 helpful votes
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October 9th, 2024
Verified purchase

I'm delighted to have this book "The Doheny Mansion." It provides even more information than I expected about the Doheny's and their houses. The book is a paperback and was shipped in a bubble package. That wasn't enough to prevent the book from getting bent at one corner in shipping. I've been putting heavy books on it to flatten it out, but it would be better to ship a book like this (large and paperback) in a stiff carton that will protect it better.

Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: September 29, 2024

Thumbnail of user philipl212
South Carolina
1 review
0 helpful votes
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September 24th, 2024
Verified purchase
• Updated review

It seems like everytime I need a book that is old and not being published, I check Alibris and they have it! It is always a good price! Any book that I need, I start with Alibris before looking anywhere else!

Reason I chose this business:

Great prices! Dependable

Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: September 14, 2024

If you don't need the book right away, this is the...
November 10th, 2021
Verified purchase
• Previous review

If you don't need the book right away, this is the best place to order!

Reason I chose this business:

I don't need the book right away, but I want to add it to my collection in my classroom. The prices are so reasonable that I like to order here.

Date of experience: November 10, 2021

You have most books that I look for at a great price
January 23rd, 2021
Verified purchase
• Previous review
Reason I chose this business:

It was an old book and I didn’t think I could find it elsewhere

Date of experience: January 23, 2021

Thumbnail of user francisk263
Florida
1 review
0 helpful votes
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October 28th, 2024
Verified purchase

I have been an Alibris customer for years and like your service, this is my first BAD experience. Book "The Women" was ordered almost 2 months ago...i contacted the seller and Alibris 2 times each and received nice messages, one from Alibris saying my money would be refunded!
THEN THE BOOK ARRIVES TODAY!

Will still buy on Alibris...just one messed up experience...thanks... Francis Katz

they tried i guess

Reason I chose this business:

Good service

* Alibris attempted to help this customer through the Sitejabber Resolution Center, but the customer did not respond

Service
Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: October 18, 2024

Thumbnail of user js2552
Hawaii
1 review
0 helpful votes
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December 21st, 2024
Verified purchase
• Updated review

Like your availability; and you have what I want. You're good at what you do; are easy to access, and again, have what I was looking for. What more do you need? Are you just seeking more "rave" reviews.

Reason I chose this business:

You're good at what you do; are easy to access, and again, have what I was looking for. What more do you need? Are you just seeking more "rave" reviews.

Date of experience: December 11, 2024

Thank-you
November 29th, 2024
Verified purchase
• Previous review

No --- you work for me, not the other way around; you don't get to order me to do anything. I like you because you're inexpensive, and mostly you have what I want. But, you're no better or worse than any other e-tailer that I use.

Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: November 19, 2024

Thumbnail of user barbaraw2993
California
1 review
0 helpful votes
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October 21st, 2024
Verified purchase

Confusing!
I was trying to order and it took me back to the beginning. I had to change my password. I found what I was looking for before it sent me back and when I changed my password the cost was a dollar more and the company I had just chosen prior to changing my password was no longer on the list;

Reason I chose this business:

I have been a longtime customer. I had purchased an entire series and because it had 17 books, I had not ordered in a while

Date of experience: October 9, 2024

Thumbnail of user aliceh813
Texas
1 review
0 helpful votes
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October 1st, 2024
Verified purchase

I was pleased with the service of Alibris. I just was not as content with the information contained in one of the books, but that is not any fault of alibris. I have not read the two books but the one book, conquering arthritis, was not as helpful as I had expected as a matter of fact following some of the suggestions was a little damaging to me. Though some of the information might be helpful I would not recommend the book.

Reason I chose this business:

Well priced and it had some of the books I was looking for.

Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: September 21, 2024

Thumbnail of user jillm1207
New Jersey
1 review
0 helpful votes
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September 26th, 2024
Verified purchase

I do not agree to publish this email. Forced to do so in survey. SO confusing trying to pay with pay pal. Order did not go through. I sent an email to customer service. Pay pal is trying to process it twice. I ended up paying with a cc. But now I have to follow up and take more time to do that. Wasted alot of time tonight. I am a good customer. And I never get any points or discounts even though I am signed up for email. No # to call for customer service. I was thinking of selling on Alibris too. But not happy with customer service. And if people have trouble paying with pay pal? Not good. I do not agree to publish this email. But it is the only way to submit feedback Annoying.

* Alibris attempted to help this customer through the Sitejabber Resolution Center, but the customer did not respond

Date of experience: September 16, 2024

Thumbnail of user ac1223
Maryland
1 review
0 helpful votes
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November 9th, 2024
Verified purchase
• Updated review

For a small book like this, which I thought I was ordering from a more local Alibris seller, the total cost was already high with shipping. But it came from farther away and I had not anticipated it would take this long -- about a week and a half -- and I had no tracking info.

Prompt response, but not much they could do.

Reason I chose this business:

I have generally had good experience with it, and like being able to communicate easily with Alibris. Many items not easily available elsewhere, and certainly a better experience than with eBay and other vendors.

Service
Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: October 30, 2024

HAD TO WORK THROUGH LOTS OF SCREENS, BUT IT WAS A LARGE...
August 9th, 2024
Verified purchase
• Previous review

HAD TO WORK THROUGH LOTS OF SCREENS, BUT IT WAS A LARGE ORDER.

Reason I chose this business:

VERY COMPETITIVE PRICING, AND SOME ITEMS NOT AVAILABLE ELSEWHERE. NICE TO DO IT ALL IN ONE PLACE. MUCH BETTER EXPERIENCE THAN EBAY, ON WHICH SEARCH CAN BE A REAL PROBLEM.

Date of experience: July 30, 2024

Thumbnail of user raymondz662
Connecticut
1 review
0 helpful votes
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November 6th, 2024
Verified purchase

It's quick and easy to find low-cost books here. The cost of shipping the two books I bought (from two different vendors) was about 75% of the cost of the books themselves! If I could get free shipping, I would be ecstatic!

Reason I chose this business:

Repeat customer -- this site is habit-forming and has never let me down.

Date of experience: October 27, 2024

Thumbnail of user cp647
Virginia
1 review
0 helpful votes
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December 16th, 2024
Verified purchase

I ordered a book that was available at various price points based on condition. A while later I got a message saying the book/price point I ordered was actually not available so my order had been adjusted to a more expensive copy in (presumably) better condition. That rubbed me the wrong way so I cancelled that order and picked one that was a similar price point to my original order. It came and is great shape so all is well, but you might adjust your system not to "upsell" when an advertised copy is not available.

Reason I chose this business:

Can't recall.

Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: November 15, 2024

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From the business

We love browsing books, drinking coffee, and talking with people who love good stories.

Business History

Born from Interloc, a database for proffesional booksellers, Alibris has spent over two decades connecting book lovers to book sellers. It's the premier marketplace for textbooks, used books and rare, out-of-print books and supports countless small booksellers across the country. With over 270 million books, Alibris has something for you.

Company Representative

Thumbnail of user mikef1003
Mike F.
Director of Client Services
Typically responds within 2 days

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