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    Alibris

2024 SITEJABBER AWARD

Alibris

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Overview

Alibris has a rating of 4.7 stars from 90,245 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
    530
  • Value
    5898
  • Shipping
    5889
  • Quality
    5887

Proactively asks for customer feedback

This company responds to reviews on average within 2 days

Positive reviews (last 12 months): 93.2%
Positive
18,538
Neutral
806
Negative
550
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 (90,245)

Rating

Timeframe

Other

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 sisterl7
Tennessee
2 reviews
0 helpful votes
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August 19th, 2024
Verified purchase
• Updated review

Awesome as usual! Books are easy to find, the prices are arranged from lowest to highest, and there is always a rating of the books: new, very good, good, acceptable, fair, etc. If a book is delivered that does not meet the standards as advertised, your account is quickly reimbursed.

Reason I chose this business:

Lowest prices in town!

Date of experience: August 9, 2024

Great service, great books, great prices!
May 31st, 2021
Verified purchase
• Previous review
Reason I chose this business:

Price, free shipping, good service

Date of experience: May 31, 2021

Thumbnail of user joyceh900
Mississippi
1 review
0 helpful votes
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December 4th, 2024
Verified purchase
• Updated review

I found the pages much more difficult to navigate this time than the other times I've ordered. One page didn't respond at all when I tried to order another copy of the same book. Therefore, I had to change the order with another co. To add the book I couldn't get from the first co., which I think made me miss out on the $4.00 savings I was supposed to get with the LATTE code. It was very confusing. Joyce

Reason I chose this business:

Because I've used you before satisfactorily.

Date of experience: November 24, 2024

So far it's been very easy and convenient
April 17th, 2024
Verified purchase
• Previous review

So far it's been very easy and convenient. Joyce Holdread

Reason I chose this business:

Because an offer appeared in my email for free shipping for certain items. Unfortunately, the book I purchased was not eligible for free shipping, but it was offered at a very reasonable price, so I got it anyway.

Date of experience: April 7, 2024

The experience was fine, actually simpler than with...
April 19th, 2023
Verified purchase
• Previous review

The experience was fine, actually simpler than with Amazon, and I'd rather give my business to you.

Date of experience: April 19, 2023

Thumbnail of user xx210
Canada
1 review
0 helpful votes
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August 25th, 2024
Verified purchase

I got the product i wanted within the predicted delivery time. One thing i would note is that delivery to canada goes through their distribution centre, and i only was informed of the seller to centre tracking number and not the final one.

Reason I chose this business:

Better total price than similar storefronts

Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: August 15, 2024

Thumbnail of user pollyf32
Oregon
1 review
0 helpful votes
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August 9th, 2024
Verified purchase

I love being able to continue the use of a good book without "spending" virgin materials. I always look to alibris first. Just found out this morning how to compare prices including shipping costs, by using the "show details" choice at each book listing.

Date of experience: July 30, 2024

Thumbnail of user jeanr945
Tennessee
1 review
0 helpful votes
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August 28th, 2024
Verified purchase
• Updated review

Book took a while to arrive, possibly because the very flimsy packaging of this large and expensive paperback book was ripped and damaged and retaped and barely made it alive to my house. Fortunately, and unbelievably, the book was undamaged. Hence, I am not lodging a complaint!

Reason I chose this business:

Reliable book description and generally excellent service. This particular time the shipper stumbled badly.

Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: August 18, 2024

A satisfied Alibris customer
July 23rd, 2024
Verified purchase
• Previous review

If I was not satisfied with Alibris' book selection and customer service, I would not keep coming back!

Reason I chose this business:

Choice, book condition, cost, customer service, shippiing.

Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: July 13, 2024

Thumbnail of user leed644
GB
1 review
0 helpful votes
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August 30th, 2024
Verified purchase

Apart from the website showing it was delivered to bell gardens in California? It was ok but apparently it has to go their before it goes on to uk I believe... but I panicked and went out and bought it again thinking their was a $#*! up so apart from having to wait nearly a month it was ok and as described I won't order from the US again if I can help it but u must admit when it shows delivered to bell gardens in California u fear the worst hence that's why I titled the review just ok

Average return answers sure it was A.I.

Reason I chose this business:

Because it was cheaper

Service
Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: August 20, 2024

Thumbnail of user heikec8
Alabama
1 review
0 helpful votes
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November 14th, 2024
Verified purchase
• Updated review

I love purchasing from Alibris because it is so close to shopping from a "New Books" bookstore while at the same time also recycling and giving another reader the opportunity to enjoy a greeat book a second time.

Reason I chose this business:

Because it is my first choice of a "go to" book store.

Date of experience: November 4, 2024

1) I'd like to know if a book features illustrations...
October 10th, 2024
Verified purchase
• Previous review

1) I'd like to know if a book features illustrations of photos. 2) I'd like to know what other readers think about the book I'm considering.

Reason I chose this business:

I'm a returning customer who is happy to minimize landfill waste

Date of experience: September 30, 2024

I would like to see implementation of a default shipping...
November 20th, 2023
Verified purchase
• Previous review

I would like to see implementation of a default shipping address instead of the default being the last address I had something shipped to. Had packages go to the wrong address before when I was in a hurry.

Reason I chose this business:

It provides an opportunity to get a used book without wasting it in a land fill.

Date of experience: November 20, 2023

It is easy to find those books that are of interest...
May 3rd, 2023
Verified purchase
• Previous review

It is easy to find those books that are of interest to me. Wish there was a customer feedback of the content.

Reason I chose this business:

I was wanting to learn more about different styles of furniture and Alibris makes this easy and convenient.

Date of experience: May 3, 2023

Thumbnail of user elisabethp112
California
1 review
0 helpful votes
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November 1st, 2024
Verified purchase

I thought I was buying an ePub copy of book, instead I was buying an encrypted copy where I have to use vital source and bookshelf to read, meaning I had to create yet another account and download yet another app. Screw you for the bait and switch. Thankfully not an expensive mistake but one I'll NEVER make again. Even though it's a pittance, I'd like my money back.

Reason I chose this business:

You had an e-copy of a out of print bool

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

Date of experience: October 22, 2024

Thumbnail of user jessicaf1785
New Jersey
1 review
0 helpful votes
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August 21st, 2024
Verified purchase

The site is easy to navigate and customer care is great. As soon as I placed my order I received shipment confirmation with tracking number. I felt at ease knowing my order was on its way. I even received delivery emails. The books condition are as the site stated or better.

Reason I chose this business:

The website is easy to use, and I was able to find the books I wanted quickly and at a great price. Also, love how the books are at the same or better condition than stated.

Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: August 11, 2024

Thumbnail of user ronl1607
Idaho
1 review
0 helpful votes
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December 8th, 2024
Verified purchase

I ordered a hardbound book from Thriftbooks. They sent a paperback. They were going to send it from Reno, NV. Which is real close to where I live. It came from Texas...several days late. The book was going to be a birthday gift...I am NEVER going to purchase from Thrift books again!

Reason I chose this business:

I have purchased from Alibris quite a few times. Great site. But, I am never ordering from THRIFTBOOKS again!

Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: November 28, 2024

Thumbnail of user rnursetheticians
Arkansas
1 review
0 helpful votes
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December 18th, 2024
Verified purchase

I am happy with being able to find the books I need, but there must be a way to make it easier to find the books I want in the same store or to suggest stores that have the books I want instead of having to go to each store and search for the titles.

Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: December 8, 2024

Thumbnail of user rogerg317
Nevada
3 reviews
0 helpful votes
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August 19th, 2024
Verified purchase

I've been using Alibris for decades. Always easy to locate a quality book. The book I just received was a 50 year old paperback in great condition! Yes, pages were yellow, but 50 years old! I was just amazed to find a copy of this book. Seller described book accurately and it was received quickly.

Reason I chose this business:

I new the book I wanted was probably no longer in print.

Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: August 9, 2024

Thumbnail of user johnk5721
New Mexico
2 reviews
0 helpful votes
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December 10th, 2024
Verified purchase

A Fascinating, even though brief, story of missionary life in Peru in the early 1900s. Reminded me somewhat of the Jim Eliiot "story," albeit some 40-50 years earlier and with a different ending. It also helped that one of the persons involved in the "story" was descended from a photographer in Bucyrus, Ohio.

Reason I chose this business:

They had what I wanted at a good price.

Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: November 30, 2024

Thumbnail of user jenniferh5053
California
1 review
0 helpful votes
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October 10th, 2024
Verified purchase

Your price changed from 7.31 to 8.08 to 8.12 since I added to my cart & I had to keep putting my card code several times because it wasn't able to process! I wouldn't want to purchase if I had a choice!

Reason I chose this business:

Still lower

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

Date of experience: September 30, 2024

Thumbnail of user patricias4834
Minnesota
1 review
0 helpful votes
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August 15th, 2024
Verified purchase
• Updated review

I would recommend looking on the Alibris website when you want/need a book. All my orders have been fine. The only problem is that the shipping is sometimes as much as the books. But overall, it's a great resource.

Reason I chose this business:

It came up when I did a search for a book title. Now I check there!

Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: August 5, 2024

Easy to find books
May 10th, 2024
Verified purchase
• Previous review

Easy to find books. Good deals.

Reason I chose this business:

I have bought a similar item here before.

Date of experience: April 30, 2024

Thumbnail of user kaitlyng131
Colorado
1 review
0 helpful votes
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August 22nd, 2024
Verified purchase

My product didn't arrive within the time estimated, but I received a response about my inquiry quickly, which I appreciated. The actual product was decent and met my expectations. It was a good price for what I paid.

I received a response quickly, but I couldn't tell if it was an actual person responding or an automated response. The interaction could have been more personal.

Reason I chose this business:

It seemed to be the cheapest of all the options that I was looking at, and I had trouble finding this book in other places.

Service
Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: August 12, 2024

Thumbnail of user sandrab4041
Idaho
1 review
0 helpful votes
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August 19th, 2024
Verified purchase

I got an extra "." in my e-mail address the first time, so it didn't match the confirmation. The system refused to accept it and I saw no message to explain it. I tried several times and finally saw the message above the "log in" box, NOT the guest order side I was using. Very frustrating until I figured it out.

Reason I chose this business:

Your damned coupon offer popped up and reminded me I still had a couple of books I needed for my book club that are not in the local library. I am looking for inexpensive books in better than "good" condition. Your coupons don't apply until I buy a whole lot of books at once. But it reminded me.

Date of experience: August 9, 2024

Thumbnail of user roseannen11
Canada
1 review
0 helpful votes
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August 11th, 2024
Verified purchase

Delivery scheduled by July 24. Tracking showed a delivery attempt to customs agent July 13, with next attempt the next business day, but this was never updated. I kept checking, but no new information until the parcel arrived July 31.
Alibris kindly reached out to me. I appreciated their swift response.

I was told to contact the seller.

Reason I chose this business:

No reason, other than it was the first listing which offered the book I needed.

Service
Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: August 1, 2024

Thumbnail of user shannonp738
District of Columbia
1 review
0 helpful votes
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August 31st, 2024
Verified purchase

I needed to place a bulk order of a book (The Most Important Yes). I contacted the publisher and my messages were not returned. So I turned to Alibris, where I have purchased books since college, and was able to not only find the quantity I needed, but the price was the lowest I'd seen on the internet. The books arrived on time and I was so pleased!

Reason I chose this business:

Prior customer. Excellent price/ value.

Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: August 21, 2024

Thumbnail of user aedamairk
Ireland
1 review
0 helpful votes
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August 27th, 2024
Verified purchase

I wanted this book but as it was out of print has a problem getting it. The seller described it as Very Good so I was happy to buy so was thrilled to fine it was clearly a new amd u used book when it arrived
The price was great and give the distance it had to travel the delivery time was very satisfactory. Extremely hapoy with the experience Thank you

Reason I chose this business:

Previous good experience finding books no longer in print

Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: August 17, 2024

Thumbnail of user karenw1309
Michigan
3 reviews
0 helpful votes
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September 2nd, 2024
Verified purchase

This was my first shopping experience with Alibris. It was perfect. I received my order in a very timely manner, the item was in perfect condition and my correspondence with Alibris was professional and very courteous. I wouldn't hesitate to shop with Alibris again and would absolutely recommend to anyone.

I was extremely satisfied with customer service. I didn't contact necessarily because of an issue but rather was looking for shipping confirmation information. I received a response quickly and it was absolutely accurate.

Reason I chose this business:

I chose Alibris because the company had what I wanted and at a resonable price.

Service
Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: August 23, 2024

Thumbnail of user cindys1989
California
1 review
0 helpful votes
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August 13th, 2024
Verified purchase

This was the first book site that actually showed me the book I wanted at the top of the search results. Other sites showed me more popular books with similar but not identical names first. And checking out and creating a new account were very straightforward processes.

Reason I chose this business:

My daughter has purchased textbooks from Alibris and recommended I try it to find a book our public library didn’t have.

Date of experience: August 3, 2024

Thumbnail of user alveenk
New Zealand
1 review
0 helpful votes
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August 11th, 2024
Verified purchase

Today my purchase from Gil's Book Loft and Alibris arrived safely in New Zealand. It was very well packaged for its lengthy journey and the book itself was in Near Fine condition as described which was also very pleasing. The Alibris Customer Service Team too provided Excellent Service when a few days ago I replied to their 'Have you received your order yet' query - 'No, not yet'. Their investigation was prompt, informative and reassuring for which I was most grateful. My book was delivered less than 24 hours afterwards. This is much appreciated by a happy repeat customer. Thank you all.

Two members of your Customer Service Team, Garima and Sajithkumar, each provided rapid, reassuring responses after I replied to your Speed of Delivery survey that I hadn’t received my order within the indicated timeframe. I thank both of them for their informative return emails which were much appreciated. Then today, less than 24 hours later, I received my order.

Reason I chose this business:

I have made quite a few purchases from Alibris and its suppliers both in The United States of America and in Great Britain over several years now. All transactions have had happy outcomes and as a result I highly recommend them and will continue to use their services in future.

Service
Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: August 1, 2024

Thumbnail of user janeg926
Minnesota
1 review
0 helpful votes
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September 16th, 2024
Verified purchase

The picture showed 7th Edition of the book. As soon as I paid, 3rd Edition appeared. It DOES make a difference! The text is probably just as good, but the problems do not match. I need at least a 5th Edition! This is not the first time this happened. It may not matter for a work of literature, but I bought textbooks. Editions matter

Reason I chose this business:

I used alibris to buy used books for myself as well as textbooks for many years

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

Date of experience: September 6, 2024

Thumbnail of user deborahu832
New York
1 review
0 helpful votes
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August 29th, 2024
Verified purchase

I didn't realize Alibris drew from different sources to aquire the different books I requested. The books I needed came in from every direction. The Goodwill in Seattle was the best by far in terms of packaging and product quality. Dallas was a close second. Dallas even put coupons for different services, wine 🍷 and food etc.

It was good once I did what I needed to do but I had to have a friend help me access the website. It was totally frustrating otherwise with no person at the other end of the line to walk me through it. That's the weakest part of the program as far as I'm concerned. Thanks

Reason I chose this business:

I chose Alibris because they have access to material none of the other stores I shop have and need.

Service
Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: August 19, 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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