BetterWorldBooks

I've been waiting my order for more than a month and Better World Books refuses to refund me. They've kept changing the delivery date again and again (I've been choosing them over other seller because of the delivery dates) and ask me to wait until an undefined date to ask for refund. At the end of the day, I've lost 55$ and a lot of time dealing with their consumers' service. Oh, and by the way BetterWorldBooks were pretty unpleasant with me since they told me that, "[i]f this delivery time did not meet [my] needs, [I was] not obligated to place the order", which is inadmissible as they are unable to give me a delivery date!

I've made a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (I'm not the first!) and I hope I could get refund. Nevertheless, I've spent a lot of time demanding that the Internet Order Merchandise Rule be honoured, and time is money.

Hope this review will help you, don't go with them, they are fraudster!

Overall, I am pleased to find used books at a decent price including unique, out of print, and sometimes challenging to find ones. My only beef is that at least with 1-3 books I order in a group of them, a "very good" book is not what I called "very good" but "roughly used" with bent corners, folds, and creases on the front and back covers. It looks more like a book that has been at the bottom of a middle schooler's locker for half the year and found. I would like the wear of the books to be more accurate.
The books were both labeled the same but are not in the small category to me. The Missing Diary picture looks better than in real life including the small food stain on the bottom left at the binding. Just not quite sure how BetterWorldBooks can both be "used very good". You just have to know it can happen.

Ebooks are great, but for real books you can't beat Better World Books. I recently was searching without success for an L. A. Thomas Guide map book in the old smaller format. The current editions of these books go for $34.95 plus tax.

I found what I sought here, and my total price for the purchase was $5.03—that's right, five dollars and three cents. This included an optional five cents for "carbon neutral shipping"; shipping is otherwise always free. Described as in "good" condition, I would have called the book's condition "very good"; aside from a few small library stickers on the cover (probably removable), I could hardly distinguish it from a new book off the shelf.

The icing on the cake is the outstandingly helpful and friendly customer service, in sharp contrast to so many customer "service" operations. Hint: Make a note of the customer service number, *******303, which is not easy to find on the website.

I have used BWB many times in the past, but not for the past year or so--and apparently their shipping policy has changed. I ordered a book and (as always) checked "standard mail" as the shipping method. But BetterWorldBooks are not sending it via US mail! I've been waiting for the book for 17 days, and have been told I will need to wait for another week to claim a refund. Why is it taking so long? Because they are not actually shipping this via "standard mail," as they said they would. They're using a third-rate bulk shipper called BestWay Parcel. And the kicker is, they berate me for "choosing" this method of shipping: I chose it so, they say, I should suck it up when my book takes 25 days to arrive. However, what I chose was "Standard MAIL." Apparently "Standard Mail" is the following: "Our Standard Shipping provider is BestWay Parcel. Shipments are trucked in bulk to a nearby sorting facility, where they are sorted and sent to a regional processing facility closer to your destination. From the regional facility, the package is sent to your local USPS office, where your carrier will deliver it to the address on your order." Since when is that "Standard Mail? Don't use this vendor unless you want to wait a month for your book to arrive.

I always check Better World Books first when looking for a book. BetterWorldBooks usually have the lowest price, the fastest shipping, and their shipping is always free. I have been very happy with the quality and condition of the books I have gotten from them and on the rare occasions when an unacceptable book gets through they take care of it right away, hassle-free. There are other sellers I have dealt with where I have repeatedly been sent books that are beat-up, dirty or have bad smells and I can tell you Better World Books has the best success rating overall with quality inspection of their products. My very first online purchase of a used book was from Better World Books back in 2017 and I am still ordering books from them to this day. Outstanding seller.

I had put in a large order of books, that was partially so large because the prices were so reasonable. I moved a few months ago and without realizing it, my old address autofilled into the shipping section. I discovered the mistake when I received a confirmation email. I tried to find a place to change it on the website, but failed at that. So, I emailed the listed email to what I hoped was a person at the company. It was apparently my lucky day, because there was a real person on the other end who responded immediately and fixed the shipping. I got my large order, in the same timeline, at the right address. The only problem is the perennial book lover's issue of finding enough shelf-space.

My deceased mother-in-law's friend is the author of this book. My mother-in-law used to tell me stories of the times in the internment camps and how you could get out... become a nurse if you were a women was one of the ways. I told her she should write a book and she said her friend already did and told me the name of the book. She met the author of this book in nursing school Even though there is a large Japanese American population in that area, the local library had to order it from Bend Oregon. I actually helped a WWII Bomber Pilot write his second book, but his first book was Wings and Tracks about how he was blinded in a fiery crash, picked up by the German's and his newly wed wife and dad knew he was still alive through their faith in God even though the Army Airforce told them he was dead. He passed away a couple of years ago at 95 shortly after his 78th anniversary with his bride as he called her. I wish other people couple read this book as well. Wings and Tracks by David Childs..

Really, really vast selection of books. Some at eye-poppingly low prices.

Now, just be aware that these are, in many cases, ex-library books (not a fact BetterWorldBooks seek to conceal, it's stated clearly there on the site somewhere.) So be prepared for stickers / stamps / card pockets / chips / dings / dog-ears / minor tears / blemishes / yellowing, etc. but in many cases, the condition of the book inside is perfect. Bear in mind these are priced well below market value, so it's well worth it.

A massive plus is free shipping worldwide - that in itself makes the purchase worthwhile to me. I've often paid more in shipping from Amazon than the price of the book itself!

Two tiny things - no online tracking for shipments, in many cases (though everything I've ordered has arrived promptly, and without problems). Also, clicking on a book often yields a "darn, we just sold that"-type message. Maybe the stock turnover is actually high, so they can't update in real time.

Big plus - your purchases do a bit of good for world literacy!

This is my first experience with Betterworld Books and overall I'm pleased. First of all it's not Amazon and for me, thats a huge plus. The books by and large are very reasonably priced and of course free shipping is great. But being inexpensive means a lot of their stock is library books, which personally I'm not fond of and it takes a lot of patience to remove stickers and such. But on the other hand, it is part of their business plan to try and make sure books don't end in landfill and I can't argue that. The books came generally sooner than I expected and just as I was thinking one of them might not arrive at all, it did show up. I also like that BetterWorldBooks followed up to make sure the books arrived. Unfortunately, due to how they have to obtain their books, there are a lot of books advertised but out of stock. I have no idea how often they do get books in and some sort of notice might be a good thing. I will continue to support them and encourage others to do the same.

This review is based on my first and so far only purchase from Better Books. Prior to this order I have never heard of this company. Initially I was skeptical but since the book I purchased was only $4.26 I took the risk I was pleased. The ordering process was very easy, the prompts were simple and the response BetterWorldBooks received my order was quick. The book arrived as they stated when I ordered. Although the book was used, the condition was in excellent shape. The book appeared news. The binder was in tact; the corner of the pages were not dog edged and there were no marks or scribbles in the pages or cover. I was very pleased with the book. And what I like most, they communicated when the book was shipped and that it arrived. Based on the quality of my merchandise and my overall experience, I would definitely order from them again. I hope the quality of service will be equal to my first experience. I would recommend future buyers to not close your eye on this company. Give them a try. If you have a bad experience, you don't have to use them again. However, I think this company is reputable and worth the business. Totally satisfied.

And it was pretty inexpensive too. Nice.

I don't know what else to write.

Adding a Percy Bysshe Shelley poem to this review to exceed the minimum character limit:

ENGLAND IN 1819
An old, mad, blind, despised, and dying king,--
Princes, the dregs of their dull race, who flow
Through public scorn, mud from a muddy spring,--
Rulers who neither see, nor feel, nor know,
But leech-like to their fainting country cling,
Till BetterWorldBooks drop, blind in blood, without a blow,--
A people starved and stabbed in the untilled field,--
An army which liberticide and prey
Makes as a two-edged sword to all who wield,--
Golden and sanguine laws which tempt and slay;
Religion Christless, Godless, a book sealed,--
A Senate—Time's worst statute unrepealed,--
Are graves from which a glorious Phantom may
Burst to illumine our tempestuous day.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Fyi, I didn't write this, Percy Bysshe Shelley did, but it's in the public domain, so I think we're done here.

I am pleased to note that my order of 8 books arrived in great condition even more quickly than the projected deliver date. I am a collector with a curated archive of 7,000+ cookbook volumes I continually comb through numerous websites for tracking and comparison and must rely on the accuracy of listings when choosing between, potentially, dozens of copies. The volumes were well packed and in the condition as listed which is important to me. Unfortunately, the website lacks filtering and sorting capabilities beyond basic Categories making it extremely difficult to work with the price and condition tags already present. Sub-categories or topics would also be beneficial.

I place dozens of orders and purchase hundreds of books annually but, as much as I am impressed with the BetterWorldBooks contents and delivery, I will not be able to use the website without these additions to their UI tool set.

I'm a graduate student in my first semester. I was told I NEEDED to get this writers manual for all my research papers. I ordered it a few days after getting the syllabus on September 13th. I didn't worry about it too much. No rush. Its October 7th and my first research paper is due this Friday (in 4 days). I have NOT received my order. Today was suppose to be the last day I should have received it. What made me fuming is that it hasn't even shipped... What in the Lords name have you been doing for almost four weeks with my book if you haven't shipped it yet? I sent them a message and left a voicemail about how disappointed I was, and that I expected both a call from them and my book ASAP. From the reviews I've seen on other sites I don't expect too much though...

It used to take an excruciating amount of time for my orders to reach me (2 months or more). Once, more than a year ago, out of an order of many books, I received only one book; the rest were never received. And I had a terrible time trying to get a refund.

I stayed away from them for a while, but was forced back to them because I wanted a specific book and bwb was the only website that carried it (and at a reasonable price to boot). To my surprise, my order came in a reasonable amount of time, so my faith in them has been restored a little. I'm still a bit wary of them, but I might buy from them again if I find another book with a reasonable price and which I cannot find anywhere else.

There's a reason this company is called, Better Books. BetterWorldBooks are better than that big online seller because they actually care. Not only was my order handled smoothly, but they followed up with a clever shipping notice the following day. Love their wit and the timely mannerly with which I received my books.
They also reward points for your purchases, or referrals, and offer discounts ranging from 15% - 30% depending on the number of books you buy from the Bargain Bin. Best of all, they accept books for donation at drop boxes and give back to others in grants, special projects, and literacy partners such as books for Africa. Love these guys!

I've purchased books through this platform three times this year and of the three times, I've received horrendous quality service.

First, BetterWorldBooks sent books that were in acceptable condition—but were listed as like new or very good—and very, very beat up. None of the other books were as described either, which makes me believe they aren't even slightly transparent with their condition/quality descriptions. They offered a quick refund and apologized but it certainly left a bad taste in my mouth.

Second time, after I took a four or five month break in between purchases, they sent me THE WRONG ORDER. Entirely. I ordered three books and they sent me three random books that were clearly somebody else's order. I asked them to rectify it—afterall, they still had at least two of the books in stock at the same price. Another "apology" (I say it like this because frankly it barely was one) and refund, no books. So, here I am waiting to get the refund knowing that by the time I do the books will absolutely be out of stock.

It's a shame because my first experience with them was great. Now, I have to think they are nothing more than a cheaply drawn scam artist in disguise.

BetterWorldBooks have a variety selection of books that come with affordable prices and offer free international shipping which is an absolute bonus! However, you'll have to expect that most of the used books come from the library so the books will have barcode stickers and stamps on them. For international buyers, i know it's stated that it take max 21 days but mine took a month (i personally don't mind), so heads up for any impatient buyers out there! Also, if you select books from different locations your books will be delivered separately so there might be some delay for certain books to get to you.
Pro tip: Always go for Used Very Good' or 'Used Like New'!
Overall, i'm somewhat pleased with the books i purchased and would definitely return for more!

I received a long awaited book. I could have gotten a new one, at a store for just a bit more, but have always had good experiences here.
The first one that arrived was damaged. I called to inform them that this was only one of several I'd bought in this shape. I called the post office to complain, with no luck, as presumed it was carriers fault.
BWB rep stated BetterWorldBooks would send me a replacement and that it was a "new" copy. I received the second in worse shape than the first. It was not new by any means.
I feel I was lied to.
Read John S. Review.
I do appreciate the rep trying to help me, but quite disappointed in what I received.

Over the years, as a school librarian, I have purchased upwards of 600 books from
BWB. To provide resources so that each child in a class could have a research book about a given topic, particularly in history and science, I relied on the great breadth of books available through BWB. My budget went much further and gave a "better bang for the buck." I would bring a box into a classroom anklet the children help unpack it, which added to their sense of adventure and excitement about each topic.

Now retired, I order book club books for myself and friends, as libraries cannot support the demand for many multiple copies, and paying retail prices is beyond the reach of a retiree. All in all, a treasure trove of good reading copies. BetterWorldBooks are not (or rarely ever) new.

What I've missed most of all during the COVID-19 pandemic is libraries and bookstores. I can't imagine my life without books, specifically traditional print books.
I came across an article a friend posted on Facebook about alternatives to using Amazon, which I often used to buy books in the past. I've tried several of the sites suggested, but so far, Better World is the best.
The prices are unbeatable, even by Amazon in many cases. Many used books are listed at $3.98 or thereabouts, and there is always a sale or promotion going on, so you can get some amazing deals.
The selection is excellent as well. Delivery is reasonably fast (I suspect it would be even quicker without the complications caused by the pandemic).
Probably the only thing I'm not crazy about is that many items don't include a picture, or don't match the actual item being purchased. Book covers are important to me and I like to know exactly what I'm getting.
That's about all. I've shared the URL with friends on my Facebook page. BetterWorldBooks probably think I'm being paid by Better World for publicity, know matter how much I deny it.