Better World Books
Depends
Confidence: Medium
Buy if you want cheap used books and like that purchases fund literacy programs; 1,802 ResellerRatings reviews and 87M+ customers served suggest a legitimate operation.
New check
Comparison
Better World Books vs AbeBooks
Better World Books and AbeBooks both land on Depends.
AbeBooks
Depends
Confidence: Medium
Buy if you want cheap used or hard-to-find books and will vet individual sellers first.
| Compare | ||
|---|---|---|
| Verdict | Depends | Depends |
| Best for | Bargain used-book hunters | Bargain used-book hunters |
| Who it's not for | Buyers who need guaranteed fast delivery | Collectors needing guaranteed condition or easy refunds |
| Privacy | No known public vulnerabilities found in the sources reviewed. | No known public vulnerabilities found in the sources reviewed. |
| Support quality | BBB and complaints-board entries exist | Complaint threads call support unhelpful |
| Public sentiment | Feedback is mixed: many long-time buyers praise prices and the mission, while BBB and complaints boards record service issues.³ | Selection and prices win praise, while a vocal minority reports seller problems and weak support.⁹ |
| Biggest gotcha | BBB lists customer complaints; scan recent ones before large orders.⁵ | Dispute threads describe slow, unhelpful resolution when orders arrive wrong.12 |
Pick Better World Books when
- Bargain used-book hunters
- Mission-driven shoppers
- Textbook buyers on a budget
- Post-Book Depository readers
When Better World Books is not a fit
- Buyers who need guaranteed fast delivery
- Anyone wanting pristine new releases only
- Gift shoppers who can't tolerate variable used condition
- Impulse buyers unwilling to check recent complaint threads first
Pick AbeBooks when
- Bargain used-book hunters
- Textbook buyers
- Out-of-print book searches
When AbeBooks is not a fit
- Collectors needing guaranteed condition or easy refunds
- Anyone unwilling to vet individual sellers first
- Sellers wanting responsive platform support
Sources
- Better World Books: Buy New & Used Books Onlinebetterworldbooks.comofficial
- Discards and Donations Programbetterworldbooks.comofficial
- Better World Books Reviews | ResellerRatingsresellerratings.comreview
- Better World Books Reviews | Trustpilottrustpilot.comreview
review
review
- Better World Books launches UK sitethebookseller.comnews
- Read Customer Service Reviews of www.abebooks.comtrustpilot.comreview
- Is AbeBooks Legit? : r/booksreddit.comreview
- Do NOT use AbeBooks : r/BookCollectingreddit.comreview
- AbeBooks Fee Scheduleabebooks.comofficial
- AbeBooks Reviews, Address, Shipping & Payment Methodsbookscouter.comreview
- AbeBooks Review: Low Prices On Used Textbooksthecollegeinvestor.comreview