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 ThriftBooks
Better World Books lands on Depends, and ThriftBooks lands on Worth it.
ThriftBooks
Worth it
Confidence: Medium
Buy if you want cheap used books and can accept a condition lottery.
| Compare | ||
|---|---|---|
| Verdict | Depends | Worth it |
| Best for | Bargain used-book hunters | Bargain hunters building home libraries |
| Who it's not for | Buyers who need guaranteed fast delivery | Collectors demanding pristine, graded condition |
| Privacy | No known public vulnerabilities found in the sources reviewed. | Publishes a product security page, but Troy Hunt publicly flagged a data breach.13 |
| Support quality | BBB and complaints-board entries exist | BBB complaints plus 148 PissedConsumer reviews |
| Public sentiment | Feedback is mixed: many long-time buyers praise prices and the mission, while BBB and complaints boards record service issues.³ | Most buyers praise the low prices and legitimacy; complaints cluster around inconsistent condition grading, weak support, and buyback payouts.10 |
| Biggest gotcha | BBB lists customer complaints; scan recent ones before large orders.⁵ | Troy Hunt flagged a data breach; assume your account details were exposed.13 |
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 ThriftBooks when
- Bargain hunters building home libraries
- Out-of-print and older title hunters
- Textbook buyers on a budget
- Casual readers replacing worn copies
When ThriftBooks is not a fit
- Collectors demanding pristine, graded condition
- Anyone needing fast, responsive customer support
- International buyers without a package-forwarding service
- Buyers spooked by the reported data breach
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
review
- 148 Thriftbooks Reviews - PissedConsumerthriftbooks.pissedconsumer.comreview
security
- ThriftBooks Product security pagethriftbooks.comsecurity
official
- ThriftBooks Wins Platinum at Loyalty360 Awards 2024finance.yahoo.comnews