• Better World Books

Better World Books

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Overview

Better World Books has a rating of 3.08 stars from 2,091 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally satisfied with their purchases. Reviewers satisfied with Better World Books most frequently mention good condition, free shipping, and timely manner. Better World Books ranks 3rd among Used Books sites.

  • Service
    218
  • Value
    218
  • Shipping
    224
  • Quality
    217
Positive reviews (last 12 months): 16.7%
Positive
1
Neutral
0
Negative
5
186
See all photos

What reviewers want you to know

Positive highlights

  • I like that they recycle Library books as it saves them going to landfill.
  • Great way to order books & fantastic way to help spread books to areas of need.

Critical highlights

  • DO NOT order from Better World Books, they don't care at all or respect what they sell or you the customer.
  • I emailed customer service, and the spam stopped for a while, THEN IT STARTED UP AGAIN.
How would you rate Better World Books?
Top Positive Review

“Absolutely recommend!”

K C.
1/22/21

Library books but in near perfect condition. Orders take around a month and a half to cross the pond, but as long as you're not in a hurry i definitely recommend. Books shipped from the UK arrive within a couple of weeks. Hooray for that! Also, I feel like I need to mention the e-mail they send when a book is dispatched. It is simply delightful! I'm a very happy customer/bookworm who wishes they had warehouses in the EU.

Top Critical Review

“Books never arrived”

Lt G.
11/30/23

I bought several books by the same author from BW books. I got part of my order but its been a month now and even though I have a tracking #, once it "leaves" BW books they do not help at all to find your order. The site they direct you to in order to "get help" sends you in circles. They did not hesitate to help themselves to payment for the books, however. Beware. I will never order books from this company again.

Reviews (2,091)

Rating

Timeframe

Other

Reviews that mention popular keywords

library books (47) world books (376) order books (67) book store (22) customer service (68)
Thumbnail of user joej765
1 review
2 helpful votes
July 19th, 2021

I ordered a bunch of books that were listed as "very good condition" and when they got here they were old ex library books. Not what a I played for. When I bought 1 book it was packaged in just a plastic mail bag with no packaging, of course it arrived severely damaged. Every book comes with a paper based sticker ON THE SPINE which do not come off easy and leave sticker residue behind. I ended up ripping one of the dust covers of my books, can't imagine how horrible buying paperbacks from them would be. Avoid this website

Tip for consumers:
Never ever ever buy paperbacks

Products used:
Books

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user ellenc276
1 review
1 helpful vote
March 26th, 2021

I will never use this site again. They are sending me spam 3 times a week. There's no way to unsubscribe. I emailed customer service, and the spam stopped for a while, THEN IT STARTED UP AGAIN. Nightmare.

Tip for consumers:
Be Warned!!

Products used:
a book

Service
Value
Shipping
Quality
Thumbnail of user susanb1450
1 review
1 helpful vote
November 25th, 2019

Very responsible and quick delivery. I was so happy to receive my purchase and thrilled at the price!

Thumbnail of user kevinm1304
1 review
1 helpful vote
February 18th, 2020

Yes thank you i received this order. It was exactly as i had viewed online. The order consisted of 4 books and all arrived in good time and in good condition.

Thumbnail of user doni19
1 review
0 helpful votes
October 30th, 2019

Wow! I was so impressed; first of all the price that included shipping, then the speed of the arrival has outdone by far anything else I have ordered from other sites and the quality of the material received. This is now my go to book site. Thanks!

Thumbnail of user jackh551
1 review
4 helpful votes
November 12th, 2020

Purchased a book during COVID (from BetterWorldBooks UK) and still have not received it at an overseas location 4 months later. No tracking information was provided so there is not evidence the book was sent. Better World Books have washed their hands of the matter and said they don't offer refunds if you contact them after 60 days of not receiving a book. Have just lost $50. Buy at own risk. Don't do it! There are lots of reputable sellers out there and this is not one of them!

Thumbnail of user mercyo8
1 review
1 helpful vote
July 24th, 2020

I was skeptical at first about ordering from betterworldbooks; however the novel I wanted was only available via amazon and they were getting their book from betterworldboks with an additional surcharge so I decided to go directly to the source. $10.53 ($14.85 CDN) later via PayPal my purchase was made. While waiting for delivery, I tried tracking the package through their website with limited success and thought for sure I had been scammed. Thankfully, about 12 business days later (a feat during the COVID19 pandemic) my book arrived in a tightly sealed packaging slip and in good condition.

Thumbnail of user karena335
1 review
0 helpful votes
July 9th, 2019

I've shopped from this website many times and now I live abroad, I also got my package delivered. It took a little longer than usual but I'm happy to know I can still have my favorite books delivered anywhere I go. I love betterworldbooks~~

Thumbnail of user joannc113
1 review
0 helpful votes
May 3rd, 2020

I've ordered several times from Better World Books. Now, with the pandemic and libraries closed, I am very fortunate to have stacks of books I'm going through. I love the messages of BWB: giving back, being aware of the carbon footprint. Love this company! And offering expedited free shipping at this time is very cool.

Products used:
I've very recently bought 16 books of an author I have come to enjoy. Before that, I've ordered several other books. The products are used books and are often in nearly new condition. They have sales regularly, free shipping, and discounts on clearances. Plus they give books to underserved area, which I love. This is a GREAT company. And their follow up on orders is awesome.

Service
Value
Shipping
Quality
Thumbnail of user livj7
1 review
0 helpful votes
May 26th, 2020

This is a great way to get used books that are in great condition. I recommend this 100%. I have purchased multiple books and I believe you should too

Thumbnail of user dalynneh
1 review
1 helpful vote
April 4th, 2022

DO NOT ORDER FROM HERE. It takes forever for them to email back if you have issues with your order (They don't have a live line for customer service). You want to cancel your order? Good luck! By the time they reply stuff will have already shipped. Returning is a hassle and expensive and could cost you a lot of $$$ (You have to pay return shipping). Better off using Amazon and Thriftbooks.

Tip for consumers:
Please use Amazon, Barns and Noble, Thriftbooks. Their customer service is better and you don't have to pay to return items. Better World Books has the worst customer service I've delt with.

Products used:
Books

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user juditht228
1 review
0 helpful votes
December 27th, 2019

BetterWorldBookshad two used copies of a book by an Australian author for which I have been searching for years. My own much loved copy went missing many years ago. I bought both copies. They arrived in good time from the US. I was happy. Thank-you!

Thumbnail of user xavyh
1 review
0 helpful votes
September 1st, 2020

Betterworldbooks never fails me. I can always kind the books I want! And it feels good to re-use so as to help the environment

Thumbnail of user sandyk180
1 review
0 helpful votes
November 11th, 2020

I get my books very quickly, great service. Books are always in great condition and packed well. I have received my books from BWB for years and have always been supremely satisfied. I would highly recommend them to all book lovers.

Thumbnail of user laurar1104
1 review
0 helpful votes
July 2nd, 2020

Love Better World Books - affordable and great selection, can't believe it took Covid for me to find it!

Thumbnail of user maryb1979
3 reviews
0 helpful votes
June 10th, 2020

Great price and timely shipping! Half of the puzzle book was already written in, but I guess it was because it was listed as used. Buying their clearance used books makes a great savings!

Thumbnail of user kimc1018
2 reviews
3 helpful votes
January 22nd, 2021
Verified purchase

Library books but in near perfect condition.
Orders take around a month and a half to cross the pond, but as long as you're not in a hurry i definitely recommend.
Books shipped from the UK arrive within a couple of weeks. Hooray for that!
Also, I feel like I need to mention the e-mail they send when a book is dispatched. It is simply delightful!
I'm a very happy customer/bookworm who wishes they had warehouses in the EU.

Tip for consumers:
They often have discounts available. May be worthwhile waiting.

Products used:
Books

Service
Value
Shipping
Quality
Thumbnail of user joet375
1 review
0 helpful votes
April 1st, 2020

Book as described with safe packaging. Very efficient vendor and would purchase from BETTERWORLD BOOKS again without hesitation.

Thumbnail of user stevem1387
1 review
0 helpful votes
April 25th, 2020

I found there some books I have been looking for but unable to find, the price was right, the shipping was fast and the books were in good condition when they arrived.

Thumbnail of user lisas1908
1 review
0 helpful votes
July 31st, 2020

I got all books I ordered in a timely manner. The books were as described. I would order books from this seller again

Thumbnail of user michaelb4580
1 review
0 helpful votes
July 14th, 2020

1st time ordering and very pleased. Ordered 9 books in the span of 3 days and they all arrived within a wk or so. Pleasant surprise considering the Covid situation that's happening. Great website

Thumbnail of user laural831
1 review
0 helpful votes
July 11th, 2020

Always come to this website to look for a book before anywhere else! I have never received a book I wasn't happy with! Always in great condition!

Thumbnail of user zooomaw
1 review
0 helpful votes
November 1st, 2021

These scumbags are unprofessional and I will never buy from them again. They sold me a book. Good book. Arrived in mail fairly quickly. But I had asked immediately and politely for a simple receipt. They said since some people order books as gifts, they don't provide receipts. I told them it's not a damn gift, it's for me, please include a receipt. They said no. A simple receipt for a sale is standard and they flat out refused me. These people are scumbags.

Service
Value
Shipping
Quality
Thumbnail of user jamesr1908
1 review
0 helpful votes
September 17th, 2020

Efficient as usual. Terrific site. Wonderful selections. In the virtual world, it is wonderful to know that you can find so many great titles.

Thumbnail of user paulah239
1 review
0 helpful votes
February 19th, 2020

Any book I have ever looked for has been at Better World Books! It is great to only have to go to one place and find what I need! Many have no shipping charges also and that is a real BONUS!

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About the business

Your online bookstore? Millions of USED books at bargain prices. Super selection, low prices and great service. Free shipping. Satisfaction guaranteed. Shop for your next used book or textbook now.

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