In a message dated 9/25/2005 8:36:14 AM Mountain Daylight Time,
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
I've ordered through Abebooks several times. The only problem I've had is
that once or twice after I've placed my order, I got an email back saying,
Sorry, the book is no longer available.
Hi All --
I've had success dealing with ABE before, too -- but the thing I found out
is that the honest and successful handling of any book order through AbeBooks
or AddAll is totally dependent on the actual ultimate bookseller. These are not
book companies, but only web-listing services. I also discovered, after the
fact, that ABE does not have any phone numbers listed on its contact page
(although a bookseller gave me a phone number) and its headquarters are located
in
Canada. I don't know what kind of recourse someone would have, if they miss
ABE's 30-day cancellation policy, dealing with international law, etc.
After talking with a bookseller about this, I found out ABE and AddAll do not
require any kind of assurances from the booksellers they list, or conduct any
kind of quality checking. As she said, real booksellers are very upset about
it, because these web services will post listing for anyone or his dog, if
they are willing to pay the listing fee.
As I discovered, IF there is a problem, AddAll is NOT a real company at all,
and there is NO assistance from them. ABEBooks is a little better, but not
much.
I went through three cycles of complaints, at all three levels (AddAll,
ABEBooks and the third seller in NM). Nothing was really resolved until I was
forced to cancel the credit card charge. After that, the bookseller lied,
telling
ABEBooks that s/he had tried to contact me numerous times, which was totally
false, and I could prove it.
Midway through my ordeal, which lasted 3 months, I asked my ex-FIL who lives
in NM to try calling that third bookseller for me. He found out there is no
listing for them in the phone book, and they also did not respond to his voice
mail messages, as they had not to mine, also.
Apparently, this is not a real bookseller, but someone who orders books from
someone else when s/he feels like getting around to filling an order.
This is a real risk for people dealing with companies listed on ABE or
AddAll -- tge bookseller may or may not be a real bookseller, at all.
That's why people are better off contacting the listed bookseller directly,
and make sure there is actually someone there, who will respond to your order
in an honest fashion.
Regards,
Ricki
Utah
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