Complaint Review: ABEBOOKS.COM

I purchased a text book using the service www.abebooks.com. In the past, I had success purchasing using their service. They are similar to amazon or ebay where individuals use the site as a storefront to sell their books. I purchased a text book for a class that I needed before on the 12th of May. I knew it was going to be pushing it, so I paid for expedited shipping.

The seller advertisment said that they provide excellent customer service and fast shipping. The advertisement said they were based in CA, USA. The price was right so I took the plunge.

After one week, I suspected problems. I contacted the seller about why it was taking so long and requested a tracking number. The seller responded "I am surprised its not there, wait till Monday and I will refund the money." I kept sending emails demanding a tracking number and all the only reply was all I have is a confirmation number, one that was never provided.

Due to my need to use the book for class, I had to purchase another one at great cost to me. After I get it, low and behold. I get the book, not from California as advertised, but from INDIA.

On Monday, when I did not receive the book, I went on the website www.abebooks.com to request a refund per the seller's instructions. She canceled the refund gave me $3.00 out of $50 and said wait till Wednesday. Well. Guess what never happened. I did not get a refund. The seller is ducking my emails and is not responding. I then had to look at my credit card statement to find a contact number for abebooks. They do not list it on their website. Also, when you send them an email, the only instructions they give you is to file for a refund. At this point, the website is not allowing this to take place as the refund section is not populating.

I called them and spoke to their help desk staff. I went through my list of complaints about the seller.

1) the seller's web listing says they ship from California. However, they shipped it from INDIA. I asked them if they condone this practice of false advertising. They said they did because its possible they have a warehouse there and that is perfectly legit.
2) I asked them to force a refund; however, they are not because they are blindly believing that there seller is legit, when all evidence points to the contrary.
3) I can not send it return to sender as the book was shipped from India. Now I have to pay to ship it certified mail with tracking, at my own expense, because of the unethical, probably illegal actions on part of the seller in order to get a refund.

BUYER BEWARE. DO NOT PURCHASE ANYTHING FROM ABEBOOKS.COM.
THEY BELIEVE BLINDLY THAT THEIR SELLERS ARE LEGIT. THEY WILL NOT BELIEVE YOU WHEN ALL EVIDENCE POINTS TO THE CONTRARY.

BY THE WAY.......THE SELLER IS svedka SHE LISTS HER LOCATION AS BEING SANTA CLARA CALIFORNIA. HOWEVER, IT IS REALLY IN INDIA.

HER EMAIL ADDRESS IS svedkasam@yahoo.com

Based on my experience with them, ABEBOOKS.COM will only side with the seller and provide you with no avenue to fight the claim. They say you can ask for a refund but will not back you up if the seller denies it.

Charles
Cape Coral, Florida
U.S.A.