Where are good places online to buy used books?

January 24, 2022 2:21 PM

What are the best sites for buying used books when you’re looking for specific editions or translations? (Not AbeBooks. This question was prompted by their flood of print on demand garbage.)
posted by betweenthebars to Shopping (14 answers total)

I like buying from Powell's. If you look up a book, for any edition, you'll also see, on the right, links to used copies of the edition as well as other editions.

FYI, AbeBooks is owned by Amazon.
posted by bluedaisy at 2:30 PM on January 24, 2022 [10 favorites]

ThriftBooks!
posted by TWinbrook8 at 2:37 PM on January 24, 2022 [5 favorites]

Alibris
posted by Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug at 2:40 PM on January 24, 2022 [4 favorites]

Addall.com gathers offerings from the world over
posted by BWA at 3:00 PM on January 24, 2022 [3 favorites]

I came to the green to ask this question today. Thank you!
posted by Scout405 at 3:05 PM on January 24, 2022

Better World Books
posted by pyro979 at 3:08 PM on January 24, 2022 [4 favorites]

I came to suggest ThriftBooks but also to note that they are prone to fulfillment errors. They are good about refunds, though. The free shipping after $10 makes up for it.
posted by Comet Bug at 3:18 PM on January 24, 2022

I look on bookfinder to compare copies!
posted by lloquat at 3:28 PM on January 24, 2022 [2 favorites]

Thriftbooks
Blackwell's
posted by Enid Lareg at 4:29 PM on January 24, 2022

Seconding Powell's. They've always been reliable for me.
posted by SoberHighland at 4:34 PM on January 24, 2022 [1 favorite]

Facebook Marketplace actually sometimes has the books I am looking for.
posted by gemutlichkeit at 5:54 PM on January 24, 2022

I tend to look on eBay first for second-hand books in the UK - at least you usually get a picture of the book you're buying, provided you stick with private sellers and charity shops, and avoid the accounts with millions of books listed that don't care about condition.
posted by offog at 6:06 PM on January 24, 2022 [1 favorite]

I started using ThriftBooks last year. I’ve placed around a dozen orders, and haven’t had any fulfillment issues. Also, you earn credits towards free books! And their catalog is extensive, and you can add watches for items they don’t have in stock (or you want something at a lower price point).
posted by bluloo at 9:41 PM on January 24, 2022

I tend to look on eBay first for second-hand books in the UK

I've also had good experiences with Etsy: same thing, you get a photo of the actual book you're buying, so you know what edition it is (and can see that it doesn't have anything egregiously wrong with it).

avoid the accounts with millions of books listed that don't care about condition.

oh yes. "Very Good", £10; turns out to be ex-library with a collapsed spine, or covered in coffee rings, or unnervingly filthy and water-damaged. Or so pungent you have to keep it in a ziplock bag with a saucer of bicarb.
posted by ManyLeggedCreature at 1:03 AM on January 25, 2022