Buying Used Books Online

The majority of booksellers online are honest and care about their reputation. But buying a book you've never seen from a seller you've never met can be worrying — and occasionally disappointing. Here is how to protect yourself and shop with confidence.

It's Just Mail Order

The first thing to remember is that fundamentally, buying books online is just plain old mail order. The catalogue is delivered electronically, but the same principles apply. If something goes wrong, the same consumer protections exist.

Don't Always Buy the Cheapest Copy

If you always buy the cheapest copy, you increase your chances of being disappointed. There's usually a reason a book is underpriced. If you're lucky, the seller doesn't know any better or is clearing old stock. If you're unlucky, the book may be in poor condition or the seller may be unreliable. The cheapest sellers are often the slowest to answer queries and ship orders. Look instead for the best value — a reasonably priced copy in good condition from a reputable seller.

Read the Description Carefully

Certain phrases signal a less knowledgeable seller: pretty good for its age, waterstained but else fine, or has that old book smell are all signs of someone who means well but doesn't know the trade. A book is graded strictly according to its condition, not its age. And that old book smell is usually mildew — a serious problem that can spread to the rest of your library.

Look for longer, more detailed descriptions. Don't be put off by a minutely detailed listing of flaws — these books are usually in better condition than items with a vague general grade and no specifics. A book described as having a one-inch dampstain to the lower corner of the last two pages is likely in better shape than one listed simply as Good with no further detail.

See How to Describe Book Condition for a full explanation of the standard grading terms.

Ask Questions

If you're concerned that a book may not really be a first edition as stated, ask the seller how they identified it. A knowledgeable seller should be able to answer easily and in detail. If you're worried about condition, ask them to double-check the description. If there is anything you don't understand, ask — booksellers often use trade-specific terms without realising not everyone knows them. If a seller doesn't have the time or courtesy to answer your questions, you shouldn't be buying from them.

Ask for Photos

For expensive books or anything you're uncertain about, ask the seller for photos. Most sellers have a camera and will photograph a book on request. This is especially worth doing for anything significantly priced or where condition is critical.

Check the Packaging

Hardcover books take more abuse in the mail than paperbacks — corners and spines are easily damaged. If you're at all concerned, ask the seller to box the book rather than use a padded mailer.

Read the Terms of Sale

A bookseller's terms should tell you what payment methods are accepted, what the return policy is, and what shipping options are available. Look for a generous return policy — return within 7 days if not as described should be the minimum you will accept; many good dealers offer 30 days or more for any reason.

Be wary of sellers with an unnecessarily aggressive tone in their terms. We are not responsible for items lost in the mail — if you don't buy insurance that's your problem is not the voice of a service-oriented bookseller.

Check Seller Feedback

Most selling platforms allow buyers to leave feedback. Read through it and look for patterns of poor service. Keep in mind that feedback is imperfect — some people leave overly positive feedback out of politeness, and some negative feedback reflects problems that weren't the seller's fault. But consistent patterns are meaningful.

Trade Association Membership

Members of booksellers' trade associations are generally required to follow a code of ethics — to describe books correctly, deal honestly, and offer fair return policies. This doesn't guarantee perfection, but it does suggest the seller is serious about the business and has behaved well in the past. It also gives you somewhere to take a complaint if things go wrong. Notable associations include the IOBA (Independent Online Booksellers Association) for internet booksellers, and national associations in most countries that fall under the umbrella of the ILAB (International League of Antiquarian Booksellers).

Save Your Correspondence

Keep all email related to a purchase until you're satisfied. Create a folder in your email program for book purchases so you can refer back to dates, descriptions, and terms if anything goes wrong.

Pay by Credit Card

Many people are reluctant to use credit cards online, but in a dispute, your credit card company is your best protection. Consumers have considerably more rights in a mail-order or internet transaction than merchants do — you can dispute a charge and usually win. Try disputing a cashed cheque and see where that gets you.

If Things Go Wrong

First, re-read the original description and the seller's terms to make sure there wasn't a misunderstanding. Then contact the seller — keep in mind you are probably emailing the person directly responsible. A friendly approach works better than an aggressive one. I expect it would be easy to miss, but I noticed page 93 has crayon scribbles — would it be possible to return the book? will do more good than accusations.

If that doesn't resolve it, try calling. Contact the platform through which you bought. Contact any trade associations the seller belongs to. If the seller's conduct appears criminal — they took payment and sent nothing, for example — contact the police in the seller's jurisdiction or report mail fraud to the relevant postal authority.

And please, do report problems. It matters to the majority of honest booksellers whose reputations suffer from isolated bad actors.

Most booksellers genuinely want you to be happy with your purchase, and most problems are misunderstandings. Ask questions before you buy, make sure you know what you're ordering, and you'll rarely have a problem at all.