SHOP AT YOUR OWN RISK
Written: Oct 18 '06 (Updated Feb 01 '07)
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| Full Review |
SHOP AT YOUR OWN RISK. IF YOU HAVE A DEADLINE, SHOP SOMEWHERE ELSE (don't even think of ordering textbooks from Alibris).
DO NOT ORDER FROM AN INDIVIDUAL SELLER BY THE NAME OF
"PAYLESS."
IF YOU MUST ORDER FROM THIS WEBSITE, USE A CREDIT CARD
WHICH WILL ALLOW YOU TO DISPUTE THE CHARGES.
DO NOT USE A DEBIT CARD AS I'M FINDING COMPLAINTS RE: MULTIPLE CHARGES TO DEBIT CARDS BY ALIBRIS (for the same order). Do not pay with cash, checks, money orders, or anything other than a 100% secure funds transfer (like a credit card!).
READ OTHER RECENT REVIEWS AFTER READING MINE. They're either "too good to be true," very gimmicky sounding (as if they're written by Alibris), they're logistically impossible embellishments ("Someone from Alibris called me right away!"), or else they're complaints which are very, VERY similar to mine.
QUICK RUNDOWN OF MY EXPERIENCE.
*I ordered a textbook from Alibris.com.
*I was notified that my book was shipped on Sep 25th
2006 and I paid extra for express shipping.
*As of Oct 28 06, I received a "order cancellation email" from Alibris with no further explanation. This cancellation only took place after I disputed the charges on my credit card.
*The seller "payless" out of Bradenton, FL has not responded to my inquiries.
*Alibris.com only allows you to submit customer
service inquiries via a webpage.
*I filed a complaint with Alibris and in return I
received a "form letter" notifying me of Alibris's "30
day policy" where they don't respond to complaints
until 30 days has passed from the shipping date. (HINT: NO REPUTABLE BUSINESS OUTSIDE OF RUSSIA HAS SUCH A POLICY.)
UPDATE 11/03/06:
After approx 45 days I disputed the charges on my credit card, and only then did I receive a "cancellation email" from Alibris. INTERESTING.
UPDATE 2007: After my order was cancelled, the charge reappeared on my credit card bill. I never did receive the bill, and Alibris is disputing my dispute with my credit card issuer. UNBELIEVABLE.
Further...
*ALIBRIS DOES NOT HAVE A CONTACT PHONE NUMBER.
*ALIBRIS'S BUSINESS ADDRESS IS A "SUITE" IN CA.
*The Better Business Bureau of Reno NV has a sizeable complaint file on this company.
*ALIBRIS PLACES HIGH RATINGS ON THEIR SELLERS, BUT
IT'S NOT POSSIBLE FOR BUYERS TO RATE OR COMMENT ON THE
SELLERS. This minor detail is probably the biggest
indicator of fraud.
*Do a google.com search of the words "Alibris" and
"fraud" and "complaints" and the complaints are
numerous and very similar to mine.
If the price of an "unused/unwrapped" textbook is
$20-30 less than the same used book from other
booksellers... Then the deal might be too good to be
true. At least this is the lesson I learned from
using Alibris.
If Alibris is not committing outright acts of consumer fraud, then the
policies and procedures set by Alibris make it
possible for sellers like "payless" to defraud
potential buyers.
Either way, its still fraud.
Recommended:
No
What product did you purchase or try to purchase? College Textbook
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Epinions.com ID:
magikist
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Reviews written: 12
Trusted by: 1 member
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