AbeBooks UK Buyer Help: FAQs

FAQs

Shipping Rates and Speeds

AbeBooks bookseller members listing on our site set their own shipping rates and times. These rates will vary depending on the location of the bookseller in relation to you, the method of shipping the bookseller uses and whether handling charges are included with the shipping rates.

To view a bookseller’s shipping rates select [Rates & Speeds] from the search results page. If you have specific questions about a book, please contact the bookseller directly. To contact a bookseller:

1. Click on the [Ask Bookseller a Question] link in the search results
2. Enter your inquiry and click [Send Question]

You will be sent an email confirmation of your inquiry. AbeBooks will also retain a copy.
The bookseller will receive your question and reply to you via email.

To obtain additional information about a bookseller:

1. Click the [Bookseller & Payment Information] link in the search results
2. On the right of the screen you are also presented with links to:

         • Search this specific bookseller’s inventory
         • Browse the bookseller’s inventory
         • Ask the bookseller a question
         • View the bookseller’s homepage

Note: If you are in a country where internal customs fees are applied on books this fee is usually covered by the importer of the book.

I do not have a credit card, how can I pay?

We understand that you may wish to pay via a method other than credit card.

We would like to explain that booksellers have the option to accept other payment methods such as cheque, bank transfer, PayPal, money order and more. Click here for an overview of payment methods.

Tip: Simply click on the bookseller name to view their payment details. This can be done from the search results.

To view a bookseller's Accepted Payment Methods click on the link "Bookseller & Payment Information" located below the book description on the search results page:

Then click on the left tab [Bookseller & Payment Information].

On the right side is a list of Payment Methods which that particular bookseller accepts.

Should you choose to pay by credit card, AbeBooks accepts your payment on behalf of the bookseller. We store your credit card details on our secure server, and they are never shared with anyone. For further details on AbeBooks security please click here.

PayPal Orders:

You may wish to use PayPal to pay for an order. Once you have ordered from a bookseller who accepts PayPal, the bookseller should then contact you with their PayPal details.

PayPal is not integrated into the AbeBooks system, so once you have the bookseller's details, you will need to make the payment through your PayPal account.

Alternatively, you may wish to contact the bookseller directly and ask them to give you the details necessary for making the payment. To contact the bookseller once you are signed onto your AbeBooks account:

1. Click [View My Orders] under My Orders on your Members Menu
2. Find the book in question and then click [Item Details]
3. Click [Ask the bookseller a question] to enquire. AbeBooks will also have a copy of your enquiry

Please do pay using the payment method which best suits you. However, if you pay via credit card, AbeBooks will process the payment on behalf of the bookseller(s) which will enable you, in the event of a required return or refund to initiate the process via your Abebooks account.

For more details on the variety of payment methods accepted please click here.

How can I cancel my order?

Occasionally, you may need to cancel your order after you have placed it online. You can cancel your order before the bookseller has indicated that the book has been shipped.

To cancel your order:

1. [Sign On] to your AbeBooks.co.uk account
2. Select [View My Orders] under My Orders on your Members Menu
3. Click on the link [Item Details] next to the order that you wish to cancel
4. Here you can cancel the order. Ensure that you click [Cancel] then [Verify]

If the status is ‘Shipped’ you may be able to contact the bookseller before they ship the book. If the status of the order is ‘Shipped’ or ‘Availability Confirmed’ you will no longer be able to cancel the order via your AbeBooks account.

Tip: If the status of the order is ‘Availability Confirmed’ and you have not paid for the order the seller is unlikely to have shipped the book to you. Simply let the bookseller know that you wish to cancel.

1. Click the [Item details] button located to the right of the item
2. Click the [Ask a Question] button
3. On the Book Inquiry page:
   • Ensure your email address in the From text box is correct
   • Enter the subject of your inquiry
   • Type your question to the bookseller
4. Click the [Inquire About This Book] button

An email is sent to the bookseller on your behalf, and a copy is saved in your AbeBooks online account.

My credit card was rejected!

What does 'Credit Card Rejected' mean?

On occasions you may find that your order has been cancelled due to the reason 'Credit Card Rejected'. This means that the credit card transaction was declined.

After a credit card transaction is declined the book is returned to the search results and we kindly ask that you place your order again. We are unfortunately unable to reinstate orders.

There are several possible reasons as to why a credit card transaction can be cancelled.

During the transfer of funds, there was an Internet connection problem
Your bank or credit card company was having technical issues
The company that processes credit cards on our behalf was having technical issues
The credit card number or the expiry date you provided us was incorrect - card expired
You have multiple AbeBooks accounts. AbeBooks.com orders can be seen as foreign transactions by your credit card company and therefore cancelled
The order value was high. Your credit card company may have stopped the transaction if you do not usually make high value purchase. If you intend to purchase a high value order it would advisable to notify your credit company before placing the order
You reside in a country where credit card security codes are mandatory for all transactions

We kindly ask that you check your credit card details in your AbeBooks account, to ensure that these are correct.

Once you have checked the details, we kindly invite you to click here in order to search for the book again on AbeBooks.

Please note that it can take up to 24 hours for a book to be relisted. If the book is no longer available you may wish to add a Want.

How can I update my credit card?

In order to update your credit card details, please sign on to your AbeBooks account.

[Sign On] to your AbeBooks.co.uk account
Click [Manage My Credit Cards] under My Information on your Members Menu
Choose your card type from the [Select Credit Card] drop down menu

Now you can edit the information or if you need to add a new card, delete the previous one stored.

Now a new card can be added.

For further information:

How can I order books?

How can I pay and what payment methods do you accept?

I have not received my book – what can I do?

If you feel that your book should have already arrived, please sign onto your account and check the estimated delivery date of your order:

1. [Sign On] to your AbeBooks.co.uk account
2. Select [View My Orders] under My Orders on your Members Menu
3. Click the [Item details] button located to the right of the item

Here you can view the estimated delivery date of your order. If the order date has passed it would be wise to contact the bookseller, the bookseller can let you know exactly when the book was shipped and if tracking information is available.

If the book was sent without tracking you can request a refund from your AbeBooks account. To allow for postal delays we ask that you allow an additional 7 days after the estimated delivery date before you request your refund.

To request a refund for a book that has not arrived:

4. Click on [Request to Return a Book]
5. Select a reason for the return from the drop-down list (Item did not arrive)
6. Add any additional comments. These comments are displayed to the bookseller
7. Click [Initiate Return/Refund]

Both you and the bookseller will receive confirmation via email that your refund has been initiated. Should the bookseller not be able to provide you with a replacement copy or tracking information within 7 days the refund will be processed automatically.

Should you need to cancel the refund, this can be done within 7 days of initiating it. Sign on to your account and follow the above instructions to cancel your refund.

If you find that the link [Request to Return a Book] is no longer available it is most probably due to the fact that the returns period has passed. You can only request a refund up to 30 days after the estimated delivery date. If this date has passed we kindly ask that you contact the bookseller. The bookseller can still process a refund for you. If you have paid the bookseller directly via debit card or PayPal you may wish to contact your bank/PayPal to dispute the payment.

If you have paid via credit card, please contact us if the bookseller does not reply or resolve the issue for you.

Tip: Always check the estimated delivery date, after one week if the book has not arrived you can request a refund in your account. Within the 7 days, you may wish to check with your local post office to see if delivery has been attempted.

Subject related topics:

Possible Shippipng Delays - News