Abe books
I have been talking on another thread to another seller about alternatives to Amazon of booksellers. One of the alternatives mentioned was ABE (as abe is owned by Amazon I assume that it is ok to talk about them here). I seem to remember a few years ago Amazon actually trying to persuade booksellers to go to abe
What always put me off was the higher fees and the feeling that relatively very few potential buyers looked on abe.
It was pointed out to me that subscription fees had been scrapped recently. I did a quick search and found that the total fees charged on abe was exactly the same as charged by Amazon (admittedly I only looked at one book I was selling for £8.10 + £2.80 postage). On this basis abe looks as if it may be worthwhile.
Does anyone have any experience of ABE? Is it beset with the same problems as Amazon eg dreadful catalogue , complete lack of seller support, having to put up with amazon dictating prices, being overun by rogue sellers etc etc
Comments are welcome
Abe books
I have been talking on another thread to another seller about alternatives to Amazon of booksellers. One of the alternatives mentioned was ABE (as abe is owned by Amazon I assume that it is ok to talk about them here). I seem to remember a few years ago Amazon actually trying to persuade booksellers to go to abe
What always put me off was the higher fees and the feeling that relatively very few potential buyers looked on abe.
It was pointed out to me that subscription fees had been scrapped recently. I did a quick search and found that the total fees charged on abe was exactly the same as charged by Amazon (admittedly I only looked at one book I was selling for £8.10 + £2.80 postage). On this basis abe looks as if it may be worthwhile.
Does anyone have any experience of ABE? Is it beset with the same problems as Amazon eg dreadful catalogue , complete lack of seller support, having to put up with amazon dictating prices, being overun by rogue sellers etc etc
Comments are welcome
3 replies
Seller_19xPhE8YgkmxW
Hello dunsterville34,
The Abe Help and Support are very good (in my experience), they do not dictate or restricvt prices, they have algorithms in place that affect the items the customer sees and the Catalogue is pretty good...
As for whether they are overrun with bulk/relisting sellers, I would suggest you have a look and decide for yourself
All Best
Brian
Seller_mxez2L8QjE6WW
We have been on Abe for years, before it was taken over by Amazon. At the moment it seems that Az are maintaining their 'hands off' policy, & letting Abe management carry on as before, as we don't get all the listing problems that beset Amazon. Almost every day we get a problem with an Amazon order, where their algorithms have messed up listings - wrong date, hardback/paperback, wrong title, wrong publisher, wrong edition. No so with Abe (hope I'm not tempting fate). Orders are roughly equal on the same listings, but with more going overseas. And the messaging system works. Rarely have to contact seller support, but much more user-friendly i.e. human.
But sadly WoB, Anybook & the US megasellers infest the site
Let me know if you'd like further info. I would say go for Abe - you might be pleasantly surprised. We're also on AntiqBooks & Alibris, who both seem to be fading into the sunset. Must try Biblio again.
