Traditional paper books made of paper are still relevant today despite the fast and progressive growth of digital entertainment which includes the way people experience literature. Furthermore, bookstores are still around if you are looking for a shop to browse for reading material. And if you can't find anything you like in a brick-and-mortar bookstore or if there's nothing in your area, then you can always browse digital shops like Thriftbooks that have a wide range of titles you can choose from.
But if you are having second thoughts about the legitimacy of Thriftbooks, then the review of the online shop prepared for today will provide you with the answers you need about its specifications. Then, you will discover whether they are a good platform to shop for your books or whether you should shop elsewhere.
Thriftbooks Overview
Thriftbooks is a platform where you can sell and buy used books, including paperbacks, DVDs, and audio eBook files. It is the brainchild of co-founders Jason Meyer and Daryl Butcher. The website has been in existence since 2003 and remains in their original headquarters in Tukwila, Washington. You can say that Thriftbooks is pretty much among the pioneers of selling books through online means because they are one of the online merchants during the boom of digital marketing in the early 2000s alongside Amazon and eBay.
However, they have not gained the same popularity as the platforms mentioned because their main products are used books, whereas other platforms market various general merchandise. Nevertheless, they are well-known in the written literary community which is why they are still in business for over 20 years now.
When it comes to the Thriftbooks' actual website, it would feel familiar since it has the same design as any other digital merchant. The only exception is that all of the products in their database are books, and instead of item categories, you will find genres that suit your preferred type of books, like romance, suspense, horror, textbooks, non-fiction, etc. In addition, the user interface of the website is very responsive and free of bugs. As a result, you can expect a smooth and satisfying experience.
Also, you can easily find the books that you like with their outstanding search capabilities, and you can filter your search by author, and genre. They also offer promotions and discounts to buyers such as loyalty programs and redemptions. Lastly, it is free to join Thriftbooks no matter if you are a buyer or a seller.
Tips When Buying Books from Thriftbooks
Thriftbooks follow a standard when it comes to buying old and used books. Therefore, you can almost certainly rest assured of the item's quality. However, you have to manage your expectations when ordering books from the website because they are used after all. Below are some pointers you can use as guidelines in browsing for books on their website and receiving the ones that meet your expectations to some extent:
- Be diligent in reading the descriptions about the book which should include its content and present conditions. In knowing so, you will have the advantage of bringing up any issues that weren't mentioned in the descriptions or shown in the pictures.
- You have to check the seller's ratings and reviews.
- If you are particularly concerned about the condition of the books, you may have to select items that are either listed as "Like New" or "Good Condition" in the filter section of the search field.
Thriftbooks' Reward Program and its Benefits
Thriftbooks offers a reward program that every bookworm will appreciate. Each dollar you spend on a book accumulates one point. When you reach 500 points, you can use it to buy a book. The reward system of Thriftbooks is their way of gaining loyalty and acquiring new customers, so to speak. In any case, it is a win-win scenario as it is beneficial to the buyer in the sense that they are saving money from purchasing new book titles.
In general, below is a summary of Thriftbooks' benefits that you have to note:
- Earn points while you buy and read books
- Redeem points by buying new books
- Provides you with bonuses based on the number you have finished reading
- You can take advantage of their discounts and upcoming promotions
Can You Sell Used Books on Thriftbooks?
Yes. You can become partners with Thriftbooks and sell your old and used books to them. However, they do have a standard or quality check of the books you are selling to ensure their conditions and provide recommendations of a fair retail price for each of the items. You can sell any type and genre of books to them like textbooks, comics, biographies, suspense, self-help, cooking, and even comic books, just to name a few of them.
How to Sell Books on Thriftbooks?
The following are the steps for selling your used books to Thriftbooks:
- Firstly, search for the book's ISBN code which is located in the lower-back portion of the item you are selling.
- Visit Thriftbooks' website and type the book's ISBN code in the search box.
- Fill out the necessary personal information, including the book you are sending them.
- Once the platform approves the books, you can now pack the books properly and contact them when they are sent and the estimated time of delivery to their end.
- After they receive the books and evaluate their condition and market value, they will provide you with the appropriate amount of compensation through PayPal based on these factors.
As you see, making extra dollars from your old books through Thriftbooks is straightforward. However, you have to consider several factors when selling items on the platform which include:
- Thriftbooks doesn't buy books with an ample amount of damage which has something to do with the quality of items to their buyers. The platform won't accept books with particular damages such as torn pages, missing pages, or missing covers.
- They also have the tendency to refrain from buying books with written notes on any of the pages unless they are a rare piece of collectible or you are planning to sell them for a bargain price. If you are intending to sell the books shortly after you are through with them, then it is best to make them as pristine as possible.
- They allow you to sell multiple books with the same title. However, they will pay for the five books only. If you are only selling them to dispatch the books, then the price for the five-book limit is reasonable and fair to both parties.
The Pros and Cons of Thriftbooks
Before buying any books from Thriftbooks, you have to consider several pros and cons to satisfy what you are looking for.
Pros:
- Affordable books
- Wide collection of book titles
- Books are in good condition despite the wear and tear due to the standards the used books go through
- Fast delivery if you are residing in North America
- Positive rating and overall customer experience in Trustpilot
Cons:
- Although they have positive ratings in Trustpilot, they have negative ratings in Sitejabber and the Better Business Bureau
- There are reviews that customers find discrepancies between the description and the actual books
Final Thoughts
I hope that the review prepared for today has enlightened you about the specifics of Thriftbooks. It is a legitimate platform to find your favorite book titles. They have a wide range of book titles to choose from that comes with a reward program. Each order will earn you one point for a dollar, and as soon as you reach 500 points, you can use it to buy a book. Another benefit of using Thriftbooks is that the books the sellers sell go through an evaluation process to ensure the quality and condition of the items offered on their website.
