PSA – Thriftbooks.com Buy Back is a Scam

Hello – I just wanted to share my experience with the new Thriftbooks Buy Back program. IMO, it is a total scam.

I just sent them 14 books – most of which were hardcover, most of which were in very good to great used condition. Included were several titles I bought from them previously.

Using their app, I was quoted $13.63 for 14 books. I thought this was low, but whatever, I agreed to it. I carefully packaged the books and took the box to the post office.

They just paid me $3.18. For 14 books, including a hardcover of A Gentleman in Moscow. Literally PENNIES for these books. I would have KEPT these books if they were only going to give me $3.18!!

I emailed them to express my disappointment, and quickly received this stock email reply:

Hello ,

Welcome to the ThriftBooks program.

Items we receive that do not meet our acceptable condition requirements are either re-valued or rejected and your BuyBack Offer will be adjusted. Rejected items are not eligible for payment and will be recycled. We cannot send back rejected items.

All the best,

ThriftBooks

So, consider yourself warned. This is a scam by them to obtain stock at pennies on the dollar so they can turn around and sell them for much more money. I’ve been a customer of Thriftbooks for YEARS, but they have lost me as a customer. Because this is a new program, I hope I can warn booklovers of their deceptive and dishonest program before you waste time, energy, and YOUR BOOKS on this scam.