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Is World of Books Legit? Used Book Seller Review

Updated: January 2026

World of Books ships real books but has serious issues.

Run by hedge fund using predatory pricing to destroy competition by selling at losses. Books listed as 'Very Good' arrive yellowed, damaged, separated covers. Database 'automatically' sends wrong editions. Customer service non-existent - no tracking, no responses, no refunds after 2+ months. Thin packaging damages corners. Avoid on principle (market manipulation) and practice (poor quality/service).

Key Findings

What It Is

Large used book seller (UK-based, ships internationally)

Main Risk

Hedge fund strategy: sell at loss to kill competition

Best Action

Support local bookstores or ethical sellers instead

The Pattern

→Large used book seller (UK-based, ships internationally)
→Significantly cheaper than other sellers
→Hedge fund owned operation
→Frequent sales and promotions
→Used books in various conditions
→Ships in thin plastic/nylon bags
→7-14 day shipping (often longer)
→Minimal packaging

Red Flags

Warning: Hedge fund strategy: sell at loss to kill competition
Warning: Predatory pricing to dominate market
Warning: Books arrive in worse condition than listed
Warning: 'Very Good' = yellowed pages, separated covers, damage
Warning: Wrong editions shipped routinely
Warning: Database 'automatically' provides wrong info (their excuse)
Warning: Bait and switch on editions (list 2019, send 2011)
Warning: No tracking numbers provided
Warning: No responses to emails
Warning: Orders missing after 2 months with no refund
Warning: Thin packaging ruins book corners
Warning: Zero customer service

What To Do

1Support local bookstores or ethical sellers instead
2If you must use: expect worst condition for grade
3Screenshot all listings (edition, condition, photos)
4Take photos immediately upon arrival
5Dispute via credit card if issues (email won't work)
6Lower expectations significantly vs description
7Only buy if saving significant money (not $2-3)
8Consider ThriftBooks or Better World Books as alternatives

What NOT To Do

✕Don't trust condition grades (all worse than described)
✕Don't expect specific editions listed
✕Don't email customer service (no response)
✕Don't wait for tracking (won't come)
✕Don't support hedge fund market manipulation
✕Don't order if you need specific edition
✕Don't expect pristine 'Very Good' books
✕Don't rely on photos/descriptions (database auto-fills wrong ones)

Copy-Paste Script

Order [number] placed [date]. Books not received after [X] weeks. No tracking provided. No email responses. Charge card $[X]. Demand immediate refund or I dispute charge as non-delivery fraud.

FAQ

Is World of Books a scam?

Not a scam - they ship real books. But it's a predatory hedge fund operation using below-cost pricing to destroy competition and dominate the market. Books are worse quality than described, customer service is nonexistent, and wrong editions are common. Scammy practices, technically legal.

Why are World of Books prices so low?

Hedge fund strategy: sell many books at a loss to bankrupt competitors, then dominate market. Not because of efficiency or scale - it's predatory pricing. They're destroying independent booksellers. Once competition is gone, prices will rise. Don't support this tactic.

Will I get the edition shown on World of Books?

Probably not. Their 'database automatically provides' wrong photos and edition info. They admit this in complaint responses. You order 2019 edition shown, get 2011. They say not their fault (database). It's bait and switch false advertising.

What condition are World of Books' 'Very Good' books?

Usually 'Acceptable' at best. Expect: yellowed pages, cover damage, separated covers, bent corners from thin packaging, wear. 'Very Good' from them = 'mediocre with issues' from honest sellers. Lower all condition expectations by 2 grades.

Should I buy from World of Books?

No. Support local bookstores, ThriftBooks, Better World Books, or individual sellers instead. World of Books uses predatory hedge fund tactics to destroy the used book market. Even if you get books, quality is poor and service is nonexistent. Saving $3 isn't worth supporting market manipulation and getting damaged wrong-edition books.

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