Book Statuses Explained

When you order a book, AbeBooks tracks the purchase from the time the order is placed until the bookseller ships the order. You may view the details of your order through your AbeBooks account, using the "Track Your Purchases" page.




 

Definitions of the various statuses you may see are shown below and you can also see these on the right-hand side of the "Track Your Purchases" screen.  

If you paid using Visa or MasterCard:

• Ordered: You have ordered the book. An e-mail notification is sent to you and to the bookseller with the details of the book ordered.
• Item Unavailable: The bookseller sold the book at their store and no longer has it in their inventory. There can be a delay between when the bookseller sells the book and when it is removed from our online inventory.
• Extra Shipping Accepted: In some instances, the book you ordered is not a standard book. The bookseller will contact you, either directly or through AbeBooks, requesting extra charges for shipping. The extra charges could be for insurance; for a requested shipping method, such as priority overnight; or for a book or set of books that is heavy and requires extra shipping costs. The book remains in "Ordered" status while the bookseller awaits your confirmation before shipping the book.
• Shipped: The bookseller has shipped the book.
• Awaiting Verification: If your purchase total is over $1000 US or the equivalent in your local currency (including shipping), your credit card information is verified before the bookseller is notified of the order.
• Return Initiated: You have requested a return of the book ordered or the bookseller has initiated the return on your behalf.  An e-mail notification is sent to you detailing the return.

If you paid using other payment methods processed/collected by the booksellers:

• Ordered: You have ordered the book. An e-mail notification is sent to you and to the bookseller with the details of the book ordered.  (Please note:  The status will not change to shipped even after the bookseller has sent your order.)
• Item Unavailable: The bookseller sold the book at their store and no longer has it in their inventory. There can be a delay between when the bookseller sells the book and when it is removed from our online inventory.
• Availability Confirmed: The bookseller has confirmed your order and will ship it upon processing or receipt of payment; the status of this order will not changed to 'shipped'. If payment details need to be arranged, the bookseller will contact you.

Note:

• AbeBooks does not track a purchase once it has been shipped.  A bookseller may choose to use trackable shipping, though this is at their discretion.  If you wish to track the delivery of your purchase, please ask the bookseller for details.