When one of your books is ordered from AbeBooks you are sent an email notification with the book information and a link to process the order. You need to process book orders online in order for your book buyers to be charged and notified that the order has been updated. The order processing procedure differs between Ecommerce and Bookseller Direct orders.
Ecommerce Orders: are those orders that the book buyer paid by credit card
Bookseller Direct Orders: are those paid by any method that can be processed by the bookseller
Processing an Ecommerce Order:
1. [Sign On] to your AbeBooks.com bookseller account
2. Click [Process Your Orders] from the Quick Links on the right of the Members Menu
3. Locate the order you would like to process and click [Process Order]
4. Select the appropriate status from the Status column to process the order and click the [Save Order Changes] button
Once an Ecommerce order is marked as Shipped, the payment will be attempted. If the payment is successfully taken the [View Shipping Manifest] button will appear and you will be able to view the buyer’s full contact details.
If you need to request extra shipping that can be done by choosing [Extra Charges] as opposed to [Will Ship]. Click here for further information.
PLEASE NOTE: Ecommerce orders must be updated within 4 days, this includes weekends. If you do not work weekends, please ensure that you process your orders every 2 days. Orders that are not processed within that period will expire and we will automatically inform the customer that their order has been cancelled.
If an order has been processed in error it can be cancelled and the buyer refunded. Click here for further information.
Processing a Bookseller Direct Order:
Follow steps 1 – 4 above. Note the statuses to choose from are different between Ecommerce and Bookseller Direct orders.
If you have the book available, select [Availability Confirmed] and click the [Save Order Changes] button. You will find the buyer’s email address beneath the order information. Contact the buyer and confirm the details of payment – cheque details, paypal account etc.
Should you need to change the shipping costs, you can discuss this with the buyer directly. As soon as you have received payment for the order, click the [View Shipping Manifest] button for the buyer’s full contact details and send the book.
Should you not be able to receive payment from the buyer you can cancel the order. Click here for further information.
PLEASE NOTE: If a Bookseller Direct order is not updated within 4 days, the status will automatically change to Availability Confirmed
Tracking Information: When you process orders, you have the choice to ship via a trackable method. If you choose to use a trackable method, the tracking information should be added to the order information after processing.
What is Tracking Information?
Tracking information is purchased from the post office upon shipping orders. When you purchase tracking information, you receive a tracking number that can be used to ensure the book arrived to its destination. Please contact the post office for the exact cost of purchasing tracking information.
Why Should I Use Tracking Information?
When you process orders, you have the choice to send the books using a trackable method. The use of a trackable means of shipment is highly recommended by AbeBooks for two reasons:
* Using a trackable means of shipment reassures the buyer that the order has been shipped. Should the order not arrive by the estimated delivery date, the buyer may initiate a refund for the book. Having tracking information does not allow the buyer to initiate a return for the reason "Item Did Not Arrive".
* Tracking information acts as insurance for you. Should a book not arrive by the estimated delivery date, you can provide tracking information to the buyer and track the package yourself on the USPS Web site to determine why it did not arrive to the buyer.
What do I do with the Tracking Information Once I Have it?
After you process an order, and are provided with a tracking number by the Post Office, sign in to your AbeBooks account and insert the tracking number.
To enter tracking information to a previously processed order:
1. [Sign On] to your AbeBooks.com bookseller account
2. Click [Process Your Orders] from the Quick Links on the right of the Members Menu
3. Locate the order to which you would like to add tracking information and click [Review Order]
4. In the Order Information Box, you can enter the shipping company and tracking number
5. Click [Update] to save the tracking information
Tip: Many AbeBooks buyers will need a receipt/invoice with their order, especially if you receive an order from another European country. Remember to check the special instructions field, as the buyer will often indicate if a receipt/invoice is needed. The invoice can be included in the order or sent via email. AbeBooks can only provide the buyer with the confirmation of the order and not an official invoice as the buyer is your legal trading partner. If a buyer asks for a receipt/invoice please do provide one as they may be ordering on behalf of a company or library where they need to reclaim the purchase amount. If you have any questions about what should be included in an invoice please Contact Us.
