Book Outlets is an online bookstore known for selling new books at heavily discounted prices. It offers fiction, children’s books, biographies, cookbooks, educational titles, and many other categories. The store mainly sells publisher overstock and remainder books, which explains the low prices. Many shoppers use it to save money on books. It is operated by Book Depot Inc. and mainly serves online shoppers in the United States and Canada currently.
If you have seen very cheap books on Book Outlet, you may naturally wonder whether the prices are too good to be true. Questions such as “Is Book Outlets legit?”, “Is Book Outlets safe?”, and “Is Book Outlets a scam?” are reasonable, especially when you are entering your card details and home address on an online store.
After looking at the company behind the website, its shopping policies, payment methods, customer support information, and customer feedback, there is strong evidence that Book Outlet is a legitimate online bookstore rather than a scam website. The official brand name is actually Book Outlet, although many people search for it online as “Book Outlets.”
Book Outlet is operated by Book Depot Inc., an established Canadian book distribution company. The company’s official terms state that Book Depot owns and operates BookOutlet.com and BookOutlet.ca. Book Depot also describes Book Outlet as its direct-to-consumer bargain book brand.
However, being legitimate does not mean every customer will have a perfect experience. Some Book Outlets complaints relate to damaged books, packaging, slow shipping, missing items, and difficulty getting fast customer support. These issues are worth considering before you buy.
What It Means
Book Outlet is an online store that sells heavily discounted books. Unlike marketplaces where individuals sell used books, Book Outlet mainly sells new, unread books obtained through publishers and the bargain-book market.
The reason the prices can appear surprisingly low is that many titles are publisher overstock or remainder books. Publishers may have printed more copies than retailers could sell, so the excess inventory is later sold at reduced prices.
Book Outlet explains that its bargain inventory may include remainder marks, such as:
- A small black dot on the edge of the book
- A red dot
- A thin line
- A small stamp or similar marking
These markings do not normally mean the book is used. They identify the book as remainder inventory. Book Outlet says its books are new and unread, although minor cosmetic imperfections may sometimes occur.
This business model helps explain why Book Outlets can offer prices that look unusually cheap without automatically making the website a scam.
Is Book Outlets Legit?
Yes, Book Outlets is legit, based on the evidence available about the company and its operations.
The strongest legitimacy signal is the company behind the website. BookOutlet.com is operated by Book Depot Inc. Book Depot says that Book Outlet developed from an earlier bargain-book business called Book Closeouts and was rebranded as Book Outlet in 2013.
Book Depot operates a much larger book distribution business and says it works with major retailers, publishers, and bookstores. Its corporate website describes operations involving hundreds of employees and large warehouse facilities in North America.
Other signs that Book Outlet is legitimate include:
- A publicly identified parent company
- Published Terms of Use
- A Privacy Policy
- Physical corporate contact information
- Customer service phone and email support
- Established payment methods
- Published shipping policies
- A formal return process
- An established rewards program
- Years of online operation
The parent company, Book Depot Inc., also has a Better Business Bureau profile with an A- rating, although it is not BBB accredited. BBB accreditation is voluntary, so a business not being accredited does not automatically mean it is unsafe or fraudulent.
From what I found, there is far more evidence pointing toward a genuine retail company than toward a fake online store.
Is Book Outlets Safe?
In general, Book Outlets is safe for normal online shopping, provided you are using the official BookOutlet.com or BookOutlet.ca website.
One positive security practice is that Book Outlet says it does not store customers’ payment information on its website. Customers therefore need to provide payment details again when checking out rather than having full payment information permanently stored in their Book Outlet account.
Customers can also pay through recognizable payment services such as PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
However, no online retailer can be described as completely risk-free. You should still follow basic online-shopping security practices:
- Make sure the domain is BookOutlet.com or BookOutlet.ca.
- Avoid purchasing through suspicious links in unexpected emails.
- Use a unique password for your account.
- Never send your password to someone claiming to be customer support.
- Check your order confirmation carefully.
- Keep payment and shipping records until your books arrive.
- Consider PayPal or a credit card when you want additional payment protections.
Overall, the available evidence supports the conclusion that Book Outlets is safe rather than a scam, although customers should still shop carefully.
Licensing and Regulation
Book Outlet is an online bookstore, not a casino, bank, investment service, or financial company. Therefore, it does not need a gambling licence or financial-services licence to operate as a normal book retailer.
Its business activities are instead governed by relevant consumer protection, privacy, e-commerce, tax, and general business laws.
Book Outlet’s official Terms of Use state that Book Depot Inc. operates BookOutlet.com and BookOutlet.ca from Ontario, Canada. The terms also explain that the sites are intended primarily for customers in the United States and Canada.
The company also publishes privacy and accessibility policies. Its accessibility information discusses compliance with applicable requirements, including Ontario accessibility legislation.
Therefore, when asking “Is Book Outlets legal?”, the important point is that it operates as a conventional retail bookstore. There is no special online-bookstore licence that customers should expect to see displayed in the way they would expect a gambling operator to show a gaming licence.
Game Selection
The heading “Game Selection” does not directly apply to Book Outlet because Book Outlet is not an online casino or gaming website.
Instead, the important question is its book and product selection.
Book Outlet sells books across many subjects and categories. The company says its bargain-book inventory comes from more than 1,000 publishing imprints across 39 categories.
Depending on current inventory, shoppers may find:
- Fiction
- Romance
- Mystery and thrillers
- Fantasy
- Children’s books
- Teen and young adult titles
- History
- Biography
- Cookbooks
- Reference books
- Religion and spirituality
- Self-help
- Business books
- Boxed sets
- Special editions
- Activity products
- Toys and puzzles
Inventory changes regularly because Book Outlet’s business model depends heavily on publisher overstock and remainder inventory.
That means you may find an excellent bargain today and discover that the title is out of stock later.
Software Providers
Software providers are another factor commonly discussed when reviewing online casinos, but they are not especially important when reviewing Book Outlet.
Book Outlet is an e-commerce bookstore. Customers do not need gaming software or specialized programs to use it. You simply browse the website, select books, add them to your shopping cart, and complete checkout.
The website supports standard shopping features such as:
- Customer accounts
- Guest checkout
- Wishlists
- Saved addresses
- Order history
- Order tracking
- Coupons
- Gift cards
- Rewards points
The company does not publicly need to provide a complete list of all third-party technology companies used to operate its store for customers to determine whether it is legitimate.
User Interface and Experience
Book Outlet’s website follows a familiar online-shopping format.
You can browse categories, search for specific books, view prices, add products to your cart, and complete the purchase through checkout.
Creating an account is optional. Book Outlet allows guest checkout, although registered customers receive additional features such as order history, wishlists, rewards points, and saved addresses.
I like the fact that shoppers are not forced to open an account simply to place an order.
One thing you should remember is that Book Outlet operates separate U.S. and Canadian versions of its website. BookOutlet.com charges orders in U.S. currency, so customers should make sure they are shopping on the correct version to avoid unexpected currency-conversion issues.
Security Measures
Security is an important part of deciding whether Book Outlets is safe.
A particularly useful feature is the company’s policy of not storing payment information directly in customer accounts.
Its Terms of Use also contain account-security provisions. Customers are responsible for protecting their usernames and passwords and should contact the company if they believe an account has been compromised.
Other security-related positives include access to established payment options such as:
- Visa
- Mastercard
- American Express
- PayPal
- Apple Pay
- Google Pay
Book Outlet also uses a payment authorization process. It says a card may initially receive a pre-authorization hold, while the actual payment is processed when the order ships.
These are normal characteristics of a genuine e-commerce operation.
Customer Support
Book Outlet provides telephone and email customer support.
According to its current contact page, customers can call:
1-888-402-7323
Customer service hours are listed as Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
The company also says email inquiries are generally answered within 24 to 48 hours, although responses may take longer during busy shopping periods.
This is positive because legitimate retailers should provide a clear way for customers to request help.
However, customer support is also one of the areas behind some Book Outlets complaints.
Recent third-party reviews include people saying they experienced:
- Slow replies
- Difficulty contacting customer support
- Delayed refunds
- Missing items
- Damaged books
- Problems resolving delivery issues
This does not prove Book Outlet is a scam, but it means customer service appears to be inconsistent for some shoppers.
Payment Methods
Book Outlet supports several widely used payment methods.
According to its official Help Center, accepted options include:
- Visa
- Mastercard
- American Express
- PayPal
- Apple Pay
- Google Pay
The availability of these payment methods is another positive sign when assessing whether Book Outlets is legit and safe.
PayPal and major credit cards may also provide customers with dispute options depending on the circumstances and the rules of the payment provider.
Book Outlet also sells electronic gift cards, which customers can keep in their online Gift Card Wallet and apply toward eligible purchases.
Shipping and Delivery
Shipping is one of the most important things to understand before ordering.
Book Outlet currently ships within the United States and Canada only. International shipping is not offered directly.
The company states that orders over $35 qualify for free ground shipping in the U.S. and Canada, while smaller orders have a shipping fee of $6.95 plus applicable taxes.
Estimated standard delivery after shipment is generally:
- United States: 3–15 business days
- Canada: 3–10 business days
Warehouse processing commonly takes 1–3 business days but may increase to 3–5 business days during busy periods.
Customers outside the U.S. and Canada therefore need to be particularly careful. Freight-forwarding services may introduce additional risk because Book Outlet says it cannot accept responsibility for packages shipped to freight forwarders, storage lockers, or third-party shipping agents.
Returns and Refunds
Book Outlet provides a return process, but customers should read the rules carefully.
You generally need to contact customer service within 30 days of receiving your order and obtain a Return Authorization Number before sending items back.
Original shipping costs and return-shipping costs are generally not refundable.
Book Outlet also has what it calls a Cover-to-Cover Guarantee. If a book arrives unreadable because of damage or a defect, customers can contact the company within 30 days and provide photos.
Depending on the case, the resolution may include:
- A refund
- Replacement
- Store credit
One important detail is the word “unreadable.” Bargain books can sometimes have cosmetic marks or imperfections that may not qualify as serious damage.
If you collect books mainly for perfect covers, flawless dust jackets, or display purposes, I would keep this in mind.
Bonuses and Promotions
Book Outlet regularly uses discounts, coupons, referrals, and loyalty rewards.
The company’s pricing model states that its books are generally offered for at least 50% off publisher list prices, although this minimum pricing claim applies to books and not necessarily toys, gift cards, or other products.
Its rewards program also allows registered customers to earn points.
Examples include:
- 1 point for every $2 spent on qualifying books
- Rewards for referrals
- Points for creating an account
- Newsletter-related rewards
- Social engagement rewards
Points can later be converted into rewards for future book purchases.
There is also a referral program where eligible customers can give friends a discount and receive rewards after qualifying purchases.
Promotions change frequently, so you should always read the specific coupon or sale conditions before checking out.
Reputation and User Reviews
Book Outlet has a mixed online reputation.
On the positive side, many customers say they enjoy:
- Very low book prices
- Large book hauls for less money
- Genuine new books
- Good selection
- Successful repeat orders
- Occasional excellent customer service
However, recent negative reviews frequently mention packaging and customer support.
As of August 2026, the BookOutlet.com Trustpilot profile shows a score of around 2.5 out of 5 from more than 400 reviews. Some recent reviews praise the low prices and say they have successfully ordered for years, while others complain about books arriving damaged or difficulty getting customer service responses.
The Canadian BookOutlet.ca Trustpilot profile also has mixed feedback, with complaints and positive reviews appearing side by side.
Interestingly, Book Outlet’s own website advertises a much higher customer rating. This difference is a good reminder that I would never judge an online shop using only reviews displayed on the shop’s own website.
Third-party reviews are not perfect either, but looking at several sources gives a more balanced picture.
Book Outlets Complaints and Problems
The existence of Book Outlets complaints does not automatically mean the business is fraudulent.
Common Book Outlets problems reported by customers include:
- Books arriving with bent covers or pages
- Weak or insufficient packaging
- Shipping delays
- Tracking that does not update quickly
- Missing books
- Slow customer service replies
- Difficulty getting help with damaged items
- Disagreements over whether cosmetic damage qualifies for a refund
Recent BBB complaints also include delivery and customer-service concerns. BBB advises users to consider both the number of complaints and how a company responds, rather than assuming any complaint means a business is fraudulent.
If you decide to order, I recommend inspecting the package as soon as it arrives. Take photographs immediately if anything is missing or damaged.
Why Are Book Outlet Books So Cheap?
Very low prices are probably the biggest reason some people wonder whether Book Outlets is a scam.
Fortunately, there is a logical explanation.
Book Outlet’s core business involves buying publisher overstock, remainder books, and excess inventory at lower wholesale prices.
Imagine a publisher prints 100,000 copies of a book but retailers only need 70,000. The remaining copies still exist and need somewhere to go.
Rather than destroying or permanently storing them, publishers can sell them into the bargain-book market.
Book Outlet buys this type of inventory and resells it at discounted prices.
Therefore, cheap prices alone are not evidence that Book Outlet sells fake books or operates a scam.
Is Book Outlets Genuine?
Yes, the available evidence indicates that Book Outlets is genuine.
Book Outlet has:
- An identifiable corporate owner
- Established North American operations
- Published legal terms
- Physical contact details
- Customer support
- Recognized payment methods
- A return policy
- Shipping policies
- A long operating history
- Thousands of customer experiences discussed online
The main concerns are operational issues rather than signs of a fake business.
That distinction matters.
A scam website typically takes money without having a genuine retail operation behind it. Book Outlet clearly has a real book-distribution operation behind the website. Customer complaints are more commonly about the condition of delivered books, shipping, packaging, or customer service.
How to Use Book Outlet Safely
If you want to reduce the chance of problems, you can follow a few simple precautions:
- Shop only through BookOutlet.com or BookOutlet.ca.
- Check whether you are using the U.S. or Canadian store.
- Review the book format before ordering.
- Understand that some books may have remainder marks.
- Do not expect every bargain book to look like a perfect collector’s copy.
- Pay with a method that gives you appropriate buyer protection.
- Keep your confirmation email.
- Check tracking information.
- Photograph damaged packages immediately.
- Report missing or damaged items within the company’s required time limits.
- Read return conditions before ordering a large quantity.
These steps do not guarantee that nothing will go wrong, but they can make solving a problem easier.
Book Outlets Pros and Cons
Pros
- Book Outlets is a legitimate online bookstore.
- Offers books at heavily discounted prices.
- Accepts trusted payment methods.
- Has clear shipping and return policies.
- Large selection of books and categories.
- Many books are new and unread.
Cons
- Some books may have remainder marks.
- Customers sometimes report damaged books.
- Shipping can occasionally be slow.
- Customer support may take time to respond.
- Some returns may involve extra shipping costs.
Conclusion: Is Book Outlets Legit and Safe?
So, is Book Outlets legit and safe? Yes, Book Outlet appears to be a legitimate and generally safe online bookstore, not a typical scam website.
The company is operated by Book Depot Inc., an established North American bargain-book distributor. It publishes proper legal terms, provides customer service, accepts recognized payment methods, operates a formal return system, and explains clearly why its books can be sold at large discounts.
I would therefore describe Book Outlets as legitimate and genuine, but not problem-free.
The biggest concerns are shipping, packaging, cosmetic book damage, and inconsistent customer-service experiences. Recent third-party reviews show that while many shoppers are happy with the low prices, others have struggled when something goes wrong with an order.
If your main goal is getting inexpensive books and you do not mind the possibility of remainder marks or small cosmetic imperfections, Book Outlet can offer strong value. If you are buying expensive collector editions and expect every cover and corner to arrive in perfect condition, you may want to be more cautious.
Overall, the evidence supports the statement that Book Outlets is legit and Book Outlets is safe for normal online shopping, provided you use the official website, understand its bargain-book model, and read the shipping and return rules before ordering.
Book Outlets FAQ in Brief
- Is Book Outlets legit?
Yes. Book Outlet is a legitimate online bookstore operated by Book Depot Inc. - Is Book Outlets safe?
Yes, it is generally safe for online shopping when you use the official website. - Is Book Outlets a scam?
No. It is a real business with established shopping, shipping, and return policies. - Why are Book Outlets books so cheap?
Many books are publisher overstock or remainder copies, allowing them to be sold at lower prices. - Are Book Outlets books new?
Yes. Most books are new and unread, although some may have small remainder marks or cosmetic imperfections. - What payment methods does Book Outlets accept?
Payment options may include major credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. - Does Book Outlets offer free shipping?
Yes, qualifying orders may receive free shipping depending on the order value and location. - Can I return books to Book Outlets?
Yes. Returns are available under its return policy, although certain conditions and time limits apply. - Does Book Outlets ship internationally?
Book Outlet mainly ships within the United States and Canada. - Does Book Outlets have customer complaints?
Yes. Some customers report damaged books, delivery delays, packaging problems, or slow customer support. - Does Book Outlets sell fake books?
There is no strong evidence that Book Outlet normally sells fake books. Its low prices are mainly linked to excess and remainder inventory. - Is Book Outlets worth using?
It can be a good choice if you want discounted books and do not mind possible minor cosmetic marks on some copies.
Is Book Outlets Legit and Safe or a Scam
Summary
Yes, Book Outlets is legit and generally safe to use. It is a real online bookstore operated by Book Depot Inc. and sells discounted new books, including publisher overstock and remainder copies. The website uses common payment methods and has clear shipping and return policies. However, some customers report damaged books, delivery delays, or slow support. Overall, Book Outlets is genuine, but it is still wise to check order details carefully before buying.
Pros
- Book Outlets is a legitimate online bookstore.
- Offers books at heavily discounted prices.
- Accepts trusted payment methods.
- Has clear shipping and return policies.
- Large selection of books and categories.
- Many books are new and unread.
Cons
- Some books may have remainder marks.
- Customers sometimes report damaged books.
- Shipping can occasionally be slow.
- Customer support may take time to respond.
- Some returns may involve extra shipping costs.