ThriftBooks Canada / AbeBooks
AbeBooks (now owned by Amazon but founded in Victoria, BC) connects buyers with independent used and rare booksellers including thousands of Canadian book dealers. When buying used books, choosing Canadian sellers on AbeBooks or local Canadian used bookshops keeps money in Canadian hands.
Why Switch?
AbeBooks was founded in Victoria, BC and while it's now owned by Amazon, its true value for Canadians is as a directory of thousands of independent Canadian used and rare booksellers. When you use AbeBooks to find a used book and specifically choose a Canadian seller, every dollar goes to a local Canadian bookshop. Better yet, seek out your local independent used bookstore directly — Powell's is Oregon, Strand is New York, but your city likely has a Canadian-owned used bookshop that needs your support more than any online marketplace.
Used and rare book hunters who want to support Canadian independent booksellers — filter by Canadian seller location to keep your purchase in Canada.
Replaces
Where to Buy in Canada
How It Compares
| Feature | Canadian Option | American Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | Victoria, BC 1996 | ThriftBooks: Seattle, WA |
| Canadian sellers | Thousands of Canadian booksellers listed | ThriftBooks: US-only warehouses |
| Rare and antiquarian | Strong Canadian rare book network | US-focused rare book sellers |
| Best practice | Filter for Canadian seller province | No Canadian filtering available |
Why we list this
Founded in Victoria, BC in 1996. Supports thousands of Canadian independent used booksellers through its marketplace.
More in Books & Media
Canada's largest book retailer, Canadian-owned since 1996.
Replaces: Amazon (books), Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million
Toronto-based independent Canadian publisher since 1967.
Replaces: Random House, Penguin Books, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster
Canada's storied publisher — home to Margaret Atwood and Alice Munro.
Replaces: Doubleday, Knopf, Random House US, Scribner