The ABC Information Page (2024)

Jobs

There are no openings at the moment.

However, if you are interested in future openings and fulfill the requirements below, then send us an email.

Requirements:

• to be enthusiastic about helping customers and promoting books, both in the stores and online.
• to have proper command of Dutch as well as English.
• to work flexible hours - our stores are open 7 days a week.
• to work on weekends, during school holidays and National Holidays.
• to occasionally work in a store further away from your main store, or at external events.

Please include:

• your CV
• a letter of motivation
• how many hours you are available per week
• which days of the week your are available.

Send your application to your preferred store:

• Amsterdam: work@abc.nl - with subject: "Job Application Amsterdam"
• The Hague/Leidschendam: work@abc.nl - with subject: "Job Application The Hague"

NB - we will keep your letter on file for 3-6 months for any job openings within that period.

Contact Us

All Store Locations

ABC Mailings

You can subscribe to our ABC Mailings on most pages of the site.

Regular Mailings: general store and event information.

• The ABC Newsletter: Events & News: Book related news: new titles, ABC Blog highlights, special events and competitions and a listing of ABC related events.
  View our upcoming events list.
  

Irregular Mailings

• The ABC Blog: New blog post alert! Sign up here to receive an email whenever a new post gets published on the ABC Blog.

• Press Releases: Newsworthy events or store news. You can sign up on the Press Resources page.

Recent Newsletters

• 26/05/2023 Pride, Pulitzers & Paperbacks
• 28/04/2023 ABC Remembers
• 24/03/2023 It’s our birthday!
• 21/01/2023 New year, new reads

ABC Favorites

ABC Favorites are (modern) classics that we highly recommend! We aim to always have them in stock and offer these titles to you at special low prices.

You can find the ABC Favorites throughout our stores and they are available for order on our ABC Favorites List.

Book Types & Bindings

Hard Bindings

• Board Book
  Great for small children, the pages of board books are made from sturdy cardboard to handle rough use.
• Hardcover
  A hardcover book (also known within the book industry as Trade Cloth), which may or may not have a dust jacket.
• Library Bound
  A sturdy hardcover binding produced to withstand long-term use. Most Library Bound books do not have a dust jacket.



Soft Bindings

• Mass Market
  A smaller paperback, the size you often find at a supermarket.
• Spiral Bound
  A continuous metal cord binding often used for workbooks or other "how-to" books.
• Trade Paperback
  Usually taller, wider, with larger font, and printed on nicer paper than a mass market.



Other

• Dust Jacket
  Also known as a dustwrapper (dw), the dust jacket is the (usually) decorative paper wrapper placed around a book for protection.
• eBook
  An e-book is a book published in digital form and it is readable on an e-reader, computer or other suitable device.
• Slipcase
  A cardboard case covered in paper, cloth, or leather, the slipcase houses a book, leaving only its spine exposed. The book may be any binding type.

Print On Demand

Print on demand (POD), sometimes called publish on demand, is a printing technology and business process in which new copies of a book (or other document) are not printed until an order has been received. "Print on Demand" developed only after digital printing began, because it was not economical to print single copies using traditional printing technology such as letterpress and offset printing.

Wikipedia

In short, POD titles are not kept in stock by publishers and instead are printed and bound whenever they receive an order.

Our Espresso Book Machine, Betty, is our in-house POD book maker, but it isn't able to produce all POD titles.

Many titles that are ordered via our suppliers are POD.

ABC Gift Certificates

The ABC Gift Certificates are redeemable on all stock and in-store services. That includes magazines, books, stationery and merchandise.

Do they expire?

They have no expiration date but must be dated and signed by staff to be valid.

Are they digital?

No, they are printed (paper) vouchers.

Can I use them for online orders?

No, they are only redeemable in our stores.

Available denominations

Depending on the total order amount, we use a combination of the following denominations:
€ 5, € 10, € 15, € 20, and € 25.

How do I purchase a gift certificate?

• They are available in our stores.
• Via this email order form which will open a new email in your email client.
• Contact us via info@abc.nl with recipient info and the amount you want to buy. We will need an email address in order to send you a payment link.

Our Special Order staff will fulfill your order and contact you as soon as possible.
Please note: this is not automated, so it may take a little while to process.

How does it work?

• ABC receives your information via phone or the email form above.
• There is a standard handling fee of € 2.50 per order.
• You receive an email with a payment link.
• Once the payment has been made, the physical Gift Certificates are sent to the recipient address provided.

Other Gift Certificates

We accept the Nederlandse Boekenbon and the VVV Cadeaubon/Cadeaukaart in our stores and we sell the Nederlandse Boekenbon too.

Can I use them for online orders?

Unfortunately not, they are only redeemable in our stores.

Get 10% off at ABC

Many of our customers get 10% off in store and online. If you'd also like to benefit, there are a few options below for getting that discount and special deals.

Booklover Card, Gold Card, and Teacher Discount
Valid in store and online (if registered):

• Booklover Card costs €7,- per year and can be purchased during checkout or at our stores
• Gold Card is given at no charge if you show us proof of age for 65+
• Teachers Discount also has no charge, and is available via registration for those who work in The Netherlands

Schools & Libraries and Large Quantity Orders
The discount is processed by our Special Order department - who will assist you in making large orders.

• Schools and Libraries always get 10% off
• Special deals (15% - 25% off) are available for large orders

Complimentary Discount
This is only applicable in our stores.

55+ Mondays, CJP/BCA Docentenpas, Cultureel Jongeren Paspoort, European Youth Card, Ooievaarspas, Stadspas, Students (high-school and higher education), and the Westfield Club card. (detailed descriptions)

Booklover Card

The Booklover Card costs € 7.

It is valid for one year from the day of purchase and the 10% discount is immediately applicable.

You can buy a card in-store and online.

In-Store, ask for a card when you purchase your books.

Online, you can add it to your cart during the checkout process.

Gold Card

The Gold Card is for our 65+ customers and was inspired by the theme of 2008's Dutch National Book Week which was (roughly translated) "Of Old People: The Third Age and Literature".

It is free, valid indefinitely and can be obtained by registering at either store.
All we need is proof of your age.

The 10% discount is applicable in store and online.

Complimentary 10% Off

This discount is complimentary and only applicable in our stores.

55+ Mondays

Customers aged 55+ receive 10% off on mondays. All you need to do is show us proof of your age. We'll accept any official ID card with your date of birth.
To avoid any confusion: If you also have a valid ABC Card you will not be entitled to a 20% discount on Mondays.

CJP/BCA Docentenpas

The CJP/BCA Docentenpas has been available to teachers since 2012. (www.cjp.nl)

Cultureel Jongeren Paspoort

"CJP (Cultureel Jongeren Paspoort) offers everyone under 30 great discounts at more than 1.500 places in the Netherlands. Get your discount on cd's, at museums, movie theatres, musicals..." and also at The American Book Center. (www.cjp.nl)

European Youth Card

"The European Youth Card is packed with discounts on culture, accommodation, travel, shopping and more. Discover Europe, get useful info and participate in projects. The European Youth Card - it takes you places!" - the CJP is part of this association. (www.eyca.org)

Ooievaarspas - The Hague

Ooievaarspas is an initiative of the city council of The Hague. It gives the holder discounts on various courses, sport and cultural activities. (ooievaarspas.nl)

Stadspas - Amsterdam

Stadspas is an initiative of the city council of Amsterdam. It aims to make culture, sport and recreational events accessible to those groups who run the risk of social and cultural isolation. (www.amsterdam.nl/stadspas)

Students

We give discount to high-school and higher education students who can show a valid school id, enrollment papers or have access to an education facility app. Show us your Student ID card (not your 'OV' card) and you'll get the discount.

Westfield Club - Westfield Mall of the Netherlands

Join the Westfield Club on offer at the Westfield Mall of the Netherlands.

Large Quantity Deals

Ordering large quantities (10+ copies of a single title or more than 20+ copies of multiple titles), entitles you to a discount. This also applies to books printed in store on our Espresso Book Machine.

The Discount:

Making an order:

Large Quantity orders can only be made via email to our Special Order department. info@abc.nl

Your Account - all the info

Creating a new account

You can create an account with a password during the checkout process.
If you choose not to add a password, your account is still available for in store special orders.

Add a password to an in-store account

To activate an in-store account for web orders, enter the email address used for registration of your Booklover Card or special order.

Follow the steps for a "Forgot Password" as described below.

Lost/New Password

Request a password reset link via the login form.

• LOGIN
• Click on the "Forgot password?" link under the green Login button.
• Then fill in the email (or username) that is associated with your account.


• You will receive an email at the address registered in your account with the reset link.
  Note: if your email doesn't arrive please check the 'junk email' folder or add abc.nl to the 'safe senders' list.


• Click on the Reset your password button (or paste the link provided into your browser) to return to abc.nl


• Enter a new password.
• You should be logged in automatically.

Download detailed instructions here

Please note: you can change your email address via your profile after logging in.

Your Profile - contact information

Once logged in, you can change and view your contact information via "MY PROFILE" under MY ABC

Changing your email address here will also change the login address for your account. The password will remain the same.

The address in your profile is your personal shipping address.

If you'd like to send your purchases to a different address, you can add that during the checkout process.

If applicable, it includes your ABC Discount status and ABC Teacher Discount application info.

Order History

You are able to view your orders via "MY ORDERS" under MY ABC

You will see web orders and special orders in separate sections. This includes the items ordered and the status.

Special orders are made when a web order is not in stock, or when orders are made via telephone, email or in-store.

Closing your account

Please send an email to info@abc.nl with the request to close your account.

The account linked to the email you've sent it from, will be removed.

Creating an account

You can create an account with a password during the checkout process.
If you choose not to add a password, your account is still available for in store special orders.

Lost/New Password

To activate an in-store account for web orders, enter the email address used for registration of your Booklover Card or special order.

Request a password reset link via the login form.

• Click on LOGIN
• Click on the "Forgot password?" link under the green Login button.
• Then fill in the email (or username) that is associated with your account.


• You will receive an email at the address registered in your account with the reset link.
  Note: if your email doesn't arrive please check the 'junk email' folder or add abc.nl to the 'safe senders' list.


• Click on the Reset your password button (or paste the link provided into your browser) to return to abc.nl


• Enter a new password.
• You should be logged in automatically.

Download detailed instructions here

Please note: you can change your email address via your profile after logging in.

Your Profile & Order History

Your Profile - contact information

Once logged in, you can change and view your contact information via "MY PROFILE" under MY ABC

Changing your email address here will also change the login address for your account. The password will remain the same.

The address in your profile is your personal shipping address.

If you'd like to send your purchases to a different address, you can add that during the checkout process.

If applicable, it includes your ABC Discount status and ABC Teacher Discount application info.

Order History

You are able to view your orders via "MY ORDERS" under MY ABC

You will see web orders and special orders in separate sections. This includes the items ordered and the status.

Special orders are made when a web order is not in stock, or when orders are made via telephone, email or in-store.

Closing your account

Please send an email to info@abc.nl with the request to close your account.

The account linked to the email you've sent it from, will be removed.

ABC's Privacy Policy

We have created this statement to demonstrate our commitment to your privacy, to explain how we collect information, and how we use the information we collect about our website users. If you have any questions about this privacy statement, please contact us at info@abc.nl.

We use your information only as described in this Policy and will not sell, rent, or share your information with others for marketing purposes without your consent.

This statement is subject to change at any time. The way we use your information will be governed by the privacy statement that is current when that information is collected. Please check this page regularly for updates.

Cookies

What Are Cookies? Our website abc.nl places small text files called cookies onto your computer, tablet, or mobile device. This is standard practice for almost all websites. Cookies are not harmful to your computer and are an essential part of online shopping. They allow us to provide you with a more efficient customer experience.

We use our own cookies for technical purposes essential to the effective operation of abc.nl, particularly in relation to online transactions. As we use a payment service provider (pay.nl), all data traffic concerning payments will be securely processed outside abc.nl on the website of the bank of your choice.

In addition to our own cookies, ABC allows a third-party cookie set by Google to use Google Analytics. This cookie does not collect personal data, is anonymized, and thus cannot identify you as an individual customer. Using Google Analytics enables abc.nl to collect anonymous information about the browsing and shopping activities of our customers solely for internal analysis.

To enrich our website content, we may sometimes embed video content from social media websites such as YouTube or Facebook. As a result, when you visit a page with embedded content, you may receive cookies from these websites. We have no control over or liability for the setting of these cookies, so you should check the relevant third party's cookie policy for more information.

We also offer a "share page" widget on some of our web pages, allowing content to be easily shared on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+. These sites may set a cookie when you are logged into their service. The American Book Center has no control or liability over these cookies, so you should check the relevant third party's cookie policy for more information.

If cookies aren't enabled in your web browser, your shopping experience on abc.nl will be limited to browsing and researching; you won't be able to add products to your basket and buy them. For more information about cookies in general and how to manage them, visit allaboutcookies.org.

Ordering

When you place an order on abc.nl or in one of our stores, the information needed to complete it is transferred securely from our website or intranet to our order system. This information may include your first name, last name, email address, telephone number, address, postcode, and city, allowing us to fulfill your order and notify you of its status. During the ordering process, none of this information will be passed on to any third-party service providers (wholesalers, shippers, payment service providers, etc.). For our mail orders, we use post.nl as the shipper. For mailing registered parcels via post.nl, it is necessary to register the name and address of the receiver in post.nl's web-based software.

Email Communications

The American Book Center has always sent its mailings to email addresses provided to us on an opt-in basis and will continue to do so. If you wish to stop receiving some or all of our communications, you can amend or remove your preferences by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails and following the instructions provided.

Removal of personal data

If you wish to have your personal information removed from our database, please contact us at info@abc.nl. Upon request, The American Book Center will anonymize or remove any content you have posted to our website from public view.

Children

The American Book Center's website is not intended for use by children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect or store any personal information from children under the age of 13. We encourage parents and guardians to spend time with their children online and to be fully familiar with the online services used by their children. If a parent or guardian becomes aware that their child under 13 has provided us with information without their consent, they should contact us at info@abc.nl. We will delete such information from our files as soon as possible.

last updated: May 15, 2018

Stock status

Our website includes all the books available to us from our distributors, but unfortunately we don't have the space to stock everything.

Our buyers keep up with trends, long-term favorites and important basic titles to stock their sections.

For a real time stock check, please call us:

Hard-to-find Books

The availability of a book - title or edition - changes with time. If it is no longer in print you may not find it on our website. Some books disappear from one month to the next. However, our staff may be able to track these books down.

"Second-hand" or "Hard-To-Find" Book Service

If you cannot find the book on our site, email us at info@abc.nl.

Supply as much information about the book as you can, especially title and author, and if you have an ISBN that is helpful too.

The quality of these books ranges from "brand new" to "scuffed" and they are priced accordingly by our supplier.
For these books you may have to pay a deposit as they are often difficult to return or too specific to sell in the store.

Ordering Books

Regular Orders

• Most orders can be made via this website. You will have to make an account, and can pay via iDEAL or credit card. If the book is available you will be able to add it to the shopping cart via the detailed book page. For more info on the order process, see the Checkout Process.
• You are welcome to call or email us to help you find the books you need.
  Amsterdam 020 625 5537 info@abc.nl
  The Hague 070 364 2742 dh@abc.nl

Large Quantity or School Orders

• Large quantity orders can only be made via email to info@abc.nl
• General School or Library orders can be sent via email to info@abc.nl
• 1-2-3 School Book Packs can only be made via email to schools@abc.nl

Checkout Process

Payment Options

Payment is required for all orders containing eBooks.

Payment provider pay.nl
All our transactions are processed through this payment provider. This service is kept up to international safety standards and ensures that your financial details are handled securely.

Credit Card (AMEX, Visa, Master Card) are handled via PayPal. You do not need to have a PayPal account.

Bank transfer made through your bank login via iDEAL.

Please Note: we cannot accept gift certificates for online payments. They are only redeemable in our stores.

Your ABC Discount

Your 10% ABC Booklover, ABC Gold Card or ABC Teacher Discount will be automatically processed if linked to your web account.

If your ABC Booklover Card card has expired, you will be able to renew it during the checkout process.

The ABC Teacher Discount is only available after your application has been approved.

Shipping - via Postal Service

Shipping Costs and info

We offer free shipping to addresses within the Netherlands for all orders above € 25.

The Netherlands

We charge standard rates within The Netherlands.

Other Countries

We charge estimated shipping costs during the checkout process and amend these later so that you only pay the actual shipping costs. Our Special Order staff will let you know what the actual costs are once they are known.

view the complete country list

For the exact shipping costs, please inquire via: 020 625 5537 or info@abc.nl

Same day delivery - by Courier

When tomorrow just won't do, we can generally get the book to you by the end of the afternoon.

Give us a call to check if the title you want is in stock and we will let you know what your options for same day delivery are and what the costs would be depending on speed, location and volume.

Payment happens fast and easy by iDeal, PayPal (credit card), through a link we send to your e-mail address.

If you live in or near the center of Amsterdam or Den Haag, we can send an environmentally friendly bike courier your way.

If you live further away, we can arrange a less-green-but-still-fast-courier-by-car.

For the exact courier costs, please inquire via:
020 625 5537
info@abc.nl

Shipping Countries

Collecting your order

Once an order is ready for collection you will receive an email or phone call. The orders are kept in the store of your choice (made during the order) for 3 weeks. During the summer, the period is lengthened to 4 weeks.

If you are unable to collect it within the time limit, please let us know.

You contact the relevant store via phone or email. (Email: via reply to the "collection notification" email or via a new email with the order details.)

Amsterdam

020 625 5537 info@abc.nl

You can collect your books from the counter on the second floor, in the White Room.
You can collect your magazines from the Ground Floor.

The Hague

070 364 2742 dh@abc.nl

You can collect your books and magazines from the counter at the back of the store.

Leidschendam

070 737 0464 ld@abc.nl

You can collect your books and magazines from the counter.

Order Processing

Whether inquiring at a desk, via phone, email or ordering online, staff at the appropriate department will check for availability in the store.

If the book is in stock, you will receive it as soon as possible, or be notified that it is waiting for you at the Special Order Desk at the store of your choice.

If it is not in stock we will order it from one of our suppliers.
The arrival time (in the store) depends on availability and generally ranges from 7 to 10 days. If available at a local supplier, delivery is much faster.

If the book you are looking for is (or becomes) unavailable - out of print, in reprint or sold out - you will be contacted. We also have a "second-hand" or "hard-to-find" book service.

Change or Cancel an order

You can do so by contacting the Special Order department.

Please refer to the order number on your confirmation email, or give as many details as possible of the book(s) in your order.

020 625 5537
info@abc.nl

Returns Policy

Books, if in perfect condition and with the receipt, may be returned within 8 days of purchase in exchange for a credit note. We do not give cash refunds.

Magazines, special orders, used books, calendars and cards are non-returnable. Games, audiocassettes and dvd's are also non-returnable if not in their original seal.

eBooks are non-returnable. Unless there is a problem with the file itself and this has been verified by us with our distributor.

If you received the book by mail, please contact the Special Order department for instructions. Please note that, without their approval, returns will not be accepted.

020 625 5537
info@abc.nl

Sell Your Books on Consignment

This is a service for local self‑published authors who would like to sell their books via ABC.

• Complete the "Option for Consignment" form. (download as .doc or .pdf)
• Include all your contact information and as much product information as you have.
• Bring a sample copy of your book and the "Option for Consignment" form to either store and leave it with/for the buyer of the section for review.
• The buyer will take a look at it and decide whether to add it to their selection.


• If accepted, ABC will keep the sample copy for display and administration purposes.
• The sample will not be remitted.
• ABC will make a consignment contract with you for 3-5 copies. (download example contract .pdf)


• The contract runs for 90 days and you receive 65% of the net price per copy sold.
• ABC will add the book to the product database, display it in the appropriate section and recommend it on the site.


• At the end of the consignment period, you will receive payment for the books sold.
• The buyer will decide whether to renew the contract depending on its sales.
• You are responsible for the delivery and return costs.

If sales are very good, ABC may buy copies instead selling on consignment.

School and Library Discount

Whether you have a list of titles or prefer to select them directly from our shelves, the Special Order Department will help you to fulfill your order.

These orders automatically get a 10% discount.

Send your order or inquiry to info@abc.nl

Self‑Publishing Pricing

Price Per Book (80g paper)

• 40 to 179 pages: € 5.00 + 6 cents per page
• 180 to 200 pages: € 15.74
• above 200 pages: € 15.74 + 6 cents per page above 200 pages

Price Per Book (120g paper)

• 40 to 179 pages: € 5.00 + 10 cents per page
• 180 to 200 pages: € 22.90
• above 200 pages: € 22.90 + 10 cents per page above 200 pages

Upload & Handling Fee

• Your files are uploaded to Betty the Book Machine.
• € 35 * for the first file upload plus 2 revisions (does not include sample copy)

Extra

• € 40 * ISBN supplied by ABC (AnyBook Press) and upload onto our website
• € 10 - 35 * for minor formatting adjustments (time permitting, please ask in advance)
• € 35 * all cover work

International Sales

• Your book will be uploaded to the EBM International Network
• Requires a Basic upload first (see above)
• € 12.50 * handling (for initial upload & per update)

Please Note:

• Prerequisite: Both files are supplied print ready.
• To sell via ABC, an ISBN is required.

* discounts do not apply for these elements

Books for Your Interior Design

The American Book Center offers the following services to hotels, cafes and any other business planning to decorate its spaces with books:

• English language books for interior decoration, be it hardcover, softcover, coffee table books, etc - from small to very large quantities.
• the right selection for your location, chosen by knowledgeable booksellers, whatever the topic might be: travel, fashion, photography, general literature, business etc.
• a discount (15-25%) for all big quantity orders, starting from only 10 copies

Interested? Please contact us via marketing@abc.nl and let us know how we can support your design plans.

Sponsorship Requests

The American Book Center (ABC) is committed to partnering with organizations or individuals that stimulate reading, writing and the arts. However, before you send us your request, we ask that you read our Sponsorship Policy

Them, please contact us via sponsor@abc.nl with your complete proposal.