Owls Books Sent the wrong book, poor customer service, won't issue refund, ripped off of over $170 ToledoOhio

Owls Books is an online warehouse specializing in re-selling used books.  They listed a rare children's book through their Amazon.com storefront for $170.66 (plus shipping of $6.99, which then came to $177.65).  I ordered the book, but instead received a mass-market paperback that was worth less than $1.  They asked me to repackage the book and mail it back, which cost me another $5.85 (mailed on July 31).  At this point, I received replies to my email but they were standard, pre-formatted form letters, not personal replies. 

According to the USPS tracking information, the book was delivered to Owls Books on August 2.  On August 5, I still had not received a reply from Owls or a refund through their Amazon store.  I sent another email, to which I finally received a personal reply, but it was very defensive, saying "...please keep in mind all of our returns go to the post office.  We will pick them up tonight, and have your refund processed no later than tomorrow."  (Seriously, you only pick up your mail every three days?  And you only have a PO Box... Sketchy...)

It is now three days later, August 8.  Each day I have emailed to find out why I haven't been notified or received my refund but now they won't even reply to my emails.

I have now spent $183.50 and literally spent hours and an indescribable amount of frustration on a company that is clearly inept at properly inventory, customer service, and ethical business practices.

I think the most frustrating aspect of this situation is that I emailed the company BEFORE I ordered the book to confirm that it was indeed the correct one and they assured me that the purchase was "guaranteed," whatever that means.  They're too lazy to go and check and confirm that the rare book worth nearly $200 is actually on the shelp but not too lazy to swipe my credit card.

While $183 and one dissatisfied customer may not mean much to Owls Books, it's important that others know about this situation and do not purchase books from them.