BOOKS etc. Reviews 207

Purchased an item from books etc on ebay. It never arrived and they refused to refund me despite requests.
They then got ebay to remove my negative feedback (how many times have they done that I ask?). Have complained to ebay but I have lost my money for sure - don't do it!

95% of the book I buy are cheaper here than on any of the other book sites, including Amazon. I've found with Taschen art books in particular, the £50 ones seem to be about £30 and I got a huge £150 book for £75. Usually their range is not quite as wide as the other book sites, but sometimes they have things that other sites have run out of.
Another very good thing about them is that they package the books properly in cardboard and packing and the books arrive in perfect condition. I have found that Amazon and some other sites put the books in a flimsy envelope which allows the book to move and tends to rub away the corners in transit - obviously a cost-saving measure.
Other reviewers have complained about old-fashioned site design - really I don't care a bit about that. Searching is a bit slow - that's my only complaint.

Generally my first port of call for books, as they are usually the cheapest option.

Generally good

Had some delivery issues but sorted with them

Bought a book from them via their eBay site....10 days later no sign of it turning up. Contacted Books Etc who refunded my money as they were unable to simply replace the book as they had none in stock.

Looking at eBay reviews there seems to be an increasing pattern of non-deliveries. It sounds like they are selling stock that they don't have, and just refunding money when they realise it wasn't in stock in the first place.

Even more annoying - they "cancelled" the sale on eBay, which means I am unable to leave feedback. This probably means non-deliveries are more frequent than not and their eBay ratings are skewed because they don't give buyers a chance to reflect how a sale went.

My book arrived today.
Thank you for an excellent service.

David Storey
Newcastle upon Tyne

Cancelled an order by request several days after I ordered because it was a duplicate.
Really impressed with the customer service.

I have purchased a few books from Books etc. and have never been disappointed. I received my latest book today, a new book which was in perfect condition and bought at a great price. The delivery was within the specified time frame. I look forward to more books from them in the future.

The parcel arrived before the expected date!

I have used BOOKS etc for first time will use again. I ordered directly from their website, as I found price was cheaper than Amazon Market Place, book arrived within stated time (3-5 working days), and was very well packaged, double boxed.

Embarrassingly slow delivery for the 21st Century. Sadly this is not the Amazon replacement I was looking for. Back to Amazon.

Truly excellent online bookshop.

Prices are almost always significantly lower than any other retailer, including Amazon. In my experience (26 different books over 23 orders) books are typically 15-30% cheaper than with Amazon (and any other retailer).

They normally ship within 2-3 days (and the shipping time is clearly listed for each item). I have never had them fail to ship within the stated shipping timeframe. Less bulky items are sent via Royal Mail second class (and typically arrive in two days), while bulkier orders are shipped via Parcelforce and arrive next day (with the added benefit of being left at the local Post Office for collection, if you are out - much more convenient than having to go to the sorting office to collect with Royal Mail).

Having so far placed 23 orders with them, they have not once failed to ship within the stated timescale.

All books are packaged well.

I cannot fault them, and look forward to a long future buying from Booksetc.

Absolutely the best book shop, best prices, friendly and quick service, bought from them 3 times now and every single time the books has been delivered to me in Denmark within a week og shipment.

As others have mentioned, the delivery time is a bit on the slow side (eight days from placing the order to receiving the parcel on my recent purchase of four books), but they cannot be faulted on value for money or care taken with packaging.

Their prices often beat Amazon's, but the gain is lost with the awfully slow delivery. I'm at my third order and I just realize the wait was too long each time. Call me spoiled but I don't think shipping eight days after the order is acceptable in 2019. And after two weeks, I'm still waiting for the book, though I live in London, not some remote farm. What takes so long? Maybe it's the "etc" that keeps them distracted?

Unbeatable on price if you're prepared to wait a bit longer. I buy graphic novels through their website and always had them cheaper then elsewhere (amzn for example). Books come securely packaged as well. Imagine standard amzn box inside another paper cushioned box. Recommended.

I am very happy with the service. This is the first time I've ordered from Booksetc and would have no hesitation ordering again.
Good price, good condition/extremely well packaged and arrived within the delivery time given.

Excellent service and very pleased with Books excellent Photography

I ordered 3 books at start of January. I was told they were dispatched and would be with me in approx. 3 working days. After 10 days nothing had arrived. I chased. I was assured they'd been dispatched so were now presumed lost in the post. They said they'd mail a replacement order which would be with me in approx. 3 days. 8 days later nothing has arrived. I've requested a full refund and will go elsewhere for these books. Hugely disappointed.

I hate leaving bad reviews but I also dislike poor customer service, and Booksetc need to rethink what they consider to be an acceptable standard.
Sorry Booksetc, I'm going back to Amazon.