BOOKS etc. Arvostelua 

Delivery was sooner than expected

I had waited too long to order a bird book for an upcoming bird watching trip. I didn't realize it was coming from Europe. The expected range of delivery gave the possibility that it might come too late.
I was holding my breath and hoping. The book arrived quickly, in plenty of time to pack. Thank you

I ordered a book from Books Etc. because I found it at this shop and the big A. Thinking that it'd be good to support smaller businesses and not needing the book urgently, I decided to purchase it from Books Etc. They give a delivery window of 2-3 days. The 2-3 days came and went and still being patient, I waited a while longer. Nothing. The status did not move from "Processing." Yesterday, I finally decided to get in touch with customer service via the email address on their website and asked for an update on my order. No reply but suddenly my book is down as shipped. This is not a coincidence after so many days so don't try to convince me otherwise. I read recent reviews of Books Etc and put them down to the Christmas period and the Royal Mail but I am starting to think that Books Etc are just not up to date with their orders, or how they process their orders. Either way, I am fairly disappointed and won't order from there again.

For the time being I am giving this experience one star. Happy to review and possibly increase the rating depending on how long it takes for the book to actually arrive on my doorstep, and the quality of the book.

EDIT: Customer service got in touch and my book is shipped, however, the shipping number is for the delivery group and not Royal Mail, which isn't really helpful to me. I have not received the book yet (3 days since shipment). Update to follow.

Also, provided further info to the company as per request.

Ist time buyer purchased 13th December attracted by competitive price but heard nothing for 16 days. Rather pay more and get it within a few days.
Rang them & they are 'resending' so fingers crossed. Received by 1st class after several weeks after 1st order. Maybe it was a combination of circumstances in and around Xmas

I have been using Books etc for some years now and found them to be very
Customer friendly good service and there books a reasonable price .always let you when your order as been dispatched.

I can't recommend enough!
Usually I'm afraid to buy this big comic books 1000 pages+. When I receive them from other sites the usual is the book in put in a box, or envelope with no padding at all, bumping all the way to me. Yo can guess the outcom: the book arrive ruined.
Well, here in books-etc; they do things properly. The book was packed with extra care and arrived perfectly.
I couldn't be more happy!
I want to thank them and be assure: I will be buying from the again.
Thank you!

Second time in a row that they “have had an unexpected problem in [their] warehouse with [my] item and have been awaiting further supplies”. And their support is useless and unreliable:

- They don’t inform you that there is a problem with your order unless you contact them first to ask about the status weeks later.

- They cancel your order without consultation and consent, and send a refund, but do not compensate for the high conversion and credit card costs. This in itself I can accept, but not if the fault lies repeatedly with them.

- When they ask you what to do with the rest of the order and you tell them to cancel it, they just send it anyway. That too goes wrong! Or maybe they just appreciate the money more than their customers?

- When you contact support again and again, you get an apology in every reply, but never a solution.

Avoid this company. They cost you time, and money and only give you more frustration. They were my favorite shop a few years ago, but after multiple bad experiences with my last orders, I am now completely done with them.

Shame!

Books Etc has long been my secret weapon for finding books at low prices while avoiding Amazon. I've always been happy with every aspect of their service (aside from their dated website and bizarre policy of asking customers to manually mark their orders as 'received') until my last two orders which, likely due to their size/weight, have been sent via Yodel.

Firstly, Books Etc don't tell you your order has been sent via Yodel, and don't supply you with the tracking number unless you email them to ask for it (or, I've since found, you use the new version of their website which is currently in beta). They also don't supply Yodel with your contact details, so you don't receive tracking updates - you have to check the Yodel website yourself.

Yodel, like other couriers, seems to vary depending on where you live. Some drivers are better than others. Where I live, they are terrible. An order I placed with Books Etc a couple of weeks ago was left in the entryway of my building, with no effort to bring it up the two flights of stairs to my actual address. Annoying. For my most recent order, the tracking was updated to say it had been delivered to a "safe place." After some investigating, it turned out that this "safe place" was literally outside my building, on the street.

I am so disappointed that Books Etc have chosen to trust Yodel with their deliveries, as it means I will be avoiding them in future unless I am ordering only single paperbacks, which surely would be sent via Royal Mail.

I contacted Books Etc with my complaint, and received a very brief template response. They don't seem bothered.

My book arrived exactly a week after I placed the order. It was securely packed and arrived in pristine condition. It was also £4 cheaper than another online bookstore where it was listed so I'm happy!

Great price (even cheaper than you know who), although I’d happily pay more for an independent business, well packaged, speedily delivered.
Great book seller, recommended.

The book I ordered was well packaged and I was very pleased with the price. Dispatch and delivery was within the estimate given.

Ordered a book "Giorgetto & Fabrizio Giugiaro Masterpieces" hardback on Saturday 16th September from Books etc via Amazon. Book was despatched on the 19th September and has just been delivered today 26th September with Yodel. It was within estimated time. The book arrived well packed in hard cardboard folder like so it arrived pristine and no dents.
Very pleased with my purchase.
Order #260-0786149-7329940

I was amazed that the books arrived from England to Canada so quickly, 9 days fom when I ordered them. They were well packed using paper and cardboard and no plastic. Excellent service from Books etc
Many thanks. Pat

Excellent book when finally delivered . Ordered on the 28th august 2023 and delivered on the 9th September 2023 . I’d given up it was ever going to be delivered but Jessica gray at BOOKSect assured me it was on the way and said it had been dispatched on the 31st august 2023 . EBay tracking coming up as dispatched on the 1st September 2023 and yodel has it down as still with the Sender and Royal Mail has nothing on it to date . I’d already had 2 other orders of eBay fail to arrive after being mislaid by Royal Mail apparently who are getting good at that . 2 orders mislaid / lost 😉 , and a mixed delivery by royal mail and yodel for a book from BOOKSect and to date yodel are still waiting for the book from the sender even though Royal Mail delivered my book on Saturday morning on the 9th September 2023 . Original delivery date was estimated for the 2nd to the 5th September 2023 . On the receipt inside from BOOKSect the dispatch date is down as the 30th august 2023 . I don’t know if the book was held back by BOOKSect or Royal Mail had a quick read of the book first as they like repackaging my parcels and pushing my letters aside and loosing my bank statements and waiting for you to give up on letters collected by the postman and sent first class signed for , and only after a claim the postman comes to your front door and tells you that letter is at Chester . No return offered for a fee because someone else in the little stalkers and trolls cult and circle they have going on where I live in dinas , Caernarfon obviously had they eyes set on it , and they got it no matter the cost .

Great prices for comic book hardcover collections and great packaging.
Never had a problem with them. Cant recommend this store enough.

Received a damaged book. I sent photos of the damage, organised refund via email, and we agreed on email that I would purchase a second copy with booksetc once refund came through. today I went to purchase the new copy to find that petty Booksetc do not accept payment from me anymore. What a horrible company - blocking customers they send faulty good to. AVOID

The book they shipped was in excellent condition. They delicately protected it. It was a wonderful experience

Professional package, professional delivery, professional support!!!
I'll buy again!!

The efficiency of this book store is unmatched—I was thrilled to find the latest book I had been pining for, swiftly delivered to my doorstep, allowing me to indulge in its captivating narrative without hesitation.

The product was two days late but when it came, it was in perfect condition and well wrapped up.