Report Abuse

“I wouldn't bother with Waterstones unless you are sure...”

Written on: 05/08/2009

I wouldn't bother with Waterstones unless you are sure the book is in stock. I ordered a book on the 20th May hoping to receive it in time for my wife's birthday on the 8th June. Admittedly, the entry did say "Usually despatched within 7-10 days" but that should still have been fine. Needless to say nothing arrive. I was patient but eventually contacted them two months later. I got a feeble response saying that they were contacting the publishers, who would let me know via e-mail when it was due to arrive (incidentally the despatch time on the website still said 7-10 days). Needless to say I still heard nothing. A further 3 weeks went by (27th July now) before I contacted them again at which point they said that they automatically cancelled any orders over 60 days old and promptly did so (the website still says delivery within 7-10 days!). In fact this is was a blessing in disguise, as I then went through Abebooks, using Brown Books of Hull. Ordered on 31st July, book arrived on the 5th August - very prompt and efficient. I won't be using Waterstones again because it is basically a big store that does not care. It presumably lives off its name and does not worry about losing custom.