Waterstones

Avoid like the plague

Ordered two books which were both listed as 'in stock' dispatch usually within 24hours. Got email to say book1 dispatched - took 10 days to arrive, damaged due to inadequate packaging (customer service not interested).No updates on book 2. I check my account some weeks later to find book 2 now 'availability unknown' and that they had dropped the price. Phone calls to customer care unanswered - phone just rings and rings (40 mins! no 'sorry for the delay your call is important you are 5th in the queue' type message). Email customer care - no answer. 5 emails later eventually get an answer 'we don't know when it will be in stock'. No mention at all of my question about would I get the book at the now cheaper price.

So I cancel the order. But it takes a further 6 email requests to get a refund!

Moral(s) of this tale - don't encourage relatives to buy you a Waterstones gift card
- don't shop at Waterstones.com as their website stock lists are very 'thin' to their competitors
- shop at a big internet site named after a very large South American river instead as they know about customer service, they have a massive stock list, their prices are considerably cheaper than Waterstones.com, they keep you upto date about your order, and you get your stuff quicker and better packaged.

I've ticked the 'inform Waterstones about my review' box underneath where I am typing. No point really as they will not be interested if my experiences are anything to go by.