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Book Depository rant (again...)
- LoveHistory
- Bibliomaniac
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- Joined: September 2008
- Location: Wisconsin, USA
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- Bibliophile
- Posts: 1667
- Joined: April 2009
- Location: New York
EC, thanks for posting!
It does help to explain, I suppose, although I still have to question why, if they state a price, they don't later honor it for those who commit to buy at that price? If they can't be sure of honoring that price, then just list it at the full retail, and give the client the benefit of any later discount.
I view an advertised price (unless the vendor says -- book may not be available at this price depending on prices changes, quantities supplied etc.) to be a commitment on the part of the vendor. If they can't be sure of delivering at that price, they have no business extending the offer in the first place. And if they do, then they should stand by it. It might teach them to run their business more efficiently...
A good deal isn't a good deal if the other guy doesn't abide by it. And a 18% "non abide" rate just doesn't cut it, IMO....
On a separate note, yes, I've never had more than a single book per package. the big plus about BD, is that that do mail their books in waterproof packaging. I am getting a bigger bee in my bonnet about that subject after ending up with damaged books, esp from PBS. (why anyone thinks that simply wrapping a book in a sheet of paper from your printer is adequate protection for the mail service bemuses me... there are plenty of other green options, like reusing bags or old envelopes, etc.
It does help to explain, I suppose, although I still have to question why, if they state a price, they don't later honor it for those who commit to buy at that price? If they can't be sure of honoring that price, then just list it at the full retail, and give the client the benefit of any later discount.
I view an advertised price (unless the vendor says -- book may not be available at this price depending on prices changes, quantities supplied etc.) to be a commitment on the part of the vendor. If they can't be sure of delivering at that price, they have no business extending the offer in the first place. And if they do, then they should stand by it. It might teach them to run their business more efficiently...
A good deal isn't a good deal if the other guy doesn't abide by it. And a 18% "non abide" rate just doesn't cut it, IMO....
On a separate note, yes, I've never had more than a single book per package. the big plus about BD, is that that do mail their books in waterproof packaging. I am getting a bigger bee in my bonnet about that subject after ending up with damaged books, esp from PBS. (why anyone thinks that simply wrapping a book in a sheet of paper from your printer is adequate protection for the mail service bemuses me... there are plenty of other green options, like reusing bags or old envelopes, etc.
Thank you for the shout out EC.
However, as much as I really hate to keep going on the matter, his reasons just do not actually fly in the face of what is practiced.
By this I mean:
I placed an order containing several books. All with staggered release dates. All were pre-orders. Not a single book was "cancelled". However two still outstanding books still show the "waiting for publication" status and have since I placed my order back in the start of September. However if I were to go to the site and order the book right now, I could. At a higher price. Meanwhile they are sitting on my cash since September. Both books have been available for purchase for a matter of weeks now. A third book was offered up as paperback initially. On the day of release, it became "sold out" because BD had listed a trade paperback (with the same cover image) even though that paperback was never even issued according to the publisher. No cancel on BD's part for that book. Despite having had my cash since September and despite the fact that their own inventory now shows that book as simply not existing.
I have kept the order "open" because I have received other books that said they were "Sold out". But it was always in a matter of days. Also, as I stated, they are books that I might not buy otherwise at the alternative price if I 'give up'.
More importantly, when I made a query about the non-existant book and refund I was told as it still has pending books on the order I would have to cancel the whole order and then re-do the order with the outstanding books on it. Did I mention that those outstanding books not yet released no longer offer the deep discount that I got when I pre-ordered? In fact two are at full price.
So I sit and simmer and come close, but not yet, to the point of no return that Chatterbox has reached. Yes I am a full blown book slut.
Let me end by saying in no way am I throwing this back at you EC. In no way shape or form do I want you to think your efforts were unappreciated or that any of this vitriol even remotely involves you. Not killing the messenger!
But Keiron's answer does not explain why his company takes money upfront, has the product in inventory according to his sites and still does not deliver. Or flat out refund a book that his own computer system has flagged as not actually existing (simple accounting programs let such flags pop up on any outstanding order -- something they obviously have if they can cancel Chatterbox's order). They have inventory tracking. If they can run an interface that lets your cart update instantly and let you 'watch others shop', they easily have the capability to charge at time of availablity as well. I simply cannot shake the sense that BD figures enough will have a good experience and not notice the shell game that seems to be going on. Heck. I see it and still cannot resist the prices, so what does that say about me.
It also makes me wonder about the whole "supplier's discount" excuse/reason. When all along BD has claimed that they discount according to keeping below the amazon.uk price along with calculated shipping. And that was not a calculated percentage but simply a follow-me approach as amazon.uk on some popular books jumps back and forth on the discount they offered.
But in particular:
Another good thing about all this is it seems to be getting a response from BD that personal complaints just don't seem to be getting.
However, as much as I really hate to keep going on the matter, his reasons just do not actually fly in the face of what is practiced.
By this I mean:
I placed an order containing several books. All with staggered release dates. All were pre-orders. Not a single book was "cancelled". However two still outstanding books still show the "waiting for publication" status and have since I placed my order back in the start of September. However if I were to go to the site and order the book right now, I could. At a higher price. Meanwhile they are sitting on my cash since September. Both books have been available for purchase for a matter of weeks now. A third book was offered up as paperback initially. On the day of release, it became "sold out" because BD had listed a trade paperback (with the same cover image) even though that paperback was never even issued according to the publisher. No cancel on BD's part for that book. Despite having had my cash since September and despite the fact that their own inventory now shows that book as simply not existing.
I have kept the order "open" because I have received other books that said they were "Sold out". But it was always in a matter of days. Also, as I stated, they are books that I might not buy otherwise at the alternative price if I 'give up'.
More importantly, when I made a query about the non-existant book and refund I was told as it still has pending books on the order I would have to cancel the whole order and then re-do the order with the outstanding books on it. Did I mention that those outstanding books not yet released no longer offer the deep discount that I got when I pre-ordered? In fact two are at full price.
So I sit and simmer and come close, but not yet, to the point of no return that Chatterbox has reached. Yes I am a full blown book slut.
Let me end by saying in no way am I throwing this back at you EC. In no way shape or form do I want you to think your efforts were unappreciated or that any of this vitriol even remotely involves you. Not killing the messenger!
But Keiron's answer does not explain why his company takes money upfront, has the product in inventory according to his sites and still does not deliver. Or flat out refund a book that his own computer system has flagged as not actually existing (simple accounting programs let such flags pop up on any outstanding order -- something they obviously have if they can cancel Chatterbox's order). They have inventory tracking. If they can run an interface that lets your cart update instantly and let you 'watch others shop', they easily have the capability to charge at time of availablity as well. I simply cannot shake the sense that BD figures enough will have a good experience and not notice the shell game that seems to be going on. Heck. I see it and still cannot resist the prices, so what does that say about me.
It also makes me wonder about the whole "supplier's discount" excuse/reason. When all along BD has claimed that they discount according to keeping below the amazon.uk price along with calculated shipping. And that was not a calculated percentage but simply a follow-me approach as amazon.uk on some popular books jumps back and forth on the discount they offered.
But in particular:
This still ignores the blatant fact that on several books I did receive in the large pre-order, half (at least six, I ordered about twenty books total) were listed as sold out or unavailable the day of listed release and yet they did ship in about a week at most later. So even in the silver lining in their practices BD's story is just not matching the actual practices.The website seeing the books as available then chose a market price sometimes which would be higher, sometimes lower than the pre-order price in question. This was certainly not intended to be a bait and switch situation.
Another good thing about all this is it seems to be getting a response from BD that personal complaints just don't seem to be getting.
I must be lucky-- I've never had a bad experience yet with BD. I do agree that shipping notification would be good (it's pretty standard elsewhere), though you can go to your account and check on an order's status. My only beef with them is that they charge immediately for pre-orders- most online booksellers don't charge you until they actually have the book in hand. I have noticed that you need to be very quick on ordering new releases to get a discounted price, and wonder if they only hold limited supplies of new stock.
At this stage I'll stick with them, as I don't have the option of getting free shipping via Amazon.
At this stage I'll stick with them, as I don't have the option of getting free shipping via Amazon.
- boswellbaxter
- Bibliomaniac
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I've been happy with them so far. I especially like the fact that they accept PayPal--Amazon UK and other UK sellers won't accept my US debit card.
Susan Higginbotham
Coming in October: The Woodvilles
http://www.susanhigginbotham.com/
http://www.susanhigginbotham.com/blog/
Coming in October: The Woodvilles
http://www.susanhigginbotham.com/
http://www.susanhigginbotham.com/blog/
- SonjaMarie
- Bibliomaniac
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May I suggest http://www.deepdiscount.com/ it has free shipping on all it's orders and I've had only one cancellation because of a problem and had to reorder it but it was not that bad.
SM
SM
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- diamondlil
- Bibliomaniac
- Posts: 2642
- Joined: August 2008
[quote=""annis""]I must be lucky-- I've never had a bad experience yet with BD. I do agree that shipping notification would be good (it's pretty standard elsewhere), though you can go to your account and check on an order's status. My only beef with them is that they charge immediately for pre-orders- most online booksellers don't charge you until they actually have the book in hand. I have noticed that you need to be very quick on ordering new releases to get a discounted price, and wonder if they only hold limited supplies of new stock.
At this stage I'll stick with them, as I don't have the option of getting free shipping via Amazon.[/quote]
I am the same as you Annis. Luckily never had an issue. Hope that it continues because I have recommended them to many people here because of the much cheaper prices for UK books and free shipping.
At this stage I'll stick with them, as I don't have the option of getting free shipping via Amazon.[/quote]
I am the same as you Annis. Luckily never had an issue. Hope that it continues because I have recommended them to many people here because of the much cheaper prices for UK books and free shipping.
My Blog - Reading Adventures
All things Historical Fiction - Historical Tapestry
There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.
Edith Wharton
All things Historical Fiction - Historical Tapestry
There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.
Edith Wharton
[quote=""SonjaMarie""]May I suggest http://www.deepdiscount.com/ it has free shipping on all it's orders and I've had only one cancellation because of a problem and had to reorder it but it was not that bad.
SM[/quote]
I have bought from them too. They aren't free shipping to Australia....but reasonable shipping from the US is pretty good.
SM[/quote]
I have bought from them too. They aren't free shipping to Australia....but reasonable shipping from the US is pretty good.
- SonjaMarie
- Bibliomaniac
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Yes, sorry it's only free to the US.
SM
SM
The Lady Jane Grey Internet Museum
My Booksfree Queue
Original Join Date: Mar 2006
Previous Amount of Posts: 2,517
Books Read In 2014: 109 - June: 17 (May: 17)
Full List Here: http://www.historicalfictiononline.com/ ... p?p=114965
My Booksfree Queue
Original Join Date: Mar 2006
Previous Amount of Posts: 2,517
Books Read In 2014: 109 - June: 17 (May: 17)
Full List Here: http://www.historicalfictiononline.com/ ... p?p=114965
- Vanessa
- Bibliomaniac
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- Currently reading: The Farm at the Edge of the World by Sarah Vaughan
- Interest in HF: The first historical novel I read was Katherine by Anya Seton and this sparked off my interest in this genre.
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- Preferred HF: Any
- Location: North Yorkshire, UK
[quote=""boswellbaxter""]I've been happy with them so far. I especially like the fact that they accept PayPal--Amazon UK and other UK sellers won't accept my US debit card.[/quote]
Yes, I like the PayPal option, too - it's a very safe way to pay, I always think. More and more internet sites use this method nowadays, I'm finding
Yes, I like the PayPal option, too - it's a very safe way to pay, I always think. More and more internet sites use this method nowadays, I'm finding
currently reading: My Books on Goodreads
Books are mirrors, you only see in them what you already have inside you ~ The Shadow of the Wind
Books are mirrors, you only see in them what you already have inside you ~ The Shadow of the Wind