...
Books are divided by topic, and there is a big range, from humour, to cookery, travel, crime, Sci-fi, childrens' books (a separate section) and lots of novels, from A to Z. The travel section is a good one, selling maps, guidebooks, phrase books and so on and I have often bought a book ... Read review
Advantages: Good selection for a fairly small shop Disadvantages: not many of these bookshops around (only 36) -and 22 are in London!Nowhere to sit down.
...and the sheer number of books on the floor to ceiling shelves draws you in...
Close to the entrance are the latest releases- easier for people in a hurry to pop in and grab the latest novel and pop out again. The bookshop places little comment cards on the shelf beneath some of the books- giving tips- perhaps recommending the book and where you might read it, what type it is and so on. These are quite useful.
Books are divided ... ...cookery, travel, crime, Sci-fi, childrens' books (a separate section) and lots of novels, from A to Z. The travel section is a good one, selling maps, guidebooks, phrase books and so on and I have often bought a book about the next place I am about to visit from here. You can also get "self improvement" and business books here. MY latest was "how to work with people you hate"..it is a really good book, actually! There's a good ... more
This is a shop I never miss going into when I visit London, and I visit at least twice a month. Why do I never miss this bookshop? It's always got special offers on and mostly they appeal to me..I spend a fortune in here!
WHAT'S IT LIKE
All branches are a little bit different (but not much) and I'll focus on the one I visit the most just to give you a flavour. It's the one near Victoria rail station on Victoria Street.
When you walk in the feel of the shop grabs you. It's welcoming and the sheer number of books on the floor to ceiling shelves draws you in... Close to the entrance are the latest releases- easier for people in a hurry to pop in and grab the latest novel and pop out again. The bookshop places little comment cards on the shelf beneath some of the books- giving tips- perhaps recommending the book and where you might read it, what type it is and so on. These are quite useful.
Books are divided by topic, and there is a big range, from humour, to cookery, travel, crime, Sci-fi, childrens' books (a separate section) and lots of novels, from A to Z. The travel section is a good one, selling maps, guidebooks, phrase books and so on and I have often bought a book about the next place I am about to visit from here. You can also get "self improvement" and business books here. MY latest was "how to work with people you hate"..it is a really good book, actually! There's a good poetry section as well, something not found in shops outside the big chains, I've found.
Greetings cards are arranged on a turning carousel so if the book you're buying is a pressie, you can get the card as well!
There are also special offer tables, with money off or doing 3 for 2 offers.
The sales desk is good ..books are piled vertically around the front so that you sometimes want to buy one of them when you are in a queue to buy somethign else..what a good sales technique..not been bitten by that yet..but I did buy a fridge magnet from the till area..it really made me laugh, and made my day..HOUSEWORK IS EVIL -IT MUST BE ABOLISHED! So yes, I was well and truly mugged at the till, but I was happy to be so.
OFFERS AT THE MOMENT 3 for the price of 2 on a lot of the latest paper back books out now. For example- just a few on offer: Porno Irving Welsh This is your life John O'Farrell Man and Wife Tony Parsons I don't know how she does it Allison Pearson High Society Ben Elton Babes in the woods Ruth Rendell These are all £6.99, so for £14 you can get 3 books..not bad, I'd say!
OTHER COOL THINGS
You can get signed first editions at branches of Books etc..so if you want to buy something that will probably be worth more in a few years, invest in one. The site lists the ones that you can get, and I'm a bit cross becasue I've just bought one of them from somewhere else and I didn't know I could have had a signed fisrt edition !!Damn!
The one I bought was the Six Wives of Henry 8th by David Starkey. The price is £20, but if this is kept in pristine condition in a few years someone would want to buy it an pay more! That's how it works anyway. I do have some first edition Famous Fives..but none of them signed by Endi Blyton..wow- that would be something brilliant!
So what you do is look at the site and see if there's one you 'd like and contact the branch that is named as having it. It may have been sold but it's a chance you take! Must be worth a go!
BOOK SIGNINGS Just like other bookshops, they get famous people to come along and sign books. It's worth looking at the site to see if there's anyone you'd like to see, or perhaps get a book signed by them..
Just a few examples that you might want to go for.. Murray Walker-Wimbledon 26 July Brian Clough - Cheapside 29 July Phil Tuffnell- Canary Wharf 7 August George Best - Canary Wharf- end of August
WHAT DO I THINK COULD BE BETTER? There's nowhere to sit and read. I like to take the weight off my feet and sit and look at what I've bought, or read a newspaper that has been provided. I know these seats take up space but they do encourage people to come in - perhaps it means that they are not shopping , but I think they should be compulsory!
Not much else- the assistants are really nice and helpful , and smiley as well. I have said it before but I 'll say it again..I could LIVE in bookshops and never come out!
Try Books etc..you won't be sorry.
website booksetc.co.uk A list of branches is contained on this site and you'll see what I mean about most of them being in London!
Advantages: Nice atmosphere, good range of paper and hard back books Disadvantages: Only the cafe in which to sit down
...only. ~~ Books and so on ~~
What is there to buy? I was after a present for someone about my own age - female - and had thought of something on Madonna, but apparently nobody has bothered to write anything on her for ages. So I just browsed the modern art section (upstairs on the right), where they had some handy reference books for about £8-£9 with colour illustrations in paperback. The main fiction section is downstairs, and if you like modern ... ...- think Richard and Judy's BookClub on Channel 4 - you will probably love wandering around in here. The non-fiction section is mainly upstairs, it is strong on travel, arts, cookery, IT, finance, Reference adn so forth. If I need a book on a particular subject, this shop is usally more first port of call, as the staff are usually pretty knowledgeable and friendly. Most stores also usually have a terminal where you can search for a title yourself ...
aspebbles 10.07.2006
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Books etc (Shop)
...They have literally hundereds of books in stock, and will order any in print for you if, on the rare occassion they don't have the one you're after. Plus they have special offers every day with pounds off the most popular titles 2. The stores have excellent opening times - my local one is open until 9 or 10pm most nights which is handy if I don't get our of work till 6.30pm when most shops are shut 3. The layout of the stores is attractive and inviting. ... ...so there looking at guide books - I must have flicked througha dozen or so, and no one said a thing. Eventually I bought 2 and didn't even have to put the other back as a passing staff member said she'd do it. 4. They will deliver anywhere in the world, and local deliveries are free. 5. The staff and friendly and really do know their stuff. 6. They will gift wrap anything you buy in the store, and it won't cost you a penny Not convinced? Check out ...
zoe_page 21.08.2001
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Books etc (Shop)
Advantages: Nationwide chain Disadvantages: not enough of them
...at the till
preparing to hand over my hard earned cash. The staff were all polite, helpful and friendly not to mention as cute as humanly possible. I have been back several times since, if not for the books just to see that gorgeous sales guy again. ...
Moonbeamdelight 03.12.2002
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Books etc (Shop)
Advantages: comfortable surroundings Disadvantages: Only popular books
Books etc. is part of a chain- they also run Borders shops, which are identical in look and feel. That look and feel is comfortable and encourages browsing, but it only includes popular titles- although this is improving, from what I've seen. Both Borders and Books etc. offer little 'quirks' such as cards handwritten by staff on the bookshelf edges explaining why they recommend this title. It's an attempt to replicate the one-on-one service you'd ...
simonjp 02.02.2005
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Books etc (Shop)
Layout & presentation
Selection & range
Availability
In store customer service
Staff knowledge
Atmosphere
Similar reviews »
Reviews which might be of interest for "Books etc (Shop)"
Advantages: cheap, good quality, variety, something for everyone Disadvantages: none
I love shopping at Asda, as it is a shop with everything in one place. We have done virtually all our Christmas shopping here - food, alcohol, toys, CDs, books, etc.
We also bought lots of clothes for Christmas from Asda's George. It has a great variety of clothes for all ages and at a very reasonable price.
We bought a black silky scarf for my friend and a maroon velvet bag for my daughter, as well as undies, tops and party outfits.
The sections are clearly organised into schoolwear, boys, girls, babies, men and women.
There are always items on sale too, so you can usually buy something nice for only £5, which means you can afford to add that to the weekly shop.
The clothes are a very good quality too and have lots of trendy designs that my children love.
They last well too and wash well. Some of the things we have ...
Ikea is a Swedish discount furniture company offering a range of furniture and homewares.
Stores are large and usually out of town with lots of parking. They are open 7 days a week and have late night opening which is really convenient for people who work.
The range is good with kitchens, sofas, dining sets etc. Prices are generally a little cheaper than most high street stores which is why the shop is so popular.
The Ikea book is great to take away and get ideas. It also gives you a better idea of what you want to pick up instore. It can be daunting going into the shop not knowing what you want as it's so vast.
Ikea stores have restaurants but the food isnt particularly good. Choices are very limited and the dining area resembles a school hall. Its not somewhere I would eat again. After you have paid for your goods there ...
nigelcross 02.08.2009
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Ikea
Advantages: greats prices on books and stationary ! Disadvantages: none!
The works is a shop which sells books and stationary etc at low prices.
you will find the works in lots of different towns, including walsall and wolverhampton in the west midlands.
I,ve called it hobby heaven as the works doesn,t only sell books , but also sells other things too such as art materials, papers, paints,paint brushes etc.
There is a big selection of books , including , fiction, non fiction , cooking books, and auto biographies.
My children love it in here as they also sell toys, and do a good range of things for children to make , and different boxed sets such as baloon modelling , and card making .
They also do stationary sets for children with cartoon characters on for as little as 1.00 a set .
This is a good shop to take children in if they want to spend there pocket money etc , as the things are ...
textmad 10.04.2007
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Works
