Worldbooks > Reviews (45)

I first joined World Books about 5 years ago.

I love to read and was more than happy to receive 5 or so books for 1p each as a joining offer.

It worked well for me for a while and then I stared receiving titles I had not ordered (the editors choice). You do have to remember to turn this down if you do not want it, and it can be a real drag.

I order the designated amount of books as advised and cancelled my membership.

Then sometime later I joined again, the same thing started happening. I again cancelled the membership.

Now, call me stupid, but I have just joined again (if you leave a six month gap in between leaving and re-joining you can get you introductory books for pennies - good tip) and already I am having problems.

I had decided to try it a different way, ordering online. It is very easy once they have given you your log on and password details.

So off I went to order some books for my holiday.

I ordered one and then found it the same day, cheaper in a store, so got back onto the web site and tried to cancel this item. No chance. They said it had already been dispatched, which I do not beleive for a minute as I have been back from my holiday for 4 days now and the books still hasn`t arrived.

You must turn down the editors choice each month or they will sent it to you and then you either end up with a title/titles you don`t want or you have to muck around sending it back.

Even if you do not order for a few months they still send you out a little booklet with titles etc on it and you can also turn down the editors choice on there, but don`t forget to post it back to them.

Yes, they do have some very good offers, but I have found it to be quite a hassle and wish I had not bothered (again). Once I have ordered my set number of books this time, I will not be joining again (honest). I just can`t be dealing with it.

For those of you who want to have a look the details are as follows:

WORLD BOOKS
GUILD HOUSE
FARNSBY STREET
SWINDON X
SN99 9XX

Customer Care Line:

0870 1650230.

My last purchase (yet to be delivered) is:
The Devil you Know by Louise Bagshaw priced at £5.99, which I then found in a shop for £4.99.

And beware, I have had packages left on my doorstep in the past and these are not small packages either.
If you do order form them, point out that you do not want them left out side or on you doorstep, it is just asking for trouble.

~~~A quick update as of Saturday 16th August~~~
I have now contacted WB 6 times with queries (via e-mail) and the only responce I have had was one on 8th August saying that they could not cancel the book I ordered on 24th July as it had already been dispatched. It took them 11 days to answer that e-mail. That is the only time they have bothered answering. I have also tried many times to contact them by phone and have now spent a total waiting time of 1 hour and 25 minutes trying to speak with someone. I have not spoken to anyone as of this day (just recoreded voice messages saying the usual, we will answer your call shortly, please hold).

I have even informed them that I am returning all the books I have purchased from them and now wish to terminate the contract. Still no-one seems to give a toss. Frankly, I now rate WB as the most useless, unhelpful and ignorant company in the UK.

Maybe it`s time for a new review here on USELESS COMPANIES AND THEIR PRODUCTS.

If you do decide to join these, be prepared for a nightmare.

Fran19

UPDATE - 30.08.03

World Books have still to resolve the problems I have had with them, just further proving that they really are the worst company I have had the misfortune to come across.

My advice is still - STEER WELL CLEAR OF WB, OR YOU ARE VERY LIKELY TO HAVE MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THEM.

Further update as of: 20.09.03 - WB never did answer my e-mails, nor was I ever able to contact them by phone.

I am happy to take my quota of books and leave for good. To top this off, they sent me a bill with a £3.00 charge on it for a book I had returned to them by courier service. The book still sits on my table as a courier never arrived, nor contacted me to collect it. Great service eh?