The Book People (Book People, the)

Member Name: AJ26

Product:	Book People, the
Date:	08/10/05 (751 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheap Books

Disadvantages: Limited Selection, Post and Packaging Costs

Who they are
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The claim to be one of the UKs largest suppliers of top quality books offering unbeatable prices and excellent service. They are not a book club so you have no obligation to buy from their catalogues. Prices often are between 50 and 70% off the recommended retail price. They keep prices low by buying in bulk and selling direct to the customer therefore reducing overheads. The downside of this is that they do not have a huge selection of books.

The company started in 1988 and is based in Bangor. Over the past few years they have been working on expanding their internet site (thebookpeople.co.uk) to offer better service. The company has a mail-order catalogue, website ordering facility and a distributor network. These people bring a small selection of books from the Book People into offices, hospitals and schools. The books are left for a week or 2, you place your order then the books are delivered. This way you don't have to pay any post or packaging. This review is going to concentrate mainly on the mail-order catalogue.

The Catalogue
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The catalogue is published monthly and posted to your home address free of charge. The August catalogue has 21 pages of books.

How to Order
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You can order by telephone, fax, online or fill in the order form and send it in the post.

Post and Packaging
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There are various options. Firstly if you spend over £25 post and packaging is free. Standard delivery is £3.50 and takes 3 to 5 working days. Next day delivery is £5.95 and orders must be placed before midday. A concessionary rate of £2.50 is available to OAPs, registered disabled, registered carers, registered child minders and foster parents. There are also some exclusions in certain areas i.e. some of the islands, parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland so it is best to read the small print before you order.

Payment
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You can pay by Mastercard, Visa, Delta, Maestro, Solo or by cheque or postal order.

Book Points
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When you buy any book you earn book points. You get 2 points for a £2.99 book, 3 points for a £3.99 book and so on. You can save up these points and then you can choose a free book, any of the books in the catalogue can be chosen. 75 points will give you a £2.99 book, 100 points a £3.99 book and 125 points a £4.99 book.

Points Passport
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This is a new membership scheme for loyal customers (i.e. those who spend a lot of money.) To qualify for membership you have to order 3 times between 1st July and 31st December 2005. They will give you 150 bonus points, priority telephone number for orders, automatic upgrade to priority post and package and exclusive special offers.

Customer Services
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There is a customer service team who you can telephone or email if you have any queries or complaints. If you are not completely satisfied with your books you can return them within 28 days for a refund.

Book Selection
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The majority of the books available are childrens books, ranging for those suitable for babies right up to teenage books. For adults there are autobiographies, maps, craftbooks, sports, cookbooks and fiction.

Lucky Dip
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Occasionally The Book People do a lucky dip selection. Currently there are 4 lucky dips in the August catalogue. With the lucky dip you choose an age range and then will receive 10 books, they cannot guarantee the exact selection but show you some examples of what may be included. Currently the childrens and teenagers books are 10 books for £7 and the adults 10 books for £10. I have bought these a few times and they work out at really good value. Even if you don't use all the books at 70p for a childrens book you can't go far wrong.


Price Comparisons
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I buy most of my books from Amazon so I have compared the prices on Book People with those of Amazon, all were up-to-date prices when I wrote this review.

"The Little Red Tractor" ladybird books cost £2.50 each on Amazon but on The Book People you can currently purchase six hardback books for only £3.99 for the set.

Letts Active Readers books which are books to help your child learn to read and are phonetic based stories currently sell for £2.99 on Amazon. On The Book People you can purchase 10 books for £7.99, they are available for 4-6year olds or 6-8 year olds. For older children the Lemony Snickets "A series of unfortunate events" sell on Amazon for £5.59 each but on Book People you can buy a collectors gift set of the first 10 hardback books for £25.

For adults the "Create your own scrapbook" sells on Amazon for £10.19 but on The Book People for £4.99. Cookbooks are also better value, Delias Kitchen Garden sells for £12 on Amazon but only £6.99 on The Book People.



My Experience
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I have been using The Book People for several years. My first introduction to it was through the distributor who came to work. I bought several books from them including recipe books and childrens books for. I then logged onto the website and requested to join the mailing list. I often order from the catalogue (usually online) for Christmas and birthday presents. The books have always been delivered on time and correctly. I have only had one incident when I wasn't totally satisfied with my order.

I had ordered a lucky dip selection of books which were supposed to be suitable for aged 1 to 5 years. They were for a present for my friends two little boys. When the books arrived there was a good selection of books suitable for the age group but there were also two that were unsuitable. It is a while since this happened so I can't remember the exact books but it was something to do with a girls guide to the internet and another similar. I felt that they were hardly a suitable choice for the under 5s.

I emailed The Book People and promptly got a reply apologising for the books and was sent 2 replacement books, I was told to keep the other books and if I could not use them to gift them to a school or friends. I felt that my problem had been solved quickly and generously and was pleased with their customer service. I have ordered several times since then and never had any other problems.

The Book People is well worth a look even though its choices are limited its prices are hard to beat.

Summary: The Book People quite simply sell books cheaply. They have a mailorder catalogue and a website.