Not as proffessional as they would appear! (Blackwell's Online)

Member Name: S

Product:	Blackwell's Online
Date:	29/08/01 (45 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Free P&P, Good Range

Disadvantages: Information not always accurate, Slow to respond to problems

Blackwells, a long established bookstore with a huge range of titles available in every branch. The Internet service however has some way to go.

The service shows great promise with easy to use search functions and free postage and packaging (very useful!). However the information on the site isn't always accurate. On a couple of occasions I have tried to order books listed on the website to find that the pricing or edition details are incorrect. Rather than ring or e-mail me immediately to notify me of the problem they have chosen to send a letter (that doesn't always explain the problem clearly, so you need to ring them) via snail mail. Not quite the smooth operation that you would expect from such a big name.

The range is often better than many of its competitors, and there is a very useful service that allows you to track down books that are nolonger in print. A big help when you are trying to track down textbooks that are key to your course but about 30 years old.

The prices are the same as in the branches but it is useful to use the site if you don't live near a branch (because postage and packaging is free) or if the book you wanted was out of stock when you went in. Quite often the website will post you the book faster than the branch can get it in stock.

The service isn't fantastic at the moment but there is potential for it. A site to keep an eye on.

Summary: