Books ONLINE at BOL.com. Review on Bol

Bertelsmann On-Line, and is an online store that sells books, DVD/videos, games, music and gifts. When you log onto the site it is fairly quick to load and is simple but effective, with tabs at the top of the page, which lead you to each of the departments. Alternatively, at the side of the page there are links to more direct categories. The front page has a search box, to search exactly for the item you want (providing you know what you want). As well as: editor’s choices. The Postage and packaging rates are as follows: · *£2.95 delivery on Books orders · *£1.49 delivery on Music orders · *£1.95 delivery on DVD/Video/games orders · *£2.95 delivery on all mixed orders. You can pay on the site by all major credit/debit cards. Alternatively, you can send a cheque with your order to; BOL COM, Customer Services Centre, BOL ltd, P O Box 32054, London, NW17 7XB. All orders are dispatched within 24-48 hours. Prices are fair, but nothing special, while delivery is excellent.

I placed an order with BOL for a book “Cold heart Canyon” by Clive Barker. Now normally the only reading I do is opinions; or e-mail/letters that I receive. On this occasion though, I saw a write up about this book, and thought “Ah yes I fancy reading that!” My first port of call was my wife’s book club online (for which she had just (the same day) received a brochure for). In the club, the book was on offer at £9.99 (plus p&p). I tried to order the book via her club; I tried the Internet site, and ordering by phone but to no avail. So my search hit the internet (what did we do without it?) WH Smith sold the book for £13.59 (plus p&p). While Amazon, were offering it for the same price (plus p&p). It was then I thought ipoints (An internet reward scheme) and BOL. I thought even a few points (which it will be); on my ipoints account would be better than nothing. So checking the price I realised that it was slightly cheaper than the other two sites I had checked £12.74 (plus p&p). [Ad lib: Why don’t companies add a few pence to the price of all goods and offer free p&p. (Bensonworld offer good prices and FREE p&p)-but that’s another story.] Having decided to order my book through BOL, I logged into BOL through ipoints and placed my order early afternoon on the 19th September. I immediately got an email confirming the order, and offering a customer service phone number. On the morning of 21st I checked my email (around 7am as usual) and had received an email from the company saying my book had been dispatched. A few hours later a knock came on my door. I opened it to face a postman, arms cuddling one biggish parcel, and lots of letters (though not all for me I hasten to add), who promptly handed me a fairly hefty parcel. Inside, I ripped into the package and discovered it was my book. From placing my order to actually receiving it in my hand was less than two days! Amazing: excellent service.

The company offer a 30-day return policy, where you can return the product. Very handy if you happen to of ordered a present for someone who already has it! You can return your parcel free of charge as long it’s in its original condition. If you receive a product through the company’s mistake, they will willingly refund postage and packaging also. There are four different return addresses (though your invoice should have the right one printed on it). BOL have been in existence for around 165 years now, in the publishing world. Bertelsmann is one of the largest media groups in the world. The site offers safe secure ordering, (with a conditional guarantee on all transactions).

BOL is a company I would certainly use again, as they offer prices that are a little lower than the high street, and also offer good customer service and delivery-which in my mind is worth that few extra pence! By the way the high street price of the book was £16.99.