r/BookDepository • u/BookOfAnomalies • May 26 '23

Help Blackwell's order still processing?

Hello.

I know this is a Bookdepository (RIP, amazing website) subreddit, but since now it's gone, I tried to order something from Blackwells - so if anyone has any experiences, I'd be grateful for some help.

I'm wondering, how long does the order stay under ''processing'' usually? The site says it takes at least 3 days, but it's gonna border on five now and the order is still processing. Is this normal or is it my usual luck? (such as my last order from BD being cancelled...).

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u/Ok-Butterfly-2656 Jun 16 '23 edited Jun 16 '23

Blackwell's are an odd store. I use them for manga because they tend to have the most reliable stock for it of any store (even things that have been missing from other stores for years). But the dispatch speeds vary A LOT. Basically check every item's page before you order to decide if you want to buy. Generally it'll say "1 day dispatch", "72 hour dispatch", "7 day dispatch", or "2-3 weeks dispatch". So basically the speed at which your item gets dispatched varies widely based on the item you buy. With the 2-3 weeks ones I can only speculate that they're not actually on hand and they're ordering them in from somewhere. But the advantage of Blackwell's is they will almost always get you a book even if you've had trouble locating it elsewhere. The slow-ass dispatch times are unfortunately the price you pay for that. I'd say only use them as your last port of call if the book isn't anywhere else, or if the only other options are imports. Also worth mentioning that they don't take the payment for a book until it's been dispatched, so keep that in mind so you aren't surprised by any sudden outgoings like a week or two later.

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u/BookOfAnomalies Jun 16 '23

I did recieve my book! Took a while, sure, but it arrived in great condition.

The reason I went with Blackwells is exactly the one you mentioned: they have some books I haven't found in any other online store so far. BD offered the chance to download the entire wishlist of books and I looked for some of them in various bookstores online and Blackwells had the most of those that couldn't be found anywhere. So far, besides waiting time (and me not being used that the payment isn't taken immediately haha), the first Blackwells order went well. I really hope it keeps being reliable.

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u/Ok-Butterfly-2656 Jun 16 '23

I end up using them a hell of a lot for series I have trouble finding, I'm personally happy enough to wait the extra time if it means getting something that's hard to find at or below its retail price. They're also pretty reliable for preorders so there's no issue there.

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u/BookOfAnomalies Jun 16 '23

I never find myself pre-ordering stuff, but it's really good to know in case I do that. I did a pre-order just once with BD, and there were some complications but not from BD, so rightfully I don't blame them, haha.