Store legitimacy is a big concern of online shoppers nowadays. There are fake online bookstores here and there, which is one of the major risks of buying online. It is really a struggle to find a legit online bookstore that will allow you to shop safely and have a quality book. You may ask, is Book Depository legit?
Book Depository is one legit bookstore that you can find online that can be trusted when purchasing a book. It is a UK-based online bookseller owned by Amazon. Book Depository is available in more than 160 countries and usually offers free shipping.
In this article, we will delve into the origins and reputation of Book Depository, explore its features and services, and consider customer experiences and reviews to determine its legitimacy. So, let’s get started!
Are books from Book Depository legit?
Yes, Book Depository sells legit books. They offer over 20 million books with free delivery worldwide. You can visit their website to check for the book you are looking for. Whether you’re searching for popular bestsellers, academic textbooks, or niche publications, Book Depository is likely to have what you need.
Books are categorized according to the “Best” in each category like LGBTQIA, best books ever, best romance books, best history books, classic fantasy books, best autobiographies, best cookbooks ever, and many more.
They sell legit books like Harry Potter, Roald Dahl, Minecraft, LEGO, Man Booker Prize winners, Books on Screen, and many more. They do not sell second-hand books but only new and legit books.
Is Book Depository owned by Amazon?
In 2004, Andrew Crawford, a former Amazon employee, founded Book Depository International Ltd. He aimed to make all books available to everyone by giving them better access to them at very affordable prices.
In 2011, Amazon acquired the UK-based bookseller giant. Following the acquisition, Book Depository became the biggest bookseller on Amazon Marketplace, further solidifying its presence in the online book retail industry. Despite being acquired by Amazon, Book Depository continues to operate independently from the US-based online retail giant.
Why are books on Book Depository cheap?
Publishing a book is not that easy because books also cost money like any other product. Certainly, there are costs associated with a book. From its writers, publishers, and the paper used in the printing, we can tell that books really cost money. So, how come that the Books Depository sells books at a lower price?
Books at Book Depository are not cheap because they sell brand-new authentic books. However, they offer books cheaper than their competitors. Since Book Depository is owned by Amazon, they have the financial capacity to buy in bulk at extremely low costs. Hence, they can offer their books cheaper than their competitors in the market. They can even give lower prices for larger sales volume.
How legit is a Book Depository?
Online scams and frauds are the biggest threat to online sellers and buyers alike. So, it is crucial to know which stores are legit and reliable. There are several ways to spot legit stores:
- Check the URL and read whether you landed at the correct store. Check the spelling of the URL or better yet, type the URL yourself.
- Check the security information of the site by clicking the padlock icon on your address bar. Legit sites usually appear to have a valid certificate.
- Check the Better Business Bureau website to find out if there have been complaints filed against the online shop you are trying to shop with.
- Read customer reviews from several review websites like TrustPilot, SiteJabber, etc.
- Check if the store has a Trust Seal. The legit store usually has a badge indicator that you can safely enter your personal information like credit card information, address, telephone number, etc.
These are only a few of the steps that you can take to spot legit stores from scammy ones. Know the red flags and if you suspect fraudulent activities happening on that site, take responsibility to report to the authorities like the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center or Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency.
Book Depository Reviews
One great way to know if a store is legit or not is through review websites. Customer reviews and feedback play a vital role in determining the legitimacy of an online retail platform. These are the actual reviews and ratings from the customers who experienced doing business with the store. Let’s take a look at the reviews for Book Depository.
Book Depository Reviews – Reddit
91% upvoted for the question, how legit is Book Depository? Although several comments said that shipping sometimes takes a little longer, they don’t discount the fact that the transaction was smooth, and the books are legit.
Book Depository Reviews – Trustpilot
The store got a 3.9 rating from TrustPilot with 12,125 reviews. 59% agreed that it was excellent, 11% said it was great, and only 21% had a bad experience with the site. Most of the complaints are about late shipments or books not arriving at all.
Book Depository Reviews – Sitejabber
Book Depository got a low score at Sitejabber. With 140 reviews, the store received 1.97 stars only, indicating most of its customers’ dissatisfaction with their purchases. Common complaints include poor customer service, tracking number problems, and shipping issues.
Conclusion: Is Book Depository Legit?
In a world where online scams and fraudulent websites are prevalent, it’s very important to ensure the legitimacy of the platforms we access and use.
Book Depository has proven itself to be a reliable and legitimate online bookstore. With its extensive selection of books, competitive prices, and excellent customer service, it provides a trustworthy platform for book lovers worldwide. Add to that its origins, reputation, user-friendly website, and favorable comparison with other online bookstores, it is safe to conclude that Book Depository is indeed a legitimate and trustworthy online platform for purchasing books.
So go ahead, browse their catalog, and indulge in the joy of reading!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Book Depository a physical store?
No, Book Depository operates exclusively as an online bookstore. It does not have physical retail locations.
2. Does Book Depository offer free shipping worldwide?
Yes, Book Depository offers free worldwide shipping. You don’t need to pay an additional fee except for the actual cost of the book or item you ordered.
3. How long does Book Depository take to deliver?
Shipping times may vary depending on the availability of the book and destination, but Book Depository strives to deliver books promptly. Generally, it can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks for your order to arrive.
4. Does Book Depository offer tracking for orders?
While Book Depository provides tracking for some orders, it’s not guaranteed for all shipments. Tracking availability may depend on the shipping method selected and the destination country.
5. Can I return a book to Book Depository?
Yes, Book Depository offers a 30-day return policy. If you’re not satisfied with your purchase, you can return it within 30 days of receiving it for a full refund.
