Blackwells.co.uk Reviews 

35,200
TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

4.4

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Evaluating 265 reviews, reviewers overwhelmingly had a great experience with this company. Consumers often mention that finding hard-to-find titles is surprisingly easy, and they truly love the great value provided by competitive pricing and free shipping. Customers frequently praise the exceptional customer support team, describing staff members as helpful, knowledgeable, and always quick to resolve any unexpected issues. People enjoy receiving their carefully packaged purchases safely and promptly at their doorstep. However, some customers also noted frustrating delays with order processing, extended waiting times, and occasionally very slow delivery services. A few reviewers also mentioned experiencing poor communication from support or receiving little help when trying to track severely delayed shipments.

What people talk about most

Order

Customers consistently note ambiguous experiences with order processes, as many reviewers report fast... See more

Delivery service

Consumers find delivery service to be unpredictable, as experiences vary significantly between international... See more

Product

Reviewers express mixed feelings regarding product quality, with many customers praising the vast selection... See more

Customer service

Users describe positive interactions with customer service, noting that support agents are consistently... See more

Service

Reviewers highlight ambiguous aspects of service, with many customers praising fast communication, helpful... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

I had an issue with a book that had not arrived. After contacting customer service at Blackwells, and speaking with Arwa, all was sorted promptly. I received the book within the next few days. Thank... See more

Company replied

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Dispatch was a little slower than I expected, but response to my email inquiry was prompt. I was assured all was well - and it was! My book arrived here in Australia in about 12 days. The tracking... See more

Company replied

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

I was able to get a UK book at more than fair pricing. I appreciated that the shipping was included, which allowed me to make my purchase without guilt. I will definitely use them again in the future.... See more

Company replied

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Finding the book I wanted slightly cheaper than advertised on other sites.quick despatch and delivery services.

Company replied


Company details

  1. Book Store

Written by the company

Blackwell’s was founded on New Year’s Day 1879, at 50 Broad Street, Oxford. From humble beginnings the company has built a worldwide reputation for unrivalled customer service, specialist knowledge and a passion for bookselling. Our mission is to become the world’s most trusted bookseller and to change lives through reading and books. We have shops across the UK, including flagships in Oxford, Cambridge, London and Edinburgh, alongside academic, campus and other specialist shops.


Contact info

4.4

Excellent

TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

35K reviews

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1-star

No recent history of asking for reviews

This company hasn't invited customers recently, so reviews may not be representative

Replied to 78% of negative reviews

Typically replies within 1 month

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4.4

All reviews

(35,200)

268 reviews in the last 12 months

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I have long made Blackwells my default…

I have long made Blackwells my default bookshop. Their prices are always competitive and the free posting is a real boon.
The complaints department are responsive and sort out most problems quickly and efficiently

September 16, 2026
Unprompted review
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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

DON'T ORDER FROM BLACKWELL'S ANYMORE!

DON'T ORDER FROM BLACKWELL'S ANYMORE!
After Bookdepository closed Blackwells became my go to online bookstore and I was very satisfied. Unfortunately the company seems to have taken a bad turn. It takes them very long time to dispatch books, they are very unreliable with shipping times, deliberately avoid taking responsibility for failing to ship on time.
In this situation they were unable to ship a book they report as having 10+ copies in stock within 3 weeks (not deliver - ship!, shipping is +2 weeks extra).
Go for a different online bookstore, they might charge you 4 or 5 euros for the delivery, but with lower book prices and getting your order on time you'll end up paying almost the same and you'll save yourselves a lot of frustration.

September 18, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I love the site on Blackwell

I love the site on Blackwell. They have very competitive pricing. Sometimes, when you want to book in the USA, they have it on their site. They ship it right away and their customer service is great

September 17, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Love this bookseller

They always answer fast and solve any issue. Their products are sent promptly and packaged with care. I always reach for their services when looking for beautiful books!

July 15, 2026
Unprompted review
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Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Insufficient packaging for postal delivery

I ordered a book as a birthday gift, but it arrived in a simple cardboard package without any additional protection. As a result, the cover was dirty upon arrival. I was disappointed with the packaging, as the book was not sufficiently protected for shipping by post.

When ordering a new book, I expect it to arrive clean and in perfect condition, so that I can proudly give it as a gift. Unfortunately, this book looked as though it had been handled with dirty hands. Even in a bookshop, books are usually wrapped more carefully and placed in a protective bag. I would therefore strongly recommend improving the packaging and protection of books for postal delivery.

September 14, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Absolutely terrible on line shopping…

Absolutely terrible on line shopping experience. If I could leave no stars, I would. I ordered a set of children's books on 31st August and was told I'd get an email when they were dispatched. After 9th September, with no word from Blackwell's I chased them and got a plainly AI generated response to tell me that they didn't have the books in stock and were sourcing them from somewhere else. I'd get them this week. I have since had an identical message every two days - still with the same delivery promise... ie. always pushing the delivery back. This is terrible customer service from a bookshop that I used to love. What a shame.

September 9, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Delicery cost

I wanted to buy a book at £6.75. I live in Denmark and the website said that delivery cost iwithin Europe was included in the price (of the book). But when I was going to accept payment, the total cost was suddenly £17!
I don’t mind paying for delivery but when it states two different places on their website that delivery cost are included, it feels a little shady that they add more than £10 at the very end.

September 13, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Incredibly slow

They know how to take an order but seemingly not how to dispatch one - despite apparently having plenty of stock. Would prefer to use a semi-independent shop rather than default to Amazon every time but they make it difficult.

September 10, 2026
Unprompted review
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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

My wife ordered a book from this…

My wife ordered a book from this company and when it failed to arrive I telephoned their generic telephone number and spoke to a call center operative who explained that the book had not yet despatched and should arrive by the 8th of September. This failed to materialise. Therefore I telephoned the generic telephone number again. I spoke with another call center operative who was obstructive even after I furnished her with the order number she refused to offer any details and suggested she would tell my wife as the order was in her name. Fortunately my wife was sitting in the room and spoke with the operative, who was apparently in Egypt and because of her rude attitude my wife promptly cancelled the book order with Blackwell's. I will never purchase from them again there appears to be a zero joined up system in place, poor customer service and call center staff who cannot understand English or the meaning of politeness.

September 8, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Take orders for stock they don't have

Blackwells emailed me to advise the book I wanted was in stock. Took my order (and processed payment). 2 weeks later I asked when they were going to deliver it. They reply saying that they never actually had the book in stock and they have cancelled my order. Very poor.

September 7, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Useless

Books ordered 21/08, website confirmed 10+ copies and available and usually dispatched within 7 days. Customer service emailed after ten days with no dispatch. Told they should be dispatched within 24-48 hours. Customer service contacted again 04/09 and response 05/09 indicates another delay with them now expected to be dispatched 08/09 a full 18 days after ordering. Cowboys. Having looked through the reviews I look forward to their copy and paste apology.

August 21, 2026
Unprompted review
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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Online book lost during delivery, Blackwells refuses to refund order

I ordered a book online which went out for delivery by Evri the morning of Friday, 28 August. In the evening, I received an email from Evri because they had "noticed your parcel(s) haven't been delivered in the intended time window". That's the last I've heard of my book.

When I called Blackwells to follow up on the order, they told me I had to wait for ten days before the book could be declared lost. How ridiculous.

That book will never be delivered.

But instead of refunding my purchase and taking responsibility for their vendor, they're ruining their interaction with their customer.

September 1, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

On 14 Aug 2026

On 14 Aug 2026, I ordered The Personality Puzzle by David Charles Funder under order # ending in 9209, which I needed for one of my college classes starting on August 28. To start this disaster of a transaction, the customer service could not even tell me definitively whether this purchase comes with the InQuizitive Access code and advised me that it "should come with it". I placed the order, and the book didn't ship until allegedly the 18th. They provided me with a tracking number that I can't even use rn because the book is still somewhere in the UK, and they told me it takes 10-15 days to arrive in the US. I went to my local USPS office this past Friday, and they told me they cannot even locate this package. I called the USPS customer service line; they said the same thing, and I learned that once the package arrives in the US, it will take another 8 days to reach me. I told them to cancel the order, but they refused, so today I opened a dispute with my bank.

August 21, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Trusted, efficient, pleasant

Seamless ordering and delivery, quick, excellent customer support (on a previous order with which my computer caused problems), comprehensive list of books available to order, perfect trust in the integrity and quality of the delivered books, often the lowest price available, or best combination of price and speed of delivery. Truly a pleasure to deal with, at every level.

August 9, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I had a wonderful experience with…

I had a wonderful experience with Blackwell’s. The entire team was kind, professional, and very helpful throughout my order.

I would especially like to thank Menna Essam, who was incredibly attentive, supportive, and helpful. She made the whole process so much easier and was always happy to assist.

My book has now arrived safely, and I am very happy with the service I received. I will definitely be buying all my books from Blackwell’s from now on.

Thank you to the whole Blackwell’s team, and especially to Menna, for the excellent customer service. Highly recommended!

August 18, 2026
Unprompted review
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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Blackwell's is my go-to for ordering…

Blackwell's is my go-to for ordering books online.

I order books from Blackwell's for delivery to both the Spain and the US. Their prices are very competitive, their selection is vast, and there is typically no delivery fee.

When I did have an issue with a delivery, they were very prompt in replying to my message and resolving the matter.

August 14, 2026
Unprompted review
Blackwells.co.uk logo

Reply from Blackwells.co.uk

Dear EricD,

Thank you for writing your review for Blackwell's. We are thrilled to be your go-to bookseller for ordering books online.

It is great to hear you place your orders with us for delivery to Spain and the US and that you have received your orders smoothly. Our Customer Service team are always pleased to swiftly support with any queries.

Thank you for purchasing your books with Blackwell's, we look forward to being of service again soon.

With best wishes,

Blackwell's Online Customer Services

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I had an issue with a book ordered but…

I had an issue with a book ordered but not received. I contacted customer Service a Blackwell and talked with Hanine who was eager to help me. She found out that the problem was with the Greek Post, but, all the same, she ofered to send me another copy with no extra charge. I received the book within a few days and I'm really grateful!

August 13, 2026
Unprompted review
Blackwells.co.uk logo

Reply from Blackwells.co.uk

Dear Maria Michalakea,

Thank you for writing your review for Blackwell's. Although we are sorry for the unexpected delay in your order arriving due to delays with the postal services, we are pleased that you received your book within days of contacting us and you felt supported with your query. Our Customer Service team are always happy to help with any queries regarding deliveries and it was our pleasure in assisting with your order. Thank you for purchasing your book with Blackwell's, we hope to be of service again for your future book shopping.

With best wishes,

Blackwell's Online Customer Service

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I would definitely order books from…

I would definitely order books from blackwells again .there service is just the best.The customer service was excellent.as was the delivery service

August 8, 2026
Unprompted review
Blackwells.co.uk logo

Reply from Blackwells.co.uk

Dear Gillian Keene,

Thank you for sharing your review for Blackwell's. We are delighted that you would rate our Customer Service and speed of delivery. It is great to hear that from your experience, you would definitely order with us again. Thank you for placing your order with Blackwell's, we look forward to being of service on your next book shopping experience.

With best wishes,

Blackwell's Online Customer Service

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