Books Direct www.booksdirect.co.uk

I registered with Books Direct's Books for Children arm when expecting my first child in 2008. The introductory offer was good, and I knew I would be spending more than £50 on books for him within the first year.

Service has been variable and the Editor's Choice thing really did not work for most customers. Overall, they have been okay, though the customer services telephone team has been a generic call centre with limited English, and a crib-card list of answers and resolutions for the last two years.

Delivery used to be within two weeks but seemed to be one person directly employed per area, so you could speak to them. Now it is a third-party courier who -though the recommended delivery time is now only 3-5 working days, sometimes 'loses' deliveries. However, I've found replacements have been sent at no extra charge when the courier has failed to deliver and I've complained. The books delivered sometimes have damaged covers, and value for money is variable -always check title prices against other online sellers when thinking of ordering.

Since this week the website has been 'Cached', as has the BCA site with many links not working, and my account was first empty of details, and now the login section has gone completely -as have many of the links on the site. I placed an order last week which I had expected to receive earlier this week, luckily I put it on account -it's much less hassle to pay them when you have actually got the books, rather than upfront -due to courier inconsistencies. Does anyone know if the company has suddenly gone out of business? I've had no joy trying to contact them which would suggest this may be the case.

Can you give less than one star? I followed a link to their website - which didn't work very well. I had problems with the payment page but stuck with it. It did send alarm bells ringing but I thought things were odd-on kosher. It was the only website I've used and paid through that I had doubts about. After putting my card through twice - the first time it didn't work, then the second time it eventually failed. I gave up with misgivings. I had a call from HSBC not too long afterwards saying they had found a cloned card (the same one). I immediately suspected this website. Either their security is very lax or there is something more sinister. Be very careful.

I was offered free indroduction books (childrens booksdirect) and told if i dont want anymore then just send them back (not obligation), which i did when the chap tried to deliever them i didnt accept them, now nearly 10 months on, they are trying to charge me for books that i have'nt got and if i want to close the account i was informed i would have to pay £20 for the privilage to do so, I am seeking legal advise, I dont owe them any money because I never ordered any books, and when i pointed out that i never actually signed anything to agree to there commitment they could'nt answer me, and i also said that they should tell people when they call them to offer the books that you have to buy or you will get charged they said they do inform people, they dont because i would never have had them in the first place. Apparently i need to order 5 more books or they will refer me to debt collexction agent, so the company just rips people off, either way i have to send money either by buying books or to cancel a membership, advice STAY away their cowboys

STAY AWAY FROM THIS COMPANY. I ordered over a month ago, they have my money, I don't have my order. I wish I'd read this before. I am reporting to Trading Standards and pursuing for a refund.

tried to place orders recently problem one, then found the account was closed unknown to me problem 2, account in credit £50 problem 3, on contacting books direct phone/email they tell me that I need to check my details as they are incorrect. Advice stay away, I want my money and will not go away.

I have been a member of their History club for a number of years. Overall my experiences have been satisfactory with the odd problem on rare occasions. Problems always resolved to my satisfaction ( generally free delivery vouchers not applied to order ). Club has recently been revamped with NO editor's choice and FREE delivery on web orders valued over £5. Suspect that if you don't have access to their website then delivery charges on orders by post or phone could make book order expensive.

I ordered books from this company on the 3rd July 2010 which says i will receive in 1 - 5 working days I called the company because i waited 10 days and still not received them. The adviser of the company told me they had send them out on the 5th July by courier I informed her that it is now the 14th July and normally when sent by courier you receive them in at the most 48 hours she agreed with me and said i would receive the books by today 16th July (and guess what still not received them). Will not use this company again sorry i never read the reviews before i ordered the books

Been a member with them, cancelled the account, 6 months later they start sending editors choices again. I plan to report this company to trading standards and taking them to court.

Totally incompetent waste of time, DON'T USE!!!

Don,t deal with them it is almost financial suicide you are constantly charged each month for things you don,t know about and get sent threatening letters about further action.The so called customer care dos,ent care because they are never available ,ditto there website.don,t even think of getting involved.

I have just fulfilled the membership requirement and was pursueaded to stay in membership by accepting their offer of removing my name from their notorious nasty editor's choice list. However, they broke their promise and continued sending me a book that I did not order. Moreover, they even refused to offer free P&P label and asked to send it back at my own cost.

I would advice anyone who is considering joining the club to stay away from it, if you don't want annoying surprises and arrogant customer service personnel from overseas.