01 February 2022

Free For All Tuesday - No. 574

So what questions or discussion points have you got for us today?

It doesn't matter if you are a beginner or a more experienced user of organisers, we want to hear your thoughts, questions, opinions etc.

We are here to answer your questions.

Make today the one day you post a comment or a question.

It is Tuesday after all so fire away with any questions and comments.

13 comments:

  1. I’m still waiting for my pre-Christmas order of the fILE of fACTS book from Waterstones.
    Is anyone else in a similar situation?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for letting me know Max

      As far as we are aware there aren't any issues with paperback orders, but we are checking up on this. Have you chased Waterstones or can you find out where they are ordering it from?

      Any one else having any issues?

      Delete
    2. Hi Steve, I just checked and they had ordered from a supplier Lightning Source, but not heard more so far.
      They also said it wasn’t showing as available from their other two main suppliers.

      Delete
    3. Well we know that Lightning source have been supplying many different bookshops because of the figures that Alison has been receiving, so why your branch of Waterstones hasn't received its order is a mystery. I think Waterstones orders through Gardners, who in turn order from Lightning Source.
      Another example of why people order from Amazon.. no middle man, you order it, you get it in a few days!

      Delete
    4. Yes it’s a bit galling that I can see it available cheaper on Amazon for next day delivery.

      Delete
    5. Whilst you might have ordered in the shop before Christmas. The shop might not have placed their order with the distributor until a few weeks later when they had a certain order size in terms of the number of books or value. Their order would have been processed by the distributor for a mix of books for that branch. All taking time etc.

      I acknowledge that some people do not like Amazon for previously stated reasons. Therefore we made my book available on as many outlets/platforms as possible.

      We have proof copies from both Lightning Source and Amazon KDP. They are identical in terms of quality, but the LS copies took longer to reach us and come from their printing house in Milton Keynes and because they came from outside of the EU they had to go through all sorts of customs checks!

      I hope it is worth the wait when you do eventually get a copy! Thank you for your patience and support.

      Delete
    6. Thanks Steve.
      I’d used waterstones.com and they’ve told me the order was placed with the supplier the next day. So it’s a bit of a mystery really. I’ll see if they can sort it out.

      Delete
  2. My local family run bookshop, claims to be able to obtain 99.9% of UK books currently in print. I ordered on 4th January (publication day - 3rd - was a bank holiday in the UK). They’ve just come back to me, finally admitting defeat.
    I won’t buy off Amazon on principle, due to reported abysmal working practices and alleged tax avoidance, despite huge profits.
    My other option is The Book Depository, set up by disgruntled Amazon employees. But guess who owns that now? Yes. Amazon!

    ReplyDelete
  3. My local family run bookshop, claims to be able to obtain 99.9% of UK books currently in print. I ordered on 4th January (publication day - 3rd - was a bank holiday in the UK). They’ve just come back to me, finally admitting defeat.
    I won’t buy off Amazon on principle, due to reported abysmal working practices and alleged tax avoidance, despite huge profits.
    My other option is The Book Depository, set up by disgruntled Amazon employees. But guess who owns that now? Yes. Amazon!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Much as I dislike Amazon’s tax avoidance, their next day delivery, eco-friendly locker drop-off, and class leading customer service, is, from a consumers’ perspective, almost unbeatable!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Steve…here is my book ordering saga.
    I pre-ordered with Waterstones on 13 December. About a week after publication date I checked their website and the book was showing as unavailable (which it still is).
    I emailed them, received no reply and so cancelled my order.
    I then tried an independent bookshop but they couldn’t track it down.
    Finally I ordered from the Book Depository and received the book within a few days. Had to go with Amazon-owned in the end!
    Anyway, an interesting read, thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Sally.

      I've added another supplier on the book page for UK orders.

      Delete
  6. Would love to see the filofax mini get a bit more love and attention. Always on the hunt for insert variety

    ReplyDelete