How Long Does It Take For Books From The Book Depository To Reach Malaysia?
Update as of July 2023: Unfortunately, Book Depository has closed on 26th April 2023 😢
I love books and on average, I read about 1-2 books a month.
I'm not very fussy about the condition of books as long as I have exciting stories to read. And because books can be expensive, here are my go-to-places for cheap & affordable books:
- Bookxcess - 1st hand, brand new books
- Booksnbobs - Quality, preloved books at affordable prices
- Carousel - for cheap, preloved books that I can't find elsewhere like this Babylon series
- Booksonthemove - Loved this initiative of book exchange! I used to visit the one in The Linc KL then boom! MCO so I can't travel more than 10km. sad.
- Big Bad Wolf Books on Shopee - cheap!
Anyway, I just recently discovered The Book Depository, an online book store based in the UK and has a wide selection of books on topics I couldn't find here in Malaysia.
I've always been morbidly fascinated by things like near-death experiences, stories about after life, angels, and new age thingy, which are not easily available here.
The books are not only (sometimes) cheaper but they also offer free shipping with no minimum order.
Like are you serious?
Yes, very serious.
How Long Does It Take To Reach Malaysia?
Now here is my experience.
The delivery days depending on where you are residing.
Dispatch times may vary for each item even if they are ordered at the same time so you'll find that your books arriving in installment.
Like a constant surprise present from a distant relative in the UK.
Do You Get A Call Or Be Notified When They Arrive?
No.
It's not like when you shop from Shopee, Lazada or Zalora where the courier man calls you upon arrival.
Your books will arrive via regular mail. Like Pos Malaysia.
So if you live in an apartment complex like me, you will need to check your mailbox/ pigeon hole every once in a while.
I ordered them sometime middle of July. And I wait. and wait. and wait, checking the order tracking once in while but no other information is available except for "dispatched from UK xx July".
My book arrived in a brown envelope with the flap opened.
Whether it was opened by customs, delivery service, random stranger, or if it's because the glue is not strong enough to withstand the weather in Malaysia, I'm not sure.
But doesn't matter, my books arrived in good condition and nothing is lost or stolen.
Now, I just need to wait for another 2 books to arrive. Like a surprise present from a distant relative in the UK. Lols.
Should You Buy Books From The Book Depository?
Pros:
👍 Wide selection of books
👍 Cheaper - sometimes. You might want to shop around 1st
👍 Free Shipping - with no minimum order, to anywhere in the world
👍 New books
👍 No tax/ fees - only pay for the books
Cons:
👎 Long delivery days - could take weeks. if you are in Malaysia that is
👎 No tracking number to check
👎 Your parcel could get lost
Generally speaking, I wouldn't recommend it if you are an anxious shopper because it takes so longggg to arrive and there is nothing for you to track except to just wait.
Or if you need the book fast.
Otherwise, Book Depository is a great place to get your books.
For me, I don't mind the long wait.
Other Book's Post:
Useful information! I just placed an order on the site.. my long wait starts now :)
ReplyDeleteThanks.
Glad it helps!
DeleteHi, what if it not arrive to the address ? Do I need to go POS Office nearby to check ?
ReplyDeleteHi, POS won't be able to track anything as there is no tracking number given. I would recommend you to write in to Book Depository support center for a resend or refund if you did not receive your order within 2 months
DeleteLove using Book depository... and yes it take up to 1 month to arrive.
ReplyDeleteI have pleasant experience when one book from order do not arrived, I just email about the matter to their help service and get the replacement with no question ask.
Glad to hear you had a pleasant experience using Book Depository =)
DeleteI ordered a book , it didn't arrive, i called customer service, they send another. The address is my office concierge, no one steals from there. 6 years later, neither book arrived. I ordered another recently, finger's crossed.
ReplyDeleteOh dear. So sorry to hear this. Hope this new order reached you safely!
Delete