Waterstones Reviews 

5,368
TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

4.6

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Considering 645 reviews, reviewers overwhelmingly had a great experience with this company. Regular customers frequently praise the support team for being extremely helpful, friendly, and quick to resolve online ordering questions or account queries. Consumers also love the impressively wide selection of special edition books and deeply appreciate the cozy in-store atmosphere paired with excellent coffee. However, some customers also noted receiving damaged items due to insecure packaging and faced frustrating delays with unfulfilled orders that never arrived. A few people additionally reported encountering unhelpful staff members during physical store visits or waiting extensively for a basic reply to customer inquiries.

What people talk about most

Customer service

People report positive experiences with customer_service, consistently describing support agents as helpful,... See more

Staff

Customers consistently note positive experiences with staff, describing them as exceptionally helpful,... See more

Order

Users describe ambiguous interactions with order experiences, as feedback is deeply divided. While many... See more

Product

Reviewers highlight ambiguous aspects of product quality, with mixed customer experiences. While many... See more

Response time

Clients share positive opinions on response_time, consistently highlighting prompt and efficient service from... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Love visiting a Waterstones. Last visit I bought a signed copy that turned out to be missing the signature - didn’t realise this until I got home. Contacted customer service and they shipped a new s... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Lisa was very helpful and quick to respond to my original query, and then gave some additional information which I found really useful. Great Customer Service!! This is one reason why Waterstones is t... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I’m impressed at how helpful Lisa and Peter were when I asked a question about stocking my recently published poetry book (bilingual) . Lisa quickly passed my query to the relevant department and then... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great customer service for cancelling an order that was taking to long to arrive before we were moving house and were even given a link for where the book was in stock. Cecilia was very helpful an... See more


Company details

  1. Book Store

About Waterstones

Written by the company

Waterstones' mission is to be the leading Bookseller on the High Street and online providing customers the widest choice, great value and expert advice from a team passionate about Bookselling; uniting readers with the perfect books and bringing them together with authors through our events programme.

Browse millions of books online - Fiction, Non-Fiction, Children's, Textbooks and Audiobooks. Discover our range of Signed & Exclusive editions, Gifts and Games. Sign up for our Waterstones Plus card to earn and redeem as you spend in our shops, cafes and online. Free UK delivery to store and on orders of £25 or more.


Contact info

4.6

Excellent

TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

5K reviews

5-star
4-star
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2-star
1-star

Asks customers to review

This company invites their customers to review, whether positive or negative

Replied to 62% of negative reviews

Typically replies within 2 weeks

How this company uses Trustpilot

See how their reviews and ratings are sourced, scored, and moderated.

4.6

All reviews

(5,368)

642 reviews in the last 12 months

Write a review
Companies on Trustpilot aren't allowed to offer incentives or pay to hide reviews. Reviews are the opinions of individual users and not of Trustpilot. Read more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Lorraine has been exceptional in helping with my query

Lorraine has been exceptional in helping with my query. This has been the best customer service I have received in a very long time so well done Waterstones and specially Lorraine

19 May 2026
Unprompted review
Waterstones logo

Reply from Waterstones

Hello,
Thank you for your feedback, I am glad to hear that Lorraine could provide you with such a positive experience when contacting us.
I will be sure to share your kind words with her.
Have a lovely day,
Waterstones Customer Support

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Alyssa from Waterstones customer…

Alyssa from Waterstones customer service was so helpful when I couldn’t find my order number from my online Waterstones order. She was so friendly, patient and kind, didn’t make me feel silly for not knowing or remembering what I ordered! It made such a positive impact, I am usually made silly for making mistakes. Thank you so much Alyssa.

18 May 2026
Unprompted review
Waterstones logo

Reply from Waterstones

Hello,
Thank you for your feedback, I am glad to hear that Alyssa was so helpful and patient with finding your order number for you.
I will be sure to share your kind words with her.
Have a lovely day,
Waterstones Customer Support

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Very helpful

I spoke to Lisa regarding 2 of my orders arriving damaged.
Lisa was very understanding, helpful and quickly resolved the problem for me.

18 May 2026
Unprompted review
Waterstones logo

Reply from Waterstones

Hello Talisa,
Thank you for your feedback, I am glad to hear that Lisa could help you so quickly with your damaged order.
Have a lovely day,
Waterstones Customer Support

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Outstanding Service

I made the mistake of pre ordering the same book on two different days. Once I realised I contacted Waterstones who said that the books had been posted and that when they arrived I could send one back, they sent me a link to a very helpful website which was easy to use and allowed me to print a return label.
Quick visit to the local Post Office (they even offered to collect) and job done, and it didn't cost me a penny even though it was my fault.
Absolutely outstanding service.
Well done Waterstones, you'll be my first choice in furure.

18 May 2026
Unprompted review
Waterstones logo

Reply from Waterstones

Hello David,
Thank you for your feedback, I am so glad that our returns system was so helpful for you and that our team could resolve your duplicate order.
Have a lovely day,
Waterstones Customer Support

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Contacting Waterstones Support

I had made a mistake with an order and ordered a product twice and Lisa at Waterstones Customer Support was able to deal with this very promptly and efficiently and I had a refund in the pipeline within half an hour plus a confirmation email that the problem had been dealt with. Very good support from Waterstones Customer Support Team.

18 May 2026
Unprompted review
Waterstones logo

Reply from Waterstones

Hello Zoe,
Thank you for your feedback, I am glad to hear that Lisa could help you with your duplicate purchase so quickly.
I will be sure to share your kind words with her.
Have a lovely day,
Waterstones Customer Support

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Amazing customer service by Lisa!

Amazing customer service by Lisa!

15 May 2026
Unprompted review
Waterstones logo

Reply from Waterstones

Hello Natasha,
Thank you for your feedback.
I will be sure to share your kind words with Lisa.
Have a lovely day,
Waterstones Customer Support

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Superb customer support

Superb support from Lorraine with my Waterstones plus card!

15 May 2026
Unprompted review
Waterstones logo

Reply from Waterstones

Hello Claire,
Thank you for your feedback, I am glad to hear that Lorraine was so supportive while helping you.
I will be sure to share your kind words with her.
Have a lovely day,
Waterstones Customer Support

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Alyssa to the rescue!

After a tracking mixup, I was anxiously awaiting my book and Alyssa was so gracious in helping me find my shipment and kept in touch until it arrived. She made this book lover feel supported! Thank you Alyssa!

13 May 2026
Unprompted review
Waterstones logo

Reply from Waterstones

Hello Tara,
Thank you for your feedback, I am glad to hear that Alyssa not only found your tracking but stayed in contact with you until you had received your order.
Have a lovely day,
Waterstones Customer Support

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Excellent customer service from Alyssa

Excellent customer service from Alyssa

15 May 2026
Unprompted review
Waterstones logo

Reply from Waterstones

Hello Iseabal,
Thank you for your feedback, I am glad to hear that Alyssa gave you such a great experience.
I will be sure to share your kind words with her.
Have a lovely day,
Waterstones Customer Support

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Communication was great

Communication was great, really helpful and polite. Very friendly!

15 May 2026
Unprompted review
Waterstones logo

Reply from Waterstones

Hello Jessica,
Thank you for your feedback!
Have a lovely day,
Waterstones Customer Support

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Excellent customer service by Alyssa

Excellent customer service by Alyssa.
I contacted to ask for help with a refund and Alyssa was extremely helpful- responded immediately and provided step by step instructions. Refunded immediately also. Fantastic service - thank you!

15 May 2026
Unprompted review
Waterstones logo

Reply from Waterstones

Hello Helen,
Thank you for your feedback, I am glad to hear that Alyssa could help you so quickly with your refund.
I will be sure to share your kind words with her.
Have a lovely day,
Waterstones Customer Support

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Hayley V was helpful

Hayley V was helpful, professional and a pleasure to speak with. She’s a credit to Waterstones.

15 May 2026
Unprompted review
Waterstones logo

Reply from Waterstones

Hello Barry,
Thank you for your feedback, I am glad to hear that Hayley V was so professional and helpful while helping you.
I will be sure to share your kind words with her.
Have a lovely day,
Waterstones Customer Support

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great book quality

I love ordering books from Waterstones and popping into the shops. Books are always of great quality and the staff are very friendly, plus their reward scheme is great!

13 May 2026
Unprompted review
Waterstones logo

Reply from Waterstones

Hello Steven,
Thank you for your feedback, we are so glad you enjoy our reward system too!
Have a lovely day,
Waterstones Customer Support

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I love ordering specific books from…

I love ordering specific books from Waterstones, the UK covers are some of the best. I specifically ordered the full set of Brandon Sanderson's Skyward series. All of them got delivered with no issues except the first book, Skyward. You wouldn't notice unless it is opened, but the title pages were glued underneath the inside cover, it ended up fully ripping the tops of the first few pages when pulled apart. This probably happened when the book was made, no fault of Waterstones. But upon sending in my damage request with pictures, the CSR (Alyssa) helped me immediately and apologized. A replacement book was sent out ASAP. Excellent customer service. All of my experiences with Waterstones have been wonderful! And shipping is always fast!

6 May 2026
Unprompted review
Waterstones logo

Reply from Waterstones

Hello Courtney,
Thank you for your feedback, I am glad to hear that Alyssa was able to replace this faulty book for you so quickly.
I will be sure to share your kind words with her.
Have a lovely day,
Waterstones Customer Support

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

They were great sorting out the problem…

They were great sorting out the problem I had very fast response from them great customer service can’t ask for better service

7 May 2026
Unprompted review
Waterstones logo

Reply from Waterstones

Hello,
Thank you for your feedback, I am glad to hear that our team were so quick to help you with your order.
Have a lovely day,
Waterstones Customer Support

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Customer Service

Customer Service - Lisa, in my case - very helpful and pleasant.

8 May 2026
Unprompted review
Waterstones logo

Reply from Waterstones

Hello Matt,
Thank you for your feedback.
I will be sure to share your kind words with Lisa.
Have a lovely day,
Waterstones Customer Support

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Had a great customer service…

Had a great customer service experience.
Lisa was quick to help when i forgot to input my payment information which ensured i got my very sought after book that i got in the presale :)

7 May 2026
Unprompted review
Waterstones logo

Reply from Waterstones

Hello Hayden,
Thank you for your feedback, I am glad to hear that Lisa could ensure you received your book so quickly.
I will be sure to share your kind words with her.
Have a lovely day,
Waterstones Customer Support

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Excellent service due to due to my own…

Excellent service due to due to my own error Waterstone sorted the problem efficiently and well executed

8 May 2026
Unprompted review
Waterstones logo

Reply from Waterstones

Hello Cheryl,
Thank you for your feedback, it is great to know our team could fix this error for you so quickly.
Have a lovely day,
Waterstones Customer Support

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