I am obsessed with books. I’ve purchased them at bookstores, online book shops, second hand shops and have had some shipped from Amazon. (In case you were wondering with this is noteworthy, I live in the Philippines and it’s not that easy to purchase from Amazon. Haha.)
When I mentioned on my Instagram that I was trying out Book Depository, fellow book lovers begged me to share the experience afterwards. So. here I am doing just that.
I just received my first ever package from Book Depository, and I don’t think this will be my last!
What is Book Depository?
If you’ve never heard of Book Depository, you might be wondering what all the hoopla is about. Well, Book Depository is an online book shop and they offer FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE. Yup, you heard that right! No hefty tax and shipping fees.
FAQ #1: Is it really free shipping?
Yes, but the catch is, almost all the books are generally a little more expensive here than on Amazon. However, it’s worth noting that “more expensive” can range from just a few cents to a couple of bucks. So it’s best to check each titles you want and compare.
To give you an idea, these are the prices for the titles I purchased, compared to their prices on Amazon:
- The Day of Ahmed’s Secret: $8.90 on Book Depository, $7.99 on Amazon
- The Tale of the Mandarin Ducks: $7.98 on Book Depository, $6.99 on Amazon
- The Story About Ping: $4.41 on Book Depository, $3.99 on Amazon
Total difference on my order is just $2.30, which I deemed perfectly reasonable considering they promise to deliver it straight at my doorstep in just 2 weeks!
FAQ #2: How does this compare to buying books at Amazon and having it shipped in the Philippines?
I’ve ordered books from Amazon US before and have had them shipped using a PO box service. Using a PO box service is great if you’re buying big ticket items and the books are just add-ons. Otherwise, it’s not worth it to open a box as shipping will be really expensive (a small box can cost around $40!)
Also, using a shipping service takes longer with Amazon + PO box service (usually 2 months minimum!) and you’ll get charged for tax depending on where the PO box is located. If you’re just getting books, Book Depository might be cheaper. Again, this depends on the titles you’re getting and how many books you’re ordering.
I’ve never tried shipping directly from Amazon to the Philippines. I’ve always used a PO box service.
FAQ #3: Are the books cheaper than those at local Philippine bookstores?
Again, this depends on your title. I recommend Book Depository when buying books that are hard to find here in The Philippines.
My Experience:
I decided to order 3 books just to try it out first. Here’s the timeline:
- September 5: Placed my order
- September 10: Was informed that books were dispatched from the UK
- September 26: Books arrived at my doorstep!
On their website, it says that if the books ship from the UK, it will arrive 7-10 business days in The Philippines. If it ships from Australia, it will take 10-14 business days. I got a little worried when it was already September 24, so I emailed their customer service. Then I got even more worried when they replied to say I should’ve gotten it already by now!
But lo and behold, it arrived 2 days after and all was well. Hehe. My books took a total of 16 days or to be specific, 12 business days to arrive, from the day it was dispatched.
The books arrived straight at my home. I didn’t have to pick it up at the local post office or anything. And I wasn’t charged tax or any service/delivery fee as well. It came in a thin, brown cardboard box and the books arrived in perfect condition! I’m very happy with how everything turned out.
Overall:
Overall, I had a great experience with Book Depository. To recap, here are my tips:
- Buy at Book Depository if you’re looking for hard-to-find titles
- Make sure you compare the price difference between Book Depository, Amazon (don’t forget to count in shipping fees) and your local bookshop first
- Yes, it’s really free shipping and yes, it really arrived at my doorstep!
- Remember that books shipped to the Philippines are by law, tax-free so you shouldn’t be charged anything once the package arrives
—-
55 Comments
Jennifer
October 16, 2018 at 9:38 pmGot to love free shipping!!
Aditi
October 16, 2018 at 11:30 pmInformative post!! Loved it..I didn’t knew of the Book Depository. Free shipping is exciting to know..
Thanks for sharing this bundle of information.
Sheena Sy Gonzales
October 17, 2018 at 9:56 amYes, check if it’s available in your country! Should be!
Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom
October 17, 2018 at 1:14 amI haven’t heard of this site, but it sounds great… I always like to get free shipping!
Sheena Sy Gonzales
October 17, 2018 at 9:57 amWe don’t have Amazon here so we need to look for other ways! Haha thank you Carrie!
Kathrine Eldridge
October 17, 2018 at 5:52 amThanks for sharing this site! I have never heard of it so I need to check it out.
Sheena Sy Gonzales
October 17, 2018 at 9:57 amHope you like it let me know if you tried it!
Jessica
October 17, 2018 at 10:43 pmThese are really adorable books dear! Thanks for sharing!
Soph
October 20, 2018 at 1:38 amWow free shipping worldwide is amazing! I’m so glad that you had a great experience and that the books actually did turn up haha!
Sheena Sy Gonzales
October 22, 2018 at 3:00 pmYes I’m glad they turned up haha!
Susie @ Mile High Dreamers
October 21, 2018 at 6:36 amThis is such a good idea! During the summer, reading is my LIFE since I actually have the time to do it. I’m constantly ordering books or buying them from Costco but it’d be really nice to have them delivered like this! Plus I love the free shipping. Definitely a good way to stock up. Thanks for sharing!
Sheena Sy Gonzales
October 22, 2018 at 3:00 pmYes, at this point, I rely too much on online shopping haha.
Cris Santos
October 22, 2018 at 5:02 pmThat is an excellent idea especially if you want something special and free shipping well that is the cherry on top Loved it xoxo Cris
Sheena Sy Gonzales
October 22, 2018 at 10:19 pmYes exactly!
Nancy
October 23, 2018 at 5:26 amI like the idea of Book Depository! So much easier than going to a bookstore in person and picking out books. I hate it when there’s a price difference between books. Wow, you definitely need to plan books ahead of time for the delivery time. Glad you enjoyed the experience – hurray on free shipping!
Sheena Sy Gonzales
October 23, 2018 at 8:51 amYes you really have to plan ahead, and wait! But the wait is worth it!
Emily
October 23, 2018 at 7:38 amIt’s crazy to think how much I take for granted living in America where books are so easily obtainable. It’s nice you have a source of getting them! I would die without good books haha.
Sheena Sy Gonzales
October 23, 2018 at 8:51 amYessss!! I wish we had better services here but ah well. In time!
Mercy
October 31, 2018 at 12:34 pmNice to hear about this online bookstore, can’t wait to browse their website.
Sheena Sy Gonzales
October 31, 2018 at 3:00 pmCheck it out, you might like it!
Gerome
November 8, 2018 at 3:39 pmHi! May I know what city you’re in? I’m from QC, and I’ve read reviews that they had to pick it up at their local PO instead of receiving it at their doorstep. Plus they got charged the storage fee of the PO. This is a big concern since I’m planning of ordering multiple books and Bookdepository sends them out individually. I don’t want to pay P112 at the PO for each book.
Sheena Sy Gonzales
November 8, 2018 at 4:18 pmI had the items shipped to an address in QC too and didn’t have any problems.
Kristine Soriano
January 7, 2019 at 9:31 pmThis sounds interesting. Would love to try this soon.
Maria Criselda Laxamana
March 8, 2019 at 9:46 amHello,can I ask a question? I purchased 2 books from book depository but I haveny received my parcel yet,how do I know if ny local post office have it?TIA
Sheena Sy Gonzales
March 10, 2019 at 11:50 amHi Sorry I don’t know because they delivered it straight to my place.
Abby
March 20, 2019 at 2:52 pmGo to your local post office. I pre-ordered a book last year. It was shipped last January and I got it last week. I found out it has been sitting at the post office for about month (It arrived February at the local post office). it’s the case of management of the local post office and delivery.
Ronie
February 5, 2020 at 10:10 pmHello Abby, How do I know that it’s in the local post office? Did they need some tracking number?
Alindogan
April 7, 2019 at 12:12 amHi! I’ve been planning to purchase some books at Book Depository and would love to know if what mode of payment did you use, is it through card or Paypal? Thank you.
P.S. Do they have a book sale going on in there site as well??
Sheena Sy Gonzales
April 7, 2019 at 7:38 amHi, they sometimes have sales! I’m not sure if they have one right now.
I used PayPal!
Alindogan
April 7, 2019 at 9:38 pmThank you!!
Bee and Baby
September 14, 2019 at 4:07 amHi Sheena, meant to ask, have you tried ordering more than 3 books? I heard that if you buy 2 or more, the Post Office can intercept it, and you will have to claim it at the PO pa. And they are notoriously unable to take care of the packages. Have you had any issues since the writing of this post? Thanks!
Sheena Sy Gonzales
September 14, 2019 at 7:41 amI recently just bought 3 items! I didn’t know about this issue though. I have yet to receive my package. I’ll update on this comment or blog once I get them. Thanks for informing!
Cherry Antigua Mero
September 18, 2019 at 3:59 pmThank you for this article. I was introduced to Book Depository last night but was quite hesitant about the free shipping they offer. Yes, you are totally right about the price difference between Book Depository and Amazon. In BD, price is a little expensive but can completely save on shipping. In Amazon, on the other hand, cheaper price but the SF is more expensive than the book itself. Thanks for this post. I can place my very first order in BD without worries.
By the way, do you have any book recommendation about parenting and first baby?
Sheena Sy Gonzales
September 25, 2019 at 5:37 pmHope you enjoy your Book Depository experience!!
I have a lot of books but at the top of my head: Parenting by Paul David Tripp, Bringing Up Bebe, How to be a Happier Parent, All Joy and No Fun (not really a parenting book but it’s about parenting)
sev
September 24, 2019 at 10:28 pmHello
Can I ask where you located? And what’s the longest arrival time so far amongst your purchases?
Thank you
Sheena Sy Gonzales
September 25, 2019 at 5:31 pmManila. Around 3-4 weeks I believe. Not bad
RonaliaXX
November 10, 2019 at 6:11 pmHey, can we use whatever mode of payment for it? I’m planning on choosing cash on delivery, so is that okay? Does it need to have card or PayPal? I don’t have a card so cash on delivery is my choice, but how?
Sheena Sy Gonzales
November 11, 2019 at 2:38 pmHi I’m sorry I don’t know, it’s best to contact Book Depository customer service.
Regine
November 22, 2019 at 2:52 pmHello! Did they give you any tracking number?
Sheena Sy Gonzales
November 23, 2019 at 7:13 amI believe you can track on their website.
Mel
February 1, 2020 at 1:31 pmHello, I ordered from Book Depository last December 23, and was dispatched, December 24. Up until now, I have not received the parcel yet (counting from the dispatched date, 40 days in total). What should I do? Should I go directly to the courier? Is it Phlpost?
Sheena Sy Gonzales
February 6, 2020 at 12:03 amHi, oh no I’m not sure, might be better to ask Book Depository first for the location/status of your parcel
Strike
February 2, 2020 at 5:06 pmHi! Cool post, very informative. I gotta ask though, do you have to pick up your delivery in person or can someone get it on your behalf?
Sheena Sy Gonzales
February 6, 2020 at 12:03 amMine was delivered straight to my home, as mentioned in the post
Marky Pineda
April 11, 2020 at 8:26 pmI don’t know if it’s the website or it’s because of the pandemic but I can’t place my order because there’s no philippines in the delivery address. Have you experience this? if only the book is not hard to find
Sheena Sy Gonzales
April 11, 2020 at 9:53 pmOh Im sorry I haven’t experienced this. Might be because of the lockdown…
Emilyn Marcoleta
April 22, 2020 at 7:20 amHello Ms Sheena, I just wanted to ask what courier do they usually use to deliver the books here in Philippines? Or in your experience. As I have order items last March 03, it was already dispatched from UK on the 11th but no sign pf delivery yet.
Sheena Sy Gonzales
April 22, 2020 at 9:38 pmHi it’s probably been affected by the ECQ. Not sure what courier they usually use… I forgot. I think DHL? Not so sure.
But so far all successful deliveries naman on my end.
Nicole
June 10, 2021 at 8:17 pmHello! Did you include your PO Box in the address?
Sheena Sy Gonzales
June 14, 2021 at 2:51 pmI dont have a PO box.
Toran Darell
June 17, 2021 at 3:17 pmHello, I ordered 2 books from Bookdepository, 1 on April 19, and another on April 29. It’s June 17 now and I think it has been 30 days since and till now nothing was delivered to my doorstep. I chatted my nearest local post office but they requested for a tracking number, and I said I don’t have one since the package is considered as ordinary package, then they agreed on that, they then requested my name and address, and said my package is non existent.
I don’t know but 30+ days is enough right? for Bookdepository’s shipping to Philippines
Toran Darell
June 17, 2021 at 3:21 pm40+ days*
Sheena Sy Gonzales
June 22, 2021 at 11:40 pmHello, I haven’t ordered since the pandemic started. But I asked friends who’ve had and they have orders 2 months running and they still haven’t received their packages.
CYRUS ARNAIZ
February 22, 2022 at 10:09 pmI always buy on Book Depository up until now. Upon my honest observation, there are times that my orders take too long to arrive plus I am living outside of Cebu City. It takes 1 month or 3 months or so for your orders to arrive. This is my observation since I have been ordering lots of books on Book Depository. However, there are times that I receive my orders 15 days after dispatch or 25 days. Still majority of my books take beyond 30 days or so in order for me to check it at our local post office. I am so unfortunate to realize that I need to pay Php 112 per item as what our Philpost is saying for imported orders. To make this short every month I need to spare some money to get my books to our local post office. If I am not going to pay my Php 112, it is a big lose for me if I do not want to get my books. Lesson here: Allocate money more if you are using Philpost as your courier (We have no choice then for our orders on BD) and I hope the Government will try to amend their laws regarding about this thing. Imagine you need to pay for your orders which too expensive. Addition cost.
Sheena Sy Gonzales
March 5, 2022 at 11:31 amOh yes that’s very unfortunate.
I’m sorry to hear about this experience.