Hey everyone! This is for those who are curious about Book Depository in 2021 with the pandemic and just in general. Just a disclaimer, this is technically my experience with them in 2019/2020 but I did recently order books from them again this year so I'll update with how that went! Let's get started!
I liked my experience with Book Depository! I give them a 4/5! I love the free shipping, and the fact that all the books I've seen and ordered from on their site are much cheaper (and actually available) than what they are in Korea.
I'm not a big fan of the no tracking (but I do know that they've updated so now some countries are provided with tracking! Korea's just not one of them...ㅠㅠ) And when they say i.e. 10-15 days, they mean 10-15 days. Not a day earlier but also most of the time, days later. If it's been past the maximum amount of days, normally I'll just email them and say how much longer should I wait before contacting again for a refund or a new copy and then I just wait.
Sometimes, it'll come around two days or three after the "15 days limit" but it normally comes around the time frame they provide.
And then if it doesn't, after emailing them they normally ask if you want a refund or a new copy and then whatever you decide tends to happen smoothly and quickly.
I like their customer service! They respond within a day or two, and they always refund or send a new copy! Once, I got a book that was slightly damaged (damaged enough that I contacted them) and they gave me a partial refund! So that was nice. I had heard a lot of negative reviews surrounding their customer service so I was really apprehensive on my first order, but it worked out well, and they were quick to respond - both verbally and actions-wise.
Just to be aware, once it's in the country, I think it's delivered through the most basic delivery express, so it could take longer to get to your destination.
But yeah, that's it! A few things to be aware of, but I've been reassured by their customer service and I hope you are too!
I do recommend ordering earlier than when you would like to receive it by, and to keep an eye on the price because it does fluctuate - so sometimes it can cheaper and sometimes it can get more expensive.
Other than that, I do recommend Book Depository! For all the new English books that I've bought since moving to Korea, most of them were bought from Book Depository!
