Books not arriving from Blackwell's

For what it's worth, I live in Canada, and it takes on average about 3-6 weeks for untracked UK shipments. Oh, and that was WITHOUT Covid.

You're further from them than I am.

Ligandil wrote:

Last December I decided to try out ordering from Blackwell's. I ordered 5 books and all arrived on time (~1 month from purchasing date, I'm in Costa Rica).

Motivated by this, I ordered 12 more books in early February, but as of today only 2 have arrived, and I'm very concerned right now. I have already sent them a message about this issue.

Has it happened with anyone that their books never arrived? I'm starting to get worried. Thanks!

Things can always go missing in international post, irrespective of who you purchased from. I've had two things go missing now this year. COVID has really screwed up international logistics.

I'd say you probably need to wait longer, though.

Ligandil - I’m not sure what carrier they use, but Royal Mail has a 4 to 6 week backlog on international shipments on non priority items because of Covid. So you can expect looooong delays. ?

eorl wrote:

@Ligandil - I’m not sure what carrier they use, but Royal Mail has a 4 to 6 week backlog on international shipments on non priority items because of Covid. So you can expect looooong delays. ?

I'll definitely keep that in mind when I order the 2022 calendar in June.

Blackwell's customer support is generally very good, as is their packing materials and methods, so I would still hold out hope that the packages will arrive safely, if not very timely. I have definitely noticed that international shipments can take much much longer than anticipated.

Thank you for your replies, insurrbution, Stu, Eorl and Urolókë. I'll sleep well today knowing that likely this is just a delay.

Appreciate this unlikely to affect your shipment but on a similar note if shipping from the UK to Europe please be aware that Brexit and the mass of subsequent paperwork and possible tax and export charges may hold up / prevent parcels arriving.
Pre brexit I was fine in Greece now it’s a lottery and after 2 parcels not arriving I have decided to not order any more for time being and just have them sent to a uk address
Fingers crossed they turn up for you

We have been ordering from Blackwell's when they have the best price (which includes shipping to the USA) or, especially in the case of deluxe editions, we want to be sure of good packing. (Otherwise we might order from Book Depository; Amazon UK have lost a lot of our business through weak or sloppy packing.) We ordered the new deluxe and trade editions of The Silmarillion on 28 February, for publication on 18 March. Blackwell's dispatched the books (from Bristol) on 13 March, and as before when more expensive books are involved, shipped them by DHL. We had a notice from DHL on 15 March for expected arrival on 18 March, but the package arrived -- nicely packed as always, if just dumped on our unsheltered front steps by the DHL contract driver -- yesterday, 17 March. Our order of 28 February also included a non-Tolkien book, also to be published on 18 March, but Blackwell's sent this separately on 16 March by Royal Mail, which has typically been reaching us within two weeks.

Wayne & Christina (in Massachusetts)

Thank you, Laurel. I'm sure this very helpful advice for many here. As a side note, I had completely booked a trip to Greece last year, but covid happened and ruined everything. :S

And thank you, Wayne and Christina! I had no idea Blackwell's used DHL for more expensive books. In non-pandemic times I live in the US (I study there), so I'll definitely be using BD or Blackwell's shipped to the US at some point. Good luck receiving the remaining book.

I wanted to add what an honour it is to write to you right now! In fact, just today I received in the mail (from Amazon UK) The J. R. R. Tolkien Companion and Guide and The Lord of the Rings: A Reader’s Companion. I'm absolutely thrilled, and I can't wait to read them in detail and enjoy your work. Thank you!

- César