Goldsboro Books Reviews 48

I've been ordering from Goldsboro Books in London for a few years now. I always purchase my signed, first edition John Connolly, Charlie Parker Thrillers from Goldsboro.
I have never had any issues with placing orders or receiving the book just after the release date. The latest book arrived only today. Well packaged in a sturdy box with bubble rap around the book itself.
Thank you to all the Goldsboro team from a very happy customer.

Pre ordered a book in January. When you pre order, you expect the item as soon as its released. Instead they didnt ship it til a week after release and I received it 13 days after release.
Might sound minor but it was very frustrating and I won't be buying from them again.

Recently discovered this little gem of a bookstore on a trip to Brighton and I must admit I was amazed by the business itself and the beautiful books they stock.
As someone who has spent many hours in many book shops and library’s, I have never seen such beautiful books that are so special to have in your hand. I bought two titles on the day and have already ordered online again for myself. I have a feeling I will be treating myself regularly to books from here in future. Wish there was a branch in Ireland, I’d visit so much!

Shout out to Belle at Goldsboro for amazing customer service support. I contacted Goldsboro via email with a question/request, and Belle responded lightning fast, and was incredibly helpful.

I love Goldsboro Books and their amazing customer service people like Belle is one of the reasons why!

Holy cow! I just received my shipment..I should've taken a picture of how smooshed the box arrived. It was totally crushed in on at least 1/3 of the box.

I was so nervous.

But you packed it so carefully with bubble wrap, everything was PERFECT. Like, seriously perfect.

Also, I've never held a Goldsboro edition before. I love, love, the protective cover as well. Everything is so stunning. Absolutely gorgeous.

Thank you! I can't wait to see more!!

In the wonderful world of books there are Standards, there are Gold Standards - then head and shoulders above those there are Goldsboro Standards.
As a regular Goldsboro customer for many years I am delighted to say their standards are as high now as they were when I purchased my first-ever signed edition and was delighted as much with the presentation and packaging as I was with the overall customer service.
I have previously told them that my late father used to say that the first thing anyone ever sees about your home is the front door and if that is well-presented and maintained then their perception of everything thereafter can only be positively enhanced.
At Goldsboro not only is the on-line customer care second to none, but equally on the occasions I have enjoyed visiting their delightful shop in London’s Cecil Court, being met by friendly, ever-helpful frontline people like the lovely Laila Halil has only helped underline the valid and valued service they provide.
This has made me return many times in the past and will see me return many more times in the future to the place where everything is quite literally Signed, Sealed and Delivered to Goldsboro Standards!

Goldsboro has become one of life’s real little treats for me. I get so much joy from popping in to browse the shop - or that proper kid-at-Christmas feeling when my monthly subscription book turns up in the post.

I started my subscription with them back in August and honestly couldn’t be happier. I’ve also ordered a few books outside the subscription, based on their recommendations, and every one I’ve read so far has been brilliant. They really know what they’re doing when it comes to picking a good read.

I’ve seen a few negative reviews about Goldsboro’s customer service, but in my experience it just comes down to patience. Sometimes the best things in life are worth waiting for!

When you visit the shop, you can see the sheer amount of stock the team are handling - it’s incredible for a small independent place. They work their socks off to bring readers these amazing limited, signed first editions from both big-name and up-and-coming authors.

I’ve had a couple of small hiccups with orders, but these things happen. Each time, the team sorted it quickly and were really helpful and polite about it.

The staff in store are always friendly, chatty and clearly love books themselves, which makes such a difference. On a recent visit I even saw the owner helping a gentleman pick a new series based on what he liked, it was genuinely lovely to watch.

Anyway, a bit of a long and flowery review from me, but as someone who loves reading, collecting and good customer service, I’d say don’t hesitate to shop at Goldsboro. Stick with them. You won’t regret it.

I have always used Goldsboro for all my signed books. Great website, easy to order what I need. What I love more than anything is loyalty - I have purchased all 5 signed Thursday Murder Club Novels, and I like that they email their customers who have bought the series before.

I cannot recommend them enough. Books aren't delivered on release day, but these books are signed and not a 'typical' book release so I understand that timing varies as per when they receive their stock.

Would happily use them forever and I really need to visit this shop in person one day soon when I am next in London.

I had ordered two books over a month ago. None received. No communication even though I had sent numerous emails asking for updates. Then yesterday I receive a email telling me they have issued a refund for one of the books due to a flood! I don't believe that excuse at all. Avoid !!!! Will never shop here ever again. Better off with hatchards

Always wonderful - it's a real treat to visit this bookshop in Cecil court. Friendly and knowledgeable staff and an excellent range of modern limited edition hardback books and rare first editions.

I love Goldsboro Books. I am a subscriber and I purchase other books with a nice discount because of I’m a subscriber. Books are sent with dust wrappers and have always reached me in mint condition.

Ok, yes customer service could be better , however the once I have talked on the phone they were great. Reaching out by email tends to take a long time to get response, I have sent an email regarding a book I purchased in August which I haven’t received yet, nor have a received a reply to my email. With that said, this is a small independent business and I’m sure it’s extremely hard work.

Earlier this year, I pre ordered a signed copy of a book that was due for release in September. I didn’t expect to receive the book on the day of publication but I did expect some kind of communication to let me know the status of my order. When I have tried to email the company I have had no response. When I tried to track my order there is no information available. It is such a shame because this company has some excellent reviews but sadly my experience has been poor. I purchase a number of books on a monthly basis but due to my experiences with this order, I will not be purchasing from this company again. I just hope that my book arrives at some point!

I just want to respond to your reply. As I stated in my review, I didn’t expect the item to be delivered on the date of publication but I did expect you to keep me informed regarding expected date of dispatch. I did use the Shopify link to track my order but the only information that it gave was that the order was placed. That had not been updated. If it had, I would never have needed to contact you in the first place. I find it interesting that it seemed to take me to place a review here for you to act on my order because immediately following my review, I received emails from you responding to my initial email and confirming it had been dispatched. I would appreciate you not trying to excuse the way that this matter has been handled. I rarely complain about anything but the fact that I have in this case speaks volumes! I most certainly will not be ordering from you again.

Edit: more excuses. I could hear your team fine on the phone. They could not hear me allegedly. Your staff member in Brighton was dismissive and rude. Not me. Do better in future.

In May 2024, I pre-ordered a numbered special edition title due for release in October 2025. In June 2025, I placed a second pre-order for another numbered special edition, released 27th August 2025.

For the 2024 order, my book was delivered around three weeks after publication. While late, it at least arrived. For my more recent order, however, I have had no correspondence at all since placing it. I emailed and received no reply. I sent a direct message which was ignored. When I telephoned, I was hung up on repeatedly, and when I left a message I was finally contacted—only to be told I “shouldn’t expect Amazon service.” When I called your Brighton shop, the staff member I spoke to was unhelpful and, frankly, rude.

This is unacceptable. Customers are not expecting Amazon-level turnaround, but they are entitled to the product they paid for—especially when it was pre-ordered months in advance. The repeated excuse of a “heavy publication period” (which I have also seen cited in many of your historic reviews) is not a valid reason for such poor communication or delays. Using platforms like Shopify obligates staff to monitor and dispatch orders in a timely way; it is not the customer’s responsibility to chase repeatedly.

Pre-ordering demonstrates patience and loyalty to a small business. It is precisely because customers are willing to wait that we expect better communication, transparency, and fulfilment when release dates pass. The service I have experienced instead has been dismissive, disorganised, and far below reasonable expectations.

I recently made my first order at Goldsboro Books. The book, which I know was new, was indeed the best new copy I have ever received. The packing was amazing, really well packed including a dust wrapper protector. There was no way that the book could have been damaged in transit. All in all I found the service outstanding and would have no hesitation in recommending Goldsboro Books!

Difference between good and mediocre business is simple. One gets the product right, the other - the product, the service, and error correction. Goldsboro got the product. It does not have customer service and does not acknowledge let alone fix errors (there are exceptions but they are down to individual employees, at odds with the rest). Two examples. One, shipping. The shop claims “professionally packed” etc. What it means in practice is that you get your books in one size fits all box and tons of bubble wrap. Yes, your book arrives safely but how is creating so much waste “professional”? Two, Goldsboro offers the option to request matching limitation numbers e.g. when collecting series. Sometimes they may send you the wrong number. Ok, that can happen. But try fixing it ie return / replace, you get radio silence back. Few other little things that add up to poor user experience. Your orders aren’t searchable, you can only click-open each individually. So if you pre-ordered something 5 months ago and forgot, high chance to double order (compare to Amazon’s “last purchased on …” alert. You cannot cancel order online, you have to email. There is no way to check refunds online - you need to monitor your credit card statement. Loyalty scheme is rudimentary at best, shipping costs are high (prepare to pay 5.50 for a 16 pound book unless you live close enough to collect), free shipping if you spend X is not offered, etc etc. All small things, perhaps. But they add up to what another reviewer described as “they don’t like their customers very much”. I am keeping 2 stars, one for the product - and another for the couple of employees who do try their best. In the meantime, explore alternatives - Broken Binding, Forbidden Planet... This one may may be living off past brand value glories.

Very happy with my special signed edition of A Little Trickerie by Rosanna Pike. Quick international delivery and the book was very well protected with bubble wrap. The book itself is beautiful. I appreciate the transparent dustjack sleeve.

Goldsboro Books sells lovely items. The problem is their customer service. They charge top dollar delivery fees but take weeks to dispatch anything with no updates. There was an issue with one of the items I ordered. Instead of dispatching the rest of the order (and you pay for postage on an item-by-item basis so it wasn’t like they had any reason not to post my other items) they just sat on the whole order for two months without contacting me about the issue. They only dispatched the other items after I emailed them to ask what was going on and I suspect I would have just lost my money if I hadn’t reached out. With regard to the item that was a problem - their solution was for me to contact their distributor to speak to them myself! Are they having a laugh?

I am a new buyer with Goldsboro Books. I am extremely satisfied with the quality of the books received; but more importantly has been my contact with the customer service team.

I'm autistic and can ask many questions to ensure I understand all elements before using the business. The replies from the team have always been very quick. They have answered my questions clearly and have provided me with support needed.

I have no hesitation in contacting them with any queries. They are also very honest. 1 book I ordered had slight marks on the coloured edge. They sent me pictures and offered me an immediate refund if I didn't want the book.

Also a big thank you to the people in the packaging department who also do a brilliant job.

Having been gifted a monthly book as a Christmas present, I have read 3 and half read 2. Mixed reviews? Yes. The first was about American couples vying to be ice dance champions and maybe succeed at the Winter Olympics,
The next was 'Nesting', a diary of the troubles of a wife fleeing a possessive husband in Dublin. She was convincing but it was hard to believe in him as a real predator.
Third was 'The Lamb', magical realism about cannibalism in the northern forests of England.
Then there was a rural tale about love and marriage in Dorset. Too starrily romantic to progress more than a third if the course and distance.
The fifth, 'The Seven O'clock club' is more readable and effective. So one can hope that the books are in ascending order of personal preference. The books are beautifully produced.

Whereas there was a delay in communication, and shipping, I was ultimately very pleased with the way this was handled, would use again.