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 AI reviews summary 

Booktopia receives a mix of feedback that highlights a divide between customers receiving standard stock and those attempting to purchase items that require external sourcing. While many users report a seamless experience with competitive pricing and secure packaging, a recurring segment of feedback identifies challenges with stock accuracy and communication during delays.

Pros
Reliable Packaging: Sturdy, protective cardboard sleeves are frequently noted for ensuring books and electronics arrive in excellent condition.
Efficient Delivery for In-Stock Items: When items are readily available, deliveries are often described as prompt, sometimes arriving within a few days.
Competitive Pricing: Users often highlight better value compared to other retailers, including occasional free postage and significant discounts on retail prices.
Broad Product Range: The extensive catalogue, including niche titles, textbooks, and e-readers like Kobo, is a primary reason users choose the platform.
Cons
Stock Status Discrepancies: A subset of reviews indicates that items marked as "in stock" on the website are sometimes actually on backorder or out of print, leading to unexpected delays.
Communication Gaps: Some users report a lack of proactive updates when orders are delayed, often requiring the customer to initiate contact to discover the status of their purchase.
Extended Wait Times: In instances where items are not immediately available, delivery times can extend to several weeks or months without clear timelines provided at checkout.
Legacy Gift Card Issues: A recurring complaint involves the refusal to honour gift cards or refunds issued prior to the company's change in ownership and administration period.
Verdict

Booktopia is a viable option for consumers seeking competitive prices and a wide selection, particularly when items are confirmed to be in stock. However, potential buyers should be aware of reported inconsistencies regarding stock availability and may experience slower resolution times if an order requires external sourcing or follow-up.

33,010 reviews
4 Jennifer-Jessika T.  · I love this store! I'll keep using it. Thank you.
5 Jose almazan  · Purchased,"The Blood sugar repair plan book" by Sarah by Lorenzo.. Very good clear informative written . Arrived very promptly ,happy customer.
1 Paora P.  · Terrible service. Receive email saying order placed then two weeks later find out it’s cancelled. Appalling service.
1 Kerry Blue  · Ordered a book 18 may 2026. It’s now 18 June 2026 with no delivery and no explanation very poor service
5 SIEGLINDE  · I was very happy with the price of the book I ordered plus its punctuality of arrival! Also the wide range of books available!
5 Chris S  · Outstanding customer service. Very grateful of Kristofer's excellent communication and kindness. A very positive experience.
Diana
DianaNSW15 posts
 

Placed my order 17th June. It's 3rd August and they haven't even dispatched my book yet. I don't know why I haven't been refunded after my first email. NEVER AGAIN!

Booktopia
Booktopia    

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keisha d.
keisha d.
 

Have been waiting since June, it’s now August, for our order to be complete. Received some of our order but still waiting for the rest. Booktopia do not respond to emails or messages. Trust in the website has gone. Please refund order 32047391 or send order ASAP.

Booktopia
Booktopia    

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Will M
Will M
 

Unnecessarily punitive returns policy. Ordered the wrong textbook, happy to cover cost of return, Booktopia considers this a 'change of mind' and will only offer me the opportunity to spend money I don't have in their store. Blatant attempt to take advantage of a simple mistake.

Booktopia
Booktopia    

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Reviews with attachments

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Jay S.
Jay S.NSW
 

If I’m after quality, Booktopia is my go to. I know I’m getting a brand new genuine edition of any particular book I’m after. No duplicates or fake copies like my previous experience from other online book stores. Always dispatch within the respective date listed for every order I’ve purchased. Even got a quality check once for an order of my two… Read more ·  1

largest and heavier books that were personal collectors items which they managed to bubble wrap for me at my request. Never had a problem, Well worth the review!

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SG
SG7 posts
  Verified

Excellent Customer Service – My book arrived damaged so I called customer service. My call was answered almost straight away and a replacement book was arranged within 5 minutes. I do not have to return the damaged book. Customer service is brilliant - I corresponded with Aya, who was professional and helpful. Also, I got the book for a great price (cheapest anywhere online).… Read more ·  1

Fast shipping. So, even though the book arrived damaged, I will purchase from Booktopia again. Thank you!

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Brooke SK
Brooke SKQLD
 

Great service – I bought the Maze Runner series as a birthday gift for my niece. My order was gift wrapped and delivered quickly. Great service and great value: Show reply

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Junior
JuniorQLD
  Verified

Awesome service – Ordered on a Thursday and received the following Monday and this is 2 weeks before Christmas. So happy with the fast service and the product is perfect just as described will definitely be using booktopia again

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Mauretta
MaurettaTAS2 posts
 

Miles Morales: Shock Waves – My son Loves all spiderman books and Booktopia is my one place to shop for all of my books I am after. They always have the latest books or the hard to find. Great Prices and books always come well packaged.

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Budi P.
Budi P.VIC
  Verified

Website and email confirmation after purchase states 3-5 business days for dispatch of order. Website states it's in stock but apparently it wasn't and they had to order. It is now almost 10 business days and nothing, not even a courtesy email with an apology. Reached out to customer service and only after posting via productreview, the issue is… Read more

resolved.

Customer service was polite and courteous but I am still disappointed with the delay and action only after the threat of a poor review.

Latest follow-ups

Victoria R.
Victoria R.8 posts
 

Dishonest company – Do not purchase from this company have been waiting for 4 months for a book i purchased with them sending me emails saying problems with supplier only to receive an email today saying they have gone into administration

 Follow-up  · I did not get a refund, this purchased was coming from overseas but I engaged with local booktopia regarding the delay

Tracey
TraceySA7 posts
 

Odered an Aduio Book well before the published date trying to cancel order – for the past 12 days been sending messages, and emails wanting to cancel my audio book order. Silence totally disgraceful

 Follow-up  · I finally got a complete refund only after contacting ACCC. After giving them all the of the evidence of no contact from them 3 days later money back in my account. I will never use Booktopia again

Booktopia
Booktopia    

Hi Tracey, thank you for taking the time to share your… Read more

PLo
PLo
  Verified

Book in stock still isn't delivered and no up date as to when the book will arrive is available – I ordered Java all in one as it was in stock May 6th. Now Booktopia are telling me the book will be sent in 15 to 18 working days. It is now 29 working days and I can't get any information on when the book will be sent to me. I need this book for my… Read more

course. The automated chat bot is useless, it requires you to enter the same identifying information multiple times and still can't answer when my book will be sent to me. The bot also can't put me through to a human being without asking for the same information it already has in the chat.

 Follow-up  · I have heard absolutely nothing from Booktopia, no refund and no books. Lost me forever as a customer as I don't trust the process

Booktopia
Booktopia    

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Positive reviews

Ric
RicVIC
  Verified

Ordering online is easy, the items I bought were delivered quickly and in excellent condition (sturdy packaging). I ordered a full set of series of books in 2 separate batches and mistakenly included one of them in both batches. Booktopia sorted this out quickly and with no dramas when I reached out to them about this. TLDR: Happy with my purchase and will do it again if they have books that I wanted to buy. Show reply

Colleen
ColleenQLD
 

"Tears of Red" - Author Judith Dun This is a fast-paced spy / mafia / crime tale with complex characters which keep you guessing until the end. I found myself waking up in the morning thinking about the key characters, which is the sign of good character development. I can see the possibility for taking some of these characters, and their dangerous adventures, into new books. Well done Judith Dun. Well worth the read! Show reply

rayhev
rayhevWA12 posts
 

The Kobo Libra arrived within days of ordering. Well and good protected packaging. Turned on straight away and downloaded my Kobo account to the new reader. Nice to be able to read in bed without turning the lights on. Show reply

Negative reviews

Kym W.
Kym W.QLD3 posts
 

Ordered book 1st of April still waiting – Placed an order on the 1st April. Notification from Booktopia stating book not in stock eta from supplier 10-15 business days. After waiting 4 weeks I emailed Booktopia with no response. On the 5th May decided to phone, after being on hold for over 40min I spoke with a customer service representative who stated “book was damaged in transit”.… Read more

The representative asked if I was happy to purchase the damaged book at a discounted price, I agreed depending on severity of damaged. Representative said she will call back - I’m still waiting for that call... Sent another 2 emails with no response. I know online & postal services are busy, but doesn’t excuse the lack of communication. David, can you please look into this matter? Order # 10868886.

Thanks in advance.

Regards, Disgruntled customer

Booktopia
Booktopia    

Hi Kym, Thanks for taking the time to share your… Read more

George
GeorgeSA12 posts
 

I placed an order just over a month ago for a book. They apparently could not get it at the time. I still have not received it nor do I know the reason for the delay. This business seems to wait till you harass them before sending some books. They should not advertise that they are selling these books if they are not available

Booktopia
Booktopia    

Hi George, Thanks for taking the time to share your… Read more (+2 replies)

Ray M.
Ray M.2 posts
 

Ordered 2 books on 9 June. On 23 July after zero communication or updates about my order I enquired by email. I was told that one of the books was unable to be stocked, and that there would be a further 6 week wait on the other. I didn't trust them to actually fulfil the order on the second book so I requested a refund. In the meantime, I… Read more

could have purchased the books on Amazon (saw there was stock available) but they are now out of stock there as well.

Seems they are happy to take orders, but fulfilling them is not a priority.

Avoid this company.

Booktopia
Booktopia    

Hi Ray, Thank you for reaching out. Please be advised… Read more (+2 replies)

Recent reviews

Sarah
SarahSA3 posts
 

Product arrived damaged. I emailed Booktopia straightaway but still no response days later. I used the online BOT but said customer service is not available. This is terrible service.

Booktopia
Booktopia    

Hi Sarah, Thank you for reaching out. I am sorry that… Read more

Erika
ErikaVIC
 

I pre-ordered a box set in May, before the release date, expecting it to ship shortly after launch. I was then notified it had been delayed until 31 July due to high demand, and later received another email advising it was now out of stock until 15 September. While I understand stock issues can happen, I was disappointed by how the situation was… Read more

handled. The individual books that make up the box set were available on the website, so I asked whether they could ship those instead, or alternatively provide a discount code so I could purchase them individually for the same price with free shipping.

Unfortunately, the only options offered were to continue waiting another six weeks, have express shipping once it eventually became available, accept a $9.99 store credit (the books individually would have cost me an additional $15+ on the original price I paid), or cancel for a refund.

The delay itself wasn't necessarily the issue—it was the lack of a reasonable solution after waiting more than three months beyond my original expected delivery. In the end, I cancelled my order and purchased the books elsewhere.

I hope the company reviews how it handles pre-orders affected by supplier delays, as better customer service and more flexible solutions would have made a big difference.

Booktopia
Booktopia    

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John Adams
John Adams10 posts
 

This company has been sending me unsolicited emails without the usual footnote URL that enables one to unsubscribe, and wasted my precious time looking for it and posting this review which they insisted on>. Too aggressive by far. Get it sorted!!

Booktopia
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Gaele
Gaele3 posts
 

I ordered and paid for a book in February A few weeks later I was told it was on back order. There was no further communication so half way through May I contacted them to be told the book was out of print and could not be supplied. This little fact did not stop them advertising the book or taking my order and payment Very poor communication and service

Booktopia
Booktopia    

Hi Gaele, Thank you for reaching out. To assist you… Read more

Colin
ColinNSW
 

Excellent delivery in terms of timing and the product. My understanding of modern physics is somewhat dated and the book covered the topics at a level in keeping with my needs when i made the purchase Show reply

Downsizer
DownsizerVIC3 posts
  Verified

Bought an animal atlas because our 4yo grandson was interested in where Komodo dragons came from and where do Howler monkeys come from. Book was delivered promptly and well packed. Just waiting to see our grandson to give it to him. It's a good general atlas that answers lots of questions. Order placed 20 Mar 1320 and arrange 0804 24 Mar to regional Victoria Show reply

fruma57
fruma57NSW
 

I had no sooner ordered my two books then they were on my doorstep. I have never had such prompt service when buying books online before. I will be using booktopia in future. Thank you. Show reply

oz_consumer
oz_consumer191 posts
 

Valid order with valid address and valid credit card delayed a week to be "verified". WHAT? – What sort of company takes an order with a VALID DEBIT CARD and a VALID ADDRESS and then delays sending the item for a WEEK because it then has to be "verified"? Verified, HOW?!!! In 30 years I have NEVER encountered such a company. I have never, EVER encountered a company that fails to fulfill an order for this reason. What more do you need to… Read more

know? I gave you a valid ADDRESS. I paid with a valid credit card. JUST SEND ME MY ORDER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Moreover I didn't even find out about this until I wondered what was happening, because their second email went to spam. So what have they been doing for Gmail to think that?

I am very suspicious that this is either a delaying tactic to wait for stock or a cover for falsely advertising stock they don't actually have.

If this order is not fulfilled I will be taking them to VCAT for breach of contract.

I am really not in the mood right now to be screwed around!

Booktopia
Booktopia    

Hi, Thank you for your patience while we look into… Read more

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Lou Henry
Lou HenryQLD7 posts
 

Have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of my favourite authors new book The Hobart Hotel which has just arrived in a timely manner, but very disappointed to find it damaged on one corner with pages turned back. My brand new book already ruined. I… Read more ·  5

was hoping to get it signed by the author in May in Brisbane. Gutted that I have to present a damaged book….yes it was in a cardboard sleeve, but it was far too big for the book ….needed bubble wrap before carefully placing it in the box. I take such good care of my books, so it left me upset instead of excited.

 Follow-up  · Thanks Booktopia for promptly dealing with my issue of a damaged book. I was immediately offered a new book, or a full refund of my purchase if requested. This has fully restored my faith in buying books online in the future.

HWY
HWY7 posts
  Verified

I wish there was an option to give 0 stars. I placed an order (#31664153) on 28 February and have reached out multiple times via DM with absolutely no response. At this point, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve tried to get an update. The complete lack of communication is unacceptable. If the item isn’t in stock, just say so and issue a… Read more

refund instead of ignoring customers.

This has been an incredibly frustrating experience and a complete waste of time. I would not recommend this business to anyone.

Booktopia
Booktopia    

Hi Heewan, Thank you for bringing this to our… Read more

ellis
ellisACT
 

im very pleased with the Clara black and white Kobo e reader i purchased from booktopia. it arrived quickly and im enjoying using it. ive had the kindle reader for ten years and prefer the Kobo as i can borrow books via the Libby app which i cannot do on the kindle. the site is easy to use and i have bought books from the booktopia site which belong to me not Amazon/Audible. will be cancelling those subscriptions. Show reply

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