I only wanted a book

[DaisyNonna]

Have just tried to pre-order a book from Waterstones.

Inputted my debit card details. Rejected . Checked, tried again. Rejected. Tried once more. Actually do want to read this book. Rejected. Never had this problem before.

What next? Take a bus, then walk to the bookshop? I could have done that in the first place but did not think it necessary 63 days before publication.

Wait for it to come into the library?

I wanted to part with my money, to support a shop, to underpin royalties, to be able to read a book more than once.

OK will just add another few quid and buy a bottle of Scotch instead.

Wonder which will last longer?

[karenmac60]

Support your library. Most will allow you to put holds on books online so you don't need to go till it's in and we get new releases almost immediately.

[naomi24]

Amazon?

[dotty.]

try the WHSmith website

[dotty.]

http://www.whsmith.co.uk/Books.aspx

[Buenchico]

Well, if you're going to support a bookshop, at least make sure that it's a decent one (which stocks the really obscure stuff as well as the big sellers), such as the world's biggest and best physical book store:
http://www.foyles.co.uk/
(You might find that the problem you've been experiencing is only related to the Waterstone's site. Perhaps Foyle's can accept your order?).

[dotty.]

I would also wait a little longer to do a pre-order as any offer would not yet be live on a website.

[linedancer16]

Hope you werent using a Mastercard debit card. I've had problems with mine shopping on line and when I complained, my bank told me it was because retail outlets werent updating their sites to accept them but they (the bank) were trying to sort it out. Shouldnt apply to Waterstones though.

[Andyvon]

As Karen says Daisy. Whenever I wanted to read a particular book I would order in from the library. I don't think I waited any longer than a week and it costs about £1.

[DaisyNonna]

It is a book I want to buy and keep. I have the others preceding it. I usually take out at least six books a week from the library. My point being is why have Waterstones not accepted my debit card when I have never, ever, had a problem before?

[dotty.]

Waterstones is in trouble, maybe they are not taking advance orders at the moment

[what..the?]

Their system could easily be down to to save you from being charged for 1,000 copies of you book they thought they would step in and just refuse you instead, blooming annoying though turning us all the drink....

[wheaten]

Which book are you after/wanting to buy?

[Buenchico]

As Dotty points out, the HMV group (which includes Waterstones) is struggling financially. Expect to see 20 Waterstones store closures announced within the next day or two (along with 40 HMV stores). I very much doubt whether Waterstones will still be around in a couple of year's time.

[LoftyLottie]

Go to a Cash point and unblock your pin. If a retail establishment doesn't accept your card it will block your pin and it will be rejected by other retail establishments until it is unblocked. I recently learned this!! It doesn't affect the Cash Points and you can still withdraw money without unblocking the pin. But make sure you then use the unblock option.

(That is, if you have money in the account and there is no reason your your card should have been rejected ;o) )

[starone]

How awful chico. I always thought Waterstones was up there with the biggest and best. Their stores always look so glossy and upmarket. However, Daisy, I always buy mine from Amazon and so far have never had any trouble. In fact they were the ones who informed me that someone was using my debit card online and they didn't think it was me. Saved me a lot of money, I reckon because whoever it was was using it all over the net and I was able to get most of my money back. Not only my card was being used, others too, it was a big scam. Hope they got caught but of course the police don't inform you, only the bank.

[starone]

Lofty. I'm not sure but I don't think that would apply because you don't have to give your pin number over the net (there are other precautions of course, like passwords etc). Best to make sure by taking Chris's advice.

[LoftyLottie]

Yes, Starbuck. Read it wrong!! Thought Daisy had actually been to Waterstones!! Thanks.

[LoftyLottie]

Waiting for a vacuum cleaner to arrive from Amazon today. I have never experienced any problems with Amazon at all. Quite the reverse.

[craft1948]

I'm waiting for my new PC to arrive :-)

[LoftyLottie]

More exciting than a vacuum cleaner Craft!!!