[Books] Ever dealt with Chaters?

[kmchow]

Okay, I hate to bring up personal business dealings, but have anyone dealt with Chaters before? They have a store as well as webiste? Are they trustworthy?? They supposedly have a very big stock/collection of touring car books. I live overseas and ordered a whole bunch of books. Air shipping was supposed to take only 5-7 days. Now, it's almost been 2 months and I still haven't received anything from them. I tried emailing them, but they have not answered my emails? What do you guys think??? OTOH, I should have been tipped off by their "reasonably" low prices??

The reason why I'm bringing this up is that I don't want any other forum member to be ripped off by Chaters, if we do conclude that they are cheating people.

[El_Gibleto]

Chaters are a very reputable company who have traded for many years from their main store in London and from units at Silverstone and Brands Hatch.

Have you thought of actually phoning them or sending a fax?

[jase]

I've dealt with Chaters on quite a few occasions, mostly at their track shops, but on mail order too, and so far havn't had a problem.

Did you request all items to be shipped together? perhaps they are holding your request until an item is available, a phone call/fax as said might sort it out.

[Sato san]

I agree...Chaters are a good company , but i have to say , its damm annoying when companys have a email address advertised , and then never even bother to reply to them .

[supertouring]

I have been to their London shop several times and it is very good, some good offers also. I see no reason for them to be ripping you off.

Be aware that not many specialist shops are WEB friendly, most have web sites (because someone told them they had to) but do not know how to use the WEB properly. I would certainly try a phone call before getting too excited about it. Maybe they are waiting of the stock to arrive?

I will be visiting London next week and could pop in (a great way to spend a lunch hour but do not take your credit cards!) so if you need any assistance let me know.

[kmchow]

Well, they finally replied to my 4th email. I don't know if this is the only time they will ever respond. They emailed me a copy of their invoice, asking me to check if my address is correct. It was correct. It is their company practice NOT to hold orders. I originally asked if they would hold my order so that they can try and find some out of print books. But they wouldn't do it. But anyways, I hope that this nightmare will end!!

[kmchow]

Another update--well, after receiving a seemingly hopeful email from them on Monday, PST and responding to it. Again, Chaters has cut off contact again? Does Chaters have full time staff there? I'm starting to think the employees must work there for just one day and then leave???

I think I'm going to fax them. If I don't hear from them by next week, I'm just going to contact my credit card company and try to get a refund! #@#$@#$ Chaters!!

[TimD]

Haven't seen this thread before, but my twopennyworth.

Chaters are probably peoples' first choice for book purchases. They're big, in motoring book specialist terms, and perhaps they're a little too big. I've had 100% delivery from them, and have been on the receiving end of a few daft-price bargains, but I have also had to chase a consignment of videos which was promised for Christmas delivery and showed up in early February.

That was from their London shop to a London address.....

But I've not heard of anything just not showing up at all before.

Do try a telephone call - it'll be expensive from Canada, I appreciate, but people can't put off dealing with a phonecall. Oh, and try to talk to one of the lads there. Not casting aspersions, but the younger of the two women who works there tends to be a little brusque or blunt when there's an enquiry or problem she doesn't want to address at that precise moment, from my experience!

She's also the one who tends to look after the shop when the mobile unit is on the road, so weekends are perhaps not the best time to get a resolution to the problem.

Speaking of which, they will certainly all be away in France this weekend for the Le Mans Classic, so try 'em after Tuesday or Wednesday next week, when you've got a fighting chance of the shop being fully staffed and someone can give your problem the attention and time it deserves.

And finally, I must put in a plug for my two favourite bookshops. Collectors Carbooks in Woburn, and Simon Lewis Transport Bookshop down in Gloucestershire. Both have websites, with online stock lists, and both are more one-man operations, and thus can I say a little more attentive than a big player like Chaters.

Chris from Collectors Carbooks has consistently got the tricky items, and while his prices are never the cheapest, you won't find better copies of the out-of-print titles that he offers.

[AndyF]

Tim, what are the URLs for the two sites.

[kmchow]

I ended up sending a fax and they claim they will resend my shipment. They ended up wanting another 11 GBP to resend the 2nd package. I'm such a dumb crazy Supertouring (ST) fan that I actually agreed. I'll have to cross my fingers! They explained they often ignore emails/contact with customers b/c they say the package may arrive eventually? I can't understand how a 5-7 business day airmail package can possibly end up taking 8.5 weeks????

My only conclusion is that Chaters seems to care very little for their overseas customers. I am very disappointed with them. I just hope I receive my 2nd shipment. =(

[TimD]

Sorry not to come back with the URLs sooner, Andy. I've been in France for the Le Mans Classic. And incidentally, I noted the vast Chaters stand there was manned by every single one of the staff members that I tend to rely on to provide good service.

For what it's worth, the URLs below are the dealers I always go to first. They're not as big as Chaters, and I reckon they do a better job all round. They know their stuff, and they are keen for repeat business so they should look after you.

Chris Knapman's Collectors Carbooks can be seen sometimes at British racetracks in a big green mobile library van. Chris is never the cheapest, but he has all the latest book releases at the same time as the big players, and his stock of good quality editions of out-of-print titles is second to none. Even his discarded bargain bin copies tend to be better than some that other dealers will charge top dollar for. Also sells magazines and race programmes. Again, not cheap, but he will have the one you're looking for!


www.collectorscarbooks.com

Simon Lewis only sells second-hand, but has a wide selection of books, magazines, memorabilia (found an entire Colin McRae Subaru Impreza bumper in his shop last time!) photos and programmes.

http://simonlewis.freeyellow.com/index.htm

Shameless plugs, I know, but I like to reward good service, and these guys have never steered me wrong before. I should also say I have no connection whatsoever with either business apart from as a satisfied repeat customer.

[kmchow]

Well, after finally faxing them and thinking I had to go to Visa to get my money back, Chaters has responded by offering to resend a 2nd set of books to me. Unfortunately, I had to pay a 2nd set of shipping to get the books. I finally received my books, less one that they ran out of stock on. So my situation with Chaters has been semi-solved.

[kmchow]

Last update. After many months of waiting, faxing and waiting, I am happy to announce that I finally received my complete order from Chaters. Once we finally got emailing and communicating, everything was solved. They were pretty upfront. My only beef is that they should have responded earlier instead of stalling for time. So after all this, I would still recommend Chaters to people.

[x_dt]

I've ordered twice by mail order from Chaters, both times without problem.

The query here is with regard to the location of the Chaters bookshops. According to their website

http://www.chaters.co.uk/shops.cfm?c...token=41872991

there are Chaters stores at both Silverstone and Brands Hatch which open when there are race meetings in attendance. When I went to Silverstone for the first time last year (for the Super Racing Weekend) I thus anticipated having a look in the Chaters branch there. However there was no sign of any Chaters (even after looking for them and asking around). So their website must be, at the very least, out of date.


Is there still a Chaters at Brands?

[SL]

I think that Chater's have a mobile bookshop, the BRG truck often seen at racing meets. It is well worth a browse if only to see what you could buy when your rich old uncle dies.

Tim will no doubt be along soon to correct me but I think they have one of the shops below the back of the grandstands on the startline at Brands but no shop at Silverstone.

Simon

[Aysedasi]

I've only ever bought from Chaters at their Brands shop, but I have always had the impression that they are one of the best in the business. Perhaps they need to sharpen up their act on their overseas sales?

[kmchow]

Originally posted by Aysedasi
Perhaps they need to sharpen up their act on their overseas sales?

Yes, definitely so. I think should have been upfront instead of stalling for time and hoping the packages would eventually arrive. They eventually got my bounced package. I'm thinking the postal office must have screwed up.