Shopping
How do I start shopping?
Every item on our site includes an Add to Basket button that once clicked will add the item to your shopping basket, which will then appear in the top right hand side of your screen. You can add as many items as you like before clicking Check Out to complete your order.
The Basket will provide an ongoing list and the 'View Basket' option allows you to see more detail and amend your order, including saving items for later purchase or removing them if you no longer wish to buy them.
Alternatively, customers can use the Check Store Stock button to see which stores have stock at that time. Each stores listed includes a Reserve in Store button, those who can visit our stores can also use this service without waiting for a despatch time.
When you click Checkout or Use Reserve in Store you will need to Login to your account or Register for a new account if this is your first order. These pages are secure to protect your personal information.
The price of post and packaging depends on where you are and how many books you are ordering. Please select the post and packing option relevant to where you live and the speed of service you require. There are no despatch options provided for our Reserve in Store service.
You will need to provide credit/debit card, Foyalty card or Foyles Gift card information to Foyles during this process. If you are happy with the items and the price in your basket, click the 'Place Order Now' button.
When do I pay?
Your card details will be checked at the point you click Place Order Now and the value of your order pre-authorised, but NOT charged. Then the order will be sent to our Customer Services team for processing and a confirmation email sent to your registered email address.
If you have signed up for Verified by Visa or Mastercard you go through an additional security check but this does not affect when you are charged.
The final payment is taken when the goods are ready for despatch or collection.
Responsibility for Local Taxes and Duties
The UK sales tax of Value Added Tax (VAT) is not payable on books, but is applied at 20% to DVDs, videos, software and other non-book material. In the UK VAT applies to eBooks. Our eBooks are sold at 19% VAT which is the German rate due this being the base of txtr our eBooks partner.
VAT is only charged on deliveries within the European Union. If you are within the EU and have at VAT code that means you are VAT exempt please include this in your Gift Message and our staff will amend your order accordingly. There is no tax chargeable to customers outside the European Union.
When we ship books for delivery outside the United Kingdom, the recipient is liable for any local taxes or import duties that may be payable. Foyles can take no responsibility for this and if the goods are returned due to unpaid tax the costs will not be refunded as the sale has been completed. Although the goods can be re-despatched with only a further charge for dispatch at the customers request.
What is Pre-Authorisation?
This is also called a reserved transaction by the banks. On the Foyles website when you place an order we contact the bank to authorise the card. This confirms that the card is valid and that there are funds available to eventually pay for your order. The bank reserves the order value from your available balance but does not charge your card and no monies are taken until your order is ready for despatch. Should the order not proceed for whatever reason, the bank will cease to reserve the funds, although the expiration period varies from bank to bank and Foyles has no influence on this.
When the order is completed and your card is charged, the Pre-Authorisation code is quoted back to the bank and the order is completed. Foyles only charges your card when the goods are ready for despatch or collection.
When you are paying by Foyles Gift card or Foyalty card the process is the same but instead of a ban our own records on the cards are being checked and funds reserved.
What are my payment options?
We accept payment by Foyles gift card and the redemption of Foyalty points. With Foyalty points this acts as a discount off the order value but is simplest terms can be viewed as a method of payment.
The following credit and debit cardsare accepted:
- Visa
- Visa Debit
- Mastercard
- Maestro
- American Express
As well as card type, you will need to fill in your card number, name and address of the cardholder, card expiry date and, if you have one, start date and issue number. (NOTE: some credit cards may not have an issue number or start date. If yours doesn't, don't worry, simply leave this field blank).
Most credit and debit cards now also include a security code that is listed on the signature strip of your card. This will need to be input each time you use the card as, in keeping with credit card security rules, this data is not held on our systems but deleted after each use.
What is the reference number on my order?
This is the unique number relating to your order and should be used in any correspondence with the Foyles Customer Service team so that we can identify immediately which order you are wishing to discuss.
Can I change the details on my order or cancel?
If we have not already despatched your order then we can normally make changes to it, so the sooner you contact us the better. We recommend replying to the Confirmation email you will have received to warn us of any changes you want to make and we will confirm whether or not the changes are possible. If you have already been charged but the order has not been despatched, then we will refund on your original payment method.
For both Deliver to Store and Reserve In-store items we will be able to intercept your order and issue a refund.
If the order has already been despatched to you then we will refund upon receipt of the goods back at Foyles.
Can I return a book after I've received it?
If for any reason you are not satisfied with your books, you can return any ordered item to us within 30 days of purchase if it is in re-saleable condition for a full refund or exchange (excluding the cost of postage). Always include a copy of your receipt/invoice with the parcel or at least your original order reference. You can find this on your Order History page. For more information see our Purchasing from the Foyles website: Returns procedure.
Please contact Foyles Customer Services before returning your book so that we know to expect your return.
For information on late or damaged delivery please see our Delivery Help section.
Can I have my order Gift Wrapped?
You can choose to have your order gift-wrapped during the checkout process. The cost is £2.50 per order.
If you would like to include a message with your gift order, please enter this in the Gift Message field during checkout. We will then transcribe this onto a card and enclose with the goods. If the goods are coming directly from one of our suppliers the message will be printed on the delivery document instead.
Can I order but not via your website?
If you do not feel comfortable buying online or wish to use different methods of payment, then you can phone or email our stores directly to place your order, but please note they will not match any online or reservation prices.