What global internet users have said about 1st Bookshop service

I ordered a £15 book token from you last weekend and asked you to send it directly to a recently bereaved friend, with my personal message. I heard on the following Tuesday that she had already received the token plus card and was delighted with both. Thank you so much for the outstanding service and for your excellent website. I shall certainly buy from you again. With best wishes from,

Judith Webb - Morecambe

(10th January 2010)

I received my tokens at 9am this morning having ordered them yesterday.

I am most impressed by your prompt service and would certainly recommend you.

Gillian Burton - Manchester

(5th December 2009)

Many thanks for the free £25 Superbreak Theatre Breaks voucher you sent with my order for Theatre Tokens. Such added value to my purchase from you is simply amazing!

Richard Guerre - Jersey

(2nd November 2009)

Thank you! I am very impressed with your service and ease of ordering. You have made my Christmas selection so simple.

Elaine Johnson - NSW Australia

(4th December 2009)

I would like to say thank-you for the prompt delivery of the books I ordered from you using National Book Tokens. There doesn't seem to be anywhere else on the internet where you can redeem National Book Tokens and even though you have to pay full price for the books, the fact that you don't have to pay postage and can easily get the copies of the books that you want far makes up for this. I would order from you again and would recommend you to anyone considering using this site.

Hollie Burne, Leyburn, North Yorkshire.

(14 August 2009)

£250 gift vouchers ordered Thursday 16th July at 3.50pm and received Friday 17th July at 9.20pm by Royal Mail Special Delivery.

Thank you, but who did you bribe to deliver to me during the one day postal strike here?

Rosemary Colley - London NW5

(18th July 2009)

Very rarely am I able to commend a retailer, but on this occasion I feel compelled to write a few words. Late one Sunday evening I decided that Theatre Tokens would make an excellent gift for my daughter. It was late in the day and late in terms of Christmas shopping. To my delight my phone call was answered directly by a genuinely helpful and friendly gentleman and true to his word the tokens arrived a little more than 24 hours later. Thank you.

Fiona - Findon, West Sussex

(24th December 2008)

Thank you for the speedy dispatch of my book tokens. I have been really impressed by your service and will willingly order from you again and recommend your company to my friends.

Dale Brusby - Birmingham

(29th December 2008)

Thank you for the prompt delivery of my £100 book tokens. It seems that you are the only company that send out gift vouchers same day free Special Delivery with no fees and for this I would like to compliment you for.

Amanda Finch - Edinburgh

(8th October 2008)

Theatre Tokens ordered 11.45am Saturday 27th September and received today Monday 29th September 9.15am. Thank you for this outstanding service, which will be recommended to all my friends.

Noel Barnes - London

(29th September 2008)

Theatre Tokens received special delivery next day as promised. Thank you for such a good prompt service.

D.C. - Essex

(18th June 2008)

What a fantastic service you offer. I ordered Theatre vouchers yesterday afternoon and as promised, they have arrived in the first class post the following day. Your website is great - very straight forward to follow and I would have no hesitation in recommending / using your service again.

Helen Morgan - Surrey

(19th July 2008)

I felt I must take the time to write to you to commend you on your outstanding customer service. I am an English coordinator for a middle school and the day before World Book Day I realised I needed 4 book tokens as prizes! With no time to head to the shops I decided to try buying online. Google searching revealed your company.

My initial order included a comment asking for the tokens to be posted first class as they were needed urgently. Within ten minutes of sending the order I had received an email back asking if I would like to upgrade to a (very reasonable) postage to ensure they were there in time. Not only that but the school secretary appeared asking me to check my email with regards to this, so you had obviously gone to the trouble of tracking down the school number and taking the time to call.

The tokens arrived as promised along with a complimentary set of bookmarks for all the children in the school – an extra bonus for them on World Book Day.

It is so refreshing to meet such excellent customer support in today’s, often faceless online world. Thank you so much. I will certainly use your company again and have already recommended you to many others!

Regards,

Sarah Ellwood - South Yorkshire

(7th March 2008)

I have been ordering National Book Tokens online from you for more than 5 years and am always very impressed with your prompt delivery and high calibre of customer service.

Last week I ordered from you for the very first time National Theatre Tokens online and just wanted to let you know how pleased I am with those too - for even more reasons!

Firstly, the accompanying presentation wallet was outstanding - not just attractive, but the information supplied in it was simply superb - listing all the participating theatres with their telephone numbers and website details - the lucky recipient would be in no doubt at all how and where to use the vouchers.

Secondly, my lucky recipient has just called me to say that she redeemed the Theatre Tokens I sent her as a gift, easily over the telephone with a London West End Theatre and all she had to do was scratch off the panel on the vouchers and then read out the number that was revealed. The Theatre Tokens were then spent and the show tickets were in her hands within 24 hours! How simple was that?

Please publish this email from me on your website, as I want everybody to know that your National Book Tokens and National Theatre Tokens are 'simply the best'.

Jane Smethurst - Lincolnshire

(1st March 2008)

I'm impressed!!!

My order was placed at 15:04pm yesterday 5th February '08. The theatre tokens I ordered have just arrived by post at 10:40am today 6th February '08.

Your service does just what it says on the packet! I shall definitely be back with more orders.

Jacqueline Devaney - Cheshire

(6th February 2008)

To all staff at 'First Bookshop'

Many thanks for such a speedy delivery - vouchers were delivered, superbly packed, the next morning.

I have to say I was worried about ordering 'on line' but there was certainly no need.

Regards,

Gillian Yeates - Wirral

(25th February 2008)

I just wanted to say 'thank you' for your superb service, my theatre vouchers arrived yesterday in the post as stated. I was very impressed with your easy to follow web site and I will have no hesitation in recommending you to my friends.

I would also like to add that in my search for theatre tokens on the net, I came across a few companies that supplied them, however none of them offer the service that you give.

Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.

Carol Norris - Derbyshire

(30th November 2007)

'Amazing Service'

Many thanks for the tokens, which arrived so promptly this morning.

I was working to a deadline, but you have relieved me of any concerns I may have had about the birthday gift.

Mrs. M. B. - County Durham

(6th January 2008)

Thank you for an excellent service.

I have had so many problems recently with my purchases from other organisations that it's nice, for once, to find a company which gets it right and delivers on time.

Lynn Benton - Staffordshire

(24th August 2007)

Thank you so much for the clear website, easy ordering service, prompt delivery and excellent product.

Christine Sheehan - Surrey

(3rd November 2007)

Just wanted to say WHAT A SUPERB SERVICE!!

Browsing your website I was a bit hesitant because I actually felt that it didn't look as professional as others.

The gentleman that I spoke to was exactly that and suggested that I have smaller denomination tokens and he could not have been more helpful, polite or efficient.

I was advised that the tokens would be sent out 1st class that day at no extra cost, which they were and they arrived the next morning.

Thank you for a great service.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Julie Benfell - Swindon

(14th May 2007)

Thank you for your prompt response to my on-line order for £200 of Theatre Tokens. The tokens arrived safely today and I will certainly be recommending your service to all of my friends. I was particularly pleased that these tokens have no 'use by' date as they are for a gift and free p&p was a pleasant surprise in this day and age!

Julia Wood - Chelmsford

(5th June 2007)

Hi,

Just wanted to thank you for the prompt delivery of the Book Token that I ordered on Sunday night. It is a Mother's day present and my Mum received it this morning (Tuesday). I am so pleased and I have recommended your site to all my family and friends and will definitely order from you again.

Please feel free to use my comments, as a company as good as yours deserves to be applauded.

Karen Jackson - Southampton

(14th March 2007)

Dear Tokenline.com

To let you know how very pleased I am that it was so easy to use your theater vouchers for good seats at 'Sound of Music'. My Daughter had no trouble at all using them when she came to London.

She said the show was fab - and so are you guys!

Told loads of people about your service - you deserve more business to come your way, as your product is the best.

Oh and by the way, thanks for sending the tokens direct to me here - the insured service you used took no time at all to get them to me safely.

Elaine Gore - New York

(11th April 2007)

I required a £50 voucher for a charity draw on Saturday 24th February 2007. At 14.27pm on Thursday 22nd February, I placed an order with you for £50 worth of Theatre Tokens. They have been safely delivered at 7.25am this morning, Friday 23rd February. Thank you for your fast and efficient service. I will certainly have no hesitation in ordering from you again and recommend your service to friends.

Derrick Nundy - Lincolnshire

(23rd February 2007)

Dear First Bookshop / Token House

Thank you for sending a gift card with the National Book Tokens that I ordered.....I had forgotten and the one that you sent was perfect!

Many thanks for being a first class provider.....I'll be back!

Sue Wates - Surrey

(5th March 2007)

With reference to my order placed online on December 19th. Thank you very much for all your help and I am happy to say that all the children received their vouchers before Christmas. Will definitely use 'Token House' again. Merry Christmas.

Teresa Omori - Japan

(24th December 2006)

I highly recommend this website for reliability, speed and efficiency of service, well packaged tokens and friendliness. Order with confidence, you will not be disappointed.

Linda Loveless - East Sussex

(8th December 2006)

I am in the Army and currently serving in Iraq and I ordered theatre tokens online on Thursday through your website. My parents received them Friday morning. Brilliant service, thank you very much I shall definitely use your site again. Thanks again.

L.C. (7th October 2006)

Full name withheld.

Hello Token House

I received my Book and Theatre voucher order this morning - wow, express service indeed! I just felt I wanted to tell you that before I submitted my order to you I did check out the competition and must say you have NO competition really, as it seems I got from you a next day delivery FREE! 'Voucher Express' whom I have used in the past, wanted to charge me £6.50 to send me Theatre Tokens out same day and the company 'Book Tokens Limited' wanted to charge me £4.95 to dispatch my Book Tokens out on the day of ordering. By my calculations I have just saved £11.45 on an order for £35. Long may you reign supreme!!

Andrea Sanderson - Hull

(6th October 2006)

Thank you for such a prompt service.

You will be highly recommended to friends and family.

Lee Grace - Putney

(8th November 2006)

Thank you for the prompt dispatch of my order and for making your website so user friendly. I have added First Bookshop to my list of favourites!

Roderick Baker - Yeovil

(7th November 2006)

Good Morning, Yesterday I ordered three lots of Book Tokens, two each of £75 and one of £30. These have been safely delivered and we would like to say just how appreciative we are of the fantastic and extra quick delivery. We shall be telling all our friends of your site and excellent customer service. Thank you very much! Kindest Regards,

Barbara and Ted Hall - London.

(20th June 2006)

Please pass my thanks on to the relevant people, because this is the second time that I've used your book token ordering service and both times have been ultra speedy and efficient!

Many thanks, Julie.

Julie Farrell - Maidenhead.

(14th June 2006)

Dear First Bookshop / Token House,

Thank you for your swift confirmation of my order; your message is most gracious. Furthermore, may I pass on my appreciation of the predicted prompt dispatch of my valued order and assure you that you will indeed be my ''FIRST for Book Tokens online & FOREMOST for Theatre Tokens online''.

Rachel Plant - Wilmslow.

(13th May 2005)

Hello, How very kind of you to write back (in such impressive detail too) in response to a problem I had trying to send your 'secure form'. By the time I picked up the email, it would have been too late to phone today - your time. I still could not relay the form on my computer (perhaps it doesn't like all the snow falls we are having...ha ha) so I transferred it to hubby to have a go on his - success! I am truly sorry to give you so much bother, especially since this is such a small order. I certainly think you have a wonderful business going on - have already told a couple of other people. Really miss most British bookshops. I used to adore getting book token presents when I was a child, but they were always specific to one particular shop, so the National tokens are a brilliant invention. There is absolutely no need to rush & post out my little order on your tomorrow - just when anyone has a spot of time please. With ever so much gratitude. You deserve to enjoy a very festive season.

Phyllis Toohey - Canada (5th Dec 2004)

My book may have been priced £1.50 more than at Amazon, but my postage was free. My overall cost with you was therefore less, but it cost me nothing really as the book tokens I paid you with have been lying around unspent for 2 years! Thanks for a very efficient service.

Paul - Paris

(12th October 2003)

I wasn't aware there was such a thing as National Book Vouchers until I discovered your website.

My Grandson was so pleased he didn't have to get the bus to Waterstones in order to spend them!

Jill Grayson - Edinburgh

(13th April 2003)

Not only can I buy my Book Tokens online from you but I can now also get my Theatre Tokens - thanks so much for adding these vouchers to your site.

From George - that nuisance customer who always wants to pay online by cheque!

(16th August 2002)

Your Bookshop is the best in the world, but it now has competition - from your website!

Good luck for your continued success, both locally and internationally!

Angela Rhodes - Leeds

(1st June 2002)

Well that was all so very simple!

Hooray for Book Tokens online - at last.

I always caused such a stir when I went down to the local Bookshop to buy Book Tokens for my school - 150 @ £5 took some time to serve me with - the people behind me in the queue were rarely amused!!

Thanks again - I will be back for more before the end of term.

Joan Little - Brighton (13th January 2001)

Dear Mr Crossland,

After reading about you in the newspaper and hearing you speak on the radio, I thought I would give your online service a try. It was just as good as billed and my £25 book token arrived with my niece on the next day. Sorry the dedication I asked for was that long - thank you for editing it so well to make it all fit on the presentation card - you will have to enforce a maximum word allowance on your ordering form!

Thanks again and may I take this opportunity to wish you good luck and continued success for the future.

Raymond Barclay - Alwoodley, Leeds (16th Oct. 2000)

Testimonials prior to the year 2000 have now been removed. Thanks go to everyone for their kind words

MONEY BACK GUARANTEE - OUR PLEDGE TO YOU: Two national voucher companies ceased trading during 2006. This made both their vouchers worthless overnight. If at any time this happens to the companies that produce either our Book Tokens or our Theatre Tokens, then all vouchers purchased from us (bearing the firstbookshop official stamp) will be refunded by us in full. We hope this will help you shop with us with confidence

Want to leave feedback about your order and our service plus have it published on this page? Then please email your comments to: feedback@tokenhouse.net

Members of the Booksellers Association, First Bookshop is the fastest growing online bookseller in Europe today. With being in bookselling since 1974 we have better credentials than most internet traders that purport to be booksellers and our founder, who comes from a family with theatrical roots, made a wise and relevant choice when he decided to expand the business into the theatre gift market several years back. Firstbookshop.com was certified by The Guild Of Master Craftsmen in 2001 and today we are currently the only Bookseller in the world that can redeem a National Book Token online and one of the very few seeing real growth in its business, even now during the recession. 2009 completed our 35th year of bookselling

We were the FIRST BOOKSHOP to get world wide publicity for selling National Book Tokens on the internet and this service, now expanded to include Theatre Tokens, is today a global hit at sendtoday.co.uk

The Times London: August 16, 2000, Wednesday, 'Web World' " www.firstbookshop.com This enterprising bookshop has gone online to provide Book Tokens - seemingly an Internet first. The tokens can be exchanged at over 3,000 bookshops in Britain and Ireland "

The Independent London: August 10, 2002, Saturday, FEATURES; WORLD WIDE WEB: 10 BEST SITES OF THE WEEK. www.firstbookshop.com " This is currently the "only bookshop to offer book tokens online" (the national book gift voucher scheme). Originally a small-town bookshop, it claims to be "beating the big boys at their own game", and while it doesn't quite match Amazon for size or quality of presentation, book fiends are bound to unearth something here that appeals "