Need Help Ordering Online?

Frequently asked questions

1. How do I buy a book?
   
2. The book I want does not have an ADD TO BASKET button. How do I place an order?
   
3. What geographical areas does the service cover?
   
4. Which credit cards are accepted?
   
5. How does the DataCash system work?
   
6. Is it secure?
   
7. How do you acknowledge orders?
   
8. Will I get a receipt?
   
9. How long before I get my book?
   
10. How much will I be charged for postage?
    
11. How much tax will I pay?
    
12. How often is your online catalogue updated?
    
13. How can I tell whether a book is in stock?
    
14. In what language can I conclude the contract to buy a book from your website?
    
15. I am an OUP author. Can I claim my author's discount when I buy online?
    
16. I have another question which isn't on your list. Who should I send it to?
    

The answers

1. How do I buy a book? [Go to the top]

   First use the search options provided to find the book you want. If the book is currently available there will be a button saying "ADD TO BASKET". Click on that button to add the book to your electronic shopping basket. You will have the opportunity to change your mind and discard the book later.
   Once you have finished adding books to your basket, select the country to which the books are delivered. This enables the basket to calculate the correct delivery and tax charges. If you wish to proceed with the purchase as stated, click on the "Proceed" button.
   In order to use our on-line ordering system you will need to register with our site. If you have not used the service before you can do so at this stage. Otherwise use your email address and password to log-on, when we will present to you the address details we currently hold for you. You may amend these by over-typing them. If your delivery address is not the same as your billing address, select the checkbox shown and you will be able to enter a different delivery address.

   You will then be asked for your credit card details and shown the amount that will be charged to your credit card, including delivery costs. Only when you click on "Buy Now" will the order be placed and the amount charged to your card.

2. The book I want does not have a ADD TO BASKET button. How do I place an order? [Go to the top]

   Books that are not currently available from stock can be ordered by clicking on "order by phone, post, or fax". This category includes books that are not yet published, books that are temporarily out of stock and have a reprint pending, and books where stock is not normally held in our own warehouse. For the time being you cannot order such books from us online; you will need to print out the order form and send or fax it as directed. Please remember to fill in the Promo Code on the form in order to receive your discount.

3. What geographical areas does the service cover? [Go to the top]

   The service is currently available for deliveries to the following regions:
   UK, Europe and, Middle East

4. Which credit cards are accepted? [Go to the top]

   Currently VISA and Mastercard. We accept Solo, Switch, and Electron debit cards.

5. How does the DataCash system work? [Go to the top]

   We work with UniTech who provide a high-security internet payment gateway. DataCash captures your payment details, operates the credit card validation, and then passes an online purchasing request to our warehouse. When your books have been despatched from the warehouse, your credit card will be charged with the correct amount. Your card is not charged until the books are despatched.

6. Is it secure? [Go to the top]

   The software we use is highly secure and is in use at Virgin and many other retailers for online purchases. Messages travelling between our online catalogue and the UniTech secure server do not contain any personal data.

7. How do you acknowledge online purchases? [Go to the top]

   After you have completed your online purchase, you'll be sent an email message.

8. Will I get a receipt? [Go to the top]

   After you have completed your online purchase, you can print out your order confirmation if you wish to keep a paper receipt. You will also receive a VAT receipt with your books.

9. How long before I get my book? [Go to the top]

   If the book is in stock it will be delivered within 7 days for destinations in the UK, 7 to 15 days in Europe, and up to 28 days in the rest of the world.

10. How much will I be charged for postage? [Go to the top]

    Please see these pages for postage rates.

11. How much tax will I pay? [Go to the top]

    VAT will be charged according to the rules applicable in the country of delivery; see these pages.

12. How often is your online catalogue updated? [Go to the top]

    The catalogue is updated daily, between 2 and 3 a.m. GMT.

13. How can I tell whether a book is in stock? [Go to the top]

    Those books which are in stock in our Corby warehouse and available to buy have a "Add to basket" button. When we do not have stock of a book, the button changes to a text link order by phone, post, or fax.

14. In what language can I conclude the contract to buy a book from your website? [Go to the top]

    At present, the only language in which you can conclude a contract with us over the website is English.

15. I am an OUP author. Can I claim my author's discount in addition to the promotional discount when I buy online? [Go to the top]

    No, you cannot use your author's discount in conjunction with any other discount. If you wish to claim your author's discount, please use the printed form provided by your editor.

16. I have another question which isn't on your list. Who should I send it to? [Go to the top]

    Please send it to us, and we will try to answer it.