The Golden Notebook — Local services in Town of Woodstock

Similar to the customer, Sin Dee, who recently left a review about her online order for signed books, my experience has been incredibly disappointing.

On June 2, I paid nearly $300 for signed copies of the Neil Gaiman books. As someone who regularly visits the store, I felt comfortable placing such a large order. Golden Notebooks often asks people to support indie bookstores rather than places like Amazon, and I was more than happy to.

I also asked if I could pay for a personalized copy for my mentor who is actively doing her best to fight systemic racism and will be leaving New York in August. She’s a huge fan of Neil Gaiman.

Golden Notebook told me that they could fulfill my request.

However, a few days later, I received an email stating that some of the books were out of stock, despite them still being available to purchase on the website. Fine, no biggie.

From June until mid-July I went without any updates on my order! No one informed me of any delays—nothing! And yet, Golden Notebook had recently posted on their Instagram that Neil visited the store and signed more books to sell!

Why allow that if customers’ initial orders haven’t been fulfilled yet?

I then reached out via email for an update and was told the books were all signed and I would be receiving my order soon. Perfect! I excitedly told my mentor about the gift and she couldn’t believe it!

However, even more time passed and my order still hadn’t been shipped. I was concerned because it was now August and I hadn’t heard anything.

I called the store for an update, and a gentleman (I believe he said that his name started with a D?)—with a very snarky attitude— informed me that I had knowingly ordered from a small bookstore that was doing its best to fulfill orders and would have to wait longer. He couldn’t provide me with an expected ship date.

Fine.

A couple of more weeks pass and still no update. I then reached out to the store owner, Jackie, and she told me that Golden Notebook hadn’t been able to get the book personalized for me, and offered to ship one later on.

I’ll admit that I was incredibly upset with this news and decided to cancel my order. I waited over two months for something the store knew they were unable to provide. On top of that, it was embarrassing to tell the intended recipient that I was unable to get the book for her, although I told her I had.

I feel like Jackie and her team gave me the runaround, were inconsiderate, and made me wait an unreasonable amount of time. I would’ve been willing to wait if not for the lack of communication and dishonesty.

Again, if you know that your team’s unable to fulfill orders within a reasonable timeframe, why would you ask Neil Gaiman to come back to...

They cancelled half of my signed books order with no heads-up or the opportunity to reserve them for later (as I had already purchased)

Overcharged me for shipping, though my order was much less in weight after they cancelled half of it (charged me about $16, package only costed about $6.95 to mail)

Person over the phone (Gretchen) said they’d get more signed copies later— when I asked about having copies I had bought be reserved ( or at the very least the one intended to be a gift) she became passive aggressive when I asked for a solution. Told me she had customers and tried to get rid of me.

She did give me the e-mail to the person in charge of order shipments, who never answered.

I live paycheck to paycheck, but I really pulled from my savings to give myself and my friend these books as a birthday gift.

As a former bookseller myself in a very busy store in Manhattan, I acknowledge how much the volume of people can put a damper on service. But overcharging and not giving your customers the opportunity to get what they paid for is just unethical. I was very...

An amazing little shop. I came in with my mom and baby on a busy day. The upstairs children department is wonderful. Popular books, hidden gems, and a very very diverse collection—plus the cutest little stuffies, toys, and games. Even with a busy store I still felt welcomed and seen. They greeted us on the way in, which is always a good sign. The only thing I wish was different would be if it was more accessible for a stroller or wheelchair (even stepping in from the street there is a little ledge you have to go over, if I remember correctly), I would hate for anyone to not be able to see the wonderful children's area. , I luckily had my baby in a carrier strapped to my chest. However this problem is universal for most stores in downtown Woodstock, as it is an older city.

I will be sure to stop in every time I visit family. I didn’t see any books I wanted (I work at a library and collect books) but I bought the best, highest quality tote bag I’ve every owned (and it their name on it); and I am a tote bag connoisseur. I couldn’t leave...