Hive.co.uk - an online bookshop Reviews 

Poorest online book purchase experience I've ever had. No clear instructions, no proper support. Do not use this website.

I want to support local bookshops so when I found a book on Hive not on Amazon yet I thought I'd pre-order. Well it was due to be released today but rather than a shipping confirmation I got a refund, and I only know this as my banking app told me. No e-mail, and I've checked it's not in spam. I didn't create an account but apparently if you do you can track your order, so I tried to create one and I'm blocked as being suspicious from there protection systems. You don't get this with Amazon and I feel sorry for all the independent book shops who feel they have to deal with this company. It's this company why I'm now shopping with Amazon.

Tried to buy a book that was apparently in stock, purchased last night to wake up to an email this morning to say they have cancelled the transaction as not in stock. payment is still pending.
I don’t understand why show books in stock if not available. Won’t be purchasing again !

Ebooks are not provided in EPUB format despite being described as such on the website. They instead use Adobe's proprietary ACSM format which has limited support and requires an Adobe ID. I don't need an account for some random company to read a physical book and I shouldn't need the same for a digital book.

Good prices and an ethical way to order books online whilst supporting local bookshops

Extremely disappointing customer service. Bought via Groupon and it transpired it was an ebook and not a physical book. Emailed and called and eventually they advised they would refund but as yet I have not received a refund. Further emails are ignored! I shall raise a dispute with my credit card company. Would not recommend as customer service is poor.

I ordered a book on-line from Hive. It was offered at a good price and arrived promptly. A good result for me.

She stoops to conquer ,notes were written for students by a ( Cathi Allison), but it was nothing relevant to the book and play. Very misleading and unreliable.

Great price, excellent delivery time and glad to have found Hive for future use and helping independent bookseller. Thank you

I purchased a book tonight from Hive, as I boycott Amazon. I was annoyed however to realise, after purchase, that I need an Adobe ID to read it. I wouldn't have bought the book if I'd known. This is is my first and last purchase from Hive.

Hive shouldn't advertise items as in stock when they aren't and shouldn't accept orders for items they don't have. This seems particularly mean at Christmas time when they make you feel you have successfully secured a present that doesn't exist.

I've bought from Hive quite a lot of times now and they're always great! Really love that some of the money goes to support independent book shops on the high street, as lots of them need all the support they can get. Would far rather my money go to them than to one of the large (and if we're being honest; very unethical!) online companies. So just wanted to send my thanks to Hive!

It’s great that 5% of the sale is donated to my local independent bookshop.

Always promptly delivered. Thank you hive.

Hive is rubbish, nest is much better

Ordered multiple times from Hive - always good experience, items arrive on time, great selection, normally a match with Amazon on price - but great they (a) pay taxes (b) support local bookshops.

I ordered a CD but the one I received was not the version that was advertised, not entirely their fault as I have seen the same on other websites now. They were very helpful and friendly and gave me a discount.

I ordered multiple times on Hive and have found their pricing to be faire and the fact they give some back to independent books shops is great!

I note many of the poor reviews on this site are for e books... not actual books so maybe there is an issue there? Also i note of Feefo they are a Platinum trusted service award holder and they get4.9 out of 5 so its odd that this site scores them so low?

How would the company improve you ask: well, for a start they could sell something that IS actually in stock, you shouldn’t be able to order and pay for something that they are not selling!
They cancelled my order and refunded straight away: fair enough and that’s why they deserve 1 star but that’s it. Unfortunately is an item that I cannot find anywhere else and they raised my hopes up. Disappointed is an understatement.

Great place to find and order books. Quick and easy.

A fantastic choice for shopping online.

Garbage - the most inaccessible e-reader ever - stole my money and hid the book behind layers of crap adobe software. Do they read their page on how download and not stop think - this ridiculous who is going to go through all these steps in this day and age. Avoid completely. Dinosaurs.