Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,895
I had to go into Smiths this morning, the first time for ages as I always used the now defunct Sussex Books.
What dark and dingy store it is and so dirty, the floor looked like it had not been cleaned for a good week.
I could not get out of the place quick enough and without buying the receipt book I wanted because of the ridiculous price they were asking.
This shop is not a good advert for the company or Dover come to that.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
the place always looks like it could do with a good hoover, they have very little competition.
the folkestone branch always looks cluttered to me.
And it is always full of something and nothing. No specialisms, no real interest.
Guest 711- Registered: 1 Mar 2011
- Posts: 194
And its always smelly in there.
I always think how dirty and miserable it is in there! i'm sure WH Smith never used to be like that, has the hole chain been allowed to go down hill!!
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
they know their market, basically best sellers, magazines and annuals at christmas.
for those who like to browse and find something out of the ordinary, then "hooked on books" is the place.
charity shops can supply some different stuff too, just needs time to root through it all.
I love Hooked On Books! And a rummage in the charity shops is my guilty pleasure if I get time on a Saturday.
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
Amazon for new books and abebooks.com for out of print stuff. When our son was doing his medical studies he presented us with a list of required reference books, all of which cost over £200 each new. We got most of them through abebooks and even though many came from the USA nothing was over £20 including shipping.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,895
You might have got some of them from Age Concern for 50p, I managed to get a couple of law books for my grandson when he was at uni for £1.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Guest 641- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,335
I must check them out for medical and law books for the girls
Wiley is quite good too.
http://eu.wiley.com/WileyCDA/Section/index.html
But I still prefer to rummage among the old books............
Ross Miller
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,707
I would highly recommend abebooks also amazon market is pretty good too
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
Alec Sheldon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 18 Aug 2008
- Posts: 1,037
I agree with Ross, abebooks are great. I have bought a couple of rare(not valueable) books from them at a decent price as well.
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
I use Bookerfinder.com as it searches multiple other searches
Been nice knowing you :)
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
no doubt that the net is the place to buy books, but nothing can beat the pleasure of rummaging around an independent bookshop or charity shop and finding something out of the ordinary.
Agree with Howard, nothing like a rummage round old book shop. The National Trust shop at Langdon Cliffs is worth a look too, have even found latin course book (trying to teach myself for some time). But gave up on Smith's after last Xmas when couldn't get round with wheelchair, so crowded and things lumped together, it was impossible and not very prepossessing.
Guest 697- Registered: 13 Apr 2010
- Posts: 622
WH Smith has clearly lost its direction. More often that not, half the stock is left in crates blocking up the aisles. What with that, and the dire state of M&S in Dover, is it any wonder that the townsfolk look elsewhere for shopping. I'm afraid that the national chains appear to be turning their back on small high street stores. How long before they too close their doors?
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
What's wrong with M & S Kevin ? "dire state" ? Do you mean inside or outside ?
I have been advised that Marks and Spencer Head Office feel it will be a good idea to celebrate the fact that they have been in Dover for 100 years in August this year.
There will be a number of celebrations and I will post what and when, when I have got it all together.
If M & S left our High Street, Dover would then be in (even more) dire straits. This celebration confirms the fact that we won't be losing them.
But, like everything else "use it or lose it"
Roger
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
i doubt that m & s will ever leave dover, they are always busy in there, people from capel and folkestone use it since the one in folkestone closed down.
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,895
I sent W H Smith an email a couple of days ago with a link to this page, it will be interesting to see what reply, if any, I get.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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