Address: 21 Tower St, London, WC2H 9NS, United Kingdom
Phone: +442076133842
Rating: 4.8
based on 163 reviews.
Customer Service
Pros:
"Marina was very friendly and knowledgeable, and she helped me by showing me paper with different sorts designs, so I could pick the right one."
"Frances, one of the staff members, was incredibly helpful and knowledgeable."
"The sales staff are friendly, they have good knowledge about the pens they are talking about."
"The staff were more than happy to answer questions, give us testers and help us find things."
"The sales assistant was lovely and welcoming."
"The staff are friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful both in person, and when dealing with online orders."
"The staff were very welcoming and helpful."
Cons:
"I felt like the staff were a bit pushy - I was approached around 4 times by the same person to ask if I needed help during my visit, which I felt was a little overkill."
"But after feeling so unwelcomed I don't think I will be returning."
"That the things from my list should be put into my parcel had obviously escaped the person who had been tasked with packing my order."
"The terrible attitude of the sanctimonious and condescending saleswoman sadly overshadowed and sucked the life out any beauty to be found amongst the lovely Japanese printed papers."
"I was a bit taken aback by the customer service I received at this new location."
"I was told that no photos were allowed and when I asked in their old location it was never a problem."
"Has that insufferable yuppie/hipster trinket vibe throughout, a bit like an upmarket souvenir shop for bourgeois tourists."
Product Quality
Pros:
"OMG heaven for stationery lovers. Everything you need for people who love calligraphy/ lettering."
"Choosing Keeping offers the most beautiful products!"
"They have an excellent selection of notebooks with good quality paper, lots of little desk items, and good quality pens."
"Beautiful notebooks covered in stunning prints with mottled page edges and an array of high quality stationary throughout."
"The articles and objects are unique and top quality."
"Products are exactly as described. Beautiful and good quality."
"The quality of items is second to none, and the packaging is just a dream!"
Cons:
"They have no printed/website information regarding the pigments/colours of their Japanese gansai paints."
"Some of the notebooks had glue smeared across the seams where the fabric has been binded, which looked a bit untidy, especially given the price of £35."
"The paper of the notebook is not good for fountain pens."
"An item I purchased was 50% over the regular retail price from the manufacturer."
"Massively overpriced products, with a few odd bits and bobs that are sanely priced and have novelty value."
Online Shopping Experience
Pros:
"Even if you don't live nearby I can also recommend their online delivery, beautifully packaged and staff who go that extra mile."
"I have the best online stationary shopping experiences with Choosing Keeping."
"Ordered from this shop and was absolutely delighted! The feedback was instant, delivery to Sweden took 24 hours."
"Throughout the pandemic placing orders with them has been an utter delight. They always come carefully packaged, impeccably wrapped, and each item is always stunning."
"Fast international shipping, items are beautifully wrapped."
"Online orders arrive beautifully and safely packaged."
"Ordering online from Choosing Keeping and receiving their beautifully luxurious stationery items was a great pleasure."
Cons:
"They don't accept AmEx cards. As a consumer, this means I don't have credit card protection against my purchases, and so I will be unlikely to spend a significant amount of money here given the no returns policy and other reviews."
"Recently, however, they have changed their online shipping costs and only deliver with DHL, which cost me £7.22 to have a notebook shipped!"
"(Shipping was, I suppose due to Brexit, very expensive at that time which caused me to pay a lot for customs… wish they had put the invoice outside for duty)"
"However I ordered online and my order was missing things."
"Sent a gift set of > £120 for a friend's birthday with gift-wrapping and £24 for international shipping, but when it arrived an item was missing."
"Dispatch took a little longer than optimal (there is a box to request quick dispatch in the payment section) but this is likely due to them being very busy, once dispatched, parcel arrived next day."
Store Atmosphere
Pros:
"Like stepping into a Diagon Alley shop, this shop has magic."
"A wonderful old-school stationery shop."
"Vintage & art style! Buy some gift for friends here."
"A charming stationery store, with an impressive selection of pens, inks, paper, and other remarkable little accoutrements that are quite hard to come by anywhere else."
"It's like walking into a fantasy store full of wondrous things."
"This place is extraordinarily charming to experience in person."
"Such a lovely store!! Always neat and tidy and I love bringing my friends here."
Cons:
"Lovely shop and goods but very disappointed they don't refund when I bought the item a few minutes ago."
"However, as every item is on public display, you ought to be careful whilst picking your stationery."
"Take a photograph without asking permission at your peril."
"They have little boxes to store items as you walk around, which are very aesthetic but not the most practical as they are a bit awkward to carry with heavier items."
"Note for wheelchair users: there is a small step/ledge at the entrance of the shop, which I was able to get over (albeit with some difficulty and a push from behind)."