Waterstones Reviews Summary

Book Selection

Pros:

• "Such a huge collection of books and book accessories."
• "Many floors packed full of an enormous range of books for literally every and any taste or requirement."
• "Great shop to get children to explore books."
• "They offer a very wide variety of books, including graphic novels from Marvel and DC and Manga."
• "Fantastic range of books, something to suit everyone without a doubt."
• "The selection is more varied than the laser field scene in Ocean's Twelve so you could spend hours in here and not get bored."
• "Selection of books is fantastic. All genres available. Lifts also available to all floors."

Cons:

• "Good selection of books in general but lacking in certain areas: don't go looking for a computing book unless you only want the basics as the section had been really pared down."
• "Used to be my favourite Waterstones. Not sure what happened but every time I come now, the fantasy and sci fi section is absolutely embarrassing."
• "They had a great collection of books but they don't treat them very well."
• "Waterstones has a good selection of books however as a born again Christians my husband and I and, we are sure countless others, including my family would have loved to see, browse and buy Christian books at Waterstones."

Store Layout & Accessibility

Pros:

• "There is a lift to all floors. The stairs are grand and a lively feature of the shop I think."
• "A beautiful store in a great location on Princes Street. Many floors packed full of an enormous range of books for literally every and any taste or requirement."
• "The layout feels like walking through a grand old Victorian house, but with new books and decor to compliment."
• "This store is huge!! Multiple levels, each one dedicated to a different Genre."
• "Easy wheelchair access into the shop, and lifts to upper floors."
• "Everything all accessible by lifts or stairs."

Cons:

• "Poor access for prams in the children's section and the Christmas books were at the till point so browsing was not really a possibility."
• "The seating next to the window, I wouldn't be 100% sure in saying those seats are wheelchair accessible?"
• "Poor access to the till point also."

Staff & Customer Service

Pros:

• "The staff are friendly and helpful able to offer advice on alternative authors when asked."
• "The staff is impressive, they care about customers and ask if you need something specific to help."
• "The staff are really helpful and at a book event recently they went out of their way to make sure everyone was ok in the heat and were super friendly."
• "Amazing staff. Very friendly and know what they're talking about."
• "The staff is very helpful and knowledgeable and there is a lot of variety in their stock."
• "Staff is well informed and helpful, shelves are pretty well assorted and if you cannot find what you need, well…they can order it for you."
• "The staff are kind and friendly. On the rare occasions they don't have what you're looking for they can source it quickly."

Cons:

• "Staff were un-interested and un-helpful."
• "These people are overworked though and internal communication systems are non existent."
• "staff does not care about anything. As I am heavily pregnant, I used the elevators, a little kid was playing with the buttons, his mom was not doing anything and the elevator closed when I was getting out, pushing me in the way, quite painful."
• "There is one staff member (male) who is rude as anything."
• "I gave this one star review as the service was very appropriate but the staff were extremely rude to me and my friends."

Cafe & Amenities

Pros:

• "To top it all off, the castle view by the window is definitely great, especially for tourists :)"
• "Nice cafe with great views of the castle on the upper floor."
• "Cafe with the castle view is located on the 2nd floor."
• "The coffee shop on the top floor also offers a great study or reading spot."
• "A large panorama window with a nice and breathtaking view to Edinburgh Castle."
• "The cafe has a lovely view over the gardens."
• "The cafe provides good food and drink, though the savouries are a little on the expensive side. The views are excellent, looking out onto Edinburgh Castle."

Cons:

• "I ordered a tea and the cup it came in was filthy. Didn’t even end up drinking the tea."
• "Tasty enough food at the cafe, albeit a bit overpriced. My biggest issue is that staff clear plates etc. from tables quickly (good) but are also aggressive about trying to clear people away as well."
• "However, the tea and coffee were average. And each of our cakes were dry and stale. They been out too long and were left."
• "The cafe toilets were in a terrible state."
• "The cafe is now corporate and bland. The selection of cakes and food has been greatly reduced. The cake I had was stale and nothing special."
• "Sadly the cake selection behind the glass counter was not covered and two flies were enjoying a feast on the pile of scones displayed!!"
• "Well the store is lovely in itself but i strongly recommend against their chocolate brownies! YUK! they honestly where the worst ive ever had!"