Introduction
As an avid reader and collector, I was excited to place an order for two iconic comic collections from BookishAdda.com. What started as a straightforward online purchase soon turned into weeks of frustration, repeated follow-ups, and unresolved customer service issues. This experience serves as a cautionary tale for anyone purchasing high-value products online.
The Order
On September 29, 2026, I placed Order #36554 with BookishAdda.com for:
The Adventures of Tintin - Complete Collection
Asterix Collection (39 Titles)
The total amount paid was approximately ₹7,598. I expected to receive two brand-new book collections as advertised.
What Actually Happened
After a lengthy delay, only one item arrived. Unfortunately, the situation was far from satisfactory:
The Asterix Collection was never delivered.
The Tintin Collection arrived in a damaged condition.
The books appeared old, heavily worn, and inconsistent with what a customer would expect when paying for a new set.
I immediately contacted customer support and requested either a replacement or a full refund.
The Endless Cycle of Responses
What followed was a series of emails that raised serious concerns about the company's customer service process.
Initially, support acknowledged the delay and promised updates. Later, they informed me that the missing Asterix collection was unavailable and that a refund had been initiated.
However, my primary concern remained unresolved:
The Tintin collection that I actually received was damaged and not in acceptable condition.
I repeatedly shared photographs and explained the issue. Despite providing evidence multiple times, customer support continued responding as though they had not fully read my emails. I was repeatedly asked to provide the same information and photographs that had already been shared.
The Refund Confusion
The situation became even more confusing when a refund was processed.
While a refund was initiated for the undelivered books, the amount refunded did not appear to cover the full order value. I received approximately ₹5,441.58, leaving questions about the remaining amount related to the damaged product.
When I sought clarification, support continued referring only to the missing books, while ignoring concerns about the damaged Tintin collection.
Repeated Requests, No Resolution
Over several days, I continued requesting:
A replacement for the damaged books.
A return pickup for the defective product.
Clarification on the refund amount.
Confirmation of how the damaged item would be handled.
Unfortunately, responses remained repetitive and failed to address the actual issue. Even after multiple emails, photographs, and a video demonstrating the condition of the books, no satisfactory resolution was provided.
Why This Raises Concern
While delays and inventory issues can happen in any business, customers expect:
Clear communication.
Accurate order fulfillment.
Timely refunds.
Proper handling of damaged products.
Customer service representatives who understand and respond to the specific issue being reported.
When a customer receives a damaged product and repeatedly submits evidence, continually requesting the same information without resolving the problem creates a poor customer experience and undermines trust.
Lessons for Online Shoppers
This experience reinforced several important lessons:
Always keep copies of invoices, tracking details, and product listings.
Take photos and videos immediately upon receiving damaged items.
Communicate through email whenever possible to maintain a documented record.
Escalate unresolved disputes through payment providers when necessary.
Research customer reviews thoroughly before placing large orders.
Final Thoughts
Online shopping depends heavily on trust. Customers pay in advance with the expectation that sellers will deliver what was promised and address issues fairly when things go wrong.
My experience with BookishAdda.com involved an undelivered order, a damaged product, partial refund complications, and repeated customer support interactions that failed to address the actual problem. While I hope the matter is ultimately resolved, sharing this experience may help other consumers make informed purchasing decisions and encourage better accountability from online sellers.
Have you faced similar challenges with online purchases? Share your experiences and let fellow
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