Book buyers offered their money back

A BOOKSTORE chain has launched a pioneering scheme which will allow customers to get refunds on purchases that they find boring, writes Andrew Gliniecki.

Yesterday, Books etc launched an advertising campaign to publicise what amounts to a guarantee that books sold at their shops will be a good read. Dissatisfied customers returning their purchases with receipt and in good condition within four weeks will obtain a full refund.

The scheme is seen as the latest gambit to win customers in an increasingly cut-throat market. Dillons has already challenged the net book agreement, which establishes minimum prices for books, by discounting selected titles.

The offer is not entirely without precedent - a few years ago, Books etc agreed to swap a book by the Colombian novelist Gabriel Garcia Marquez if it did not suit customers' tastes. Only seven of more than 3,000 it sold were returned.