Ordering Books

Q: Can I order books from Ivallan’s?

A: Yes, you can! Please email hello@ivallansbooks.com with the subject ‘Book order [book name]’ then a message about the book you’re looking for ideally with title, author, paperback/hardcover (if preferred) and any preference around editions or publisher. If you have a specific edition request then including the ISBN is your best chance of success.

Q: When will my book arrive?

A: If books are available from our supplier they normally arrive by Thursday of the following week.

Q: Isn’t that much slower than other online retailers like Am@zon of Dusm@nn?

A: We are a (very) small owner-operated store with very just a few people working to bring you books that delight and excite. We can’t compete with large national or international chains with gigantic warehouses and exploitive work practices.

Q: You quoted me a price that’s more expensive than I can find online?

A: We are a small independent bookshop. We are rarely the fastest or the cheapest but we hopefully offer people in our Kiez the opportunity to discover books and other people who love them in a way that’s hard to replicate digitally.The large players in the book industry operate on very thin and sometimes negative margins. Am@zon strong arm publishers and authors into prices below other retailers and then still often sell books at a loss, below the rate we as a small retailer can even buy them from our suppliers. They use Prime and other services to cross-subsidise these loss-leading offers and further monopolise an increasingly hollowed out market. If you choose to order books from us you’re choosing to support small independent businesses and the neighbourhood and city we live in.

Q: Do you guys hate e-books, audiobooks the internet and all technology?

A: The ability to connect to people and information freely and easily is an incredible gift. E-books and audiobooks allow people to experience books they might never have had access to otherwise. We are huge fans just like we are fans of libraries, free book programs (we love you Dolly!), bookshops and anything else that makes it easier for people to read and enjoy books. Technology isn’t inherently good or evil but we think being able to pick up a book and talk to someone about it will always have some value and supporting the neighbourhoods people live and work in will too.