Based on recent customer reviews, Exclusive Books receives polarised feedback across its South African branches and online channels. Customers consistently praise the in-store atmosphere, knowledgeable staff, and curated book selection at locations such as the Waterfront, Tygervalley, and Mall of Africa, where helpful service leaves a lasting impression. However, a recurring theme involves frustrations with the online ordering system, delayed deliveries, unresponsive email support, and rigid policies around gift voucher expiry and refunds. Several shoppers also describe unpleasant interactions with staff at certain branches, citing rude or unhelpful conduct.
TrustIndex
3.1
Β
Jul '25 - Jun '26
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Share Your Experience1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Verbal abuse and harassment by Raymond Kelly, Exclusive Books Melrose Arch. We were terribly abused at Exclusive Books. I have shopped for years at Exclusive Books today was the first time we were abused at the Melrose Arch Branch. The branch is ****** and abusive!
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Verbal abuse and harassment by Raymond Kelly, Exclusive Books Melrose Arch. We were terribly abused at Exclusive Books. I have shopped for years at Exclusive Books today was the first time we were abused at the Melrose Arch Branch. The branch is ****** and abusive!
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Ordered and e voucher as a birthday present for my friend and requested it be sent to her a few days later. It was never generated and never sent to her. I had to do countless follow ups with no assistance . I am deeply disappointed
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Ordered and e voucher as a birthday present for my friend and requested it be sent to her a few days later. It was never generated and never sent to her. I had to do countless follow ups with no assistance . I am deeply disappointed
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Exclusive Books at the Waterfront is more than just a bookstore β it feels like a peaceful home for dreamers, readers, and people with stories to tell. The moment you walk in, youβre surrounded by inspiration, knowledge, and the kind of quiet atmosphere that makes you want to sit down and write your own life into pages. As a person who is busy writing my own story, this store gives me hope. It reminds me that every great author once started with a dream, a pen, and a heart full of truth. The staff are always professional and helpful, and the store is beautifully organised with an amazing selection of books for every kind of reader. Exclusive Books is a place where stories are celebrated β and one day, I truly hope to see my own book standing proudly on their shelves, inspiring someone else the way this store inspires me. A beautiful space, excellent service, and a powerful reminder that dreams do come true. πβ¨
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Exclusive Books at the Waterfront is more than just a bookstore β it feels like a peaceful home for dreamers, readers, and people with stories to tell. The moment you walk in, youβre surrounded by inspiration, knowledge, and the kind of quiet atmosphere that makes you want to sit down and write your own life into pages. As a person who is busy writing my own story, this store gives me hope. It reminds me that every great author once started with a dream, a pen, and a heart full of truth. The staff are always professional and helpful, and the store is beautifully organised with an amazing selection of books for every kind of reader. Exclusive Books is a place where stories are celebrated β and one day, I truly hope to see my own book standing proudly on their shelves, inspiring someone else the way this store inspires me. A beautiful space, excellent service, and a powerful reminder that dreams do come true. πβ¨
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
I had an amazing experience at Exclusive Books in the Waterfront. They have a diverse selection of books, magazines, stationery and gifts. The staff are knowledgable and always eager to assist.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
I had an amazing experience at Exclusive Books in the Waterfront. They have a diverse selection of books, magazines, stationery and gifts. The staff are knowledgable and always eager to assist.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
I discovered a gift voucher given to me on my birthday January 2019. T's & C's on the card stated it was valid for 36 months. (Issued before the legislation for gift vouchers was changed) I took it to EB @ Clearwater Mall hoping that it was still valid. It had expired some years ago, I was so disappointed in my own negligence. But a week or two later they contacted me stating that the full value of R500 had been reinstated. I was amazed! Excellent service. Friendly helpful assistance.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
I discovered a gift voucher given to me on my birthday January 2019. T's & C's on the card stated it was valid for 36 months. (Issued before the legislation for gift vouchers was changed) I took it to EB @ Clearwater Mall hoping that it was still valid. It had expired some years ago, I was so disappointed in my own negligence. But a week or two later they contacted me stating that the full value of R500 had been reinstated. I was amazed! Excellent service. Friendly helpful assistance.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Centurion mall exclusive books, very unprofessional today 2 feb 2026 wife's bday purchased atomic habits work book and power of subconscious mind was assisted by a lady that was so rude...didn't want to wrap my gifts,I asked of other items she told me no stock yet I took a Pic 2 days ago than all sudden she finds it...worst part gave my loyalty number nd I am told no system is off can't allocate points are they *****ing our points because I spent over 1500 with other items and I cannot get points what thievery is this
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Centurion mall exclusive books, very unprofessional today 2 feb 2026 wife's bday purchased atomic habits work book and power of subconscious mind was assisted by a lady that was so rude...didn't want to wrap my gifts,I asked of other items she told me no stock yet I took a Pic 2 days ago than all sudden she finds it...worst part gave my loyalty number nd I am told no system is off can't allocate points are they *****ing our points because I spent over 1500 with other items and I cannot get points what thievery is this
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
I was at exclusive book in the Pavilion branch Durban wanting to return a book i had purchased it was no longer needed. I had the original docket on hand yet i think shes a supervisor told me that they had to return the cash to the card. Now shes stating that shes needing the bank slip to process the refund or i take something else yet i didn't need anything else. "Exclusive book will gladly refund or exchange purchases in perfect condition within 45 days of original purchase, provided you have an original receipt" Thats the policy stated at the back of the slip yet shes only quoting refund will be made according to the method of payment. if the bank slip is required when there is a refund why is it not stated or why do the cashiers advise the customer when making a purchase. Why don't they staple everything together if its needed? the manner and attitude which the issue was handles was disappointing, she needs training on how to handle customer or either learn from the cashier as she was the one with the right customer service.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
I was at exclusive book in the Pavilion branch Durban wanting to return a book i had purchased it was no longer needed. I had the original docket on hand yet i think shes a supervisor told me that they had to return the cash to the card. Now shes stating that shes needing the bank slip to process the refund or i take something else yet i didn't need anything else. "Exclusive book will gladly refund or exchange purchases in perfect condition within 45 days of original purchase, provided you have an original receipt" Thats the policy stated at the back of the slip yet shes only quoting refund will be made according to the method of payment. if the bank slip is required when there is a refund why is it not stated or why do the cashiers advise the customer when making a purchase. Why don't they staple everything together if its needed? the manner and attitude which the issue was handles was disappointing, she needs training on how to handle customer or either learn from the cashier as she was the one with the right customer service.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
This platform has excellent education ebooks for different fields. The time was making this review, just passed my CIMA BA1 certification with help of NTKayz. Am forever grateful π
Based on recent customer reviews, Exclusive Books receives polarised feedback across its South African branches and online channels. Customers consistently praise the in-store atmosphere, knowledgeable staff, and curated book selection at locations such as the Waterfront, Tygervalley, and Mall of Africa, where helpful service leaves a lasting impression. However, a recurring theme involves frustrations with the online ordering system, delayed deliveries, unresponsive email support, and rigid policies around gift voucher expiry and refunds. Several shoppers also describe unpleasant interactions with staff at certain branches, citing rude or unhelpful conduct.
Exclusive Books has a TrustIndex of 3.1 out of 10 on Hellopeter, based on 22 reviews in the last 12 months. Hellopeter has tracked Exclusive Books across 320 total reviews. How is the TrustIndex calculated? β