Tom W. Ayling Reviews 151

TrustScore 5 out of 5

4.9

While we don't verify specific claims because reviewers' opinions are their own, we may label reviews as "Verified" when we can confirm a business interaction took place. Read more

To protect platform integrity, every review on our platform—verified or not—is screened by our 24/7 automated software. This technology is designed to identify and remove content that breaches our guidelines, including reviews that are not based on a genuine experience. We recognise we may not catch everything, and you can flag anything you think we may have missed. Read more

Review summary

Based on reviews, created with AI

Reviewers overwhelmingly had a great experience with this company. Customers consistently praise the high quality of the products, noting that items are often even better than described online and arrive in excellent condition. The delivery service is frequently highlighted for its speed and efficiency, with many reviewers impressed by how quickly their purchases arrived, even for international shipments. People also appreciate the exceptional service, often mentioning the careful and respectful packaging, as well as the personalized touches like handwritten notes. Some people were dissatisfied with the delivery service, noting that one book arrived damaged in the post.

What people talk about most

Product

Reviewers mention positive feedback about product. Customers consistently praise the high quality of the... See more

Delivery service

Reviewers highlight positive aspects of delivery service. Customers consistently praise the fast and prompt... See more

Service

Customers consistently note positive experiences with service. Reviewers frequently praise the prompt,... See more

Quality

Consumers consistently praise the high quality of products and packaging. Many reviewers highlight that books... See more

Staff

People report positive experiences with staff. Customers consistently praise the team, including Tom and... See more

Based on these reviews

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Tom's talent truly shines though every detail. Each book arrives promptly and immaculately packed -clearly prepared for long overseas journeys. He makes buying books from afar feel personal, reliabl... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Packaging was clearly done carefully and with great respect. It was very pleasant to see the extra items from Tom like a note and a card detailing the background of the pieces. Items arrived very... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

We always enjoy window-shopping on Tom Ayling's online bookstore. Occasionally, we see something that one of us wants for a birthday or holiday present, and that was the case with our recent purchase.... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Prompt, competent shipping. Don't laugh. Most book dealers I have dealt with are incapable of shipping, anything. I just had a book sitting in customs because the paperwork was missing. The dealer... See more


Company details

  1. #2 of 5 best companies in Rare Book Shop

Written by the company

Tom Ayling is an antiquarian bookseller dealing in rare books and manuscripts.


Contact info

4.9

Excellent

TrustScore 5 out of 5

151 reviews

5-star
4-star
3-star
2-star
1-star

How this company uses Trustpilot

See how their reviews and ratings are sourced, scored, and moderated.

Companies on Trustpilot aren't allowed to offer incentives or pay to hide reviews. Reviews are the opinions of individual users and not of Trustpilot. Read more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Trustworthy and reliable.

In the minefield that is collecting vintage books, Tom Ayling is a reliable and trustworthy seller with reasonable prices. The book I ordered was also very well protected and made it halfway across the world to me perfectly safe and sound.

26 March 2026
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

The book was sent out a few hours after…

The book was sent out a few hours after ordering and made it to Australia in time for my wife's birthday.
Great service from Tom and the team and a very happy wife when she opened a first edition of one of her favourite books.
The book was exactly as it was described on the website.

17 March 2026
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Rare books from a fine business

I recently placed my first order with Tom W. Ayling Rare Books ❦ Manuscripts. My purchase was packaged carefully, shipped promptly and arrived in Canada in perfect condition. I made a small request when I placed my order which was graciously acceded to by the owner. I would not hesitate to purchase again from this fine business.

9 March 2026
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Amazing service

Professional, reliable, absolutely fantastic experience purchasing from them. My book came superbly packaged and quickly after ordering.

5 March 2026
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great customer service

Sadly my book arrived damaged in the post, but Tom gave me a full refund immediately.
Full marks for service, and I will certainly return again.

30 November 2025
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Terrific service

Terrific. Book quality was outstanding and the packaging was outstanding too. This was my first rare book purchase and would buy again from Tom! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

6 February 2026
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

An exceptionally brilliant bookseller.

I've been following this bookseller since his You Tube videos when he was working for another bookshop. His posts were highly clever, original, witty and educational without being stuffy or condescending. After he went out on his own and opened his own bookshop I've been a faithful customer and his courtesy and professionalism is first rate. Mr. Ayling ranks as someone who's made a great impression on the rare books community and his down to earth attitude to his customers is much appreciated.

31 January 2026
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Purchase of circa-1695 map of England…

I purchased a circa-1695 map of England from Tom W. Ayling and could not be happier. Communication was excellent, and I was very impressed with the care taken in packaging the item for shipping. I highly recommend doing business with the firm. Tom’s YouTube videos are also both entertaining and educational.

29 December 2025
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Excellent experience and thrilled with items purchased!

Packaging was clearly done carefully and with great respect. It was very pleasant to see the extra items from Tom like a note and a card detailing the background of the pieces.

Items arrived very quickly (even when shipping to the USA!) and were even better in person than the online representation!

Overall very happy with the experience and even happier with the purchase!

6 January 2026
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great service and would wholeheartedly…

Great service and would wholeheartedly recommend this vendor to anyone who is interested in purchasing antique books. I ordered the deluxe folio society edition of The Lord of the Rings along with The Hobbit for a good price, and both were packaged well and arrived promptly.

3 January 2026

The Trustpilot Experience

Anyone can write a Trustpilot review. People who write reviews have ownership to edit or delete them at any time, and they’ll be displayed as long as an account is active.

Companies can ask for reviews via automatic invitations. Labeled Verified, they’re about genuine experiences.

Learn more about other kinds of reviews.

We use dedicated people and clever technology to safeguard our platform. Find out how we combat fake reviews.

Learn about Trustpilot’s review process.

Here are 8 tips for writing great reviews.

Verification can help ensure real people are writing the reviews you read on Trustpilot.

Offering incentives for reviews or asking for them selectively can bias the TrustScore, which goes against our guidelines.

Take a closer look