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Original poster

Do books ordered from amazon usually arrive damaged?

41 replies

nycbiker · 04/12/2023 20:24

I want to order some specific copies of classic books as Christmas gifts. I have in recent years ordered books for myself from amazon but more and more often they arrive damaged in some way.

I ordered a large art monograph and it arrived with a torn dust jacket so had them send out a replacement and it arrived in an even worse condition than the first. Even with paperbacks they arrive with torn covers, crumpled pages, dirty marks and stickers that are impossible to remove and I am talking about NEW copies here so not second hand.

God forbid you order anything else along side the book because it will not be properly packed and will likely be left to bounce around in the package to further damage the book.

Firstly why do amazon not take any care in how they send things out, I'd pay more for decent packaging. Do others have this issue or have I just been unlucky?

I do not live anywhere near a bookshop although I am going into the nearest city later this week but at times I feel like amazon is my only option.

Can anyone recommend an affordable online book seller that won't mangle the books they sent me as a matter of course?

OP posts:
ApolloandDaphne · 04/12/2023 20:29

I've never received a damaged book from Amazon and I've ordered many. They are usually well packaged.

Original poster
nycbiker · 04/12/2023 20:30

@ApolloandDaphne Not my experience at all, I wonder if it is dependent on the warehouse they are dispatched from. I am now at a point where I am loath to order books from them as I know there is a good chance they will be damaged on arrival and certainly not as gifts.

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DarkAcademia · 04/12/2023 20:32

That's really strange. I've been ordering from Amazon for about 15 years and have never had a damaged book. In fact I ordered 3 books this week 2nd hand for Christmas presents, from 2 different 3rd party sellers and they were pristine. No idea why labelled used, because they were nigh on perfect.

The only time I've ever had a problem was when an electrical item from a 3rd party seller arrived with half the parts missing (it had clearly been a return in the first place).

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OhHowTheDogsStackUp · 04/12/2023 20:34

The only one I've had is the stickers that are impossible to get off.

QueSyrahSyrah · 04/12/2023 20:34

Another here who has ordered both new and 'good quality used' from Amazon and Amazon sellers and never received a damaged book!

Mum2jenny · 04/12/2023 20:36

Never had a damaged book from Amazon and I’ve ordered many over the years

TheYearOfSmallThings · 04/12/2023 20:36

I've had tonnes of books from Amazon and none have been damaged. They were just normal books mind you, not large or fancy ones.

Gettingbysomehow · 04/12/2023 20:36

I have never received a damaged book however I have known Mazon leave things in the rain on the doorstep and they did get damaged/wet. I've got a parcel box now in the carport so that doesn't happen any more.

Singleandproud · 04/12/2023 20:37

Sounds like it might be a warehouse issue. I'm always ordering books and have never had an issue and they always come well packaged

Original poster
nycbiker · 04/12/2023 20:38

Well this is very interesting indeed as its a real problem for me. I think most of my items seem to come from the Dunfermline warehouse.

OP posts:
Original poster
nycbiker · 04/12/2023 20:39

When you guys order a book, do you order it alone or with other items ever?

OP posts:
Taptap2 · 04/12/2023 20:39

Had to send a book back recently it had obviously been read but was meant to be brand new, damage on the side of the book as well. Not in fit for a present. This has happened before.

OhHowTheDogsStackUp · 04/12/2023 20:40

nycbiker · 04/12/2023 20:39

When you guys order a book, do you order it alone or with other items ever?

My books usually come on their own.

Original poster
nycbiker · 04/12/2023 20:42

I think sometimes when books come alone they are in better shape but then often times the courier will try to post an obviously too large an item though the door and damage it that way without even trying to ring the door bell.

OP posts:
bestofme · 04/12/2023 20:42

I live in Perthshire so we probably have the same distribution centre. I've ordered lots of books from Amazon, and have only received one book which was bent at the corner. These books are for me so I could get over a slightly damaged book. If I'm looking to buy a present I'd probably buy from a bookshop.

ApolloandDaphne · 04/12/2023 20:43

I'm in Fife too and most of mine come from Dunfermline. They have never been damaged.

Original poster
nycbiker · 04/12/2023 20:44

bestofme · 04/12/2023 20:42

I live in Perthshire so we probably have the same distribution centre. I've ordered lots of books from Amazon, and have only received one book which was bent at the corner. These books are for me so I could get over a slightly damaged book. If I'm looking to buy a present I'd probably buy from a bookshop.

I've been doing the same, buying from bookshops when I can but I can't always get what I need when I need it that way and it involves a long trip out to get it. Like you I can get over it if it is just for me but if its for a gift then I just feel so bad about giving someone a damaged book.

OP posts:
Original poster
nycbiker · 04/12/2023 20:46

I'm on the west coast but the books seem to come from or via Dunfermline, perhaps they are ok when packed but are damaged on the longer journey to me? I just think a bit of better packaging to protect the books would help, it doesn't need to be plastic.

OP posts:
bestofme · 04/12/2023 20:47

nycbiker · 04/12/2023 20:39

When you guys order a book, do you order it alone or with other items ever?

I usually order a single book or sometimes two, so nothing else in the package. The package is never posted through the letterbox. Perhaps that's why they are not damaged.

sixteenfurryfeet · 04/12/2023 20:47

I wonder whether it is a direct sale from Amazon themselves, or a third party using Amazon to sell, that makes a difference here. All the books I've ever ordered from Amazon have been fine.

MagentaRocks · 04/12/2023 20:49

Never had an issue. I ordered a book and other things last week. The book is in perfect condition.

AnxiousPangolin · 04/12/2023 20:50

I’ve been ordering books from Amazon since 2000 and never received a damaged one.

GOODCAT · 04/12/2023 20:51

I have yet to buy one that wasn't damaged so now buy elsewhere

Original poster
nycbiker · 04/12/2023 20:52

Well now I am even more annoyed about the sheer volume or damaged books I seem to get given that everyone else seems to get their books in pristine condition!

OP posts:
Original poster
nycbiker · 04/12/2023 20:52

@GOODCAT Ah so it isn't just me!

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