Do books ordered from amazon usually arrive damaged?

[nycbiker]

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?

@nycbiker tell me about it, it takes ages to get to a bookshop in a larger town or city!

My books normally come in the cardboard envelope type package. It just needs something to catch it to be damaged I guess, especially on a longer journey.

I've never had a damaged one. I've bought them alone, or with other things. There's usually no padding, you're right, but they've not been damaged.

Only damaged thing I've ever had was a mug that was carefully wedged tight into the corner of a box with the rest of the box filled with brown paper, it was in about 300 pieces.

Frequently.

Torn covers and dust jackets happen all the time

Same here!

Paperbacks are usually ok but I’ve had to send back at least three hardbacks that I’ve bought as presents. It’s such a waste

No. In fact some of my books arrive too well insulated. The last hardback I ordered came in a bubble wrapped sleeve and then cushioned with paper. I was quite bemused

The last book I ordered from them had a bent cover and some pages bent

I no longer order books from Amazon because they always arrived in poor condition (torn, dirty, faded etc). It was so frustrating, especially when you’ve ordered a book as a gift.

Well seems like a big range of experiences! I always get annoyed at having to return items due to the wastage and also I hear that if you do to many returns (some random amount amazon decides on) they can just close your account and ban you forever.

Really surprised at these responses, I've had many issues with damaged books. Usually caused by poor packaging and sometimes posted through the letterbox causing a dent.

Things tend to have been better recently. I also type a note in the delivery instructions (call number/box field) saying please knock and that helps!

I’ve never had a problem with books from Amazon though I generally try and support my local bookshop these days.

Good for you! I would but I don't have a local bookshop!

Buy from Blackwells instead. Delivery times are longer but prices are OK.

@JaninaDuszejko Perhaps next time I can use them but the delivery times are too long this year as it says it will be dispatched in 7 days. I need the books by then.

I haven't ordered many physical books from Amazon recently, there is usually a real bookshop that has the same book available online. There was a time that I ordered a lot of novels from them, before there were Kindle books, and I have had damaged books but nothing damaged in the last 6 or 7 years.

I don't buy much from Amazon but yes most of the books (esp hardback) arrive battered so I can't give them as gifts. I am lucky I have a Waterstones near by who do click and collect so that's where I go for books I need in a hurry