Buying books on Amazon

[JC]

For all those who have purchased books from Amazon, how would you rate your experience? How's the condition of the books when you receive them?

I love their discounted prices but lately, their "Brand New" books have been anything but "Brand New". The Hellboy library editions I received are not sealed and had finger prints on the pages. The Asterix Omnibus books I got has banged up edges and look used.

A few books I received are sealed (e.g. Tintin box set and Sin City II library), but others seemed to have been returned by others. I know that I can return books but I don't like the hassle.

I've order many books from Amazon, but I'm finally giving up as book condition is more important to me if the price difference is not a wide spread. So I'm sticking to my local LCS who agreed to give me a little bit of discount.

[jlshank007]

I have ordered some trades lately as well as some novels for my wife and can say nothing but good things about the expierence.

All the books I have gotten have been wrapped and it great condition.

I will continue to order from them until I see problems start to arrise like you have. I can understand why you have decided to stay away from them.

[BobBretall]

I've gotten a lot of stuff from Amazon and don't recall getting anything I would consider to be in shape worse than what I'd find if I pulled it off the shelf at Borders.

Amazon Marketplace is a different story though, as you're buying stuff that could be "used" and you have to be careful to note the advertised condition of discounted Marketplace stuff you buy.

[jlshank007]

I have found some really bad books on the Borders shelf. Just happen to be there yesterday to use a 40% off coupon and picked up MouseGuard 1152 TP. Was planning on getting something else until I saw a tear in the book.

Also, a note for all the teachers (of any kind) out there. This week Borders is giving you an additional 25% off.

[JC]

I see that Wolverine Omnibus is available on Amazon.com on March 18th while the availability on Amazon.ca is on April 29th. I wonder if Canada gets the returned copies that's why there's a delay lol I'll probably give them one last chance. Are Marvel Omnibus books usually sealed? If I receive it unsealed, I'll most likely return the book.

Thanks!

[Flash77]

For all those who have purchased books from Amazon, how would you rate your experience? How's the condition of the books when you receive them?

I love their discounted prices but lately, their "Brand New" books have been anything but "Brand New". The Hellboy library editions I received are not sealed and had finger prints on the pages. The Asterix Omnibus books I got has banged up edges and look used.

A few books I received are sealed (e.g. Tintin box set and Sin City II library), but others seemed to have been returned by others. I know that I can return books but I don't like the hassle.

I've order many books from Amazon, but I'm finally giving up as book condition is more important to me if the price difference is not a wide spread. So I'm sticking to my local LCS who agreed to give me a little bit of discount.

I too have noticed a decrease in the condition of Amazon.com purchased books. Mostly it's been a lot of dinged corners or heavily finger-printed outside and inside.

For Christmas, my wife and mother each had to return a gift of mine due to the copies being sent damaged. One I was told had the cover ripped in half (how that gets through quality control...I don't know). I also purchased the Mammoth Book of Zombies and it came a bit banged up. It wasn't worth the time to return, but I will start thinking twice before ordering from Amazon - particularly on these less priced books (sub $20). I'll take a smaller discount and buy at the local comic shop.

[BobBretall]

I have found some really bad books on the Borders shelf.

Let me rephrase, I have found my Amazon purchases to be equivalent to a book I find at Borders that I would actually consider purchasing from Borders.

I know there are banged up books on the shelf, I don't buy them unless they are remainders for a buck or two.

Also, you may want to consider In Stock Trades as a source of TPBs, comics HCs, and Omnibii:
http://www.instocktrades.com/default.aspx

They have decent discounts, free shipping on orders of $50, and have good service. They are run by the same folks who run DCBS.

[jlshank007]

The selection at IST is awesome. To be honest, the main reason I purchase from Borders and not InStockTrades is that its easier to convince my wife to let me spend money at Borders vs. a online comic store. Perception is everything.

[Wood]

For all those who have purchased books from Amazon, how would you rate your experience? How's the condition of the books when you receive them?

I love their discounted prices but lately, their "Brand New" books have been anything but "Brand New". The Hellboy library editions I received are not sealed and had finger prints on the pages. The Asterix Omnibus books I got has banged up edges and look used.

A few books I received are sealed (e.g. Tintin box set and Sin City II library), but others seemed to have been returned by others. I know that I can return books but I don't like the hassle.

I've order many books from Amazon, but I'm finally giving up as book condition is more important to me if the price difference is not a wide spread. So I'm sticking to my local LCS who agreed to give me a little bit of discount.

JC, are you sure you're actually buying from Amazon? What I mean is the purchasing mechanism between Amazon and any of the thousands of Amazon Marketplace vendors is seamless, you may be using Amazon's storefront and payment mechanisms but the fulfillment may be from another retailer.

The reason I ask is because I've run the gamut on the condition of books from Amazon Marketplace sellers [just like you might from eBay sellers], but every time I order new books from Amazon proper, they're wonderfully packaged and in mint condition.

[JC]

Hi Wood, I'm 100% sure it's from Amazon.ca and not Marketplace. Shipping is always free for me for purchaces over $39 CDN.

[HassanT]

I have never had a problem with the quality of books I purchased from Amazon.com. I think they provide a great service.

If I am going to order a lot of trades, I go through IST. But if I want a couple of trades or if I was going to get a CD or DVD, I would order a trade in order to get the free shipping.