Virgilio book

[Sebastien]

I too received my package from Amazon yesterday.
The book is great, and of high quality.

The same cannot be said of Amazon's packaging, which is absolutely lousy.

I ordered 5 copies, many months ago, just after the book was available on Amazon, for myself and swiss friends.
The package was sent from an Amazon warehouse (fulfilment center!), somewhere in Kentucky.
The photos will tell you all : no reinforcement, minimum cardboard, no bubble foil, even the packaging tape is not reinforced, and arrived broken. Somewhere along the way someone put the broken package into a mailbag.

So my suggestion: refrain from multiple orders for this book on Amazon. They just dont know how to pack securely heavy parcels.

PS: The customer service however works - reply was immediate, polite, and helpful. We shall see what happens now.
 

[Mic]

I must say that this is not typical of Amazon but perhaps their packers had a problem with the weight of all those books in one parcel.  They should have divided into at least two boxes or even three considering the weight of just one book.  I use Amazon a lot for books and other things and have never had any packaging problem whether an item comes to Portugal from U.K., Germany or France.

But as for the book itself  Wow!    Normally in a book like this I would go through photos before starting the text but there are so many photos and documents best to start at the beginning (a very good place to start, as the song says) and take it slowly.  Not a book to read in bed I think, unless you have strong stomach muscles or a nice reading table attached to your bed.

More than worth the wait.  Thanks, Geoff.

[DavidLaver]

The first thought was to close the list, forget Viva to avoid another couple of months delay, and get this done.

However...

...the "club price" is £45.50, Amazon is showing £42.25 with "new and used" from £38.56.

David

[GG]

Thanks for good thoughts, and hope you enjoy reading the book. There is a lot to take in. One of the joys of working with David Bull is that there was never a consideration of cutting pages or content, something not common in publishers today. The only downside of this is the heft of the book, sorry about that!

As to shipping, I use Amazon a lot here in the US, but have recently found their standards slipping. Two art books just arrived, sliding loose in a box, no protection at all. In the old days (!) they used to shrink wrap them to a board and put in protection. Seems no longer.

The book is big, and heavy - 6 lbs. If mishandled, the cover will show scuffing. Purchase through careful handlers, people who take care with shipping, is recommended. Its likely to be a long term acquisition, and worth doing right. 

I am looking forward to people's thoughts and comments as they work through the book, and hope that it helps raise discussions a notch or two! 

[Richard Fridd]

The first thought was to close the list, forget Viva to avoid another couple of months delay, and get this done.

However...

...the "club price" is £45.50, Amazon is showing £42.25 with "new and used" from £38.56.   How does the vendor with the £165 price manage to sell?

David

[simonandjuliet]

No brainer !

If Amazon can save us £2.25, let's just agree to that and also it saves David lots of hassle .... I suspect post will be free or very nearly so.

Having only just received my copy of 'The Book' (which I am thoroughly enjoying), it may be a good idea to get this moving !!

[Jay]

Totally agree, save David the hassle. So just placed my order with Amazon, being a prime user postage is free.

[GG]

With all due respect to those who have placed orders, I would urge some caution in using Amazon. We are not seeing care taken in the packaging from them. This is a big heavy book and they don't seem to be packing it with protection. Consider the club, or order from Chaters. While the discount of Amazon might seem attractive at first, there is little satisfaction in a damaged book.

[lancialulu]

I wish to save David the hassle so have placed with Amazon too. If damaged they will have to deal with it. I hope to report in the next day or so.......

Tim

[ColinMarr]

Much as I dislike Amazon (for paying only a tiny amount of tax in the UK) I also have just placed my order with them. Also to say that I have always found their packaging to be first class. Thanks for your efforts David.

Colin

[williamcorke]

I wish to save David the hassle so have placed with Amazon too. If damaged they will have to deal with it. I hope to report in the next day or so.......

Tim

I've done the same - ordered from Amazon, who are offering free postage - and will take it up with them if there's any damage.

Whoever's managing the LMC 'group buy', could you please remove my name from the list. Sorry I've lost track of who had taken this task on.

[peteracs]

Hi David

Given the number of folk who have bought from Amazon, suggest you decide if you want to proceed with a group buy, it may be sensible to start again with the list to avoid confusion?

Peter

[ITSA]

Hi All,

David, I emailed you and asked to be put on your list. (Not sure if you received my email.) I'd still be more than happy to buy through you if you do persevere with this.

And for general information for all: The Guardian looks like it might be the next cheapest UK option if you wish to avoid using Amazon on grounds of poor packaging, or immoral tax practices, or exploitation of their labour force. See http://www.guardianbookshop.co.uk/BerteShopWeb/viewProduct.do?ISBN=9781935007258 Postage appears to be free.

Chris

[Jay]

Got my copy today from Amazon, for all of you who buy from them, it wasn’t the usual tight corrugated card, but in a box with packing, with no damage to the book.  I must say first glance it really does look impressive and the kind of book I like.

[lancialulu]

Got my copy today from Amazon, for all of you who buy from them, it wasn’t the usual tight corrugated card, but in a box with packing, with no damage to the book.  I must say first glance it really does look impressive and the kind of book I like.

Me too. Haven't opened as a surprise (?!) birthday present to me for later this month..... Seems well packed. David please remove me from your list. Ta.