"Amazon Packaging" Topic

Many of us get models, books, games, etc. from Amazon to support our hobby.

Over the past couple of years I've noticed a steady decline in the quality of Amazon packaging. It used to be that books were centered on a sheet of cardboard, shrink wrapped, then boxed. This prevented damage to the book, especially around the corners. This devolved into a book placed tossed in a box with bubble wrap. Later, the bubble wrap gave way to those plastic pillows. Currently, the norm seems to be a simple Tyvek envelope.

The consequence, naturally, is that books are received with bent corners, trade paperbacks with cracked spines, model kits in crushed boxes, and parts of items escaping their retail packaging and ending up thrown way, if one isn't careful, with the packaging. Returning items for minor damage is often not worth the effort and time lost, or is of no avail because the replacement is shipped with exactly the same carelessness.

Of course Amazon asks for packaging feedback, which I provide every time. I think though, that I might be a lone voice in the wilderness. Certainly, I'm not going to override their cost-cutting measures with complaints.

Please, if you use Amazon, and your experience I similar, don't ignore their request for packaging feedback. Let them know when the packaging is careless or inadequate even if you don't return the product. Maybe, just maybe, if enough people complain they will find better, more innovative ways to safely package products and still reduce the cost of packaging.

Odd, I haven't noticed this.

If it comes from Amazon directly my books are all still centered on cardboard and shrink wrapped, if they come from a third party then anything goes.

I think there is a difference between using a book shipped by Amazon and one of the third party sellers. My orders from third party sellers, especially for books, have been very variable.

I do agree with the previous posts. However, being out in the sticks, I use Amazon a lot. I have noticed, by using the tracking utility, that there are profound differences between warehouses as well as those that are shipped by third parties. This might have something to do with newer vs. older warehouses and packaging machinery that they use. I don't know and that's purely speculation on my part.

There a tradeoff formula. There is a level of damage that will not result in a return. As long as the items aren't exceeding the damage threshold that would result in a return, Amazon is making more money by reducing the protective packaging. If I were running the company, I would continue to reduce the cost associated with shipping protection (a parasitic expense since it doesn't add any actual value) until I started losing money on returns or customers started making enough noise that I might lose market share.

I cannot affect the former, but I can do my little part to contribute to the latter.

I've had books ordered directly from Amazon and had them just thrown in an oversized box with no packing foam, bubble wrap, etc. several times. The latest example was when I ordered the new D&D 5E books (DMG & PH). They came separately and both were packaged with nothing to pad them, so they bounced around in the box and ended up with smashed corners.

I left packaging feedback and also felt that it meant nothing and that no one would act on the negative feedback.

OTOH, I've had 3rd party books packaged very securely. In those cases, I've always positively noted the careful packaging in my feedback.

It's been my experience also: a complete decline in the use of packing/packaging materials when ordering from Amazon direct.

I always leave feedback but have no idea what effect it is having.

Same here. I have no problem returning a creased or crunched-spine book and then sending feedback. It is frustrating having to wait, but the second copy always arrives in much better condition.

I have found no problems with Amazon packaging. I order from Amazon UK. I used their after sales service recently and it could not have been better.

I just received an Amazon.ca package (not books, however) and it was well packed, imo. Couple of lighter boxy items, with the crunched up heavy paper filler, all in a large enough box to protect it all.

My previous Amazon.ca orders have all been similar, so no complaints, unless it's UPS doing the delivery, then…

(My online books usually are ordered through Indigo.ca, and show up in purposeful book mailers, as might be expected.)

Now that you mention it,the last book I got was tossed in a box with something else I purchased. No protection for the book bouncing around inside the box. I was so busy with other stuff it didn't occur to me at the time.

Next time I get a book like this I will raise holy hell.

Xin

I just left crappy feedback clearly spelling out my issue with the packaging. Hope it means something.

Xin

Being in Australia I have noticed a big difference between Amazon UK and US. The US books usually are on the cardboard base with plastic wrap which does an OK job.

The UK is atrocious consistently. Loose with either scrunched up brown paper or a few of those gas filled bags placed "on top" of the books before the box is sealed. I've had some very badly damaged books from the UK. Each time I have taken a photo – given feedback BUT also, complained. Each time they have sent a new copy – much better wrapped.

What Razor78 said exactly.

Clearly it's very variable.

My experience of Amazon UK is good, but I have to agree that third party sellers differ wildly.

Another gripe about Amazon…

I used to get all of my orders in 2-3 days.
Now anything I buy from Amazon takes 2-3 weeks; but I won't pay the $99 USD/year for Prime just to get guaranteed 2-day shipping.

I understand you get better service if you pay for Prime, but why must they delay the orders of customers that don't use Prime (especially when they didn't do that in the past).
OK, I know the answer, it's all about profit.

Books… sometimes they're packed well. Sometimes the box is full of air and I have to thank the "Book Gods" for getting them to me undamaged. If they're overly damaged, I'll return them; but you have to be careful, because if you return too many things to Amazon, they'll ban you as a customer (which includes everyone in your household if that happens).

I would suggest that everyone's experience varies.

*IF* you receive any product in less than pristine condition due to poor packaging, don't ignore the opportunity to provide packaging feedback.

I am with you brother. I have noticed this decline too and have complained to Amazon multiple times, as it is pretty much standard for me to receive books with minor damage to corners, etc. just about every shipment. They always offer to replace the damaged books but they never change their packaging. I would honestly pay a few extant bucks to get the old packaging back, but then they would be admitting that the new packaging is inadequate.

Hmm I've not had a single negative experience using Amazon. Of course I'll add that I have a "Prime" account and try to always shop using Prime.
Funny that…

Amazon are supposedly VERY keen to get everyone on Prime.