Shipping Books... Aye Yai Yai!

[griffen]

Was going to put this in the Comic Sale/Deal thread but making it it's own cause I didn't want to gripe in a spot where everyone is just chilling out, vibin' on discounts.

My Fanta sale order came through today and just everything is smashed in some way or another. Every time I do a big book order, and by that I am referring to both the amount and size of the books, in this case the last 2 Crepax volumes and Grande Odalisque/Olympia box set, these large books with large price tags are just completely bullied by the USPS. I don't believe this is Fanta's fault at all, as the boxes are really well packed, these packages though are mangled.

Is this just me, am I unlucky as hell? Do I live on a route where someone is training Rocky style after work in the package sorting room instead of a meat locker?

Do I start paying more for the insured shipping so the shipping company has to take responsibility for the package? Has anyone done this with success?

Sorry again for the negativity but this has happened the last 3 Fanta sales, the Target B2G1 (in which I had to return the Forgotten Sunday book because it was mutilated in transit and they wouldn't exchange it), and another regular book order recently. I honestly wouldn't be collecting the Crepax books and a few other of the bigger ticket books if I wasn't getting them at a substantial discount. Trying to figure out if it's worth it or not.

[Ian M]

I think it's a by-product of Americans hating their job/low wages making them apathetic. You see videos of delivery people tossing packages, or pics of beat up boxes.

I'm in Japan, and the postal service is pretty amazing. They do package handoffs, everything is shipped in perfect condition domestically. Last week, a package through Book Depository arrived in the country wet, and the post office dried it as best they could, stuck an explanation on the package, and handed it to me directly with an apology. I was able to show a photo of the post office taking responsibility for it when requesting a refund, and got it without the company even asking for details.

I don't think all American workers are that angry about their jobs, but it doesn't seem rare either. None of those problems in Japan.

[awfulquiet]

Fantagrsphics definitely packs their books to make them nearly bomb proof. I'd be filing a damage claim with the USPS.