This topic is currently marked as "dormant"—the last message is more than 90 days old. You can revive it by posting a reply.
2Lloydville
If a book arrives in good condition and as described, I think the seller has fulfilled his obligation. Shrinkwrap is nice, and I don't think it could do any harm to request it, but unless the seller advertises "all books shipped in shrinkwrap" I don't think they should be expected to do so in every case.
It's not really a guarantee that the book has come directly from the factory, either, since a book returned to Folio in "as new" condition could be easily shrinkwrapped a second time and one would never know the difference.
It's not really a guarantee that the book has come directly from the factory, either, since a book returned to Folio in "as new" condition could be easily shrinkwrapped a second time and one would never know the difference.
3maisonvivante
Sorry, I accidentally deleted my post above. My computer is doing a weird jumping around thing, making me click on things I don't want to!
Here it is again:
Recently, on ebay, a seller mentioned that a book set had come to her without shrinkwrap on it. I think I've only received one book that didn't have shrinkwrap on it, and I wasn't too happy about it, to be honest. (I kept it and didn't request another copy, but I felt it limited my options on what to do with it). Sometimes I sell the books, sometimes I keep them for a period of time before I decide what to do with them (sometimes years), sometimes I give them as gifts, etc. In all those scenarios, it's highly beneficial for the books to remain wrapped in their factory plastic. For instance, in reselling a book, having it wrapped in its original plastic can increase the value tremendously. Likewise, I've only given Folio gift books to those "in the know," and thus it looks like I'm giving a used book as a gift when the plastic isn't present. And, if I'm just storing the book until it finds a home on my shelves or someone else's, I like knowing it's safely protected from damage.
How often do you receive books that aren't in plastic? Do you think that Folio would be able to honor a request from a member who only wanted books that were shrinkwrapped? Do you consider an unwrapped book a justifiable reason for asking for a replacement copy?
Here it is again:
Recently, on ebay, a seller mentioned that a book set had come to her without shrinkwrap on it. I think I've only received one book that didn't have shrinkwrap on it, and I wasn't too happy about it, to be honest. (I kept it and didn't request another copy, but I felt it limited my options on what to do with it). Sometimes I sell the books, sometimes I keep them for a period of time before I decide what to do with them (sometimes years), sometimes I give them as gifts, etc. In all those scenarios, it's highly beneficial for the books to remain wrapped in their factory plastic. For instance, in reselling a book, having it wrapped in its original plastic can increase the value tremendously. Likewise, I've only given Folio gift books to those "in the know," and thus it looks like I'm giving a used book as a gift when the plastic isn't present. And, if I'm just storing the book until it finds a home on my shelves or someone else's, I like knowing it's safely protected from damage.
How often do you receive books that aren't in plastic? Do you think that Folio would be able to honor a request from a member who only wanted books that were shrinkwrapped? Do you consider an unwrapped book a justifiable reason for asking for a replacement copy?
4Lady19thC
Most of my books come shrink-wrapped, but every now and then they don't. It doesn't bother me because this is a new offering of Folio. I've only had shrink-wrapped books in the past 2 years or so. They never had them before. So long as my book is undamaged, clean and tight, that is enough for me. I definitely would not ask for a replacement just because it is not shrink-wrapped. The books I get at stores don't usually have this feature and we use too much paper and plastic as it is, anyhow.
5Irieisa
I received a P.G. Wodehouse set from FS without shrinkwrap on it. However, after performing my inspection, it was perfect on all levels. I inspect all my books this way.
I like to remove shrinkwrap right away to inspect the books, as they are sometimes damaged on the inside. An issue of Rebecca, for instance, had a damaged endpaper; had I left the book in its wrapping, I would not have known, and it might have been too late for me to ask for a replacement later on.
In short, I don't trust shrinkwrap. I rip the stuff off directly, and investigate the books carefully, before it's too late to do anything about any damage.
I like to remove shrinkwrap right away to inspect the books, as they are sometimes damaged on the inside. An issue of Rebecca, for instance, had a damaged endpaper; had I left the book in its wrapping, I would not have known, and it might have been too late for me to ask for a replacement later on.
In short, I don't trust shrinkwrap. I rip the stuff off directly, and investigate the books carefully, before it's too late to do anything about any damage.
6maisonvivante
I don't think I'd ask for a replacement either, if the book comes without shrinkwrap. Irieisa makes a good point about sometimes flaws being inside the book: one of the John Buchan novels I have has an endpaper that is glued to itself. I didn't find this out until months later and I'm stuck with it. (In that case, I had taken it right away out of its shrinkwrap: I just didn't think about examining the endpapers. Now I look more closely at the books.) Of course, when I'm storing a book in shrinkwrap, I'm taking the risk that there might be a flaw with the interior.
The reason I started this topic was because the ebay seller I mentioned sounded very aggrieved that the set she was selling hadn't come in shrinkwrap. It made me wonder how often that happened and whether people cared or not.
The reason I started this topic was because the ebay seller I mentioned sounded very aggrieved that the set she was selling hadn't come in shrinkwrap. It made me wonder how often that happened and whether people cared or not.
7Lloydville
All my recent Folio purchases have come shrinkwrapped and it's something I appreciate -- but if a book arrived in good condition without a shrinkwrap, I'd be cool with that.
9Lady_Lulu
I echo most of the points made above. It does seem that shrinkwrap is no guaranteed indicator of pristine condition. I have had one or two bumps and scratches, as well as one book which had a very badly creased frontispiece and have received a few (mainly from the mystery parcel) which came unwrapped and in flawless condition.
As a committed environmental freak, I hate bringing more plastic than necessary (and it's very seldom necessary) in to the house. I have a couple of publications delivered which also come in plastic wrapping, supposedly for protection.
I suspect it's all needless. Surely there is a better way of protecting something?
As a committed environmental freak, I hate bringing more plastic than necessary (and it's very seldom necessary) in to the house. I have a couple of publications delivered which also come in plastic wrapping, supposedly for protection.
I suspect it's all needless. Surely there is a better way of protecting something?
10Django6924
I'm with Irieisa on getting rid of the shrinkwrap--unless you don't intend to read it, get it off and at least make sure there are no flaws! A case in point: I paid over $350 in an auction for a Limited Editions Club volume of T. E. Lawrence's translation of The Odyssey, with original wood engravings by Barry Moser. It was still in the unopened shipping carton (from over 25 years ago) with all the associated publisher's ephemera. When I opened my prize, lo!, two pages of text were blank--and my favorite part of the book, when Odysseus "bends and strings that mighty bow." Needless to say, no recourse. I might try to sell it and find an unflawed copy, but who would pay what I paid for a flawed version--no matter how pristine?
11Irieisa
>10 Django6924: - Yes, something that has always concerned me about leaving shrinkwrap. Makes me worry about buying shrinkwrapped books from used sellers; the seller could possibly be upset by the removal of the shrinkwrap prior to return, and I would be upset by the condition of the book. Hm.
12chase.donaldson
Django,
That was a lot of money to spend on that copy. I got mine for 80 and it is pretty much perfect. I also have the earlier edition (1931 I think) that is nearly impossible to find in good condition; the binding fades easily, and the slipcase is a notorious one to find in good shape. Its a huge book though and very nice looking and I have been looking for the matching Iliad for some time now
That was a lot of money to spend on that copy. I got mine for 80 and it is pretty much perfect. I also have the earlier edition (1931 I think) that is nearly impossible to find in good condition; the binding fades easily, and the slipcase is a notorious one to find in good shape. Its a huge book though and very nice looking and I have been looking for the matching Iliad for some time now
13Django6924
Re #12: Ah, but chase, did yours come in an unopened shipping carton from the publisher with all publisher's ephemera and completely pristine glassine (no cheap shrinkwrap, here)...and 2 blank pages?
You gets what you paid for. :-)
You gets what you paid for. :-)
