Amazon & those stupid yellow envelopes!

[Mr. Cinema]

Originally Posted by Another_Dude

I'd suggest the crowd that flips out over bumps and bruises on slipcovers and such just buy locally, and if that isn't an option learn to deal with it.

You price shop, they package the items as cheap as possible to get your business, they ship the items as cheap as possible to keep your business, items spend time in trucks which are still held to the laws of physics, and nature happens.

I can understand that if you use the Super Saver option. IMO, Prime members should get the better packaging.

[srinivas1015]

Originally Posted by Another_Dude

I'd suggest the crowd that flips out over bumps and bruises on slipcovers and such just buy locally, and if that isn't an option learn to deal with it.

You price shop, they package the items as cheap as possible to get your business, they ship the items as cheap as possible to keep your business, items spend time in trucks which are still held to the laws of physics, and nature happens.

We aren't flipping over bumps and bruises. We're getting broken cases and torn slipcovers!
It's not price shopping when you pay around 50$ for a single BD. I can't buy them locally in-store as the transfers in India are horrible. In my invoice it says '6$ for packing'. If they're charging me 6$ for packing, the least they can do is place the BD in a cardboard box.
What's irritating is paying Amazon 350$ per month for around 6-7 BDs and receiving them in a broken condition.
I don't mean to sound ungrateful towards Amazon but all these problems started due to them using paper envelopes.

[BeWaterMyFriend]

Expecting Amazon to ship out single-order Blu releases in a cardboard box is unrealistic. Last time I ordered a Steelbook from Amazon it wasn't even shipped in a box, so I doubt they would ever switch over to shipping amaray case releases in a box.

And I am not saying anyone in this thread would fall into this category but if Amazon hypothetically offered a "premium packaging" service, a lot of the same people who want better packaging for their Blus would be the first to complain about having to pay extra to have things shipped in a box with bubble wrap, etc. You know, supplies which cost more money than a single envelope.

In regards to using Amazon to ship internationally, if you are someone who is picky about slipcover conditions, try finding someone who you can deal with and have them ship directly to you, complete in cardboard box and any other special requests you may have. It is not as convenient (and maybe not as cost-efficient) as using Amazon, but at the same time, you need to pick, choose and prioritize what matters more to you.

And srinivas1015, a good recommendation is what MoulinBlu said he/she does, which is purchase spare Blu cases in bulk. You can buy everything from single disc cases to 4+ disc cases for pretty cheap in bulk, and having them around is very convenient if you ever order something with a busted case.

[jamesdevil]

I get the yellow envelopes often, never had an issue with them.

[MarkG]

Originally Posted by srinivas1015

We aren't flipping over bumps and bruises. We're getting broken cases and torn slipcovers!
It's not price shopping when you pay around 50$ for a single BD. I can't buy them locally in-store as the transfers in India are horrible. In my invoice it says '6$ for packing'. If they're charging me 6$ for packing, the least they can do is place the BD in a cardboard box.
What's irritating is paying Amazon 350$ per month for around 6-7 BDs and receiving them in a broken condition.
I don't mean to sound ungrateful towards Amazon but all these problems started due to them using paper envelopes.

That's just the way they ship their stuff now. I suggest not ordering from them anymore or find someone on here to order for you and ship to your specifications.

Amazon ships hundreds of thousands of packages a day (if not millions?). They can not go order by order with special shipping instructions from the buyer. It's not feasible. It would cost a lot of $$$$ to do that AND keep the same efficiency.

It's cheaper for Amazon in the long run to just ship you a replacement if product arrives damaged then to go one by one shipping instructions.

I can almost guarantee you that you had no effect on the packages that did arrive in a card board box when you contacted customer service. You just happened to get that kind of packaging for that particular day (whether or not you contacted customer service for special shipping instructions).

With that said, I feel for you. It sucks getting damaged products due to poor packaging.

[VagueSimplicity]

Buying in bulk has been a good prevention method for me. Less space for the product to move around in. That's why I'm holding off making purchases until Black Friday and ordering 5 or 6 at a time to be delivered.

I'm just so happy my Avengers movie survived the yellow envelope. Only a miniscule dent here and there at the edges, but nothing cringe-worthy.

[srinivas1015]

Just got my copy of The Avengers. It arrived in the yellow envelope but there was no damage what-so-ever. Not even a minor dent .

[junyab]

You should really try to develop a good relationship with a smaller US firm, where they can give you more of an individualized service. Like importcds or something of the like.

[MEATBALL 2112]

Add me to list list of people who are tired with these cheap shipping methods. Amazon used to send all movies in a box shrink wrapped to a sturdy piece of cardboard. The last 2 movies that I received were damaged badly because they were sent in cheap envelopes.

People who say we should all quit our complaining need to realize that we are buying a new product and we expect it to be in new condition when we receive it.

[madlost1]

Originally Posted by MEATBALL 2112

Add me to list list of people who are tired with these cheap shipping methods. Amazon used to send all movies in a box shrink wrapped to a sturdy piece of cardboard. The last 2 movies that I received were damaged badly because they were sent in cheap envelopes.

People who say we should all quit our complaining need to realize that we are buying a new product and we expect it to be in new condition when we receive it.

Then stop buying online and buy from stores instead. Once it leaves Amazons hands it's out of control what happens to the package. It could be a problem with your local postal workers or somewhere along the line. Everything that I receive from Amazon even in the yellow shippers comes in great condition. It all depends on who is handling your package.

[rdodolak]

I remember when all of my packages used to arrived in cardboard mailers or boxes. Then a small group on the internet got up in arms about how Amazon was wasting resources and affecting the environment by being wasteful because at times it was using boxes which were too large and/or too much filler content. Shortly there after Amazon started to use the yellow bubble mailers. Ironically, those bubble mailers can hardly be recycled anywhere. Atleast the cordboard mailers/boxes can be reused and recycled.

Amazon claims to be Green but not when it's using those bubble mailers.

Reducing Packaging Waste
Amazon has developed a software program that determines the "right-sized" box for any given item to be shipped to a customer, based on that item's dimensions and weight. As a result, the number of packages shipped in a wrong-sized box has decreased dramatically, significantly reducing packaging waste and transportation costs.

In 2009, Amazon launched its Packaging Feedback program, which allows customers to provide direct feedback on the packaging of their Amazon.com order and to upload images of their Amazon.com packages. Their feedback is used to improve product and Amazon packaging. Learn more a http://www.amazon.com/packaging

Originally Posted by srinivas1015

Just got my copy of The Avengers. It arrived in the yellow envelope but there was no damage what-so-ever. Not even a minor dent .

[Show spoiler]

Mine didn't fare so well. Every single corner, along with the edges, was beat up.

[BeWaterMyFriend]

Originally Posted by madlost1

Then stop buying online and buy from stores instead. Once it leaves Amazons hands it's out of control what happens to the package. It could be a problem with your local postal workers or somewhere along the line. Everything that I receive from Amazon even in the yellow shippers comes in great condition. It all depends on who is handling your package.

This. For people who have the option of going to a store to buy a new release and are anal about every centimeter of the case/slip being in pristine condition.....why shop at Amazon, given how notorious their packaging issues are? You know what they say, "If you want something done right...."

Also, us collectors (minority) and the general public/retailers have a very different definition of "new". For instance, if I walked into BBY on Tuesday, noticed all the Cinderella slips were dinged up with dents and went to CS to ask why they had none of the movies in "new" condition, they'd probably spend the next 10 minutes laughing at me once I left the store.

[srinivas1015]

Originally Posted by madlost1

Then stop buying online and buy from stores instead. Once it leaves Amazons hands it's out of control what happens to the package. It could be a problem with your local postal workers or somewhere along the line. Everything that I receive from Amazon even in the yellow shippers comes in great condition. It all depends on who is handling your package.

Not all of us live in the U.S. Since it will be out of their hands once it's been shipped, it's Amazon's responsibility to pack it as securely as possible.

[Clark Kent]

I will say that Amazon in the past month has started using a slightly thicker yellow bubble mailer. Before the envelope provided virtually no protection if the delivery service crushed the package in transit. Now it offers thicker air bubbles and provides slightly more protection. I still would prefer the cardboard packaging for all media items, but Amazon is simply cutting costs and wants to deliver goods as cheaply as possible.

[MoulinBlu]

The 3-disc combo pack - that amazon shipped me through "smartpost" that was damaged due to packaging that was inadequate for the way these economy shipping methods treat parcels - was replaced via 2-day UPS in the same packaging, but this time in perfect condition. It's the shipping method in combination with the packaging that matters most. I agree with the OP, shipping overseas, a single padded mailer is entirely inadequate and just asking for problems, or at best saying, we don't care if your parcel arrives damaged. I've received imports before as well, that arrived in decent condition, in padded mailers. But in those cases the shipper used multiple layers of bubblewrap, tightly wrapped around the movie(s) rather than dropping them in an oversized envelope with a single, think layer of padding.

Ironically, amazon also shipped me a replacement case for the original order. The case was just a cheap generic BD case without a proper BD logo. And it was a 5-disc case that was about twice as thick as the original Viva 3-disc case, so the cover art isn't even close to fitting. But they shipped it boxed, shrinkwrapped to a sheet of cardboard.

[srinivas1015]

I added The Dark Knight Rises to my existing order and after doing so, Dark Shadows is clubbed with Prometheus and they'll be shipped together on the 9th .
If it's two blu-rays, I'm guaranteed a cardboard box, right? Or will Amazon put both blu-rays in a yellow envelope?

[wormraper]

Originally Posted by srinivas1015

I added The Dark Knight Rises to my existing order and after doing so, Dark Shadows is clubbed with Prometheus and they'll be shipped together on the 9th .
If it's two blu-rays, I'm guaranteed a cardboard box, right? Or will Amazon put both blu-rays in a yellow envelope?

it depends on the fulfillment center. I've had 3 blu-rays come together in a bubble mailer, and I've had one blu-ray come with the box. it all depends on the shipping center it comes from (which is luck of the draw)

[MoulinBlu]

Originally Posted by srinivas1015

I added The Dark Knight Rises to my existing order and after doing so, Dark Shadows is clubbed with Prometheus and they'll be shipped together on the 9th .
If it's two blu-rays, I'm guaranteed a cardboard box, right? Or will Amazon put both blu-rays in a yellow envelope?

In my experience, it's more likely that multiple items will ship boxed. But, as wormraper said, there's no guarantee. I'm sure all shipping centers stock boxes, for items that absolutely require them. It's probably more chance as to whether or not they'll actually use one. I have no idea what kind of assembly line shipping system they might have. It's possible that the person who does the packaging, may have no idea where the package is actually going to. But, most likely, even if they did, they've got policy to follow or a hectic pace to keep that doesn't permit the kind of attentiveness or care that you'd get from a smaller store that does all their own shipping.

The "boxed" replacement case they recently sent shipped out of Delaware. Most of my shipments are in padded mailers these days though, and seem to come from Kentucky or Pennsylvania. It seems like back when amazon was still mostly shipping to me in boxes, they were coming from Indiana, and maybe Arizona.

[MyBoyBlu]

I receive movies in a mix of boxes and yellow envelopes from Amazon.

Being a slipcover collector, I too prefer boxes to mitigate the risk of damage in transit.

Doing my part to avoid yellow envelopes, I have made a habit of not placing orders for single movies. Amazon has never shipped me 2 or more movies in an envelope. Sometimes this strategy does not work if the items are sourced from multiple distribution centers, but it is effective most of the time, especially with preorders.

[MoulinBlu]

I spoke too soon. The replacement 3-disc combo pack that amazon sent appeared perfect from the outside. I just opened it today and one of the two latches was broken, where it won't snap shut at the bottom, even via 2-day UPS shipping, these padded mailers clearly are not adequate protection for the cheap Viva-Elite cases - and it's not even an eco case.

The packaging isn't only at fault. I've been buying online since the late nineties. Receiving anywhere from 2-10 moves per week. I've never had a problem with broken dvd cases. A few loose discs, but the cases were always intact. And padded mailers have been a common form of shipping for many, many years. Broken cases is a relatively recently phenonmenon that, for me at least, has almost exclusively plagued Viva Elite cases and mostly Viva Elites that don't have the added protection of slipcovers. I can't say for certain that it's a fair comparison, as I probably buy more BDs in Viva cases than Vortex cases, since more studios use the Viva cases. And admittedly, most of my broken cases have been used BDs from gohastings. But, still, for whatever reason, it's Viva cases that I'm always getting broken not Vortex. The plastic is more brittle, and the corners, spindle, and clasps are especially prone to breaking. Though they seem to be breakable just anywhere.

I'm not going to complain to amazon twice though. They already sent me a second copy and let me keep the first. That's more than reasonable customer care. It's just ironic that both copies arrived in broken cases. I'll just fork out for a new case on my own dime and let them know what happened under their packaging feedback forum, so that hopefully they'll start packaging these things better. As Viva BD cases clearly just aren't as resilient as dvd and seemingly aren't as resilient as Vortex BD either.

I did get two BDs in yesterday: seperate preorders that shipped together from KY - which usually uses padded mailers - delivered in a box, well, actually more like a wrap around cardboard envelope. But I've never had a problem with those either; they're as protective as a box from what I can tell. The BDs look pristine from the outside, perfect slipcovers and all, but I haven't opened them yet.