That’s very frustrating for you. That packaging is the same that Amazon use to ship to me in the UK. As a prime member I usually get next day delivery which minimises, but does not completely negate, the potential for damage en route. One would think when shipping to international customers, Amazon would use better packaging.

Thanks for tip Urulókë, I reached out to amazon and they refunded me 55% and told me to keep the item since it would be costly to ship it back.

Since I bought this collection to read and enjoy with my upcoming son, I can live with the damage to the slipcase.

However, if this happens to the deluxe Tolkien illustrated edition in October, then I’ll send it back and get a full refund.

Falkor wrote:

However, if this happens to the deluxe Tolkien illustrated edition in October, then I’ll send it back and get a full refund.

That can be avoided by not shopping through Amazon. If you insist, though, have your item gift-wrapped

Falkor wrote:

Thanks for tip Urulókë, I reached out to amazon and they refunded me 55% and told me to keep the item since it would be costly to ship it back.

Since I bought this collection to read and enjoy with my upcoming son, I can live with the damage to the slipcase.

However, if this happens to the deluxe Tolkien illustrated edition in October, then I’ll send it back and get a full refund.

Sorry to see this. I know that I've said this in other places on the site, but I swore off Amazon and Book Depository some time back. I refuse to order books from them. It's not worth hassle. I've had much better experiences with Blackwells for new Tolkien releases.

My package from Amazon UK arrived in exactly the same condition. Luckily, in my case, the slipcase and books hadn't taken any noticeable damage. I find it ridiculous that they are using such poor packaging when shipping to international customers. I guess that's what you get when you're looking for the cheapest price. Unfortunately, I'm a slow learner in that respect myself.

NoUse wrote:

My package from Amazon UK arrived in exactly the same condition. Luckily, in my case, the slipcase and books hadn't taken any noticeable damage. I find it ridiculous that they are using such poor packaging when shipping to international customers. I guess that's what you get when you're looking for the cheapest price. Unfortunately, I'm a slow learner in that respect myself.

The last time I bought from Amazon, it was a deluxe HoME boxed set. Same packaging, blown to bits. Even if I could still buy from Amazon (can't as they no longer ship to NZ), I wouldn't. The level of waste is insane.

When you consider how carefully every collector treats their books once they have them, this really hurts.

For those who are new and in America like myself, here’s how an order from blackwells just arrived.

Safe to say I will be using them over Amazon every time.

I just received a copy of this. It is in 6th printing now. Printing is in Bosnia and Herzegovina now by the same group ("GPS Group"). Quality still seems good but I don't have a previous printing to compare it to.

Man what I would pay to get this entire set in the first printing. I have all the 1st printing matte hardcovers, most signed by Alan Lee himself, except this set. Soooo if anyone here has a 1st printing of the set they would be willing to sell let me know lol