My Tirade about Amazon's HORRIBLE PACKAGING.

[Hispandinavian]

I collect vinyl, and always edgy about my records coming playable and intact.

[miksa21]

I just scored a 30 USD refund due to this exact same issue. No real damage, disc were ok, but there were marks & creases on 4 of the covers of 6 albums I ordered. The arrived in 5 separate consignments, each a cardboard body bag just like yours. Google "Amazon's New Vinyl Packaging" very interesting. I quoted them this url and basically their case was as flimsy as... erm...

[malawri67]

Amazon sucks big time.Each time I order multiple albums from them,they have me waiting and then tell me that one of the Lp I ordred , that was listed as available(in stock), is not available!!!

Why advertise it as "in stcok" then???

Fuck amazon!

Get your act together amazon!

[nathanrmorales]

Hahaha...that box!  "You could put a small dead body in it"...haha. What the fuck? What a waste...sorry man i like when you get on these tirades...not laughing at you....you're melllow. I've never bought a thing off of Amazon ever...yikes! Be well.

[SupraWes]

The first record I ordered from amazon was packaged very poorly like this and was actually damaged in shipment. I wrote a letter and complained. Since then I have ordered several more things and they were packaged in proper packaging. I think its just a few bad apples in their shipping centers, most of them know how to pack.

[MuziekMusicMuziek]

That box is rediculous!, lol.Glad there was no real damages on the cover and the lp itself. Bye Jen.

[davidhamren]

Several months back there was an article in Stereophile about this very topic, and what an unbelievably horrible job Amazon did in packaging and sending LP's and how useless they are in attempting to fix the problem. All in all, the worst of the worst. DO NOT BUY VINYL FROM AMAZON

[GuessImJustASpudBoy]

When you order from Amazon you need to UNcheck the

"Numba' One Honey Badger Special Shipping Box"

from the shipping options and check "Standard - Free (3 to 5 Business Days)" instead...

[CultLeader1million]

Glad your Tom Waits is ok. These people, the stories I have about amazon are the reasons why i've NEVER bought vinyl from them.

[PuffSmelly]

small pets and young children haha

[Afteringboard]

Holly Moly... Those are gigantic boxes for sending just 1 record and a cd... Wonder how many trees were needed to make this box that absolutely wasn't used for it's purpose. They could think more greener and also think about the postmen's work and obviously also about the client because having such big boxes at home is very annoying. A real shame for a big company as amazon. It is hilarious in a way, but such a shame on many other points. Enjoy the new Tom Waits my friend!!

[leadballoon83]

"you could put a small dead body in this" lol, that made my day. I watched it 3 times

[bostonianreggie]

Not sure if it's been mentioned, but it now says that amazon uses frustration free LP packaging with all their vinyl purchases. U really can't beat amazons pricing, especially the free shipping.

[GuessImJustASpudBoy]

I'm looking forward to your video of when you pay 8 bucks U.S. in shipping and handling for a record that gets mailed in a bubble mailer such that winter winds can pick it up off the front porch and Frisbee it across to the other side of the house where it ends up getting wedged behind the A/C condenser under a pile of snow 'til the spring. Oh, and the seller had the "not responsible for items lost in the mail" disclaimer when months later you still can't find your record after you make a claim.

[GuessImJustASpudBoy]

Gee, ya don't pay for shipping and handling AND your item arrives undamaged. Perhaps your nightmare story about Amazon's shipping standards would be a bit more compelling if there was actual damage to your item during shipping.

Not only that, if there is damage during shipping, and we just went through a Canada Post strike months ago, Amazon emails you a return shipping label WHERE THEY EAT THE RETURN SHIPPING, and offer you a refund or a replacement (which arrives the next day!) immediately.

[bennyuk25]

hahahah that a big box joker nice Vid Ben

[punktexas]

I feel your pain (with amazon UK too).

[clipmusiek]

Hi Jeff

Living in South Africa we battle to get new vinyl so recently i purchased my very first new vinyl album in gee it must be 20yrs,i ordered from Amazon.uk it arrived in abig flat cardboard sleeve not like your giant box so i was quite impressed but on opening it i discovered a big scratch on the album cover,the vinyl is in good condition so i don't think i will order anymore vinyl from them,have they not heard of bubble wrap,we even got that in South Africa! 40th anniversary Space Oddity

[stephievon]

i feel you jeff. i've bought lots through amazon...wow what a waste of materials! enjoy your weekend best you can.

[a4ndr3c]

glad the record is good, I'll take your advice!

[vinylated]

If Amazon are gonna start treating their customers like that then they may as well mail their dead body selves inside instead! Good day Jeff ;)

[ryanrocks84]

I know these boxes. Amazon has been using these for the last 6,7 month or so for sending records. I received the new albums of Ryan Adams, Noel Gallagher and the Linda Hoyle LP which I showed in my last videos in these kind of boxes and to be honest, I was amazed they arrived without any damage on covers and vinyls.Thank god your delivery wasen´t damaged too but you´re right by complaining ´bout these packages, I think records aren´t secured enough this way.

[Paneeks1960]

I hear all about how you feel. But I think that Amazon has changed all of its packaging Jeff. I got the email for the new boxes they are using. I complained to them a while back and they sent me an extra copy for free. But I think enough people have complained and the new boxes are actually quite nice. I cannot understand why they did not send you out that record in the new box. Please ask them that question via email. Good luck,

Rob/Boston

[GuessImJustASpudBoy]

@Paneeks1960 I bought the Sopranos book two years back from Amazon. Free S&H. The second "O" in the embossed "Sopranos" on the front cover had a scratch in it. Not from shipping I suspect as the cellophane that wrapped the book didn't have that same scratch. So it was sent like that. 'Called the 1-800 number, return shipping label, dropped the book in the mail box across the street, had a pristine replacement the next day.

God, if that had to be escalated to PayPal had than been an eBay deal...

[GuessImJustASpudBoy]

@Paneeks1960 Shoe on the other foot, with 300,000 different vinyl records to choose from just in Canada alone, you wonder why they just don't use proper record shipping containers. It's a big box that has to be broken down and stuffed into the recycle bin and those balloons melded together for protection end up blowing down the street which I end up chasing in my underwear and bathrobe like Tony Soprano. More landfill. But to get undamaged vinyl with free shipping and handling is such a luxury.

[Paneeks1960]

@GuessImJustASpudBoy Very good point and quite detailed if I may add. I just got the Steven Wilson LP and it was shipped in this almost record size box but the inside has a secluded area that fits all 12" records snug and comfortable. I loved the box so much I saved it to send to someone else. This is why I did not understand why Jeff got this monster size box that you could fit a stereo system in? Free shipping on vinyl for life would be as cool as having dinner with Morrissey, almost~

Rob

[MrFartboy79]

PS... in the industry, we call the paper, bubble, foam, all the stuff to pack boxes for shipping, "dunnage".

"How many ways can you polish up a Turd?" lol Enjoy the Waits Jeff, love it.

[MrFartboy79]

Haha! Amazon is HORRIBLE with packaging LPs! I think they sell enough of them that they would learn a cost effective, environmentally friendly way to get a vinyl record from point A to point B safely...but no. They use massive boxes. I can't tell you how many times I've received an LP with a split seam from them. I got Bad As Me from amazon, it came in a tiny, flat record mailer lol. The new Waits is AWESOME in my opinion listening daily, Hell Broke Luce, Chicago, Raised Right Men, Last Leaf...

[wertsdb71]

Similar story: I recently ordered a 3-LP release from Amazon and it came to me in a box could have held a quilt blanket. Inside sliding around under some bunched-up paper was the album that had beat itself almost to death--three of the four corners were smashed and there was this near one-inch rip through the tri-fold gate-fold cover even! I have no idea how that happened. There were a couple of rub marks on one record but they didn't seem to effect playback. Never again. Keep it local.

[GuessImJustASpudBoy]

@wertsdb71 You, ah, could have just called the 1-800 number to return the item. I'm waitin' on the Jimi Hendrix Experience BBC Sessions from Amazon, it's a 3-LP set on heavy vinyl, free S&H, and if the records arrived damaged...I return 'em on Amazon's dime for a replacement or a complete refund. I don't remember things being that easy when it's an eBay deal where this happens and, if the seller even offers you your money back, you return the item ON YOUR DIME.

[wertsdb71]

@GuessImJustASpudBoy Yes, certainly that was an option. The part of the story that was left out due to comment size limits here on youtube was that this was their last copy on vinyl as indicated by their "only 1 left" flag. My desire to listen to the work outweighed not having it at all. I have much better results with ebay since I can choose who I'm ordering from. Amazon is a careless crap-shoot.

[GuessImJustASpudBoy]

@wertsdb71 With eBay I have the choice of fishing the soggy rotted package field mice feasted on from behind my air conditioner the following spring, or blow-drying my record with the wife's hair dryer when it's left in the rain, or using my forefinger to try and push out the bashed-in corners or just returning the damn thing to Bumfuck Idaho at 14 dollars Canadian out of pocket 'cause it has to be registered mail or else the seller conveniently "never did get the record back" kind of thing...

[GuessImJustASpudBoy]

@wertsdb71 You have a point, often times Amazon doesn't carry that obscure USED record you're dying to have so you HAVE to buy it elsewhere...like eBay. Fair enough. But even if the seller does THEIR UTMOST in properly packing your item for protection, should the U.S. or Canadian postie be having a bad day and start hoofing your box around inside their delivery truck, what recourse do you have? Do you suppose the eBay seller will accept that damaged item in return? Amazon, for instance, would.

[wertsdb71]

@GuessImJustASpudBoy Lucky for me I've built a first-name relationship with my postal carriers in the neighborhood so the chances of my packages getting manhandled are slim--so long as they get to town, that is. I guess the overriding point here is that Amazon shouldn't need to put themselves into this situation. They should employ folks that take care to package orders well. And I suspect that what we're seeing are the results of the lazy ones trying to reach their order quota for the day.

[GuessImJustASpudBoy]

@wertsdb71 I see what you mean. I'm such a vinyl junkie I make sure to be in my neighbourhood postie's good books. The package is often damaged long before that Canada Post cutie in the skort drops it in your mailbox.

It's so damn inefficient to mail out these coffins for a single LP. The space in takes in their distribution centres, on delivery vehicles, it's ridiculous! I automate distribution centres and anyone caught stuffing a tiny item in a big box is yelled at!

[Paneeks1960]

@wertsdb71 Hello Ottavio, That is what is great about Amazon, they do send you out replacements right away if they damage anything that is coming from them. A lot of times when you order thorough them you are actually ordering through other companies/stores that go through them. I must have written them 5 times in regards to sending better vinyl packers. I never got anything as gigantic as Jeff's but I have got boxes that should not be used for records. The new ones are much better~

Rob

[GuessImJustASpudBoy]

@Paneeks1960 I know what you mean Rob, you're preaching to the converted. I try my best to be objective and it gets tough when you're a grumpy middle-aged Canadian, but it's just the waste in materials that is so unnecessary. With millions suffering from a global recession buying vinyl is a luxury many cannot afford and to sit and complain about your unharmed item being delivered in a ridiculously large box is...not something I'd do although I've probably done dumber things in my time.

[dereckvon]

Damn, Jeff. Glad the record is okay though.

[mligon]

I've ordered vinyl records thru Amazon Canada a few times and they've been very good. Must just be the American division that's crappy.

[cosmicrichie007]

Totally agree Jeff, recently bought some vinyl from amazon UK, sent in a stupidly large box. It was the same dimensions as yours, just not quite as deep (about ¾ ). The paper they put inside was the same as yours but there wasn’t much and it was only underneath which was a bit pointless as it didn’t stop the records from moving around. The records were ridicudlously cheap so I wouldn't have been bothered if a little scuffed but wary of getting any new releases because of their crappy packaging.

[SlimeAmTheBest]

discogs

[seqouiaflame]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! If I chop you up I could probably stuff you in there! I got a record from them once that was just shrink wrapped to a cardboard panel. You could see straight into it. I just laughed. Horrible. Tell it like it is Jeff.

[DoctorDeadwax]

Is the top right corner of the sleeve dented? or is that just a camera effect? The box could hold a small dead body? You have a keen eye for body disposal. ;)

[Chris4127basket]

hahahaha, amazing, I just can't believe what I just saw :) what a package, they wanted to send you a car first, hehe, Cheers Jeff!

[cosmicrider287]

i must confess that i was holding my breath when you took that record out of the sleeve.

[KoolRanchDressing]

You scared Grandma, now she won't come out of the bathroom!

We did a video with some interesting amazon vinyl packaging a few months back called Frustration Free Packaging. Lately we've gotten stuff sent in their record mailers though.

A few years ago when we ordered vinyl from amazon they came in even bigger boxes than what you showed here. One was honestly big enough to fit a microwave in and the record was loose inside. I think like Matt says when you order two things you get a huge box.

[djcorduroy]

Another point for local record stores!

[lifesavoid]

Completely agree with you Jeff.I've had acouple of big boxes too.I wrote to them to complain.I buy from Amazon 'market place' now.The good news is that the Tom Waits album is killer.

[GuessImJustASpudBoy]

Yeah, the boxes are big but the records aren't damaged. I bought the BOXED SET of Sonic Youth "Daydream Nation" and it arrived in what could fit a fuckin' Buick...but you know what? 4-LP boxed set + booklet....in pristine condition!

Then again, there was the Flipper record (God knows what it was - E.P. or 12" 45) ) that I won on eBay one very cold winter and found it the following FUCKIN' spring wedged between the liquid and gas lines behind the air conditioner condenser that subsequent spring!

[vinyliciousness]

That box is the polar opposite of the tiny, overstuffed, clown car at the circus!

[mgfoster]

Believe it or not, Amazon has gotten a bit better about packaging vinyl. I've bought several things from them because of lower prices, and recently they started shipping them in flat boxes that actually fit them well. I think they went with the bigger box for you because you ordered two things, and they wouldn't both fit well in one of the flat ones. You can leave packaging feedback on their site, I've done it and think that would help them get their vinyl packaging straight.

[GuessImJustASpudBoy]

@mgfoster Yeah, Amazon asks you how you feel about their packaging. I admit, it's not ideal packaging for records. I've seen and even posted videos here on YouTube when records are packed so well it blows my mind. But it's piece of mind, isn't it? Shipping is free (on orders over $25.00) and if there's a problem, you don't so much as like the colour of the box, you can send it back for a refund or replacement hassle-free. Personally, I'm still receiving records from Amazon in big boxes though.

[stephan73]

Amazon UK are also using really big boxes, but that one is just insane! Looks like the use the same boxes as the ones they use for electronic equiptment!

I'm affraid I'll keep on buying from Amazon, because at times they are alot cheaper than other places!