<p>A word of warning to those looking to save a few bucks by buying a book from Amazon’s partner SuperBookDeals: don’t.</p>
<p>I lent a book about a venture we are planning to an acquaintance. She emailed me a few days later, asking if it was all right to highlight sections of the book. No, I said. OK, I’ll buy you a new copy of the book, she replied.</p>
<p>So she went to Amazon to buy it. And despite the fact that Amazon itself was selling the book for $14, she elected to buy it from SuperBookDeals, an Amazon partner, for $11.</p>
<p>That was last week. When I order from Amazon, I usually have the book the next day, or two days later. But no book is in evidence. She emailed me the shipping notice Amazon had sent her, claiming the book had been shipped Feb. 5, and giving a DHL tracking number. DHL has never heard of this tracking number.</p>
<p>Off to Amazon to look at SuperBookDeals’ ratings. Only 90% positive, which is terrible. And sure enough, the negative reviews say that their books took forever to arrive. Some report that they were given a phony DHL tracking number and the book was eventually not delivered by DHL. Some say the book was not in the advertised condition. </p>
<p>SuperBookDeals’ own site says that they do not stock the book in question, which makes me wonder how they claim to have shipped me a copy.</p>
<p>So, to save three bucks, my acquaintance is making me wait weeks to have this book, which I want to use right now. We were supposed to cooperate on a venture. I’m rethinking whether I want to continue to be involved with her. </p>
<p>Timely thread, as I am having my own problems with SuperBookDeals at the moment. I ordered new copies of a book - tagged as gifts - and received the new copies - hardback books mailed in an envelope with no additional packaging. I contacted them and explained the damage (and how it could have been prevented) and had replacements sent. The replacement copies arrived in a mailing envelope with no additional packaging. I even tried again, begging for better shipping. (These particular books are not available on Amazon.) Guess how the books arrived the third time? Anyway I returned the damaged copies as requested and am now having trouble getting a refund.</p>
<p>They used to do a decent job. I have no idea what’s going on. </p>
<p>Your acquaintance marked up your book without your permission?
And you are planning to go into business with this person?
You might want to reevaluate.
If they cant be trusted to manage small details, don’t trust them with the big ones.</p>
<p>It’s not a business; it’s something else. But this episode certainly lessens the probability that I would continue the involvement, since I don’t seem to be able to trust her judgment.</p>
<p>Their latest story is that no, the package was shipped Feb. 7, via USPS. They further give this amazing account:</p>
<p>
</number></p>
<p>Notice they have now given two different shippers they are supposedly using, and also supplied two different phony tracking numbers. Their message has some convoluted story about why the confirmation numbers are not actually confirmation numbers, though they have no explanation about the initial claim that DHL Global was delivering the package.</p>
<p>I’m also particularly interested in how we go from the 2nd business day, Feb. 7, to the 4th business day, Feb. 13. Apparently their week only has two working days in it? Is there some February five-day holiday I haven’t heard of?</p>
<p>Do NOT order from these slimemolds unless you are interested in hearing how many different excuses they can produce for your order not being in your hands.</p>
<p>I’m sticking with this just to find out what their next story will be. It’s like a soap opera. Next time, will the book be in transit with the Pony Express? Stay tuned.</p>
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<p>Reading the Amazon reviews of SuperBookDeals is interesting. Apparently they have a practice of saying they shipped a book, when they haven’t. Several people have reported that SuperBookDeals reported their book was shipped, and the customer waited a month only to have SuperBookDeals cancel the order. Hmm, SuperBookDeals suddenly realizes that they can’t fulfill an order that they shipped a month ago? How does that work? </p>
<p>Also, someone reported that they were told their book had “shipped,” although the book in question hadn’t been published yet. Nice trick.</p>
<p>Another web site to avoid is Society 6. Similar shipping problems and you can’t return anything. We managed to exchange something that was defective but it took weeks. </p>
<p>Amazon guarantees their third-party sales, if you buy through their website. That’s the A-to-z guarantee.</p>
<p>I can’t find a guarantee that the third-party sellers won’t be liars. But I’ve already talked to customer service, and suggested that Amazon has no business partnering with third-party sellers who lie.</p>
<p>Not only did she think it MIGHT be acceptable-- she went ahead and did it before asking and never apologized afterwards. I emailed the woman, and now she said, “There is no urgency that you must get your book before the 28.” I was sizzling mad. Nice to know she doesn’t feel any urgency to replace the book that she defaced! I emailed back that she should return my book, and I’ll give it back to her when the replacement arrives. </p>
<p>It’s too bad. I really wanted a companion on this venture, and in a lot of ways she would be perfect. But I’m afraid we wouldn’t be able to get along.</p>
<p>Fang, you need to put your foot down with this potential business partner. By the way, I would replace the book myself and tell her to pay for it, or no further discussion about a joint venture. Ultimately, I wouldn’t deal with her again following the resolution to the book kerfuffle.</p>
<p>It’s not a business venture. It’s a social thing: we were thinking about doing a long trip together. And I really want company on this trip, because there are grizzly bears. But I can’t see traveling with someone who doesn’t share my view of how to behave to another person.</p>