Scott Walston of Scott's Comics in
I am happy that Paul Stock with Astro Books is satisfied with Diamond's
packing and shipping practices.
I agree with Paul that there are two boxes (the inner and outer), and that my e-mail didn't mention that, and maybe it should have. I disagree with some of Paul's comments, particularly his comment that a UPS suggested buffer would significantly increase costs. The fact remains that I receive several boxes per month with both inner and outer box failure. No matter what the edge crush test says or how many boxes there are, I'm having problems with edge impact damage. A few weeks back, I had every book in one edge of a C-400 box crunched.
I just sent an entire C-200 box last week to Diamond full of impact damaged books. Not just a little crease here and there--hugely creased impact damaged books that are unsellable. I recently lost all my copies of Sensational Spider-Man #35 with no reorders, and I had to go buy copies at near retail for my subscription customers. When damaged replacement reorders are available, I have to pay to get them reshipped, so I pay for shipping twice! I would gladly pay for an extra pound or two per box for extra padding to not have to deal with the hassle of damages. In fact, I know I would save money in the long run and it would help my efficiency.
Maybe my shipment problems are a localized thing, and maybe UPS up in Paul's area is easier on packages. Maybe the Diamond warehouse he is serviced from does a better job on packing his shipment than mine. Whatever the reason, and based on my experience, I can't count on getting whatever I order undamaged every week. Are my suggestions the best answer? I don't know. I know there is room for improvement. I just wish I was in the situation Paul is in and just had to worry about overages and shortages.
The opinions expressed in this Talk Back article are solely those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial staff of ICv2.com.
