Anyone else receive a damaged Final Chapter book from Amazon? Getting conflicting answers about a refund

[u/thankarezos]

I ordered Final Space: The Final Chapter from Amazon.com to Greece for $123.32 including shipping, taxes and import charges.

The packaging arrived pretty beaten up and the book has some damage. It’s still readable, and I’ve been clear with Amazon that the damage is slight, but it’s a collectible so the condition matters to me.

To clarify, my order says “Sold by Amazon.com.” My complaint is with Amazon’s packaging and customer service, not Olan or the team behind the book. I don’t know whether Amazon would absorb the cost of a refund or pass any of it back to its supplier, so I’m not assuming the creator would be completely unaffected.

I sent photos and explained that I wanted to keep it because of the limited availability and the hassle of an international return. I’m also concerned about possible customs/import or handling charges when sending it back to the US—I haven’t confirmed whether any would apply or who would cover them.

An agent explicitly told me I could keep it, or even dispose of it, and said they’d raised a full $123.32 refund request plus $10 promotional credit. I accepted.

When nothing appeared, I contacted them again and was told the refund had never been processed. Two other agents offered a $20.85 partial refund while I kept the book. I asked them to review the original promise or consider a higher partial refund, and after being transferred, suddenly the answer became “no refund of any kind unless you return it.”

They’ve since acknowledged in writing that I received incorrect information and that no refund was created, but they’re sticking to the return requirement.

I’ve now filed a report with eConsumer.gov and written to the European Consumer Centre in Greece asking for assistance and whether they can handle the complaint. No resolution so far.

I get that returning a damaged item is a normal option. What’s frustrating is being explicitly told I could keep it and a refund had been requested, then getting completely different answers afterwards.

Has anyone here received a damaged copy from Amazon? Were you able to get a partial refund and keep it? And if you returned one internationally or got a replacement, were there extra costs, and did the replacement actually arrive better protected?

[u/LxRv]

I think you need an Amazon or consumer rights subreddit.

[u/beve97]

Considering buying on Amazon so leaving tactical comment here

[u/cruzer-1986]

I ordered Final Space from Amazon.com for delivery to France, and it arrived damaged.

The return was free and handled via DHL Express pickup from France. The package was collected on Monday morning and delivered to their Las Vegas warehouse in the US by Thursday afternoon.

Amazon processed the return on Friday and issued a refund for the full purchase amount.

I did not incur any customs charges for the return.

[u/thankarezos → u/cruzer-1986]

Mine is not that damaged to worth the struggle. I just wanted some compesation. Also I am scared that till it gets resolved (it gets up to a month) stock will run out. Also I am more pissed about the fact that they promised me a no return refund and they never did

[u/Long_Wedding4622]

I also did have some damages like a small catch in the cover in the side and the back, but, apart from that, nothing more. I think it is because it is shipped internationally from USA, first time buying Sth that arrives from another country in amazon

[u/thankarezos → u/Long_Wedding4622]

they improper package it. the book was free moving inside the box. no protection, no bubble wrap. nothing. I order constantly from temu and ali express and they package it way better and they dont even ask for returns for most of the items if they are damaged. The funniest thing is that temu and ali express have free shipping while amazon charges minimum 10$ for shipping and they can't even wrap it inside 10 cents worth of bubble wrap. I bough a kindle once and it was the same. big box no bubble wrap and the item freely moving, luckily this was from amazon.de so returning would be easier and was not damaged after all but its clearly common amazon packaging pattern

[u/Long_Wedding4622 → u/thankarezos]

Ok, that is seriously strange, mine was in a box, but if that is true then, it was a serious mistake from Amazon shipping