Returning damaged records due to cover. Being picky

New user here, long time reader. I was just reading a post about people returning records to amazon or record labels for damage to the cover. I see it all the time on discogs and the vinyl community online. I mean, don't get me wrong, i expect a decent product when paying good money for a new record. BUT. You're getting it in the mail, its paper. And they're generally protected pretty well. You don't play the cover. If the record is fine and the cover isn't completely wrecked then give me a break. End rant. Opinions? Maybe it shouldn't annoy me as much as it does.

 

You're paying good money for new art you should get new art not damaged.

 

For a $10 record if the vinyl is fine, I’m good. For a pricier special release I may be pickier. But again if the record was fine I’d likely just ask for some cash credit depending on how bad it was and if it was due to bad packaging, vs well packed but post office folded it in the mailbox.

 

This is relevant to me atm because I am about to return an item to Amazon. Metallica: Live **** CD/DVD box set.

It's basically a large plastic CD case that they put inside a box about the size of a DVD case. The box has some artwork on it. The middle portion is solid because that's where the CD case is. But the top and bottom of the box have nothing inside them (it's just an exposed hole basically if you look from the top and bottom). So if you put pressure on this part of the box it can rip.

Well, guess what happened? It ripped! A 1" tear in one corner. I thought about keeping it. It's just the box and the CD case and discs are likely fine.

But you know what? No! I'm not going to pay for something new that isn't in mint or near mint shape, not because it's used, but on account of the fact that Amazon did a lousy job packing what is obviously a fragile item (packed in a large paper envelope) . Worse than that, they packed it with another item (silicone spoons) that were in a longer stiff box. If anyone put pressure on that then it should be clear what could (and did) happen.

Maybe if Amazon gets enough items returned they will learn. Just accepting damaged items will result in them believing everything is good and their customers are all satisfied.