# A bit of a delay when ordering a book from Amazon **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 3, 2026, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bit-of-a-delay-when-ordering-a-book-from-amazon/1026306 "2026-01-03T14:30:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bit-of-a-delay-when-ordering-a-book-from-amazon/1026306/21 "2026-01-03T19:40:27Z")
The current options, according to Amazon Prime, is to either I wait or I cancel, but I think I will go with a third option: Either they cancel the order themselves and admit they cannot fill it or they deliver as promised. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bit-of-a-delay-when-ordering-a-book-from-amazon/1026306/22 "2026-01-03T19:51:17Z")
Eventually they will say that. But if you want your account refunded promptly you might have to go thru their tree of choices and actually pick one to get your refund. I waited til my refund cleared, reordered THE same exact sweatshirt. Came in 2 days. The rest is their problem. Not mine. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bit-of-a-delay-when-ordering-a-book-from-amazon/1026306/23 "2026-01-03T21:10:31Z")
They may have a second printing by that time and you can get one the regular way but this is definitely more fun and you are obligated to give us updates. It looks like a fun book. There’s an old school book store in the same parking lot as where I go grocery shopping. I wouldn’t be surprised if they have a copy. I’ll check tomorrow. Edit: I just checked on their webpage and it’s on backorder. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2026, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bit-of-a-delay-when-ordering-a-book-from-amazon/1026306/24 "2026-01-04T04:37:04Z")
Unlike many products that are produced almost continuously or in frequent batches so they never run out, books are produced in batches. Because of the episodic nature of book sales, the next printing isn’t initiated until the publishers are certain that it will sell. If it doesn’t, they are stuck with too many copies that they have to heavily discount, sometimes selling at below cost (from the overstock or cutout bins). I have noticed shipping delays in books from Amazon more than many other products (not counting supplies from overseas). Books are often sourced from 3rd parties, making shipping less under control by Amazon than products already sitting at their in-house warehouses. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bit-of-a-delay-when-ordering-a-book-from-amazon/1026306/25 "2026-01-07T20:07:14Z")
Update: I took this route and told them that they can cancel the order and send me a refund, but I certainly won’t do it for them. This morning I got a notice from Amazon that the book will arrive tomorrow! ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bit-of-a-delay-when-ordering-a-book-from-amazon/1026306/26 "2026-01-07T20:09:05Z")
I was just going to search for this thread to tell you that it’s available on Barnes and Noble but you barely beat me to it. The second printing must be out. > **[To Die For: A Cookbook of Gravestone Recipes|Hardcover](https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/to-die-for-rosie-grant/1146795646)** > > \*\*A USA Today Bestseller\*\*An inspiring collection of recipes preserved on gravestones, with fascinating interviews from the families, celebrating the beloved food legacies of their dearly departed.For so many, food is a touching, nostalgic thing that... ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bit-of-a-delay-when-ordering-a-book-from-amazon/1026306/27 "2026-01-07T20:11:01Z")
But if I paid for a first printing, is a second printing as a substitute acceptable? ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bit-of-a-delay-when-ordering-a-book-from-amazon/1026306/28 "2026-01-07T20:43:55Z")
That’s a fair question. A first edition is likely more valuable. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bit-of-a-delay-when-ordering-a-book-from-amazon/1026306/29 "2026-01-07T20:44:42Z")
But is a first edition the same as a first printing? ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bit-of-a-delay-when-ordering-a-book-from-amazon/1026306/30 "2026-01-07T20:47:56Z")
I think so and I was speculating anyway. I’m glad you’re finally getting it and it looks like a super fun book. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bit-of-a-delay-when-ordering-a-book-from-amazon/1026306/31 "2026-01-07T20:59:44Z")
This site says they are different: [Whats the Difference Between First Edition and First Printing - Maine Reads](https://mainereads.org/whats-the-difference-between-first-edition-and-first-printing/) ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bit-of-a-delay-when-ordering-a-book-from-amazon/1026306/32 "2026-01-08T19:57:38Z")
The book just arrived, and it is new and it is a first edition! ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bit-of-a-delay-when-ordering-a-book-from-amazon/1026306/33 "2026-01-09T00:11:57Z")
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