This is copy #10 of the Super Deluxe S&G, with an original drawing by Sanderson inside. The seller also claims that this is copy "10 of only 250". Is there something I have missed, or is this a typo?

I quite like the picture. I wouldn't pay that much money, but I do think it really adds to the book.

With regards to the 250, I guess it is either a typo or the seller knows something we don't. Probably the former, although I wouldn't actually be surprised if they have only bound 250 copies up so far and bind more depending on sales. Purely speculation, of course.

I think this edition might be growing on me a bit. It definitely seems to look a bit more vibrant in natural light.

Our copy of the super de luxe edition arrived here in Massachusetts yesterday, 5 June. We had reserved a copy as soon as it was possible to do so, though it's not clear if that affected the copy number received (48). After there was no contact from HarperCollins' customer services as promised by their e-mail of 19 May, we put an order through their website on the 24th. Despite having paid by credit card, and the amount had cleared the bank, on 3 June we received an invoice from HarperCollins for the full amount of the book, plus GBP4.99 postage as expected, as well as a surprise GBP7.44 "DHL Post Charge". On querying this, we were told that the extra charge was in error, and that we would receive the book within 14-21 days. Happily, it didn't take that long, and the book was well wrapped and in a sturdy box. It came by DHL to the U.S., then by regular post.

Wayne & Christina

Thanks for the tip Findegil. I too live in Massachusetts (in Holden, probably not too far from you guys). I hadn't noticed it before your post here, but I was also assessed the 'DHL charge.' My credit card shows a single transaction for $410.13. I hadn't yet checked the exchange rate that was used, but it sure looks like the DHL charge is in there. If this was indeed a mistake, HC should be notifying customers who were assessed this charge and issuing refunds. However, I am very skeptical and would be surprised if this wasn't intentional, knowing that only a few customers will go through the hassle of refuting the charge.

Understand that I am not complaining about the cost of shipping, because even with the 7.44 DHL charge, the cost to post to the U.S. is not unreasonable. However, the backdoor tactic being employed here is disturbing. It is very difficult to tell whether this is just due to HC retail being disorganized and running a loose operation, or if it was deliberate. Unfortunately, past experiences (from many TCG members) have been less than stellar with HC retail, and this is not helping to improve their reputation.

I will inquire with HC about this, although I have had a lot of difficulty receiving responses from them in the past, so I do not have high hopes. Thanks for the info, Wayne and Christina.

However, I am very skeptical and would be surprised if this wasn't intentional, knowing that only a few customers will go through the hassle of refuting the charge.

I have had more problems with HC than most, but I don't think they are in the game of *intentionally* scamming anyone (other than perhaps with the inflated prices of some of their books! :)). I honestly think the Tolkien website side of their business is something they don't have the time or interest in to deal with properly, so they make lots and lots of mistakes (which they do not appear to learn from).

For instance, my copy turned up at work without my name on it (just the address and company name) and apparently with no paperwork to identify me inside, either. So instead of getting a nice shrink-wrapped copy, I got a copy opened and thumbed over by our receptionist (who fortunately had clean fingers)! I only found out it had arrived a couple of days later because it was on reception awaiting someone identifying it (our receptionist had sent an email request to the office, but had ironically used the wrong address for the mailing list) ! Now in this case, no harm was done, but if I had been planning on keeping it shrink-wrapped as an investment copy, I would probably have been a bit miffed.

The number of cock-ups I have witnessed definitely imply incompetence, not anything more sinister.

Stu

I didn't mean to say that HC was up to anything 'sinister.' However, I am certain that HC is having to pay more than 5 GBP to ship these books to the U.S. I would not be surprised if they realized how big a hit they were taking, and decided to pass (at least some of) this on to the U.S. customers, without posting it amongst the payment information.

So, what I really meant to say, is that I believe HC 'intentionally' passed this cost on to international buyers, but forgot to add anything about it in the payment information on the website. I don't think it is a scam, just more disorganization and poor communication. I don't blame them for wanting more money for shipping, as it can be quite expensive to ship overseas, especially in the size box they use.

Like I said, I will follow up with them and see how it goes.

Well, I suppose that crow should on my lunch menu today. To my surprise, HC replied in just over one hour with the following:

Dear Sir,

I am in receipt of your e-mail regarding the DHL post charge showing on your invoice.

In regards to the incorrect charge of £7.44, please disregard this item I can reassure you that your credit card has not been charged this . This is an internal oversight which has now been corrected.

Sorry for any inconvenience

Kind regards

Anyway, I got my book within their stated delivery time, well packaged and as described. That is all that can be expected (and it is appreciated). In the future, I will certainly afford them the benefit of the doubt.

My copies arrived just today. Dont know why it took so long (to Ireland). Very impressed with the packing.

Anyway, I ordered 2 copies by phone at the same time and I ended up with copies 38 and 14. Go figure! The allocation of the numbers all seems a little random.

Have not had time to open up and examine, but looking forward to doing that later.

Anyway, I ordered 2 copies by phone at the same time and I ended up with copies 38 and 14. Go figure! The allocation of the numbers all seems a little random.

To be honest, it might well be as simple as the way the books are stacked in the warehouse for picking. This coupled with the multiplexing of the phone orders and web orders into the invoicing/order picking system would probably result in something approximating sequential allocation ( becoming more accurate as the number of orders falls off). I imagine doing anything more accurate would simply be more effort than it is worth (and no one ever claimed to be allocating sequentially this time around, anyway).

I've only seen one mention of a number over 50 so far.

From an email I got from HC:

The exclusive collector's leather-bound edition has been a great success with Tolkien fans, as expected, and there's still time for you to get your copy at our special introductory price of just £250. As with all good things this offer won't last for much longer and will revert to the R.R.P. of £350 at midnight on 30th June 2009, so make sure you don't miss this great opportunity!

I expect it will be discounted by up to 30% from the GBP350 in the future (as happened with CoH SD), but it may be that GBP250(ish) is as good a price as will come along for this any time soon.

Hi all. This is about the super deluxe edition of the children of hurin, just thought id give my two bobs worth. I orderd a copy of the super deluxe edition of the children of hurin and a signed copy of tales from the perilous realm on the 9th of july.
I live at the bottom of Western Australia and was shiting myself with worry. I was thinking about all the things that could go wrong and reading peoples reports about Harper Collins service wasnt helping. I have never had problems with them directly but i no they can leave much to be desired.

I went to the post office today to find a parcel awaiting me (today being the 21st). I was exited but still a little worried, so i raced home to open it.
Upon opening the parcel i discoverd that everything was as it should be.
My only complaint being i dont know the number for CoH as i am not going to open it. I am saving up for a reading copy.

So i must say a big thankyou to Harper Collins for there excellent service and hope that it is now standard as i will be making more purchases in the, i hope, near future.