D&D 5E 5E Player's Handbook owners: What's the current condition of your book's binding?

[r0gershrubber]

I just voted. Binding cracked and some sections falling out of book after minimal use (dont even have a game going yet). Got my PHB thru Amazon, but I passed their return deadline. Sent message to Amazon customer service, waiting to hear back.

I've had the same problem; all the pages between the Sorcerer and Entertainer entries have fallen out (~30), and many pages before Sorcerer are close to falling out.

I contacted WotC Customer Service. To replace the book, I have to send it back so they can confirm the product is defective. Only then will they send a replacement, along with a $5 coupon for pdfs from some third party site instead of repaying shipping. I don't know what the norm is in the RPG world, but this would be extremely poor customer service in the board gaming world. Based on WotC's estimated processing and shipping time, this would leave me without a PHB for 2-3 weeks.

I purchased the book through Amazon, so I looked into their returns policy as well. The book failed just outside Amazon's return window of 30 days (it's about 6 weeks after launch now), so initially they weren't going to accept the return. So I chatted with a customer service rep online and explained that this was happening to many people (and it's reflected in 5 reviews on Amazon). The rep agreed to make an exception and refund the price. I opted for this approach to exchanging the book because (A) Amazon is paying the return shipping, and (B) I was able to immediately order the replacement PHB.

Incidentally, my PHB also had faded ink on several pages, although none so bad as to render the pages unreadable.

 

[Thank Dog]

I have three, and all three are in perfect condition.

But have all three been used extensively?

I haven't voted on the poll because I only tend to pull out the book once a week so it hasn't really had a workout that has tested it enough to warrant voting.

 

[Mercule]

No one at my table has issues. Speaking for myself, though, I'm insanely careful with my books. My 1st edition Shadowrun, for example, saw heavy use and multiple moves; it's still got pointy corners and only one small tear in the binding.

 

[Nivenus]

It may be a bit early to say, but my copy is holding up pretty fine and I've look at it about once per day or more since I received it about a month ago.

 

[Uder]

My 1st edition Shadowrun, for example, saw heavy use and multiple moves; it's still got pointy corners and only one small tear in the binding.

Meanwhile the 5E ShadowRun hardcovers had similar binding problems as 5E PHBs. Coincidence? Or are the letter E and the number 5 gloating and laughing somewhere?

 

[Klataubarada]

Mine has about 3 days of heavy use being passed around between 6 players and a DM, a complete read through and referenced off and on since the WPN release and no signs of abnormal wear.

 

[Gilladian]

I own two PH's, and a friend has a copy as well. We play weekly, and we have both read our copies cover to cover, pretty much. I've been building NPCs for practice with the rules this week, so it has gotten a fair workout. My second copy has only been lightly used by the players at the weekly game (now 5 sessions in). All three are still in good condition.

 

[Mercule]

Meanwhile the 5E ShadowRun hardcovers had similar binding problems as 5E PHBs. Coincidence? Or are the letter E and the number 5 gloating and laughing somewhere?

My point was just that I tend to handle my books unusually carefully. That was the oldest book I had within arms reach to review its state. Basically, the fact that I haven't seen any issue doesn't mean there isn't one.

 

[doctorhook]

My point was just that I tend to handle my books unusually carefully. That was the oldest book I had within arms reach to review its state. Basically, the fact that I haven't seen any issue doesn't mean there isn't one.

I consider myself to take very good care of my books too. A more meaningful way to illustrate my point is that I've used my 5E Player's Handbook the same way and frequency as I did with my 3.5E and 4E Player's Handbooks (and many other hardcovers), and yet even years later they still don't show the same kind of damage my 5E book does.

 

[MacMathan]

So far the 5 books in my group are holding up fine. Looks like things are trending in the 10% range which is waaaay too high, IMO. WotC might want consider another printer or going with a sewn binding.