Check Your New Books!

[E_Page]

I just received new copies of the latest BCLP, Evidence & Procedures, and Interpreting Land Records over the weekend.

While looking something up in E&P, I noticed a blank page, then another, then two more, then...

At first, I thought "perhaps they were intentionally left blank, for notes or something." But a quick look at the page prior and the page after confirmed that there was indeed missing material.

Ugh! I really don't like dealing with customer service over things like this.

This is the 5th edition, and these are the missing pages: 279, 282, 283, 286, 287, 290, 291, 294, 295, 298, 299, 302, 303, 306, 307, and 310.

I have not yet looked through the others to see if they have similar issues.

This is published by John Wiley and Sons. I suggest that if you have anything recent from them, that you take a moment to look for printing omissions or irregularities.

I must also say that I own or have owned probably over a dozen texts published bby Wiley, and this is the first time I've experienced such a problem with one of their books.

[Propst]

Fifth edition, 4th printing.
Which printing is yours Evan?

[E_Page]

Fifth edition, 4th printing.
Which printing is yours Evan?

I'm not sure how to determine which printing it is. I've looked at the first few pages prior to the TOC, but don't see anything obvious like "4th printing". How do I tell?

[Propst]

at the bottom of the page there is:
10 9 8 7 6 5 4
the last digit denotes which printing

[E_Page]

I saw that at the bottom of the copyright page but thought that might just be a wild guess on my part.

4th printing as well.

I just got off the phone with Wiley customer support and to my surprise, seem to be actually quite helpful and friendly. I bought the book through Amazon, who are currently running a great price on the book, and initially contacted them. I have yet to hear back from Amazon. Looks like dealing with Wiley will be much more effective and expedient.

[Propst]

Sounds like you just got a bum book.
By the way, Walt had chapter 15 of the SIXTH edition publishers comments at the seminar last week, so we can look for a new edition in the next year or two. I think it was supposed to be out last year, with the 6th ed of BCLP, but it always takes longer than anyone expects to get through all the edits.
I really enjoy the preface and introduction to this 5th edition.

BTW, mine says "Printed in the United States of America" re above comment.

[E_Page]

No wonder Amazon had marked off 20%. And here I was beginning to think they were just trying to offload a shipment of defective books! (jk)


"BTW, mine says "Printed in the United States of America" re above comment."
Mine too.

[LS_8750]

Anybody ever pick up a twelve pack and open it to discover about 4 cans are empty? It happens.

[Steve Martin]

My first thought was that maybe Evan got the "Special Edition" for those who write their own rules...

...but hey, even Wiley can have a printing malfunction!

[E_Page]

Great News!!!

I received a replacement copy from Wiley on my doorstep yesterday, no charge! Not even shipping! And all of the pages are present and accounted for.

When I spoke with the representative, I asked how I should get the defective copy back to them. She told me that wasn't necessary. I could throw it away, donate it , or keep it.

My first thought was to donate it to the Scolarship Auction, but without the information on the missing pages, it's value to a student or professional is greatly diminished. I am putting in a request with the Wiley Permissions Department to include photocopies of the missing pages with this book and then donate it. We'll see how that goes. The rep I've been working through directed me to them for this matter and said to expect a 4 to 6 week wait for a response.

I have to say that dealing with Wiley has been pretty easy, and the representative helping me was very helpful.

Kudos to Wiley!

[E_Page]

Steve

You should be so lucky that I would be empowered to write the rules. ;-)


Are you still heading up the auction efforts?

[Steve Martin]

Yes to the auction coordination. I believe that in the past Wiley has sent out promotional copies of new issues to State Survey Associations and CLSA has auctioned theirs off to raise money for scholarships. In your correspondence with Wiley, see if they would be willing to donate a few of their publications to a charitable foundation. It is for a good cause. Heck, we would even give a scholarship to an OIT student, if we could get them to apply!

As far as writing your own rules Evan, if you ever decide to rechannel your energies from the forum into a published reference, Curt Brown is the best example of how to do it well. Curt used to walk down the street to the CALTRANS office in San Diego and go over his draft sections with the Senior Right of Way Surveyors there. Do your research, but also find the most experienced Surveyors, practicing and retired, and vet your ideas thru them.

[E_Page]

I will pass on your open armed invitation for the students of OIT to the program coordinator there.

As to rechanneling my energies, I may do that for articles. If I do, I will definitely take your advice and ask for review by experienced, competent surveyors.

[Surveyor826]

Then we will be educated by the article, and entertained by the responses!