I ordered a copy of Beginning Access 2002 VBA from bn.com last week. I was shocked to discover upon flipping through it for the first time that this $50 book was photocopied, not printed. Many of the "screenshots" were so dark they were almost unreadable. The edges of the pages were very rough. What's up with that?

You would have to ask B&N.com... they sold it to you.


Hal Levy
Web Developer, PDI Inc.

NOT a Wiley/Wrox Employee

It seems of little use to ask B&N -- they didn't publish or print it. However, they are replacing it.

I've received a couple of kind replies from the folks at Wrox that I'll follow up on.

I highly doubt that WROX has taken to printing books via photocopy. Which is why I suggested you contact B&N. THey are, likely, selling goods that were illegally copied and sold to them.


Hal Levy
Web Developer, PDI Inc.

NOT a Wiley/Wrox Employee

Hal, I just received my copy of the same book from Books-a-million and it, too, is a copy. Didn't realize this was an issue until now. I'll contact them right away.

Mel Cape

When you say photocopy do you mean standard 8.5 x 11 inch paper?

Or does it have the Wrox red cover?

OK- if two seperate stores sold a book with the same symptoms- I'd say this is an issue for WROX.. and perhaps they do have a printer problem.. I'd make sure that wrox follows up with you.


Hal Levy
Web Developer, PDI Inc.

NOT a Wiley/Wrox Employee

When we acquired some of the Wrox assets, we were not able to locate the print files for this particular book, nor was the printer able to provide files suitable for reprinting.

The only option we had to keep the book in print was to scan and reprint the pages. This was the only title that was reprinted this way.

At the time, amidst the flurry of building the new Wrox, this seemed the right thing to do in order to keep the book available for our readers, who depend on Wrox for solutions like the ones found in Beginning Access 2002 VBA. The other choice would to have been to let the book go out of print.

In hindsight, perhaps this was not the best option, but is certainly an isolated incident. Regardless, you will not see Wrox reprinting any other titles in this manner.

Beginning Access 2003 VBA is underway, and will be available in the fall.

Chris Webb
Executive Editor,
WROX Press

Chris,

I am glad to hear that this was a decision that was made by WROX - rather than some outfit pirating the book!

Hal Levy
Web Developer, PDI Inc.

NOT a Wiley/Wrox Employee

I've returned my copy to Books-A-Million for a refund, great issue but I'll wait for the 2003 version to re-purchase. Thanx for the update - was worried about future purchases.
Mel Cape