Amazon.com stops selling "Taken Into Custody"

Nov. 1, 2007 Update:

PLEASE NOTE: It seems Amazon.com had simply run out of the book due to its high sales volume (a good thing), so while this original post is being kept, note that the substance of story was basically an incorrect assessment of the situation. -- Matt

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It appears Amazon.com is no longer offering "Taken Into Custody" by Stephen Baskerville. I cannot think of a good reason for this. The book was selling well.

This is a huge obstacle to this important book getting the exposure it needs.

Taken Into Custody listing at Amazon.com

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It appears that the Baskerville book is now only being sold through third-party vendors.

I sent amazon an e-mail asking about their decision.

You can do the same by going to the web site, click on "Help," and then use the "Contact Us" button to send an e-mail to Customer Services.

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Amazon has a lot of selling channels. For example you can self-publish a book, and give amazon some number of those books, which you get printed yourself, and they'll sell them. But if you don't keep up with their need for more books, they'd have to stop selling it.

Given that there's plenty of father/men related books, I doubt it's a case of censorship, probably just an interuption in their supply of the book. Especially since it appears to be a popular book:

91% buy the item featured on this page:
Taken into Custody: The War Against Fatherhood, Marriage, and the Family

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I bought my book through Amazon.com. It has been advertised by them since probably last July or so. In that time period I received at least 4 delay notices, were I had to go in and say I still wanted the book. Why? I don't think it was because Dr. Baskerville was rewriting the book, but correct me if I'm wrong. I don't know why, but I have never waited longer for a book in my life after it was first advertised for sale on a certain date by Amazon. I too suspect limited production runs so you better get this book where you can find it, while you can find it, IMO.

As far as the book, I've only begun reading it, but from what I see, it was worth the wait.

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Baskerville's Book "taken into custody"..from what iv'e read so, far first 50 pages!!

Is one of the most substantive expose's of the modern American familly breakdown, and resultant societal/ criminal chaos that I've ever read!!

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Barnes and Noble, Amazon's online competition still has "Taken Into Custody," for sale. Also, they have a special expedited shipping offer if your order is at least $25.00. I bought my copy from Amazon at a special price and got "Blind Baseball" also with free shipping. No problems with Amazon. I suspect they simply sold out.

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Received this reply this afternoon from an earlier e-mail inquiry to amazon.com --

"Hello from Amazon.com.

I am glad to take this opportunity to address you in this regard. Please accept my sincere apology for the inconvenience that has Caused.

At this time, "Taken into Custody: The War Against Fatherhood, Marriage, and the Family (Hardcover)" is unavailable to us and we're not sure if we'll be able to obtain it in the future.

Unfortunately, our supply of some items is limited and these products sell out quickly. We do not know if this item will be available for purchase on our web site in the future. For this reason, the item is currently listed as out of stock."

Sounds like Baskerville's publisher did a limited first edition run. Maybe they'll be a second edition in paperback soon?

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I have mine from Amazon.com that arrived 4 days ago.

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Did you mean they entirely removed the listing, or is just listed as "currently unavailable"? The latter just means they don't have it in stock right now. I know this, because I do a lot of business on Amazon.
-ax

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See below...

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Normally when Amazon.com has trouble stocking a book or they expect it to take a while for them to get more, they will put a delivery time of 2-4 weeks and give customers the opportunity to backorder it while they get more from the publisher.

The fact that they have stopped taking orders for the book completely is suspicious to me. I wonder if we could get the truth from the author or publisher.

I just sent an email to Stephen Baskerville. I'll post a follow-up if he replies.

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Amazon.com is selling the book again thankfully.

To clarify the book was listed like they list out of print books. There was no information on when or if Amazon was going to sell it again. It was only being offered through 3rd party sellers.

When Amazon is getting more of an out of stock book they will say that. This was not the case here. Hence why it caught my attention.

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I checked Buy.com and they were out too. I found it at Overstock.com and ordered the book from them. Even Overstock.com said they only had 5 books left. Man, this book must really be selling well, or the publisher didn't print enough copies to handle the demand.

I still haven't received a reply from Stephen Baskerville to my email asking him about this.

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