OK, to clear up everyone's replies here is exactly what transpired AND MY POINT IN THE POST IS MY FRUSTRATION WITH DIAMOND DISTRIBUTION...
I pre-ordered the set of ASM #25 from a retailer a month before the release date of March 15th. On March 14th the retailer emailed me with pictures that the book came damaged from Diamond due to poor packing. He explained the process to me and that he was required to destroy the book provide the "proof" to Diamond in order to receive a replacement (BTW, this happens A LOT in the industry)...ALA the shredding. I was then in daily communication with the retailer (who has been an absolute stand up person to work with) and he provides me with the tracking number for the replacement.
I call him the day the 2nd copy is delivered and he tells me that this book was damaged as well (with pictures via email) as the cover was detached from the interior. They yet again destroyed the copy and Diamond has now shipped a third copy. I am crossing my fingers that "FINALLY" Diamond can do something right, but at this point am not holding my breath.
I thought I could somehow "joke" about the whole mess, but apparently some of you are so quick to judge and make false claims. This bothered me a great deal and upset me being it was a significant investment, but I'm trying to turn it around and "highlight" how utterly PATHETIC I think Diamond IS. Rant over and I sincerely hope this clears things up.