I followed the advice to buy my own ebooks when I first did this, even though I downloaded the previewer and so on. These days, I buy a copy when I discount the ebook--if I remember. You can always put a book in your cart, if being able to buy it is something you want to check. I hadn't thought about reading it in KU; I guess I could for the books I publish that aren't wide.
I used to buy a proof copy of the print edition, but once they put that defacing banner across the cover--thus making it impossible to be sure that the cover was okay--I stopped. I typically buy a certain number of the printed books. In recent years, I haven't had to return any for poor manufacturing, but six or seven years ago there always were some. Amazon claims the right to be somewhat off register on covers, so I always ask my cover designer not to create a hard color break between front, spine, and back cover. That eliminates the visual issue. I've never had any problems sending back poorly manufactured books and getting replacements. Usually, sending a photo with the claim is enough to get things moving.
