I have a request for a book I have posted. The requestor will not accept books that have been written in. When I received this book from another member it had one green checkmark on the front page (not the cover) of the book. I do not want to disrespect the member by ignoring what she requested, but I have no way to contact her and ask if this is ok or not. I interpret writing to be underlining, notes, names, etc.

I have posted the question to my tour guide (on my messages page) but have not gotten a response. I don't want to keep the book out of circulation, and I don't want to waste my postage either.

I am a fairly new member so am still learning how it all works. By the way, this is a paperback "series" mystery novel, not a hardback or anything else like that.

Suggestions?

It sounds to me like the wriitng, one check mark, is on a non-text page which is certainly within the PBS guidelines. If you are getting a request for your book, that means you are at the head of the FIFO line so if you do not feel comfortable accepting this request, mark it that it does not meet their conditions and know that the next request for this book will go to you.

 I would turn that RC down with your situation. If you accept it and then message to ask her and she says don't send it, you have to cancel and you lose your place in the line.

Welcome to PBS Carmen! 

This appears to be an RC?  I would also decline, especially if the requester has neglected to post contact information. If she's firm on the no writing, you risk a RWAP.   If there's a 'why' box when you decline, you can mention that you had a question regarding book condition but had not way to contact the requester...if she cares, she can then correct the situation.

As already mentioned, you appear to have the next book available FIFO so another offer should arrive soon.

Yes, I would absolutely decline.  If the RC says no writing, then I would not accept the RC.

You will get another request soon.

I'm voting for decline.  The book is perfectly postable but the fact that this person specifically has a "no-writing" RC is a big indicator that something like this would bother them. 

You don't have to feel guilty for declining RCs, just be polite.  You don't have to accept and PM people either that can just cause problems of who cancels in which situation and what to do if you get no response. 

I would decline it, & mention why in the relevant PBS box presented during the 'does not meet RC' sequence -- even though you can't convey such to the requestor via PM (if there is a PBS wishlist for option changes, that's one I wish were possible), the detail regarding 'why' will still make it into the email that goes to their external-to-PBS mailbox (I learned 'by accident' that this was a way for a member to indirectly communicate with a requestor in such a circumstance).  If they want to re-request, after seeing the reason that was conveyed in the email, or if they otherwise want additional detail, they can send you a PM to inquire, before proceeding with a request that includes suppression of their RC.

PBS posting guidelines allow writing such as a person's name in the front cover, author signature on the main title page, etc. as long as the writing is not on text pages, so your checkmark would be okay by regular PBS guidelines. The reason people have RCs is so they can impose stricter rules than PBS guidelines, so unless the RC specifies clearly that she means no writing on the text pages, I would take it to mean no writing AT ALL and would decline.

Cheryl

Hi :)

I did choose to decline. There was a chance to tell the requestor why. I didn't feel guilty at all, I just wanted to be sure and respect her request.

Thanks for all the responses!

Carmen

I think you did the best thing. If the Requestor decides that they want your copy of the book after all (since they will know about your small amount of writing), they can remove their RC and re-request it from you.