So often people complain about getting bad books and when contacting the sender, they get a ration of cr*p.  Well, I guess I was one of those senders.  My book was accused of having mold.  In the hundreds of books I have sent out, I never before nor since, have had a complaint.  And yes, I did give that person a ration of cr*p, because frankly, I didn't believe her.  I sent her the credit just to shut her up.   I also found it interesting when I checked her WL that the book never reappeared on it. I would think if she threw away the book for mold, it would be something to request again....

Have you ever felt unjustly accused?

I haven't been unjustly accused, but I could see how it might happen.  Sometimes books are damaged in transit and the sender doesn't realize it wasn't your fault.  Having said that, I always believe that the best way to handle these things is as politely as possible, even if it is through gritted teeth.  You were nice to give the credit back.  Regarding the WL issue...she may have asked the PBS team to put her back in the #1 spot on the WL and gotten a new copy of the book right away, so that's maybe why it didn't show up on her WL.

ETA:  I have a good friend here who got a bad copy of a book, and the sender didn't believe her (she had pictures to prove it but the sender refused to look at them), refused to refund her credit, and accused her of just trying to scam people out of credits.  She was so upset about the whole thing.  Being on that end of the transaction is equally frustrating.

It sux...period.  If you have a person accuse you of storing a book in a damp basement all of it's life..then, yes..I have been unjustly accused.  I grefunded the credit also just to me done with it.  She refused to mail it back to me (of course I offered additional credits for the return).  This was a book that did have RC...I was totally able to send the book without a second thought...you can bet I give any RC a LOT of thought now..most often I won't even read through an entire RC before declining it.  I don't want to be be sitting on pins and needles just waiting for history to repeat itself.  The person that requested from me have their profile set to private so I didn't get to see if they requested the same book again.

I've been fortunate to have never received a "yucky" book (knock on wood)..I think at this point I would only mention it to the sender if it was totally against the rules...such as water damage or mold...that isn't something that's "hard to miss".

Any possibility that it wasn't YOUR book that was marked received? For me, that's the first question I'm going to ask if someone comments about one of my books, especially if the overall description is completely out of line with what I sent. 

It's quite possible that the person had an offer from another member, and that member never marked the book mailed. (I've had this happen twice to me, but luckily in both cases I didn't receive another offer for the book in the meantime.) Then that other book shows up, your book lands as the accused.

Just a suggestion if it ever happens again.

I had someone complain about an audio CD I sent after they had marked it received w/o a problem. I bought it new from Amazon. I played it in my car, my portable CD player and my computer and it played just fine.  She said it played badly and now she couldn't donate it to the library.  I always check them before I send them out, I even clean them with CD cleaning wipes.  I sent her a polite PM saying that they played just find for me on 3 different devices and maybe it was her CD player. I know we have a Gwen Stefani CD that will not play on my daughter's CD Boom Box.  It'll play on the little portable, the computer and the car. But her CD stereo will not play it at all.  It won't even read it to say how many tracks are on it. 

Now I had another one that was 1 audio MP3CD. The case was cracked when I received it on PBS.  It played fine and cases aren't required for audio books as long as they aren't bootleg copies.  I transferred it to my IPOD and reposted it because it was WL. I used an appropriately sized bubble mailer.  Well the CD popped loose and the disc came out and broke in transit.  She marked it damaged by post office and PM'd me just to let me know. I sent her 2 credits back because I though maybe I should have taped the CD box it'self.  She sent the credits back. We went back and forth a couple times and finally I said take 1 credit back. Then we're both out a credit for the PO handling of this.  Apparently it had a shoe print on the mailer and looked beat up.  So we compromised.

I had one book come cleaved and the sender denied it.  I don't know, I suppose it could have happened in transit but the mailer wasn't damaged.  So who knows.  I didn't make an issue of it and demand my credit back after she refused.  I just marked it unresolved. 

I mailed a book.  On day 10 of it's travels, I received an irrate PM from the receiver asking me when I mailed the book.  I just happened to have the receipt from the PO in front of me and let this person know when I mailed it.  All polite and everything.  The guy mails back, yelling and accusing, I don't believe you!  Every other book that I've ever gotten was received in 7 days or less.  I was flabbergasted.  I PM back, dude chill out.  None of the 10 books that I mailed from the PO that day have been marked received at this time.  And it's 5pm on a Sunday.  I don't know about your state, but we don't get mail on Sunday.  OK, so I didn't say that, but I did politely present the facts.  He sent one or two more obnoxious PMs and included the line "I don't think you mailed my book at all and you're going to pay for messing with me".  The next day, 9 of the 10 books I sent together were marked received.  Not his.  No, his book was marked received within 12 hours of having gone lost.  2 years later, I still get ticked thinking about what this guy accused me of.

The sad thing is that I haven't purchased a single book by the author of the book I mailed to this guy since only because this guy only had that author on his wishlist and I refuse to come close to mailing another book to this guy. 

Kerry

Kerry,

I'd report him for sending you such obnoxious/threatening emails.  This behavior should not happen here.

Candy (sorry to hijack the thread)

When I first starting sending books on this site, I got a PM from someone that said they did not expect to get a "reading copy" of the book I sent. I asked him what that meant and he sent me this list of book ratings (not from PBS) and that according to these definitions, the book I sent him was excessively worn - which it was not. I was quite upset about it, because I knew the condition of the book and told him very nicely that I would only send out books in the condition that I would like to receive them in and maybe in the future he should indicate what condition he would like his books. He sent me a PM back that said Karma would eventually catch up with me. I got the feeling he was a book seller by the things he said and terms he used. There are always going to be "those" kind of people out there, but fortunately, the good ones outweigh the bad.

Yes and it's easier to just refund the credit than even engage in any sort of dialogue other than to say I'm sorry, because otherwise you can get accused of being defensive, etc.  It's just easier in the long run to just give the credit back and smile through gritted teeth.

The thing that always gets me is the whole--would you spend a credit on this book (or pay the equivalent in a used book store)? You know, really, if I want to read a book badly enough, yeah, even if it's worn (I'm not talking about falling apart or moldy or anything ilke that), I'm gonna be glad I spent a credit on it. My library isn't very large and there are a lot of books I can get here that I can't get anywhere else. (sorry, little hijack there) Plus I don't have a used book store nearby so this is my only place to get many books I want to read.

I sent an almost-new (I bought it new at Borders and was the only reader) hardcover bestseller and was accused by the recipient of having sent a badly water damaged book. She refused to even consider that the damage could have happened in transit. I had just spent $30 on the book maybe 2 weeks previously and there was no way I was going to refund the credit - I knew the book was pretty much perfect when I sent it out.

She's no longer a member here, interestingly enough. Wonder if she made too much of a habit of marking RWAP?

Kerry: my guess is that guy is no longer a member. Most likely he did that to other people and got complaints.  You can go back through your transaction archive, find that book, hit the PM button and see if he still has an account.  Then if he doesn't you risk that author again w/o fear of it going to him.

I am very picky about the books I send after a very weird thing that happened months ago on here. I won't go into but just say someone mailed me a book BACK just to show me how awful it was. The only thing I saw on it was very light pencil marks on the inside cover. lol Funny someone would spend $2 just to SHAME them. lol

But, I am picky about the books I post. I do a 3 time check: 1st when I post the book, 2nd when it is requested & 3rd before I mail it.

One time a woman contacted me saying the book I mailed SMELLED OF PEE. I was stunned and very confused. I remembered the book very clearly since it was request right when I was online mailing another book. I got the book, flipped through (LIKE NEW) & I watched my daughter put in the mail box.

I told her this and she again said the book was so damaged & smelled she had to put it outside. I told her I was sorry and refunded her credit even though it wasn't my fault.

I did ask here what could have happened and how to handle it. A lot of people said it must have been left outside and some animal peed on the package. The woman had stated she didn't have any pets, but it is possible for an animal to pee on it while it is sitting on the porch.

Still it upset me to think that someone would ever think I would mail a book that was peed on! lol

It does seem this woman may have even put this now in her conditions thinking I STILL did it on purpose. If you look on the forums here someone asked a question about weird conditions and someone mentions seeing someone with a condition of books that smell of pee or that were peed on.

(shrug) For the life I of me I can't think of any sick enough to do that.

I'm the type who can't stand anyone not to like me and honestly this still bugs me at me. Seriously though WHY would someone mail someone a book they know that someone wouldn't like? It would only get them no credit and also after awhile in trouble here on the site and even kicked off.

Kerry,

    I just read your message and I once had threats from someone here on PBS and I emailed the site owners. They were able to go back and read all of our emails to each other and they agreed that I was responding properly. They did agree to contact the person who was doing the threats too.

So next time if someone does that to you just contact the website. I think I even wrote this person -

I'm sorry but I am feeling very uncomfortable by your messages. I figured it was time someone else steps in so I have contacted the site owners about this. If you have any problems please take it up with them. I will no longer be reading your messages.

Well I did read the next few that came in. They were angry and upset saying something like "HOW DARE YOU REPORT ME!" stuff like that. I just copy & pasted my message BACK to them one more time. They did write a few childish messages and I ignored the rest.

Seriously though it really gets me to see so called "ADULTS" acting like this. It really creeps me out too when you read their profiles. This woman going nuts was an older lady who said she worked in her church. She cared for her disable daughter and granddad too. (shakes the head)

<<And yes, I did give that person a ration of cr*p,>>

While certainly it is frustrating to feel one has been unjustly accused, it isn't a license to be rude to the reporting member.  They're just doing their duty, reporting a damaged book, and it is reasonable, as other have stated, to politely try to clarify that it was, in fact, your book they're describing, or ask for photos of the damage if possible.

Per the Help Center:

If you are contacted by a requestor about a problem transaction:

• Please be courteous:
  • The requestor MAY have clicked the wrong button, or may be mistaken about whether or not the transaction was actually a problem, but that could be because she or he is new to the site, or is not clear on the rules.
  • Everyone makes mistakes sometimes. Gentle handling of this situation will minimize unpleasantness.
  • Even if you get a rude PM, do not respond in kind.  Abusive PMs should be reported to us.

   I'm sorry you had a negative experience, Barbara.

Cheers,

Catt

There's no reason to give anyone "crap".  If you don't believe the person, ask for a photograph.  If they refuse to send a photograph, then refuse to refund the credit.

No reason to get b*tchy about it.

OP was not my moldy book person who promised a refund of credit and hasn't complied. I just checked.

I also heard that her book was perfect and she had never received a complaint before, etc. Well, I never did a RWAp before either.

Also, I ordered another copy shortly after I received the moldy one, so it wouldn't show on my WL.

If this ever happens to me, I'm just going to ask for a photo.  That's simple enough.

Yes and it's easier to just refund the credit than even engage in any sort of dialogue other than to say I'm sorry, because otherwise you can get accused of being defensive, etc.  It's just easier in the long run to just give the credit back and smile through gritted teeth.

Yep, I agree totally with this!!  btdt  *sigh*  Mine was a mistake/oversight, and I returned the credit and apologized immediately but still got blasted for it.  Guess simple "sorry here's your credit" is the only possible correct answer. 

To the OP, though, if it was NOT my fault and I honestly thought the sender was in error I agree I'd probably request the book back or photographic proof of the problem.  Thankfully the problem people (or people having a rotten day?) seem to be rare on this site--almost all communication I've received has been positive and friendly, and on the whole I think people on this site are a fantastic bunch.  :)

I've had two received with problems that I sent out in the year since I joined here.  One was spine cleavings, and the other I think was water damage.  I always waterproof my packaging, so I assumed it was existing damage I somehow missed.  I didn't ask for a photo or a lot of details regarding the damage, but I gathered from what the receiver said, it was minimal damage & would have been fairly easy to overlook.  The first receiver reported RWAP, but I don't think the second one did.  I apologized & refunded both credits immediately after the first inbox I got from them.  This was the first thing I did before I even began a discussion about the problems.  Both thanked me profusely for resolving the problem so quickly.  Maybe that's why the second person never reported it, I don't know.  I expected an RWAP to show up, but  it never did.  I had less experience with using the site at the time, or I would have checked and followed up, urged her to log it RWAP and problem resolved, because I honestly have no problem with that.  I understand that consistent reporting of such issues keeps the wheels greased and everything running like it's supposed to, and I'm all for that.  I try to be careful, and try just as hard not to take such things personally.  It happens.  My eyesight is bad, so it's not impossible for me to miss something, even with my glasses on:P  I would even offer to reorder another copy for someone who got a problem book from me, just because I've received a few myself and know how disappointing and inconvenient it can be.  However, given that I am so careful about packaging and shipping on time, if I were to send out a nearly-new, mint condition book, and then receive irate & accusatory inboxes, I'd respond calmly asking for details and suggesting alternate explanations for the problem, and then I'd be the person to forward the inboxes on to the site owners and report it as a problem if it looked like it was going to turn into an ugly situation - or if I truly, honestly knew that I had done everything properly and the problem was not my fault.  I would probably contact my tour guide or live help and ask them for advice on handling the problem as well.  I've done this for other little problems I've had since I joined PBS and have always gotten help and good advice:)

Boy, we could have written Mary L's letter...about a music cd.

My husband tends toward anal about the care of his books and music, and I was right beside him packing up a book as he checked and cleaned an already pristine cd and checked it again, before he wrapped it.  It was fine.  It was also marked damaged by sender and he was out a credit.

This came a day after someone marked one damaged by PO, and that was sent well padded by cardboard etc.  But I guess that shouldn't surprise me...the PO is capable of a lot, eh?  I once got a brand new thick, trade paperback that had been bent in half and run over.  The tread marks were on the wrapper, and the book was in the shape of a sleeping C.

And I agree with being able to play something in the car, but it won't play in either of the house players, v.v.

YUP!!!  Had it happen one and only once in a swap of all places!!!!  I had to send two books to one person who claimed both books were bad!!  I was so upset.  Both books were bought by my sister read by only the 2 of us and the person claimed one was stained and the other had a broken spine.  Huh???????  In all the time I've sent books I've never had an issue....and while I can see maybe, maybe one getting by me, but 2??  I did not send the person a PM b/c I knew it was a load of BS and I would have nothing nice to say.  Now I did get my credits so it wasn't a big issue, well other than a pride issue.  But if you know or 'think' the book is okay I would ask for a photo prior to returning any credits. 

To L :

Being called a liar brings out the b*tch in me.

I'm happy to report that my jerk is no longer a member.  Either he received the dozen or so books that were on his wishlist or his jerkiness caught up with him.  I admit that I did not report my jerk at the time, but I also admit that I may have feed in to some of his irrational behaviors.  But it was shortly after my birthday, which was ignored and I was sick and not sleeping and I felt like I was kicked in the knees.  My jerk actually said something about how my father would be ashamed of me for not sending the book.  In the first pm, so I hadn't had a chance to respond.

My jerk still ticks me off.  But all my interactions with the guy happened in a 24 hour period.  With in a week, I started wondering if I made him up because I really needed drugs (I went to the DR the next morning, which was a Monday, and was put on 5 different medications for an ear infection, sinus infection and the beginnings of brochitis).  Mostly, I just bring him out of the closet and dust him off for threads like this, because my jerk had to have been smoking something to complain about a book no arriving in 10 days on a Sunday night.  :)

Kerry