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Topic: No Activity in Months !

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Subject: No Activity in Months !
Date Posted: 8/13/2009 8:30 PM ET
Member Since: 4/3/2009
Posts: 2
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      I was wondering if anyone else has had this experience ... when I first joined PB Swap and posted books I received lots of requests to send books but after a few weeks, they stopped ;-(  ??  Why ?? Are new members given special attention for the first month or so and then they get lost in the crowd soon after ?

caviglia avatar
Date Posted: 8/13/2009 8:33 PM ET
Member Since: 1/30/2009
Posts: 5,696
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It definitely seems to come in waves.  I see you don't have many books posted - having a larger shelf helps.  Perhaps if you posted a few more books.  Also, being active in the boards helps, too. :)

geejay avatar
Geri (geejay) -
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Date Posted: 8/13/2009 8:33 PM ET
Member Since: 9/2/2008
Posts: 9,094
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caviglia beat me.  That's exactly what I said then I saw her post.

I've found that people in the forums are more inclined to deal with each other, I know I am.



Last Edited on: 8/13/09 8:36 PM ET - Total times edited: 1
Generic Profile avatar
Member of the Month medalFriend of PBS-Silver medal
Date Posted: 8/13/2009 8:36 PM ET
Member Since: 8/23/2007
Posts: 26,510
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Posting WL books helps as well.  I get a lot of orders from people using the Order More From Member button.  Frequently when I post a WL book they add a heavily posted book as well. Probably because they figure since I'm already sending them a WL book that they won't have to wait for the other book to time out on several people.

Generic Profile avatar
Date Posted: 8/13/2009 8:53 PM ET
Member Since: 1/8/2009
Posts: 2,016
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I placed the first 3 books on my RL to check, and they each had 100+ copies. Perhaps your initial orders have been for books that had fewer copies in the system / get requested more frequently, and the remaining books are now making their way up the FIFO line at a more leisurely pace? It's not you though, and not any loss of special newbie attention.

 

caviglia avatar
Date Posted: 8/13/2009 8:58 PM ET
Member Since: 1/30/2009
Posts: 5,696
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Also, I think things are quieter in the summer as so many people are on vacation.

jubead avatar
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Date Posted: 8/13/2009 9:30 PM ET
Member Since: 5/14/2009
Posts: 6,852
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I agree with caviglia and Geri - It goes in waves. 

Try a library sale or goodwill to pick up some books that will fill in your bookshelf.  Try a variety - so pickup author's or genre you may not normally read and while you wait for the request read them....you may find a new author.   I found a few that way.  LOL one I had a request faster than I expected and had to choose mail later so I could read the book - it was good and will try another book from that author.

I went to a library sale and picked up a few books when I got home 3 were WL and 4 were the only copy on the system.   I just picked up books I thought I would like....LOL ok one was just the cover that caught my eye. 

You can also write some reviews- when you do it shows on the home page for a couple of minutes.  You can also offer a deal on BB or within the appropriate genre forum.   

Stay away from the  well known authors such as nora roberts, clive clusser - though Janet Evanovich books go - normally in the BB but members are looking for them. 

Good Luck - hope this helps

Generic Profile avatar
Date Posted: 8/13/2009 11:47 PM ET
Member Since: 3/27/2009
Posts: 25,000
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You need fresh books on your shelf.

My guess is that in the beginning everyone ordered your good stuff and what you have left is the leftovers.

In other words, your shelf is picked over.

I don't say that to be offensive. My shelf was picked over too and nothing was moving. I even offered deals at the Book Bazaar with small success. I eventually gave the non-moving books away (got tired of looking at them)  and I am currently in the process of building a new shelf.

 

Generic Profile avatar
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Date Posted: 8/14/2009 12:52 PM ET
Member Since: 8/23/2007
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Just be careful with buying the books just to post.  Do some research about what's WL adn what's heavily posted. Or you could end up with a shelf full of more books that are heavily posted that you have no interest in reading. 

You could also look into boxing.  I turn my BOB on whenever my shelf has been stagnate for a whle and I have it loaded with heavily posted books. I usually get them all traded out withing a week.  Granted, I end up getting more heavily posted books but they are books I haven't read yet and didn't have to spend credits to get.

Cattriona avatar
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Date Posted: 8/14/2009 1:05 PM ET
Member Since: 7/7/2007
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Iris--

You might also try the Help Center document titled, "How to get your books requested!" -- it has some additional tips.

Cheers,
Catt

3pete avatar
Date Posted: 8/14/2009 5:12 PM ET
Member Since: 2/13/2009
Posts: 227
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When I first joined I was at the Post Office every other day.   It was because everything I posted either had a WL or was one of very few posted.  Mailing everything I had made it challenging to build a large bookshelf.

Since joining PBS, I have found some new to me authors/series.  Problem is...not so new to others.   My shelf is finally becoming a shelf with these books that don't move as fast.. 

My bigger issue is my TBR pile.  I had 4 books arrive today and 6 more on the way.  Its ridiculous.

Susan

ruthy avatar
Friend of PBS-Silver medal
Date Posted: 8/14/2009 6:05 PM ET
Member Since: 12/9/2007
Posts: 9,601
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If you want to know what is being wished for - you can subscribe to the Daily Wish List.  It's done by category so you can pick the categoried you think you would like to have on your WL or the ones you think you would most likely be able to get.   Don't worry about reading each wish so much as scanning them and getting a sense of what seems to be the most asked for.

Ruth

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Date Posted: 8/14/2009 7:20 PM ET
Member Since: 4/6/2008
Posts: 1,072
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Everything definitely comes in waves.  I will not have any orders for awhile, then start getting some.  I went for about a month not receiving any of my wishlisted books, and in the last week, I received 7 books.

heidiho avatar
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Date Posted: 8/15/2009 12:11 AM ET
Member Since: 8/1/2007
Posts: 2,039
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All you have to do is decide that you don't have any money for mailing for a little bit.

All of a sudden, your inbox will be full of book requests!

Really, my requests stopped after the first month of being a member here.  Now I mainly sell/request wished books now, and still rarely get an order from my bookshelf that's not WLed.