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Topic: Yet another condition question.

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Generic Profile avatar
Subject: Yet another condition question.
Date Posted: 6/8/2008 9:48 PM ET
Member Since: 10/16/2007
Posts: 26
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I requested a book and received the following PM:

I received this book from someone at PaperBack Swap and it is a very old version (cover) of the book. The book itself has no issues, but you can tell that it has been well loved by many people over the years. If you don't want it, please let me know. I just thought it would be fair to share that with you, like the previous owner shared with me =).

Well, the book came today.  The front cover has creases and fold marks, It has damage where maybe tape or something ripped off part of the first layer.  There is a name written inside.  The back cover has a corner torn off, and the pages are yellow.

Granted, the book is 40 years old, and I would expect it to be "well loved" and probably yellow, but I'm afraid I'm going to be stuck with this book.  I probably would have purchased it at a yard sale or used book store, but am disappointed that this book is in worse shape than others that I have rejected for posting.

I hesitate to say something to her because she did PM me, but I don't feel like she told the whole story.  I might have waited for another copy that I would consider repostable.

What do you guys think?  Should I say something?  Can I repost it and PM the person like she did?

lilynlilac avatar
Date Posted: 6/8/2008 9:55 PM ET
Member Since: 3/6/2006
Posts: 3,070
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It sounds old but postable to me.  As long as the back corner that's torn off isn't huge.  A name written insdie is fine.

Doughgirl avatar
Date Posted: 6/8/2008 9:58 PM ET
Member Since: 11/11/2005
Posts: 5,238
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Personally, I say that the poster warned you that it was well loved, and if you have wanted details of what that meant then you should have asked for them.    Unfortunately, all of the things you listed (unless the tear is over 1") fall under wear and tear IMO - especially for a 40 year old book.    We all have our own standards of when a book has too much wear and tear to post.    Personally, I would have called this book extremely well loved and would have pulled it out of circulation - which is what I would advise that you do now.    Don't pass along the problem.



Last Edited on: 6/8/08 9:58 PM ET - Total times edited: 1
Dogdoc avatar
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Date Posted: 6/8/2008 9:59 PM ET
Member Since: 12/26/2005
Posts: 12,167
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I agree the name is within posting guidelines, as well as the yellow pages, especially in a book this old.  A tear in the cover less than one inch is also considered acceptable. 

The cover creases are a bit more subjective - the guidelines don't prohibit them, but do they fall into the category of "excessively worn"?  Maybe. 

I probably would have hesitated to post it, but I don't think I would report it as failing to meet conditions, either.  It sounds like a bit of a gray zone book.

jasonandstephanie avatar
Date Posted: 6/8/2008 10:02 PM ET
Member Since: 3/20/2007
Posts: 142
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Personally, I think for a 40 year old book, tht sounds pretty darn good!  I'm assuming that since the front cover has fold marks, that it's a paperback.  If you PM her at all, I'd thank her for giving you a heads up.  Unless the marks are more than noted below, it sounds like it meets posting guidelines.  Amazing for a book that old!  I'm surprised that the pages aren't falling out.

 

  • Older books may have some page yellowing or spine-creasing or dogeared pages; these are all OKAY.
  • Cover not torn or chewed/gnawed
    • some used book stores cut out a small part of the cover; if the amount missing is less than 1 inch, this is OKAY
    • a small rip (less than 1 inch) in the cover is OKAY
  • No writing or highlighting or underlining on text pages
    • a signature or note on the flyleaf or inside front or back cover is OKAY

    Edited for a grammatical error!



  • Last Edited on: 6/8/08 10:03 PM ET - Total times edited: 1
    cheezygirl avatar
    Date Posted: 6/8/2008 10:05 PM ET
    Member Since: 7/20/2007
    Posts: 1,046
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    I agree with the above posters. 40 years is a lot of time for a book. With some books even 30 years old, you're lucky to even find a copy of them around at all unless it's a new reprint of an old book!

    JimiJam avatar
    Member of the Month medalFriend of PBS-Silver medalPBS Blog Contributor medal
    Date Posted: 6/8/2008 10:12 PM ET
    Member Since: 6/4/2007
    Posts: 2,941
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    Maybe when you decide to post it you could mention it in the Book Bazaar?  It definitely sounds like it walks awfully close to the line between postable/unpostable but on the postable side.  As someone who prefers older books I'm sure there have to be people here who might want it. 

    Generic Profile avatar
    Member of the Month medalFriend of PBS-Silver medal
    Date Posted: 6/8/2008 10:58 PM ET
    Member Since: 8/23/2007
    Posts: 26,510
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    I'm voting for postable if the missing part of the back cover is 1" or smaller.  There's nothing in the posting guidelines against the cover being damaged as long as the tear is less than 1". So the part where the tape was removed isn't breaking any rules.  Yellowing is allowed and so is the name being written inside.  If they disallowed yellowing and names written in books there'd be a whole lot less books posted on PBS.  Plus this person warned you that is was well loved and showing it's age. I also agree that it sounds pretty darn good for a 40yr old paperback.  If you're going to order older books like that you have to expect this type of thing.  

    yolen avatar
    Standard Member medalPrintable Postage medal
    Date Posted: 6/8/2008 11:47 PM ET
    Member Since: 12/12/2006
    Posts: 1,090
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    Sounds like a postable book to me.

    Princess65 avatar
    Date Posted: 6/9/2008 12:09 AM ET
    Member Since: 7/31/2007
    Posts: 2,697
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    If only my body would hold up as well as that 40 year old book...

    Susanaque avatar
    Standard Member medalFriend of PBS-Silver medalPrintable Postage medal
    Subject: postable book?
    Date Posted: 6/10/2008 9:31 AM ET
    Member Since: 11/18/2005
    Posts: 5,523
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    It sounds ok to me. At some point in everyones lives, you need to slow down and retire....perhaps that time has come for the book.  Perhaps you could offer it as a freebie in the bazzar??