I tend to request a lot of books that were used as "textbooks" even though they are not technically textbooks in the strict sense. The majority of them were filled with highlighting/underlining/etc. and I always expected a PM beforehand (as per PBS rules) but never got one and had to mark several books RWAP. To avoid this, I put up requester conditions that are cut-n-paste from the posting guidelines about textbooks and having to send a PM beforehand if there is writing inside (and added my username so they could PM me before accepting/rejecting the request).

However, now most people just turn down my requests. What gives?

There's a difference between a little bit of underlining and 50+ pages of squished writing in the margins and between the lines of a text... I just want to avoid the latter and avoid marking so many books RWAP; but now I'm not getting any books!

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Hi Jillian!  My suggestion would be to remove the RC and possibly just send a PM to the sender after they have accepted to double check the conditions...esp if you know it is a book that might perhaps have writing/highlighting.  Cuz like you said, if they aren't specifically listed as textbooks, people may not think to even look for those things.  Plus, sadly, many people here will turn down any request that has a RC on it, simply cuz it has a RC.  I don't get that, but it is what it is. 

So my suggestion would be for you to send a nice PM asking them.  That does create more work for you, but would most likely make everyone happy in the end.

ETA:  I do agree with Leann that there are times I have denied a request with RC's simply cuz it seemed like they wanted a NEW book and I was afraid of losing a credit.  however, all they would need to do in this OP's situation is send a PM before mailing to make sure things are good.  That's not that hard.  KWIM?

Edited agani for my own typing stupidity!  LOL

Maybe writing out your own RC instead of cut and pasting the rules would make it seem more friendly and personal?  Folks in the forums frequently help people fine tune their RCs when they are having troubles with them, so it might be worth it to write up a draft and have the folks here help with it.

I rarely have my own RCs rejected out of hand; perhaps your wording is confusing or otherwise off-putting somehow?  There are several threads on wording RCs, or if you're willing to post them, I'm sure folks would be happy to help you wordsmith them, as others have done.

Cheers,
Catt

This is how my RC currently stands:

"From the Posting Guidelines:

No writing or highlighting or underlining on text pages

• a signature or note on the flyleaf or inside front or back cover is OKAY
• an author's signature on the title page is OKAY
• writing or highlighting on the text pages is NOT OKAY
  • Exception: if it is a textbook or workbook, these are expected to have highlighting/underlining/writing
    • if you post a textbook/workbook, the condition must be described to the requestor in a Personal Message
    • AND the described condition MUST BE AGREED TO before the book is sent

My username is "catholicgirl" if you need to send a PM describing condition of the book."

maybe start off with something like

Due to the high number of books I have received with writing in them, I ask that you double check your books to make sure that it does not contain writing except for the following siuations (and then leave in the wording from the help docs)

I'm not great with writing but if I were to receive your RC I'd wonder what you meant or why it was there.