I just received a request for an older book (1989). When I pulled the book, I remembered reading some posts recently about books with creased covers, etc and now after looking it over carefully, I am not sure I should send this book. It is one of the larger paperback books (7"x9") and the cover is worn around the edges with a couple creases in the corners and some yellowing of pages. However, the main thing that is worrying me is that it looks somewhat stained on the edges of the pages, yellowed and brown. You know, when you hold the book closed, the edges that you see? I am guessing that it is from where I held the book and grease from my fingers marked it and it discolored over the years. I must admit, I did sometimes used to eat buttered popcorn when I read and I read this book several times! Anyway, upon page by page inspection there are a few pages with brown marks on them. After this inspection, and thinking about it, I don't know if should use this as a postable book. I just checked on the status of the book,  and there isn't any other books under this ISBN in the system. I wanted to PM the requester, but if I understand correctly, I can't do that until I accept or decline. Is this correct?

I was thinking of declining, and then sending a pm reqarding the book. Or is it better if they cancel the order? I don't want to get in trouble for declining, (I already declined a book last week because I had accidently posted a hardback as a paperback - same ISBN), but I also don't want to send out any poor condition books either.

Thinking I might need to put my shelf on hold and recheck everything I posted to make sure conditon, ISBN, etc are good. I thought I was being careful when I posted, but this makes me wonder about myself!

Thanks for your help

Pamla

From your decription, the book should not be posted here at PBS. I would decline the transaction and send a PM. If she still wants the book, you can always do a send it to a buddy 2 for 1 from your bookshelf and then have them buddy you a credit.

I wouldn't say you need to put you shelf on hold and re-inspect your books/ I have found a few that weren't postable when I pulled them out to mail and inspected them closer. That happens and its better to have an order cancelled because someone found the book to be unpostable that to people who don't double check their books and send unpostables.

For this transaction, you could accept it, PM the person to explain why the book is unpostable and that you need to cancel it. If you want to offer it free with another book from your shelf or something, tell them that in the PM. Then cancel the order. I would not tell them you'll send it if they buddy you a credit, asking for credits for unpostables is not permitted on the site. The receiver might offer to give a credit for it, but I know I would be offended if someone asked me for a credit for an unpostable.

You could cancel OR you could accept and sent a PM and explain the book and that you will send them another book from your shelf for free.  Make sure that you include a date they must PM you back by otherwise you will cancel the order which will put them back at the front of the FIFO line.

I don't know what book it is or if it is OOP/hard to get, but if it is, they might want another book from your shelf and this book.  It doesn't hurt to ask.

I agree with Melanie to not put your shelf on hold. Take a look through your books and then remove the ones that are not postable.

You can offer any unpostable as a bonus with another order from your bookshelf (2 for 1) or as a freebie-free book. You can do this in the PM or post the offer in the Book Bazaar.

<<You can offer any unpostable as a bonus with another order from your bookshelf (2 for 1) or as a freebie-free book. You can do this in the PM or post the offer in the Book Bazaar.>>

This is true; I think what Melanie was getting at is that it shouldn't be done on a "buddy me a credit" basis, but the member should order something off Pamla's shelf and send the unpostable along with it.

Cheers,

Catt

I worded it incorrectly. I meant to offer it as a bonus or a 2 for 1 not a straight credit for unpostabel. Sorry long day and not wording well. Sorry to not be clear.

Hi everyone.

 I ended up accepting the request, then sending a PM about the condition of the book. I told her she could have another book for free from my shelf if she did want the book, and that is what she ended up doing. She did it by cancelling the first request, and then ordering a different book from me, and sending the request for the original book in a PM. She was really good about it, and I feel better about the whole deal.  

Thanks for the suggestions! I joined in October, just posting about 20 books, but didn't really get active until December. I posted a bunch more books then, and have had several requests in the last 2 weeks. I am learning a lot about the whole process and appreciate these forums as a way to get help and advice.

Pamla

Pamla