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Topic: Book condition

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davesmsperfect avatar
Subject: Book condition
Date Posted: 8/5/2008 2:45 PM ET
Member Since: 7/18/2008
Posts: 1,051
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I'm just a bundle of issues today.... :P I have 3 Nora Roberts boks from her Irish Trilogy that I was going to post but they have a price written on the cover with what I *think* is crayon. It does semi wash off but it also leaves a red smear on the cover (I tried a tiny bit). Would these be considered unpostable or should I just tell the person when & if they get requested?

peculiarbookworm avatar
Amy
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Date Posted: 8/5/2008 2:46 PM ET
Member Since: 3/11/2008
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To err on the safe side, I wouldn't post it.

Yuki1984 avatar
Date Posted: 8/5/2008 2:56 PM ET
Member Since: 6/17/2008
Posts: 626
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You may want to do a search in the forums.. there were several that I have seen where people talk about removing marks, etc. from book covers.  Most were for sticker residue but who knows... someone may have a tip on crayola remover.

Otherwise I wouldn't post it...

melanied avatar
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Date Posted: 8/5/2008 3:02 PM ET
Member Since: 8/16/2007
Posts: 15,234
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And I am just full of opinions today :)

I would have just left the price on them. You can try GooGone on a Qtip or a mMr Clean Eraser to see if they work. But even aside from that, I think the books are very postable since the writing is on the cover.

The Help says:  no highlighting, underlining or writing on text pages

I'd say try to clean them off without adding liquid damage, but post either way. If you feel more comfortable PMing someone that orders, go ahead, but there is no need to PM before sending a postable book.

Tonksy avatar
Date Posted: 8/5/2008 3:18 PM ET
Member Since: 5/14/2007
Posts: 881
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Mr. Clean erasers are awesome. Try that.

mahbaar avatar
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Date Posted: 8/5/2008 3:34 PM ET
Member Since: 1/8/2007
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If having a price written or stickered onto a book made it unpostable, I doubt we'd have many books for sale here. Sounds postable to me. There isn't anything in the help that limits markings on the outside cover of the book.

Tonksy avatar
Date Posted: 8/5/2008 3:37 PM ET
Member Since: 5/14/2007
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I have a pet peeve of folks leaving the goodwill sticker or yard sale price on...but that's just jealousy. I want such a deal. That's cheaper than my credit.

sfields avatar
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Date Posted: 8/5/2008 4:32 PM ET
Member Since: 2/28/2008
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lol, Tracy, I've been there too. A couple times I've gotten price-tagged books in the mail where I'm all like "where the he#@ did they find this for 50 cents!!" My goodwill charges two bucks a paperback :(

Fungurl1979 avatar
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Date Posted: 8/5/2008 4:40 PM ET
Member Since: 9/19/2005
Posts: 4,040
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Hi Tonksy.......

I must admit that I am one of those people that leave Goodwill stickers on books. I guess I am just afraid that if I remove it, it will leave a sticky mess on the cover. I can get most paperbacks for $.99 and most hardbacks for $1.49. I have actually found some Wish List books at Goodwill. :0)

Jenn

 

Tonksy avatar
Date Posted: 8/5/2008 4:41 PM ET
Member Since: 5/14/2007
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Sarah - Totally! Never mind all the books I've bought at yard sales and posted after I read them. Hmmph!

 

Jennifer - The little color code scraps off just fine ;) But don't let my pet peeve bother you.



Last Edited on: 8/5/08 4:42 PM ET - Total times edited: 2
peculiarbookworm avatar
Amy
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Date Posted: 8/5/2008 4:53 PM ET
Member Since: 3/11/2008
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The reason I suggested not posting it was because you mentioned there was a red smear. In my brain, I am thinking, "Hmm.. cover damage?" If it was just a sticker, I don't think there would be a problem.

surrealthemuse avatar
Date Posted: 8/5/2008 6:16 PM ET
Member Since: 9/13/2007
Posts: 2,520
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From my exprience those are usually marks made by (what I think are called) grease pencils. I have found that a dry paper towel and some elbow grease will take care of them. I am always afraid to use goo gone because if you over apply then it soaks in and leaves an oil stain. Used with care though it might take care of some of the more stubborn marks.

martinka avatar
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Date Posted: 8/5/2008 10:04 PM ET
Member Since: 8/15/2007
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I vote for the Mr Clean Magic Eraser.  It's a wonderful thing!

Generic Profile avatar
Date Posted: 8/5/2008 11:02 PM ET
Member Since: 7/16/2006
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Rubbing alcohol will usually take grease pencil off, but don't use too much or you'll wind up with a liquid damaged book.

Unless it is a book for my keeper shelf, or for my son (who I don't want licking the grease pencil off), I don't even bother trying to get it off. My thrift store uses those and marks the upper right hand corner of the cover with the price. I have never had any complaints about it, and I would venture to say that at least 100 of the over 100 books I have sent out have had those marks.

Generic Profile avatar
Date Posted: 8/6/2008 11:42 AM ET
Member Since: 7/1/2008
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alcohol. Qtip.