Hi, everyone...it has been a while since I posted...been really busy. Here is my question: I finally got my wish granted for a pretty popular book (The Prosecution of George W. Bush for Murder). The book was mailed from Pennsylvania. When I received, the paper wrapping was completely torn to shreds on the side opposite the address.  Unfortunately, it was the front cover of the book that was under that torn paper. The book WAS wrapped in plastic wrap, however, there is a gouge through the paper cover and into the front of the book itself.  The paper cover isn't torn, just gouged.  I would guess that I can not put in back through the system as it is.  My question is that I know that others probably want this book but I don't want them to have to give up a credit for a damaged book so how do I let the folks wanting the book know I have it for swapping (well, not swapping, just giving away) that want the book?  Should I post in all the genre forums that it is available or what?  Any ideas?  Thanks in advance.

Is it readable?  I had a book that looked as if it had been attacked by a pickaxe - the gouge went through the first 100 pages or so.  If it is just the cover that is affected, sure, post it in the BB & on the genre forums, but be very specific about the nature of the damage.

If there is just a rip on the cover that is less than 1" in legnth, it is postable.

Hi Stephanie,

Rips or holes in a cover that are less than 1 inch are OK to post. If the pages underneath are ripped, then the book is unpostable. Text pages can't be torn.

You can offer the book in the Book Bazaar, for a credit if you want to, you just have to advertise it as an unpostable book (if it is unpostable). You can also offer it in the BB for free with an order from your bokshelf, if you want to do that, or you can post the books in your signature, if you want to do it that way. Many genre forums also have a sticky thread for offering books in that genre, so you could try that as well.

There is a thread in the Book Bazaar where you can list a wishlisted book that has been damaged and still ask for a credit.

Thanks for all the responses.  The gouge is approximately 6 inches long but is not deep at all...in other words, it doesn't affect the pages at all...not even the inside cover. It just looks bad but just as readable.  My gut feeling (which I tend to trust after all these  years) is that I wouldn't appreciate getting a book that looked like this so I am going to "advertise" it in the Book Bazaar and add it to my forum signature, etc. Hopefully, someone who wants it will see my efforts. I checked the Wish List and there are only 11 people who have added this book to their Wish List.  Like I said, the inside is pristine...just looks really bad. Here it comes: you can't judge a book by its cover! 

Stephanie,

If you want to give this book to someone (no credit for swapping), there is a thread at the top of the Book Bazaar thread called Post your damaged books here. 

The first post has instructions about the thread. 

I have used this thread before to find homes for unpostable books.  It works!

(Sorry, this post has so much red in it!  Once I changed the font to red, it wouldn't go back to black :P)

  ETA: I just went to the Book Bazaar, seems you already found the thread for giving damaged books...