Im new to pbs and very confused lol

Im wondering what happens if you have a book thats in good condition but might have a few marks or writing inside for example. Or Ex- library, can I offer these and is there anyway of mentioning this?

What if you list a book and cant send it until you are paid? We get paid every 2 weeks so I might not be able to do the 5 day shipping.

Im not too comfortable sending/receiving the books in just a paper cover, do most of you do that or is it common to just use it as a label?

Thanks so much and hellooo!

Ellen

are the marks/writing on the text of the pages or the inside cover/title page?  If it is on the text pages (the story) then those are not postable (but you can give them away free with an order from your shelf)

ex-library books are definitely ok to post.  some people may have conditions that they don't want them.  If that pops up you just click that you can't mail them the book.

The book bazaar thread is good for freebies or you can put it in your signature like I have in mine (I think this is done in the settings)

I wrap my books in plastic and then if they are smaller books I will wrap in the paper wrappers (it is 2 sheets because of the instruction page) but larger books I'll try for a padded envelope

Since your other questions have been answered I'll answer your last one. I use a sturdy gift wrap. Its not like christmas gift wrap its brown paper. You can buy a roll of kraft paper or you can use paper grocery bags (make sure the ink doesnt touch the book. You can also save mailers as you get them. So in short the wrapper works if you use the two page one but there are several methods that work better.

I slip my outgoing books inside plastic bags (I recycle grocery bags, bread sacks, produce bags, etc.), and then I use whatever wrapping paper I might have on hand. I recently bought two rolls of decorative brown wrapping paper at Dollar General, but I have also used brown grocery bags, construction paper, etc.  Then I apply postal tape to the entire package.

If the book is a nice hardback, I normally use a plastic bag, then bubble wrap, then brown wrapping paper, then tape.

From the Help Cener:

Pages:

• No torn pages
• No loose or missing pages
• No writing or highlighting 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/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
      • This is the one of the ONLY two cases in which a PM exchange about a book is required before the book can be sent(the other is for cookbooks).

Welcome Ellen!! If you go to the Help Center and Browse Help Docs, the 3rd option is Posting Books, this will have good detail on what is postable and what isn't. Some people may have additional requester conditions that show up when your book is ordered, your book must also meet these to send it to them. As long as the book is in decent condition, intact, clean, and no water damage you should be fine. 

I wrap my books in a plastic wrap first. If its small enough to fit in the double sheet PBS wrap, I then use that, taping all the corners and edges very well. For bigger packages I use a brown Postal paper to wrap before the label. The USPS can be really hard on books so the more protected the better. Don't use newspaper or anything else that can rub off or bleed on the book. There is good details on how to wrap a book in the help center too. I recommend spending some time reading through there. Much of the information will help avoid things others have learned though experience.

Enjoy!

You can put your bookshelf on hold if you run out of money for shipping.  It's possible you might get an order before you can put it on hold, though, so it's a good idea to buy some extra stamps to have on hand. 

Well the postage thing is tricky.  You should put your account on hold if you can't afford postage.  It's not really fair to make someone wait 5 days for you to accept the request and then another 5days to mail it to them.  Especially when media mail can take a couple weeks to get to someone.  It's not fair to the requestor or other people who have the book and can mail it right away.  Stock up on stamps or PBS postage when you have some extra $$.  Unless you post a lot of WL books or run a lot of deals you're probably not going to be sending out a ton of books every week. 

I don't trust the computer paper wrapping but I have used it before w/no problems. I prewrapped it in Saran Wrap and taped the paper really well.  If I get a book in a bubble envelope I open it carefully and reuse the envelope.  Someone posted a link one time for a company that sells plastic envelops on Ebay. I think they're called Valuemailers or something like that. If you ask I'm sure someone will know.  I ordered 75 envelopes in 3 dif sizes and it worked out to $.18/env.  Not bad.and I probably spent that in computer paper and tape when using the PBS wrapper.  They're sturdy, cheap and convenient.  I think I spent $13 total including shipping.  And they take up very little space. 

Hello and another confused newbie here.

  I posted my ten books and was all happy as I thought they met all the guidelines. Now I forgot and don't know how to tell people even though they are new or nice books (we have kittens and my DH smokes cigars). Do U just PM them or is there a slot somewhere stating that you can add that??

Also the system is locking me out saying "you can not change your address" and you have not confirmed your email though I log in with it. Is this a gliche or I really missing something here/?

Thank you and pleased to meet all of you. I appreciate this forum to learn in and ask questions so thank you again!

Hi Carly, Your books meet the posting guidelines. Your cats and your husband smoking cigars should not be a problem unless someone has requestor conditions saying they don't want books from homes with smokers or pets. If someone has a requestor condition and orders one of your books it will pop up on your account screen before you accept or deny the trade. If you don't meet their conditions you just decline.

You can't change your address until you have recieved at least 3 books. If you need to change your address now you will have to contact the owners of the site through the contact us link at the bottom of any page. They will change your address for you.

When you signed up for PBS you should have gotten an email with a link to confirm your email. If you didn't get it check your bulk or junk folders. If it isn't there mention it when you contact the site owners about changing your address and I'm sure they will resend it for you. Hope that helps. If you have anymore questions don't be afraid to ask :)

Tammy

I have to respectfully disagree with Mary about the postage issue.  You're allowed 5 days to answer a request, and you're also allowed 5 days to get it mailed.  If it wasn't fair, it wouldn't be built into the system.  If you need the extra time waiting for payday from time to time, I don't think there's anything wrong with that.  Just try not to do it all the time if you can help it.  : )

Everyone's given you some good advice about wrapping books.  I have wrapped small paperbacks using only the 2 printout sheets lots of times, but I put mailing tape over the whole thing afterward.  I've never had any problems with doing that.

Ex-library books are fine, as long as they don't have water damage or writing or other kinds of damage.  Usually when someone requests one of my ex-library books, I accept the request and then send them a pm letting them know it is a library discard, just in case they want to cancel the order.

Welcome to PBS and have fun!  : )

There really isn't a reason why you would have to contact the person requesting your book to tell them it is an ex-library book. they are allowed at PBS-and if they don't want them it needs to be put in their requestor conditions..