I received a request for a book that is a mass market paperback and the requestor condition says the person prefers larger books and hardbacks. Um, then why are you requesting a book that is labeled mass market paperback when you look it up? I guess I should put the book doesn't meet their condition? It just seems weird to me.

I think lots of people don't look at what 'size' the book is when they enter the ISBN (I don't), and sometimes the book is listed as 'MMP" and sometimes just as "PB" so you wouldn't be able to tell from that whether it was the larger 'trade size' book or the regular MMP. 

It's unfortunate, as I'd probably have to turn down her request also with just that description on a PB book.  Pat

Rachel, if I got a request like that I would refuse it, but I would tell her that the book she requested was a MMP and I would explain what that was.  Sounds like someone who doesn't know the terminology and it would help her to know how to order the kind of book she wants.

Some ISBNs in the PBS system do not specify whether a book is a trade or a mass market.  Yes, some do specify, but I have just gotten used to asking for a paperback without doing the research (because it's not a requirement for me). 

Obviously you need to turn it down since it doesn't meet the RC.

I would turn it down and in the reasoning put that the book is a mass market paperback like it's listed. First I would varify that the listing says mmp and not just paperback-because sometimes they do reuse the ISBN when they reissue a tradesize in mmp. 

I had someone ding me with an RWP because they said the ordered an audio book and I sent them a hardback.  It was listed as a hardback they just weren't paying attention when they ordered.

I doublechecked the description before I posted, and I did turn it down. I guess it just seemed weird to me.

Thank you!!

If the system says that the book is MMP, then I would send it. Just because they prefer the larger books doesn't mean they don't ever order MMP (yeah, they should turn off the RC when the order a MMP). If they are clearly ordering something that doesn't meet their RC, then I don't see how the RC would apply and I wouldn't return a credit if they marked it RWP.  If the system says just paperback, then I would turn it down.

I hate it when people say "prefer".  What does that mean?  Either you want it a certain way, or you don't. 

I wouldn't turn it down.  It says that they prefer larger books and hardcovers, not that they will only accept them.  It's a preference, not an absolute condition.  I don't try to read between the lines when it comes to RCs, or make any kind of judgement about what the requestor "really" means, I take them at their absolute word and assume they understand what they wrote.  If not, then that isn't my problem, it's theirs.

In this example, I would go ahead and send the book, and if they RWAP it I'd simply point out that the RCs did not say they wouldn't accept any other binding, only that they preferred certain types.

I prefer steak, but I accept hamburgers too.

I would accept the request then send a PM explaining that the book is a smaller/ MMP not a larger format or hardback and ask if they still want it. If they don't then she can tell them to cancel their request.

I'd turn it down.  If I send them a PM and they decline it, then my book goes to the end of the FIFO.

"Prefer" has no place in an RC.     It sounds to me like they might sometimes take other books, but it's not my responsibility to figure out if this is one of those.   They need to make the RC stronger, and only turn it on if they are ordering a book they want large sized & isn't clear on the binding type.

Well, I'm with Bernhard.  My RC say I prefer books from a non-smoking home but it's not a deal breaker.  I thought that was a well written RC.  As Bernhard says, I prefer steak but will eat hamburger.

I would have sent the book.  She said she preferred larger size books.  I prefer the smaller but don't have that in my RC.

I would refuse it also. I *prefer* a lot of things, but I don't and wouldn't have an RC unless I was able to say unequivocably what it is that I do or don't want or will/won't accept. At the very least, if the ISBN listed brings up a description of "mass mkt paperback" then turn off the RC for that book!

Of course if I were feeling grumpy, I might accept the request and send a PM stating, "I know you said you PREFER HC or trade paperbacks...well, it sucks to be you, 'cause this is a mass market paperback--as the description for this ISBN says. Your conditions don't say that you WON'T ACCEPT a mmp, so I guess...I think...this book is still okay. You know, I PREFER people who write clear, objective requestor conditions too, but it looks like neither of us got what we wanted this time."

Cheryl

A RC should be written so it is clear.  Black or white.  Yes or no.  Those grey areas should not be in a RC.  Yes, life is filled with grey areas.  But asking someone else to decide on what you mean?  No.  Refuse it.  They can always ask again with it off.  (And I do have a RC.)

I agree that a RC isn't the place to address what the member "prefers".  Why do I care what you prefer?  Do you want the book or not?  If it isn't a requirement for you then what's the point of putting it in a RC?  I don't get it.

I would turn it down...I'd be afraid I was buying myself a problem down the road if the book didn't fall within their preferences.

I'm with everybody else who say that "prefer" doesn't have a place in an RC. 

Geri - I rarely decline RC's, but if I were a smoker and a wishlist book came up with "I prefer books from a non-smoking home", I would decline it.

I would have just turned it down and moved on. I am not going to waste my time trying to figure out what someone does or doesn't mean/want. I just won't bother.

and assume they understand what they wrote

*snort*

Dartha...  :)

Bottom line is, since I use PBS postage I already have my credit.  If they mark it RWAP because of unclear RCs they can leave it at "unresolved" and I'll take the "hit".  I trust TPTB to look at something like that and not mark it against me.