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Topic: confusion about unpostables

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PhoenixFire avatar
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Subject: confusion about unpostables
Date Posted: 3/5/2011 10:58 PM ET
Member Since: 2/11/2011
Posts: 3,118
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Im hearing from several people to post unpostables if it is a wish list???????????? so do you? and what would make it completely considered unpostable by pbs standards? Thanks

fangrrl avatar
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Date Posted: 3/5/2011 11:32 PM ET
Member Since: 12/28/2006
Posts: 14,177
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Unpostables should never be posted FIFO.   Here's a link to the swapability guidelines.

Unpostables may be offered in the Book Bazaar, there are several threads there (also in a few of the genre forums).  You can offer or deal for the unpostable (free with book from your bookshelf), or request a credit (best if it's wishlisted) in which case you will must disclose the exact condition of the book so a requester can make informed decision.  If you reach an agreement with another member, IIRC it's recommended to use the 'mail to a friend' option and buddy a credit (if included in the deal).

Welcome to PBS Jamie!!  If any of that is not clear, do feel free to ask again.

ETA - Box of Books could be different, not a boxer and have no idea about the guidelines.



Last Edited on: 3/5/11 11:36 PM ET - Total times edited: 3
tiffanyak avatar
Date Posted: 3/6/2011 2:50 AM ET
Member Since: 1/20/2009
Posts: 2,680
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Unpostables are unpostable. Period. They cannot be posted into the PBS system in any way. That's all there is to it. You can offer them in the Book Bazaar or something like that, in which case if someone wants it, you need to do a deal outside the system (by buddying credits and receiving the address via PM), since the book can't be posted into the system even by posting it directly to a person's wish list.

There is a small portion of members who seem to feel that if the book is wish listed, they can just get away with going ahead and posting it even if they know it isn't postable, since the receiver will be 'so grateful' for the book that they won't care. They're wrong, and I for one take great pleasure in marking every such book received with a problem. If that happens enough, they tend to learn rather quickly.

ETA: In other words, some people may tell you to do so, but such a practice won't make you any friends among any of the good members here, and will quickly land you in trouble. So, I really don't recommend it.



Last Edited on: 3/6/11 2:54 AM ET - Total times edited: 3
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Date Posted: 3/6/2011 10:46 AM ET
Member Since: 1/2/2011
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I think the confusion is coming from the difference between posting a book to the FIFO system and posting about it in the forums.

Unpostable books, of any kind, should never be posted into the system.

You may, however, put a post in the forums telling people that you have an unpostable wishlist book available. The Book Bazaar even has a thread for unpostable wishlist books. Try putting it on there, with a complete description of the condition. You can ask for a credit, or offer to send it free with an order from your bookshelf. Just don't post it through the system.

rebeccam avatar
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Date Posted: 3/6/2011 11:10 AM ET
Member Since: 9/25/2008
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Here is the swapping guidelines found in the help center for what needs to be met for a book to be posted into PBS:

Guidelines:                                                                                                                                       

Overall Condition:

  • No damage at all from water or other liquid
  • Not soiled
  • No stains (exception for cookbooks--see below)
  • No mold
  • no highlighting, underlining or writing on text pages (exception for Textbooks/Workbooks and travel guidebooks --see below)

Dust Jacket:

  • The DUST JACKET (this is not the same as the cover of a book) does not have to be included with a book at all, unless the requestor had this in their Requestor Conditions. 
  • So DUST JACKET condition cannot be considered as part of the condition of a book, unless there were Requestor Conditions on the request specifying that the dust jacket be included.
  • If the Dust Jacket was to be included as specified in the Requestor Conditions on the request, the Dust Jacket must meet the same conditions as defined for the cover, below.

Cover:

  • Must both be present (front and back)
    • note that a paperback missing its front cover is  usually an illegal, unsold copy
    • "cover" does not = dust jacket.  Hardcovers do not need to include their dust jackets to be swapped here.
  • Cover not water damaged (there may be no water damage to any part of the book)
  • Cover not torn or chewed/gnawed
    • some used book stores cut out a small part of the cover; if the amount missing is less than 1 square inch, this is OKAY
    • a small rip (less than 1 inch) in the cover is OKAY
    • yes, that does say "chewed/gnawed" above.  That means no pet-chewed (or human-chewed) books.
  • A bookplate inside the cover or on the flyleaf is OKAY

Binding:

  • Must be intact, with no separation on the inside or outside of the book
  • If the book tends to open at a particular page, this is OKAY
  • Small amount of fraying or denting at top or bottom is OKAY

Pages:

  • No torn or chewed/gnawed pages
    • yes, that does say "chewed/gnawed".  That means no pet-chewed (or human-chewed) books.
  • No loose or missing text pages
    • for travel guide books - maps if designed to be detachable may be detached, but must be included.
  • Cover not water damaged (there may be no water damage to any part of the book)
  • No writing or highlighting or underlining 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 or underlining on the text pages is NOT OKAY