Liquid damage stains to a cookbook to be part of  "Cookbook Stains" ? 

Like...  The cookbook (glossy soft cover) was set down in a puddle, resulting in very obvious liquid damage.

Michelle, it's tough to say looking at the Help Center doc on Swappability. Here's what it says about cookbooks: 

• • Exception: Cookbooks may have some mild staining, since these are used in the kitchen and while cooking, and some minor degree of staining could be expected in a used cookbook.  Also a small amount of writing in cookbooks could be expected
  • • HOWEVER, if you post a cookbook and it is stained and/or written-in, the condition must be described to the requestor in a Personal Message
  • • AND the described condition MUST BE AGREED TO in a reply PM before the book is sent
    • This is the one of the ONLY three cases in which a PM exchange about a book is required before the book can be sent (the others are for travel guidebooks and textbooks/workbooks--see above).
• this exception applies to the covers of cookbooks also.

On one hand, there's the phrasing - "mild staining" - which seems to imply that there's a level of staining that could theoretically cross the line. At the same time, there's also the requirement that the requesting member accept the book after being informed of its condition. I would venture to guess that, so long as a requesting member agrees to accept the book after reading your description of the stain, it should be alright. I'm not 100% sure about this, though, and think it might be best for someone else to weigh in on this as well.

Yes, I would expect any type of staining on a cookbook to be elligible for the cookbook exception. Setting a cookbook in a puddle in the kitchen seems like a very possible thing to do when cooking.

The key is that no one will get away with sending it unexpectantly because, as Jimi as said, the receiver HAS to agree to the condition before the book can be sent. Even though the staining can qualify for the exception, a receiver never has to accept any amount of staining and the sender would have to cancel and wait for the next requester. If someone sends the book without the agreement of the receiver and the receiver asks for the credit back, it should be given because the exception is not protection if the contact rules aren't followed. 

Did the sender pm with details of cookbook condition, before mailing?

I could see setting it down next to the sink or something and it getting wet.  However, if the condition was not disclosed first, then I'd have a problem.

Hi all!  Thanks for your feedback.  My personal interpretation for "Cookbook Stains" would be things like grease spots, food, smudges.  Stuff that wasn't a liquid, but would leave its mark on the book.  I also figured that my interpretation may be the minority so I figured I would ask.

Basically I asked because I am trying to determine if I will ask for my credit back or not.  If I can repost it (albeit with some hoops under cookbook stains) when/if I am done for credit, then I probably won't.  No, the sender did not PM me prior to sending it.  [Also didn't send me a courtesy PM that they were mailing it a week past the date they marked mailed, but it arrived within a week so it's a non-issue.] It also could not have been done enroute as the manilla envelope shows no sign of damage.

Cookbooks I tend to keep.  This one I had checked out from the library months ago and made copies of recipes that sounded good.  I never got around to making them, so perhaps I will make them this time. 

Just a little tidbit of info... I have never been PMed for cookbook/textbooks.  But I have received many with writing/highlighting/stains.  I just have to wonder if people just don't know/are too lazy to PM/etc. 

If they didn't PM as per the PBS guidelines, it's an RWAP. You might cite that section of the rules when you ask for your credit back. Calling people on these rule violations is the only way to make them think twice and hopefully not do it again...if they keep getting away with it, the person who eventually DOES call them on it is going to be "picky" and probably will get an argument about the RWAP. It does no one any favors if you let this slide. Even if you don't want the credit back, I would RWAP it and explain why.

Cheryl

Photo?

Nah.  No Photo.  The cables are still packed so I can't D/L. 

Just take my word for it that it is glaringly obvious and was not something I had to go searching for.  It most literally jumped right out of the package at me.

I agree with Cheryl.  If they didn't PM, definitely mark it received with a problem and quote the rule.  Whether you ask for your credit back is your choice, but by marking it RWAP, you're helping to protect the next member in line for a book from that sender.

*snort*  Maybe I should have asked for the credit.

I sent the RWAP last night, and very explicitly avoided saying water damage, going with "liquid damage" as I am not entirely sure it was merely water.  [The paper that's stained smells different than the rest of the book.  I don't know if it was the liquid or just that glossy paper smells different when wet, and I'm not going to go experiment.]  Well, she responded that it wasn't "water damaged".

It may just be because I am REALLY tired but all I can come up with are totally inappropriate responses. 

Like:  Perhaps during the week the book was in limbo after you had marked it mailed (but hadn't), a kitchen gnome slipped it out and spilled something on it.  Then quietly slipped back into its packaging after it dried.

Or maybe I'll let a photo do 1000 words.  [If I go looking for my cables, think I would have better luck finding them than I have finding my SSN card and my Birth Certificate?  I've been looking for those for three weeks.  Maybe I'll even find my BC while looking for something else.]

Blah.  I'm just going to roll my eyes, make this post, and not respond.  I didn't ask for the credit, and trying to convince her that she's wrong/lying/whatever and getting some sort of apology/OMG/ty for the rules is pointless.  I can just leave it sit there unresolved. 

I'm going to leave you with this photo instead, as it sums up how I feel about the doorbell ringing and interrupting my nap this afternoon.