Is it possible to contact a person who is requesting a book from you? I just received a book request and the requester has certain restrictions that I have questions about. I'd like to contact this person before I agree to send the book just to make sure that the condition will be acceptable. Can I do this or should I just say I can't meet the conditions if I have any doubts?

If you haven't responded to the conditions and the requester didn't include a user name in their conditions, then no, because you can't find out who the requester is without responding to the conditions initially.

I'd probably say "no" and when you explain why you're denying the request, mention the unclear conditions and inability on your part to contact the requester to clarify them.

YOu have to accept the order before the PM button shows up.  You can then PM the member, and cancel if you both don't agree on RCs or whatever. 

<<Can I do this or should I just say I can't meet the conditions if I have any doubts?>>

If you have doubts, I'd turn down the request based on requester conditions.  You'll be prompted for a reason, which the requester will see and, as others have mentioned, constructive feedback is useful here, i.e. "I'm not sure what the requester means by "excellent" condition, it is too subjective" or whatever.  I've modified my own RCs over time based on helpful feedback from other members.

Cheers,

Catt

I accepted the trade and PM'd the person to let them know what condition the book is in. If they don't want it, they can cancel the trade I guess.

Terri, if they do not want the book it will be your responsibility to cancel the trade...otherwise because you chose to offer the book and then question their conditions they would go to the end of the Wishlist Line.

Also, did you give them a deadline as to when you need them to reply?

In cases like this it is better to just decline...what will you do if they do not respond in time for you to send the book?

BTW, if you cancel, then you lose your place in the FIFO line, that's why I generally don't accept and then ask for clarification.  All kinds of things can get wonky. 

If it is a WL book, the poster should cancel and then repost. If it is a general order in the system, the requester should cancel and re-order the book.

Most people will appreciate that you accepted and asked them about it. It takes some extra work, but if you have the time it is a nice gesture.

If it's not clear - turn it down.  You should NEVER have to PM a sender about requestor conditions. 

I got a reply last night and she said the condition was fine with her. So I am sending the book out today. Next time, though, I think I'll just decline the request, because it is a lot of extra work to double check what people really want.

Luckily, 99% of my books are not questionable at all. This one book was a little sketchy though. I had gotten it from someone else in another trade and in retrospect, I wish I hadn't accepted that trade.