I need a book, fast (girl's weekend trip coming up), that has many copies in the system.  I am thinking about ordering and then PMing the person before the order has placed (by looking to order more from member and then seeing their name) and asking them if they will be able to mail by Saturday (2 days from now).  I would explain that I need it as soon as possible and I can order a different ISBN copy if they will not be able to mail right away.  Is that offensive?  Should I just take my chances?  But I have looked and some of the people who have it don't look very active.  Or I guess I could just cancel the order if they don?t accept right away?  Thoughts?

You could put an RC on that request stating if they can mail by Saturday, please accept. If not please decline. That way there is no messy cancelling and re-requesting.

I don't like when members add restrictions/requirements to their requests AFTER a request as been accepted so for me an RC would be better than a PM after they've accepted.

You could also advertise in the Bazaar since it sounds like it is not a Wish List book.

Remember too that they could mail tomorrow and it might still take weeks to get to you. USPS is a fickle thing.

I personally wouldn't find that rude depending on how it's worded.  But it still woudln't guarantee it getting to you quickly.  Is it a short enough book to go first class?

You might have better luck posting in one of the genre threads or the book bazaar to ask if anyone has it and can ship it quickly.  What book is it BTW?

Thanks, I did post in the bazaar and I haveit already ordered.  Love this place!

Mary - it is small and I am hoping it will go 1st class!  It is a gamble but worth a try.

Mary - it is Forever by Judy Blume.  Thought it would be fun for a book club beach weekend with friends in their 40's - memories of books passed around in our youth!

If you need it super quick, maybe you could offer 2 credits and ask then to send 1st class or Priority.

I wouldn't object to your request or find it rude.

Hope you get your book on time - I don; have it oherwise I'd be happy to oblige

Judith, books on PBS can only be offered for a credit or less.  It is against site rules to offer more than a credit for a book, or to ask for more than a credit.

From the Help Center:

Offering to "pay" (or asking a requestor to "pay"--see below) more than "PBS price" for a book is not permitted. 

Why?

• If the book is Wishlisted, offering more than the PBS "price" for the book may allow members to leapfrog over others in the Wish List for the book. This obviously is not fair.
• Even if the book is not Wish Listed, a "free market" system could lead to "bidding" for a book, and auctions are NOT permitted on PBS.

• One reason is that auctions are subject to state laws, and as PBS members belong to various states, this could be illegal.
• The other reason is that we want all members to have a fair chance to get books on PBS.  Pitting those who have lots of credits to spare against those who don't have a lot of credits at the time goes against the very spirit of PBS--the fair sharing of books. Everybody equal.

Asking for more than "PBS price" for a book is considered bookselling

• Bookselling is not permitted at PBS

Judith - I did think about that too - glad I didn't try it - you were thinking like me - but I see why PBS would be against it too. 

As long as you didn't offer the credit until after the sender accepted then I don't think it would violate the rules since the sender is set, no "bidding going on.  You'd just compensating for extra costs you want them to incur. I am pretty sure I have seen the Team say it is ok once the transaction is in place, you can offer a credit for sending more quickly. I'll go check if it is one of my watch topics.

eta: I did have it in my watched topics. This was the response to member Feedback;

Dear Loretta,

No, it's only against the rules to offer more than "PBS Price" before the
request has been made (as in soliciting members to post Wish List books directly
to you for a higher price), or to ask for more than "PBS Price" to send a book.

If after a request has been made through normal channels, you want to give an
extra credit for whatever reason, you may do so.

Thanks for asking!

The PaperBackSwap Team

Good info, Melanie -- thanks.

I think the best response is the one that says to put it in your 'conditions' so it can be refused if need be, and automatically forwarded to the next available.   Just a note  that says I need this for a specific date if you can't mail it within 24 hours please refuse the request.   and add a "thank you in advance for prompt mailing".  I know i would go out of my way to mail it ASAP if a quick explanation in the "conditions"  beforehand.  If someone PM'd me afterwards and asked, then cancelled because I couldn't mail it I'd be upset.  I've had people cancel books because I click the "I can mail later" button.  Then I get their request again 2 hours later because they think a new request will go to someone else???

Also, always ask the post office to check first class shipping.  For most paperbacks it is less expensive!! (or 3 cents more)

It came today!  It did go first class, mailed Thursday - arrived today (Monday)!