I hope I'm posting in the right forum.  Maybe this should be in Book Baazar since it pertains to the individual post: Post Your Unpostable WL books Here, but since it's a question about the site - here goes . . .

I've come across a few posts at the end of the topic (pg 24)  that are asking for 1 credit for their unpostable WL book.  Up until that point, all I recall seeing is a deal something like: 1 unpostable with any book ordered from my bookshelf.

Is it ok to just ask for a credit up front?  Isn't the point that the book is unpostable and that's why it should be, quote-unquote, free?  Or is it just up to both parties to make a deal that both feel comfortable with?

I always figured the idea by having to order another book was so that the sender got rid of two books they wanted to move and a credit for their trouble/shipping.  The receiver got a WL book they've been wanting (even if they can't repost it).

I know it's not a big deal, but it's been nagging at me, so I decided to ask about it.  From what I've read in the forums, all of you are very good at helping those of us that aren't as proficient at using the site. 

Thanks in advance!  Ann Marie

Asking for a credit for an unpostable WL book is fine according to TPTB.  Actually, asking for a credit for any unpostable book is allowed, you're just much less likely to receive it.

ETA - as long as the book is not posted directly to your shelf (i.e. submitted to FIFO) and you are up front about what he problem with the book is.

This topic was posted a while back:  LInk.  Someone asked about it, and TPTB basically said that if someone has an unpostable book and is clear about why it's unpostable, then anyone is free to give a credit for it if they want to.  So, an unpostable book can be a freebie or someone can ask a credit for it if they feel like it's in high demand (long wish list or something).  They can't be posted into the system though - all unpostables still have to be offered in the Book Bazzar.

I've only had success with this with out of print/rarely posted ones and books with long WL lines. 

Many people have said they've ordered a book they didn't really want just to get the unpostable WL book.  There are people who will pay a credit for an unpostable WL book.  I had a copy of New Moon with a teeny tiny stain on it and someone paid a credit for it. The book looked never read and had a pristine dust jacket. But on one page there was a super tiny spot. 

I had 4 unpostable Outlander books, all WL and someone was willing to pay 3 credits for the 4 of them.

I had 2 unpostalbe Sookie Stackhouse book both with 200+ WL lines and someone paid me 1 credit for those (basically to cover postage). 

(these were all perfectly readable books-I wouldn't ask a credit for anything gross or completely falling apart)

But like others said:you just can't post them to FIFO and then PM people and ask if they want a damaged book.

There is also a DAmaged Books Virtual Box in the games forum.

There are several people who are OK with spending a credit for a damaged book, particularly if it's a "read and pass along" book. As long as its done in the Bazaar and not via the posting system, it's OK. :)

I do like to add the warning, that because these books do not go through the system, there is no recourse if the books are lost or other problems.  At least with the unpostable with another book, you have a way to express a problem.

Actually they can go through the system.  If you advertise it in the BB and the person who wants it has it on their WL-you can post it right to them. So if it goes lost they can get their credit back.  You just can't post the WL book to FIFO and then PM that person and ask if they mind that it's damaged.

Every unpostable I've paid a credit for, the person has just posted it to my WL.  I wouldn't buddy a credit for an unpostable unless it was someone I'd traded with before and feel I can trust they'll send the book.

I've posted a few W.L Unpostables and received credits for them. One I'm still not sure if it was considered postable. I just thought it was pretty dirty along the edges (looks like it had been carried in someones backpack) and the other I received as a RWAP but didn't notice the problem till after I marked it received :o( It had scribble marks from a child.

I know I'd be more then willing to give a credit for a W.L book thats unpostable as long as I was told the condition before hand. Some of the books I want have a huge wait and if your reading a series it can get frustrating when your waiting for book 4 and already have 5,6 and 7 lol.

"Often times, I couldn't find anything else on a person's shelf that I was interested in or hadn't already read so it was a pain to receive a book I really didn't want just to get a book that I did want.  The last thing I need is MORE books around here to get rid of!!! LOL!"

Isn't THAT the truth Julie. LOL.

I am one that will (and has) paid a credit for a WL book. If it is one I really really want!

What I DON'T like is the recent influx of "buddy me a credit!" nonsense that is going on. I've been seeing it on everything, in every forum. Even on deals, where the books are completely postable! wth? When i said no thank you to someone telling me to buddy her credits rather that using system (and yes I was polite) I got several nasty emails in response.

I don't mind buddying them when it is someone I "know" or have dealt with in the past, but just random someone's in the bb or elsewhere? I'm going to go with uh, no.....

I just had an unpostable copy of a very recent highly WL'd book that I got a credit for.  I put it in my signature line and on my profile and on my blue bookshelf header.  I bought it brand new in perfect condition.  It would have stayed in perfect condition had my son who delivers Chinese food hadn't picked it up to move it somewhere.  He'd just unloaded some eggrolls and had a little oil on his hands.  So I had translucent stains on the edges of a section of pages.  Completely readable.  The stains didn't encroach on the text.  It took a little while, but someone finally asked for it because it is one of the middle books of a series, and she was at the long end of the WL.   She already had it on her WL so I just posted it to her WL.  We did exchange PM's wherein I disclosed the extent of damage, and she said she'd accept them.  After she received it she was surprised that I hadn't just posted it to the FIFO.  But I knew it was damaged and didn't meet PBS rules - so I can't complain when someone sends me a stained book if I don't follow the rules myself.  I was glad she was happy.

Ruth

ETA - as you can see I have other unpostables that I don't feel worth a credit alone.  I have myself ordered a book off someone's shelf just to get the freebie.  I didn't want the book from the shelf -so I'm stuck with it.

Thanks to everyone for clarifing this for me.  I guess I should have checked the TPTB and searched past posts for information; I do appreciate all of your posts.  From now on, I won't feel like I should force someone to pick another book from my shelf - I feel better about offering an unpostable  book for a credit (in the BB, of course).