I know there's no such thing as a dumb question (actually, yes, there is IMO!)

Regarding BOB, once two people have traded their books, the transaction is complete, correct?  Or do they need to send the books back when they are done with them?  I know we don't send books back to the owner during regular PBS transactions, so I'm not sure what makes me think that perhaps we do for BOB?

I have an even more basic question - what is BOB and how does it work?  I can't seem to find a blurb describing it and its function. :0

Hi Nancy..no you do not have to send the books back once you are done with them. Just like regular PBS transactions the books you recieve through BOB are yours to keep.

Liat..BOB is a subscribtion service PBS offers to allow members to trade books without the use of credits. Once you become a boxer you can browse other boxers shelves and choose books you like and then submit an offer. The other member will then look at your shelf and pick books they like. Once you have both made your selections you mail the books. No credits needed :)

From the help center:

Box-O-Books lets you ship books for less money, and no credits are needed.

Why use Box-O-Books?

• It saves you money!  Sending multiple books in one shipment costs much less in postage than sending single-book shipments.
• It saves you credits!  When you don't have any credits, you can still get books!
• This service is especially useful to new members; they can swap whole boxes of books with other Boxers, thereby replenishing their library while waiting for their newly posted books to be requested and earn them credits.
• Box-O-Books is the only way that PBS members are permitted to swap "books-for-books" without using credits.

Box-O-Books is a paid subscription feature at PBS

•  Enrollment in Box-O-Books  is $8.00 per year
  • Box-O-Books can be purchased in the PBS Kiosk.
• There is no limit on the number of Box-O-Books swaps you can conduct in a year

I looked at the instructions, but I'm still a bit confused.  Do you click "add" to all the books you're interested in and then it sends them an email with all those books that you'd like?  Or do you email them first and ask them how many books should we trade, and then start picking them out?

Nancy,

You "add" the books you want and the system will notify the other member that they have a BOB offer. After they add their books, you will get a system email notifying you. The emails will come to each member every step of the way, then you just click on Pending transactions to make up-dates to the transaction.

ETA: Don't forget to click "Save" when you are done with your choices.

I Love Boxing!!!

Adding a side note:  After the boxes have books, the other member may remove a book from your box if it is unavailable for some reason/they cannot find it.  Adding and removing books can happen from both ends until both members accept the offer.  Anytime someone amends the trade an email notifies the other member.  It's a very easy process.  Also, you can decline any offers if they don't have anything you want.  Likewise, they can decline yours.  Boxing will build your TBR and credit reserve super fast.

Nancy there is a tutorial in the Help Center.  It's even broken down into sections.

• Box-O-Books Tutorial
• Box-O-Books Tutorial Step 3: Getting a Box-O-Books Offer
• Box-O-Books Tutorial Step 4: Boxer Negotiation
• Box-O-Books Tutorial Step 1: finding books to request
• Box-O-Books Tutorial Step 2: Making a Box-O-Books Offer

I'm a new boxer.  I've already done some trades.  I have to admt it was kinda confusing at first but like the others have said you get emails and your page is set up to help you along the way. it's fun looking at other boxers shelves.  I think it's worth the $8 a year.