I just posted a hardcover book that I received for Christmas. The book itself is in excellent condition. The dust jacket is also in good condition except that it has a small water stain in one corner. If the book is requested, I plan to send it without the dust jacket to avoid a RWAP. However, I was wondering about sending a PM to the requestor explaining the small stain on the dust jacket and ask if they want me to include it or would it be better to just play it safe and send the book without the dust jacket?

There is no need to send a PM.  What are you going to do if you send the PM and they never answer?  I'd just send the book without the dust jacket.  They are not required on this site.

PLEASE send the book with the dust jacket. The dust jacket can be in ANY condition (as it is not required in a regular book request).

If the requestor has a RC for dust jackets, in THAT case, you would decline the request because when there is a RC, the dust jacket must follow the book condition guidelines for book covers (no rips over 1 inch, no water damage, etc).

Let the receiver decide if they want the dust jacket. As long as it is not gross in some way (food stains, moldy, etc).

Since many members prefer the DJ, I'll agree with Sara on this one. 

First tho, I would try to pm and make sure to give a date.  Something like, I'm mailing on Saturday if you want/do not want the DJ please reply before that date.  And it might be helpful to mention the PBS rule that DJs are not required for postability, but you wish to give the receiver the choice to request yours with minor damage.

Thanks Sara and Denise,

I had read through the Help Docs but misunderstood them to mean that if a dust jacket (regardless of RCs) is included it must meet book conditions. I too prefer having dust jackets and really wouldn't want to send the book without it.

I would not bother with the PM, just send the book with the dust jacket. In my experience, when you PM you potentially open up a can of worms of them not seeing the PM, etc.

If you PM then you have to decide who should cancel if they dont' want the book.  If it's WL and you cancel then you can't repost the book until they get a copy or put up a DJ RC.  Or it'll just offer it to the same person again. If they cancel they lose their place in line.  If it isn't a WL book and you cancel then you  have to wait at the end of hte FIFO line again.

I would just decline an RC for dust jackets and send the book w/the dust jacket to someone with no RC.  I don't PM about postable books.