For the first time I received a book that was damaged. The spine is tearing away from the pages and there is maybe a quarter inch still attached before the hardback cover falls off. I reported the problem yesterday and have no heard back. As this is my first time dealing with this, have you found that PBS members are usually willing to accept fault and credit back, or am I in for a fight? I hate confrontation but I want my credit back. This book isn't in PBS condition nor is it in the condition I asked for. 

It depends.

I have found that overall, problems are pretty rare. Some I have let go, and some I have marked RWAP on. Of the ones where I request a credit back, I usually get it.

But I know lots of people have stories about someone they have dealt with who was less than nice about it, or even extremely rude about it.

I think in general, most of the members here are very nice. But you never know, you may get a grumpy one. And, there is really no telling what you will get until you get a response to your message.

Good luck, hope you get a good member.

I'm sorry this happened to you. Give the sender time to respond. I just had to RWAP a book. I asked for my credit back (who wants to spend a credit for an unpostable book). This was at the beginning of the month. I haven't heard from the sender and I'll wait until sometime this next week. If I don't hear from them, I'll send FB to the admin team and then just mark it as unresolved. There's not much else we can do about them.

Mary, I just sent you a credit. No need to return it, just pay it forward

Wow! Thanks, Amber! I hate to admit it, but even the cost of credits is a lot for our family budget right now. LOL It means a lot to me that you'd do that. I'll be sure to pay it forward! 

I've swapped 9 of my own books and received a ton of books as well and this is my first issue. I just LOVE PBS! It's a really great site! 

You're welcome.

Welcome to PBS, Mary!

I've had few RWAP situations, but thanks to some great suggestions here, now when I have to mark a RWAP I include a picture of the damage in the original message.  (I upload a pic onto Flickr and put a link to it in the message.)  It makes sense to me that it would be harder for the sender to argue if the evidence is right there in front of them.  I've only had to do it a couple of times, but received the credit back each time with no problem.

Happy trading.... May many wonderful books be in your future!

Could go either way Mary.  But you should give it at lease 3 days before stressing as the other member may be out of town or busy with summer and/or back to school stuff. 

Site guidelines highly encourage discussion of problem transactions (even if a resolution cannot be reached).  So if they do not respond at all, after 5 days you can refer the matter to PBS admin.  But check your credit registry before taking additional action, some members return the credit without sending a pm or any other contact.

Mary,

Ive been a member for a while now and the first  ( and only  time)  I ever marked a book RWAP  was a few months back. She never gave me a credit back.

but , I I guess that depends on the person. Sorry I cant be more help.  and welcome to PBS!  

You're not talking about a hollow back binding, right?

http://pinknantucketpress.wordpress.com/2012/08/07/anatomy-of-the-book-some-binding-styles/

Pic is near the bottom.

Just making sure.

It really depends on who the sender is.  I have had a few people be very nice and just apologize for not checking well enough and return the credit with no questions asked.  I've also had people get really snarky about my expecting "perfect books", but usually just restating the rules and ignoring the snark works well for that.

ETA:  If they get mean or rude, just restate the rules again, say how the book didn't mean them.  And then give them a deadline to give you the credit back or you'll mark it unresolved.  Very polite and nice, but saying this is how it is.  I have found that works pretty well and seen others suggest it.