I just received a book and not sure if it was postable.  The cover has all kinds of creases and also a small rip in the corner.  Before I post a book I will hold it in between my hands and place spine side on the table, I then let it go if it opens to the middle I know the spine is broken and I will not post it.  This book does have a broken spine and also a few pages that look to be coming lose.  I do know that I will not re post it . Should I request my credit back????

Items that caught my eye:

1.  Tear or cut in cover - unpostable if over 1" long. 

2.  Loose pages are unpostable - pages must be entirely attached (example, cannot be loose on the top inch or 2 of the page).

3.  I'm not sure your spine test is accurate.  PBS guidelines state that if a book falls open to a particular page, that does not make it unpostable.  There must be a clear seperation from top to bottom (not merely pinholes or a few gaps).

Denise is right, the book falling open to a certain page does not make it unpostable.  There does seem to be some controversy/common misconceptions about what a broken spine is, but it is NOT that it falls open to a certain page.

A small tear in the cover is Ok as long as it is less than 1 inch long.

Pages that "look like" they are coming loose?  Not sure what you mean about this one.  Loose pages are not OK.  However, it seems as if you may be unsure due to the binding problem?

If the tear is less than 1 inch and the pages are not loose, then the book was postable.  Hope that helps!

What Sheila said.

I have a feeling it's one of those books that would fall into a grey area for me: I wouldn't feel right marking it RWAP, but I wouldn't post it either.

I agree with caviglia comments. 

At some point a book has to stop with one member when it crosses from being postable to non-postable. Sounds like the journey has ended for that book.   I woudn't mark it RWAP, but I wouldn't post it either. 

I will just mark the book received and will not re post it.  It is a book I had planned on putting on my keeper shelf ( Diane Chamberlain ) all her books to me are keepers.  Since it was a wish list book I will put it back on my wish list and hope the next one is in better condition.

  Thank you all for your help

Perhaps you could add an RC stating that you are looking to keep books by that particular author and would like a copy in good or better condition.  Something along those lines, maybe.  I know some say that good may be subjective so play around with the wording.  Just a suggestion.

+1 to what Priscilla said.  I've done that with one series: my RC requests "... please include book covers for _____ series hardbacks by ____ author."  , so all are coming very nicely presentable for DD's permanent bookshelf ... and I am saving roughly $160 on 7 books.

What Priscilla said +2

I've noticed that I'm becoming an RC nazi, but I still have to say Kimberly N's is clear to me (I think listing the intent goes a long ways to making it understandable).