I have a book that is on several members wish lists.  But it is a hardcover, oversized (read heavy here) book.  How can I see how many credits it's worth?  I don't want to spend a bundle on shipping when all I receive are paperbacks, you know what I mean?

It's worth one credit.  Wish it was more, I feel the same way, (because they cost me alot more)  but all books are worth one credit. I mail out about 60% hardbound books and it's not really much more than the paperback if you go media mail. 

All books are worth 1 credit, audiobooks are 2 credits.  From the Help Center:

On PBS all bound books are created equal. paperback and hardcover books of all types are worth one credit each. audio books are worth two credits each. We currently have no plans to change the "pricing structure".

• Yes, hardcovers can be more expensive to send
  • they are generally larger and heavier than paperbacks
  • but some paperbacks are larger/heavier than some hardbacks.
• The complexity of pro-rating book "cost" by weight would complicate what we want to be a simple process.
  • We think ease of swapping is of paramount importance.
• If you want to receive a hardcover in return for each hardcover you send out:
  • You can always limit your requests to hardcovers only.
  • That way, you will not be spending more in postage than the senders spend to send you the books you want.

As far as we are concerned, a book is a book! A book that you no longer want is swapped for a book you want--it's all good!

You can weigh the book and then check the postage rate on the USPS website.  I mailed a huge/heavy cookbook one time and the postage was only a little over $3. More than what I could buy a credit for-but the book was just collecting dust in my pantry and it made someone happy.  Plus I used that credit to get a book that will actually get used.  And if you do some shopping in the book bazaar you can turn that credit into 3 or 4 books.  Unless it's a rare/out of print type book-you'd probably only get a dollar or two if you traded it into a UBS or sold it in a garage sale.

I don't want to spend a bundle on shipping when all I receive are paperbacks, you know what I mean?

This is a postal rate chart on PBS. Since media mail prices go up by 39cents in pound increments, it's usually not sure more (or about the same) to send a paperback vs hardcover. Since you are in control of deciding how to spend your credits, you can also stick to requesting hardcovers so it all evens out if you are that concerned.

http://www.paperbackswap.com/help/help_item.php?id=515

Ooops forgot about audiobooks.  Should have mentioned that they are 2 credits my bad.  I can't do audiobooks, they make me fall asleep.  LOL

I am the other way around quite a bit of the time.  I send out Hubby's paperbacks and get back hardbacks for me.. 

I have a nephew that always requests gift money for audio books to download.  I can't listen to audio books.  I'm glad to find out I'm not the only one...I thought I was just weird.

All books are only worth one credit.

What you can do to save on shipping is use the "Multiple WIshlist Books" thread (or something similar) in the Book Bazaar. You can list as many wishlist books as you want in the thread there and stipulate you will only accept offers for X number of books to one ship to. That way you get a credit for each one, BUT save on shipping by sending them all to the same person.