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Topic: Heavy book Q

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lilome avatar
Subject: Heavy book Q
Date Posted: 8/19/2011 1:18 AM ET
Member Since: 12/15/2009
Posts: 10
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I have a book I want to post.  I believe it is a popular book and will be requested upon listing.  It is heavier than the average book and I will be out quite a bit more in shipping costs.  Is there any way to post it differently so that I can request more credits for it as a way to make it worth listing?  Any suggestions otherwise?

Thanks!
vampsita avatar
Date Posted: 8/19/2011 1:31 AM ET
Member Since: 1/23/2009
Posts: 3,041
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From the Help Center:

 

  • One credit = 1 (bound) book.
  • Each time another member receives a book from you, you receive a credit in return. (Two credits if it is an audio book.)
  • You then use your credits to request books from other members.
  • Credits may be purchased in the Kiosk.

It doesn't matter if the book you are going to send out will cost you more than other books; you still will only receive ONE credit for it. If you offer it somewhere else and ask for more than one credit, this is a violation of the PBS rules.

Also from the Help Center:

 

Can I offer/ask more credits (more than PBS 'price') for a book?

No.

  • A bound book "costs" 1 credit at PBS (no exceptions)

  • An audiobook "costs" 2 credits at PBS 

    • some "children's-length" audiocassette items cost 1 credit each

Offering to "pay" (or asking a requestor to "pay"--see below) more than "PBS price" for a book is not permitted. 

Why?

  • If the book is Wishlisted, offering more than the PBS "price" for the book may allow members to leapfrog over others in the Wish List for the book. This obviously is not fair.
  • Even if the book is not Wish Listed, a "free market" system could lead to "bidding" for a book, and auctions are NOT permitted on PBS.
  • One reason is that auctions are subject to state laws, and as PBS members belong to various states, this could be illegal.
  • The other reason is that we want all members to have a fair chance to get books on PBS.  Pitting those who have lots of credits to spare against those who don't have a lot of credits at the time goes against the very spirit of PBS--the fair sharing of books. Everybody equal.

Asking for more than "PBS price" for a book is considered bookselling

  • Bookselling is not permitted at PBS
  • If you feel that your book is too valuable (or too costly to ship) to be swapped for "PBS price", you should not Post it here.
  • If this is a matter of postage cost (your book is heavy), remember that you can also request a "heavy" book with the credit you get for sending yours--so it all evens out.
FlouncePony avatar
Friend of PBS-Silver medal
Date Posted: 8/19/2011 1:47 AM ET
Member Since: 12/31/2009
Posts: 3,995
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media mail rates:

 

Weight

 

Price

1 lb

$2.41

2 lb

$2.82

3 lb

$3.23

4 lb

$3.64

5 lb

$4.05

10 lb

$6.04

20 lb

$9.94 

 

 

 

 

The difference in shipping price between 1lb and 3lbs (which is a pretty heavy book) is 82 cents. That seems like a good value to me. It's also quite a bit lower than the current going price for a credit in the book bazaar, which is around 2.50-3.00.

 
kontessa avatar
Date Posted: 8/19/2011 12:03 PM ET
Member Since: 1/1/2009
Posts: 1,924
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 The theory around not being concerned over mailing heavy books is book Karma, you may want a heavy book at some point and wouldn't it be sad if it was not posted because of the less than a dollar more that it costs to ship? 1 credit for 1 Book is the rule (OR a better lower offer in the book bizaar) and it is a great system.
Generic Profile avatar
Date Posted: 8/19/2011 12:13 PM ET
Member Since: 1/8/2009
Posts: 2,016
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Is it wish listed? if so, you can try offering it in the WL multiples thread in the book bazaar.

How much does the book weight? I think the previous posters have already pointed out it might not be that much more.
lilome avatar
Date Posted: 8/19/2011 12:48 PM ET
Member Since: 12/15/2009
Posts: 10
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Jennifer, Thanks for the quick reply!

Thanks Lisa for the reality check :) Yes it does appear to not be that much more to ship which is a relief to know!

Kim~ Very true, it *could* happen I guess :)

Sophia, I had no idea about the WL thread in the Book bazaar.  I am fairly new here and someone had just told me about the book bazaar, but I have no idea where it is.  Directions?

Thanks everyone for the fast reply!
Generic Profile avatar
Date Posted: 8/19/2011 1:18 PM ET
Member Since: 1/8/2009
Posts: 2,016
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In the book bazaar, there's a monthly thread called "WL multiples"

In my signature there's a link to my post in this month's thread.

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