I requested a wishlist book on August 1,2015 from another member. I received the book in the mail on August 5,2015. I noticed when I received the book that the spine on the front inside cover was exposed and pulling away from the book. I marked the book as RWAP damaged by sender as the envelope was in perfect shape with no damage. here is the communication between me and the sender.

Molly:

hi *****
thanks so much for sending this my nieces can't wait to read this series. when I opened the book I noticed that the spine is coming away from the pages and you can see the inner spine of the book. I am sure you didn't see this before you sent it to me or you wouldn't have sent it to another member as this is against the rules of PBS. because of this damage I cannot repost this book when my nieces are finished reading it. thanks again for sending this book.

Sender's Response:

Hi Molly!

I think I would like the book sent back to me. Once I receive it back I will refund your credit.

My address is:

Thanks,****

Molly:

I am also glad to show you pictures of the damage I have mentioned in case you want proof of it. like I said I don't know what since it looks like the spine came apart from the inner edge of the book. here is a link to the pictures of the book.

http://s882.photobucket.com/user/Molly_Mierzwa/library/?sort=3&page=1

you might have to copy and paste it into your browser to view them.

I also sent her a pm letting her know what PBS rules about situations like this.

here are the PBS rules in regard to a matter like this.


A requestor says there is a problem with a book I sent!

Remember that the requestor is not required to send a problem book back at his or her expense. The sender of a problem book does risk losing credit, book and postage; this is the incentive not to send problem books.
•If you want a problem book back you can provide a stamped, self-addressed envelope to the requestor by snail mail (or you can give the requestor an extra Book Credit to compensate for postage, if both of you agree on that).
•Refund and postage compensation must be completed first - before the requestor returns the book (= it is not OK to wait to refund credit until getting a problem book back in the mail, or to expect the requestor to send the book back before getting postage compensation as described above).
please let me know if you agree to this.


Molly

sender's response

Hi Molly!

I have tried on a few occasions to open the link you provided, however, it just will not open for me.

Molly:

*****

highlight the link and copy then paste it into your browser and it should let you view the pictures.


Molly

the last communication I had with this member was on August 9,2015. I have never gotten my credit  back for this damaged book. I am just wondering how long do I have to keep this damaged book? I mean do I have to keep this damaged book in the hopes that this member with someday response to me or can I get rid of it? any advice in this matter is appreciated as I have way too many books that are in awesome/very good shape and very little extra space for books that can't be reposted.

Just tell her that if she doesn't return the credit by 9/?/2015, that you'll just mark the transaction as unresolved and you'll toss the book. If she wants the book back, then she'll have to send you another credit.
 

thanks for the great advice.

well I heard back from this member this morning she was finally able to view the pictures through the link  and she is claiming that the book was in perfect condition when she sent it out. from the pictures it is obvious to me who took said pictures 5 min after taking the book out of the package that the book's spine was damaged before being mailed. the member has refused to refund my credit for this damaged book and is blaming the post office for the damage to the book spine. so I guess I am out a credit and the request is being marked unresolved.

That's a shame, sorry you didn't get your credit back.  I hate when that happens.

 Sorry this happened to you. You did the best thing by marking it unresolved.

I just sent you a credit. No need to repay. Enjoy.

well I heard back from this member this morning she was finally able to view the pictures through the link  and she is claiming that the book was in perfect condition when she sent it out.

It is possible that mailing can cause spine damage, especially in cases where hardcover books are loosely wrapped. All it would take is a book being tossed in a mailing bin, or dumped on a mailing belt, and the package landing on it's edge such that the spine twists sharply.

I've had old book spines crack in half in my hand as I was checking the book before emailing. If a spine is brittle, it could easily pass a "pre-mailing" inspection but break during rough mail handling.

I don't know about your book specifically, but it's not impossible for that to happen.