Hi Everyone,

Wanted to ask people's opinion on this.  Please see the pictures to understand the question.

http://img192.imageshack.us/i/img2086t.jpg/

http://img295.imageshack.us/i/img2087e.jpg/

I received this book and I think this qualifies as a "separated" spine, which is a no-no according to PBS rules.  Should I mark this as RWAP ?  And if so, can anyone share their experiences on doing such- did you have any issues with the sender claiming s/he was not at fault? or getting a credit refund? etc...?

Thanks for your thoughts, Edwardw

Definately mark it RWAP.  The help docs say that the binding must be intact, which it obviously isn't.

Yes Edward, that is a cleaved spine and therefore unpostable.  Carefully check the rest of the book, older books sometimes have brittle glue.  If the book is not packaged firmly, the stress of Media Mail on old glue can sometimes cause book damage. 

If I'm sending a book that concerns me, I sometimes wrap it in plastic then secure it firmly with a couple wraps of packing tape before applying the outer maililng wrapper (with more tape).  This supports the spine, and IMO minimizes possible damage.

Sender issues regarding refunds tends to vary alot from member to member.  But a polite pm often gets things off to a good start and clears the matter up quickly.

Edward there are differences of opinion on this subject...see the following topic (RWAP? Broken spine) It is not an automatic RWAP as some would have you think.

This book could easily fall into the category of "If the book tends to open at a particular page, this is OKAY."   To quote Melanie D, just in case you don't go to the above link...."I actually believe this is a gray area in the separation issue that has been hashed out in the forums over and over. All pages are intact (meaning not separating from the book) and they are all still attached to the books binding. After watching many discussions about this in the forums, I believe this falls more into second line of the HC "If the book tends to open at a particular page, this is OKAY". I would never send one out like that, but I also wouldn't mark one RWAP. That is just my opinion, but I think the opinions run the whole spectrum on this topic." 

So, look again at the book, are the pages securely attached if so then per the Team it would appear that the book is postable.

Christy +1.

It's too late for this, but if I was the Poster, I would have PMd the potential recipient with a description of the book's condition.  Most of the time I do this, the recipient still wants the book and we are both satisfied with the ensuing transaction. 

I also think it is RWAP. The spine is broken in half with paper holding it together. (at least, that is how it looks in your pictures).

Regarding your PM, be as polite as possible and give the links to the pictures.

There is separation in the binding -- it is RWP.  Edward, there is some suggested wording in the Help Center documents that might make your letter writing easier.

Yes, cleaved spine.

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for the opinions.  I think it is a separated/cleaved spine as well.  Just to assuage some thoughts that this is might just be "the book opening up to a page" see the following picture:

http://img686.imageshack.us/img686/955/img2112n.jpg

This is another shot taken from the book.  It happens that this is a page the book tends to open up to.  On closer inspection, you will see "pin-hole" cracks in the spine here.  I think this is the reason why the book tends to open up to this page.

The reason why I post this picture is b/c I am OK with this issue.  I read the rules on posting and noted that books that exhibit this issue are still considered postable.  However, the pictures I posted of the separated spine are a different issue.  My interpretation of the rules suggest that this makes this book un-postable.  I just wanted to make sure other people were in agreement with me here since I have never RWAP before.

Thanks for your comments.  I will be marking RWAP.  Edward

Yeah if the pages were falling out I would RWAP it... the busted spine is not a deal breaker for me. Good luck with your groovy, cook book is it? :)

Just wanted to update everyone on the RWAP process.

The woman was actually very understanding about my dismay, though she did indicate that she did not know there was a cleaved spine in the book to begin with.  Anyways, she returned my credit just like that.  I asked her if she wanted me to send the book back to her (on her dime, of course) and she said that she would consider it.  But she never got back to me on sending it back to her.  The aftermath is a bit ironic b/c I am not using the cook book (yes it was a cook book :-) since I do not want to wreck it any further in the event the woman decides she wants it back one day!  So it's like I still don't have this book, even though I technically have it in my possession!

Edward

Edward, the book is yours to do with as you want.  If she did not tell you at the time she wanted it back she can't and won't come back a couple weeks later and say she wants it back and even if she does, if you want to keep the book it is yours.

I agree the book is yours; feel free to start clipping the recipes you want to use. I put the recipes that I always go to time and again into a magnetic page photo album. They aren't good for photos , but they are great for recipes