I got a book (The Book of Lost Things) swapped to me several months ago, and when it arrived, I found that it was a previous library book.  It still had the plastic covering and had a library stamp on and in the book.  It didn't bother me (and I have no restriction on my request list in regards to this).  However, I have read that some people don't like them, so when I listed the book as available, and someone requested it, I accepted the request and then sent a message giving the info about it being a former library book, and if she didn't want it, to let me know.  I got a message today, stating that she was giving the book as a gift, so no, the book wouldn't work for her.  I'm fine with that, and went ahead and cancelled the transaction, giving the reason why.  Fortunately, this book has alot of people wishing for it, so I know I can relist it and be able to swap soon.  But in the event it wasn't, and by me cancelling the transaction, doesn't that basically put my book at the bottom the pile, so to speak?  And if there were 800 copies out there, and I was at 1, now I am 801? If that is the case, if this happens again (and I assume it could with this book, because I will re-list it in a couple of days, and will give the same courtesy to the next person, what is the best way for this to taken care of?  Have the requestor cancel their request, instead of me, or is there another way, without either of us having to give up our place in line. 

I couldn't find a way to notify the requestor without accepting the request first.  And is there a way to list the book as a former library book, so I don't have to send a personal message each time?

I know you guys will have the answer for me-you always do!  Thank you!

Susan

Because the book is a WL book, it would go to the first person waiting in line for the book.  Which would probably be the person you just cancelled for.  What you could do is repost the book, accept it and then send her a PM explaining (again) that the book is an ex-library book.  Then ask her to put an RC on the book stating she does not want an ex-library book.  Then you would cancel the book and repost it again.  When it got posted to her this time, you would simply decline for the RC and the book would be passed to the next person in line.

You could also offer it up in the bazaar (I think) explaining that it is an ex-library book. That way, anyone that responds will be OK with it and you can post it directly to their shelf.

You do not need and nor is it encouraged to PM people about ex-library books. If the requester does not want one, then THEY need an RC. I had a similar thing happen, I PM'd then it was was told nope dont want it. So I contacted TPTB and asked if I should keep doing this or not. I got told NOT and that is why they have RC's on the site.

My advice is to quit PMing about a perfectly postable book. That is what Requester Conditions are for - if they don't want an ex-library book they should have one stating so. If you are going to be PMing asking people if they don't want a postable book you are accepting the responsibility of cancelling and transaction and possibly losing a place in a FIFO line. PBS doesn't have a place to enter condition because there are basic conditions to be met and any books that meet that can be sent without a PM, anyone wanting something else needs an RC in place. 

The only way to not deal with cancelling and reposting is to offer it in the Bazaar but the rules there say we are not supposed to offer postable Wish List books so this one probably technically shouldn't be offered that way.

Just thought I'd add:

Former library books are completely postable here. Stickers, catalog cards, stamps, and all. I post them occasionally and just send them on their way. If a requester does not want a library book, it's their responsibility to have requester conditions set up stating so. PMing is a nice thing to do, but there's a good chance that you'll never get a response and be stuck not knowing what to do. A lot of people just put books on their WL and don't otherwise visit the site regularly.

Melanie beat me to it.

Okay, I get it, stop being nice!  Just kidding... after poking around on the website (right after I posted the question), I double-checked to make sure that library books are acceptable as is, and realized I shouldn't have even mentioned it.  I was assuming (I know, I know) because I was surprised when I got it (but okay with it) I didn't want to get the nasty e-mail when I resent it and someone didn't want it.  I know, you can't make everyone happy.  I will just re-list the book, and if she comes up again as my recipient, I will handle as explained above. 

Thanks for all your help. 

Susan

Add me to the don't PM about a book that is postable group.  It's not your job to see if your book meets with their approval or not.  It's their job to have an RC if they want anything more than what meets the quidelines. Now you have to PM them all over again. This time have them set up an RC saying no ex-library books so you can decline it and move on to the next wisher.

I know it seems like PM'ing about things is "being nice" but really it just causes more potential problems because PBS is based on the FIFO system. What if you PM and don't hear back from the person when you need to mail the book? Ok, send it...and then a day later she PMs back stating, "No, I don't want it." Welll....now what do you do? Or if you haven't sent it, one of you has to cancel the request, and if it's you, you lose your place in the FIFO queue if it's a book without a wishlist. If it's wishlisted, you have to cancel so she doesn't lose her place in line, and then the request goes right back to her when you re-post it. If she doesn't bother to add an RC about the ex-library book when you repost it, you'll be stuck in an endless loop.

The simplest way is to remember that as long as it meets other posting guidelines, ex-library books are perfectly fine by PBS guidelines and it's the responsibility of the requestor to let you know via RC that they don't want them. I've gotten a couple of angry PMs about ex-lib. books from people with no RCs and used it as an educational opportunity by directing them to the sections about them being postable and about RCs, and about why I don't PM ahead of time about postable books.

Cheryl

In this case at least, since you've already communicated via PM, and since she'll likely be the one to get the request if you post it again quickly, you could just PM her again and ask her to put the RC on her request so that you can decline it and it will go to the next person.