Hi,

I just received this wishlist book:

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Organizing Your Life
Author: Georgene Lockwood
ISBN-13: 9780028610900 - ISBN-10: 0028610903

The book has writing in pencil and underlining in red pen through out the book on the text pages.  This book does not have fill in the blank workbook pages.  The previous owner just wrote notes by the text on the pages.  

I know that books are unpostable with underlining or writing on text pages (exception for Textbooks/Workbooks and travel guidebooks.)

This book is a "guide" but not a travel guide and it is not a text/workbook so I am confused on if this will be postable later when I am finished with it.  Please let me know what you think.  Thank you.

Sabrina

If they did not get your OK prior to sending it with writing in it, it is RWAP regardless of the definition of a textbook/workbook. That exception REQUIRES the sender to have PRIOR APPROVAL to send a book with writing or highlighting in it. If they didn't get it, you can RWAP-damaged by sender.

As for the definition of a textbook/workbook, if you look in the Help Center (What is the definition of a textbook?) it says that any book can be considered a textbook/workbook and posted under those exceptions, as long as the exception requirements are followed and the receiver's approval is gotten before sending the book.

Thank you...I just hate to complain.  I have had 16 books arrive that are unpostable. (Water damage, heavy stains, mold/mildew, missing or loose pages, and now I can add writing/underlining to the list.)  Out of 200+ book trades, on two websites, within the last 2 months, I am not sure what is normal...I am under 10% on unpostable books.  I do not know why traders mail damaged books.  Then I feel bad having to complain.    I am totally fine to offer digital photos of the damage but no one has needed them.  Most of the traders are nice about it and have fixed things.  (I have had only 1 swap unresolved.)  I love this site and have made some wonderful friends.  It is great that we can chat and share our love of books.

Sabrina 

If you don't report them they are just going to stay on the site and in all likelihood keep making the same mistake (sending unpostable books). Don't think of it as complaining, think of it as quality control.

That's exactly how I see it too Liesl. :) If the members didn't pay attention to the rules regarding book condition, the only way they'll learn is if they get RWAPed. Otherwise, they will keep posting bad books!

She just messaged me the famous line:

"I received the book in a trade and it did not affect my ability to read and enjoy the book."

I swear, I am going to put this on a T-shirt...I wonder how many traders of damaged books say that line? 

I would just answer her back:

"I am so happy that the writing did not affect your enjoyment of the book. However, it will affect my enjoyment greatly, and as it is also against PBS rules to send books with writing in them, I would like my credit back."

Sabrina, I'm PMing you.

If the sender admitted in the PM that she knew she was breaking the rules by posting that book, then you can go ahead and send an email with the contents of her PMs in an email to the PBS Team.

Here is an update for those that are interested.  The transaction has been resolved and I did get my credit back.  I am happy to say that I was polite through all of the messages but I was a little sarcastic at the end...I know that was not very "adult" of me but she was rude through most of the messages.  It took a lot to smile and type a friendly message back each time.

Here is her last note after she contacted PBS because she did not believe me about PBS's guidelines:
I am refunding the credit for the book, "The Complete Idiots Guide to Organizing Your Life" as you claim it is not repostable. As you pointed out several times you are not required to send the book back,so please keep the book and I hope you enjoy it, According to PBS "your account can be reviewed for problem swapping", I am sure this includes members that claim books are not acceptable and then keeps the books. I hope you are satisified with the refund and will register the solution.

Here is my last reply:
Thank you and I have marked "Sender has resolved the problem" on the transaction. I have no problem with PBS reviewing claims. I am not worried about it. I appreciate PBS's "quality control" on books and members on this web site.

I wanted to thank you all for answering my question and helping me not feel so bad about complaining about receiving an unpostable book.  I did offer to send her the book back but she wanted me to pay for the return shipping and I did not feel that it was fair and asked for her to pay for the return shipping.  I stole your line about "quality control", Liesl W. (surrealthemuse) I hope that you don't mind.

Sabrina