Sigh,

I have 2 Box-of-Books Swaps (two different boxers) that were listed and agreed to in November. I purchased delivery confirmations for both. I mailed both boxes before the end of November. As of January 1, neither member has mailed their boxes, and neither member has marked that they have received mine. However, my DC notes says that BOTH have reached their final destinations.

I have written several PMs to both members. One has answered,  but with a "whatever" attitude.

How do I go about getting help with this problem? I haven't been able to locate an answer on the "helps" page. And how can I avoid a similar problem in the future?

Thanks for listening,

AlamoLiz

contact R &R - they might be able to help.

Yes, contact R&R. They may contact the members to prompt them to honor the trade in order to keep their membership. Also, a PM requesting a response MUST be answered so the one that has not responded will be earn that member a double black mark against their account. Hopefully the transactions will be honored.

I wish R &R would make a rule for the BOB ; that the person who first initiates the swap should have to mail the books out first.  I also think DC numbers should be requred for the BOB swap. I only swap five books at the most now. Still thats 5 credits and the cost of postage lost if we don't get our books.

I'm just curious Liz, you said one person responded with a "whatever" attitude--what did they say?  Did they deny receiving your books yet?

I used to love BOB but it started to become a hassle contacting people to find out when the books would finally be mailed. I have mine on hold for weeks. I really liked it but not the hassle. I'm not sure what the answer is though.

On one of the swaps, I accepted the swap proposed on Nov. 24, and I mailed it on Nov. 27. They accepted it on Nov. 25, but have not mailed it yet. It was a thin paperback that she specifically requested, and I mailed it first class, but without a DC. This swapper says she has not received the book.

On the second swap, I accepted on Nov. 27, and I mailed on Nov. 29. They accepted it on Nov. 27, printed a DC on Dec. 4, but as of now, they still have not mailed it, and the DC has not yet been activated. This was a big swap ( 16 books in each box ).

Since November, I have purchased a DC on almost EVERY transaction I've been in. I've only had one BOB swap lost prior to this, about a year ago, and it cost me about $50 worth of like-new books & postage. The member dropped out of sight after receiving my box. :-(

Still --- BOB is a great concept and worth the pocket change in belonging. I can't imagine being a PBS member without it!

AlamoLiz

I love being a BOB member too but I have also began using DC on all transactions and have one BOB pending (Since August) that I sent 5 books too and they marked them received but still haven't mailed the books. :( I guess that's just what happens sometimes. I'm sorry this happened to you and I hope you get it worked out!

I used to be a bob member. I also with DC was required for bob.

I too have found some people to be more lax with bob's than with 'regular' transactions.  late mailings and late markings of received.  I have put my bob's on hold at times to take a break from it due to that.  It is amazing to me that someone who initiates a bob would be so rude as to not follow thru' in a timely matter. 

I got burned on a bob swap too. I lost 3 almost new books that I could have used to get credits.. so, I wasn't happy. I haven't done one since. Not worth my time.. too many thieves out there. Sorry you got burned too.