I RWAPed a book I received and asked for a credit back.

Sender responded the same day, saying it was a "perfectly readable book" and then admitting to the damage. She then said she'd refund the credit as soon as I confirmed that I have mailed the book back to her.

I then explained that, per PBS rules, she must send me two credits (one to cover return postage) if she wants the book back.

I haven't heard from her.

How many days should I wait before taking this to the Powers? I have her admittance of damage in writing and I've been told PBS will step in in this case.

Yes, under those conditions TPTB will often step in if the sender doesn't do the right thing.  It's not a fast process tho, the few times I've done this enough time lapsed it seems PBS attempts to contact the person and gives time/days for them to reply or correct the situation themselves.  Not finding the exact time recommended to wait, but IIRC it's...5 days?  AND remember to check your Credit Registry before contacting TPTB, it's common for the other member to just transfer the credit without any notification or pm.

It's my understanding that you notify her/him (which you've done) that you'd like your credit back.  They've said they want the book back (which you're not obligated to return).  You've said that in order to get the book back they need  to send you two credits - one for the RWAP and one for the return of the book.  Then you wait 5-7 days for a response.  If they don't respond, you send another PM telling them that you've not received a response  and if you don't hear  back within XXX days (usually 2-3) then you will mark it unresolved, and notify TPTB.  HTH - Pat

It's kind of hit or miss as to whether or not TPTB will actually step in and help in getting your credit refunded for an unpostable book once you've followed the correct steps for the RWAP. I've had them help me once before, but recently when I sent them a copy of a PM message where the sender clearly admitted to knowing the book was unpostable when she sent it, TPTB simply stated that they were sorry for the inconvenience, but that they wouldn't get involved.

They may just send her a reminder to respond.

Anyways, good luck!

she responded and she has denied my request for a refund saying that my claim of stains and cleaved spines fall under a gray area.

Sorry this happened to you. I would just mark it unresolved and move on.

These Guidelines are not suggestions.  They are criteria to which all books Posted here MUST comply. (stated by PBS in swappability of books)

There are no gray areas when it comes to stains (except cookbooks) and cleaved spines. It sounds like the sender is trying to dupe you out of your credit. She's admitted that the book was stained. In order to stop her from sending more books to other members that she knows are stained or whatever, you should inform the PBS team of her admissions. I've had this experience before and ONLY because the sender admitted sending an unpostable book did the PBS get involved and resolved the problem with the sender returning my credit.

I don't know why but it seems like the "current" request (demand) from senders who are posting unpostable books are that the book be sent back before they return the credit. Even after reminding them that they would have to send you 2 credits by showing them the rules regarding this, they refuse to do it.

There are no gray areas when it comes to stains (except cookbooks) and cleaved spines.

Actually, unless the sender admits that pages were falling out of the book, I don't think they will become involved with "cleaved spine" arguments (there is no use nor definition of the word "cleaved spine" in the rules) because that is one big gray area. It will be a judgement call, which they cannot make without seeing the book. Looking at the pictures in CMT, the first picture is a postable image (a book can fall open to a certain page and pinhole cracks are ok); the second will be argued between sender and receivable and the Team's guideline has been "all pages fully intact" which the pages look to be so even though its a crappy book to send, I'd probably say postable; only when you get to the 3rd image on binding do you get to absolutely, without a doubt, unpostable because pages are coming out. Of course the Team never looks at pictures - they don't become that involved in RWAP arguments - so I think the sender would have to admit pages are falling out to get the Team to return a credit based on just a binding argument.

Stains and writing will likely be the area that you will need to place you argument to get the credit back since there is no judgement call there - none allowed at all and the member admitted to both of those in the correspondance.