Hi everyone!  Just wanted to post this here and ask your opinions.  This is the 2nd  PM I've received from the same member (who shall remain nameless) asking for books for no credits.  It's not that I mind if someone asks for a deal, I realize I am not obligated, but this just seems overly rude.  I have not responded to either PM at this point.  What do you think of this?  Am I being too sensitive?

That is a little weird. I'd just tell them I couldnt afford to send books out for free but when she gets credits she can come back and check out my shelf.

If this is a second request, I'd tell him/her quite frankly that you're not going to send books for free. I'd also  point out that there are often free books available in the Book Bazaar and to have a look there.

Sheesh! How many books were asked for? Looks like about 10?! Unbelievable.

I would politely PM her saying basically what Chris said.  Maybe tell her that you'll consider a deal when she gets some credits.  You can suggest to her to run a deal herself to earn some credits.  I would also politely remind her that this is the 2nd time she's asked and to please stop asking you for free books.  My guess is you're not the only one she's made this request to either. If she keeps asking you, you can report her to PBS who will gently ask her to stop asking people for free books.

wow, that is very brazen!  I would never ask for free books, a deal sure but not for free

Wow, I think I would be offended.   I have joked around with people in the swaps about books they have or have won and sending them to me but for a credit, not for free.  Geez......

I agree with Chris and Mary.  Postage is too expensive but when he/she has credits come back and see what is available.

Crikey! Nothing like going begging, eh? I think I would have been a bit....terse....in my response. That is, if I'd managed to read the whole PM and even bothered to respond....no punctuation or capital letters would drive me right up a tree and I'd probably have not gotten beyond the first line and would have just deleted it.

Cheryl

You know, looking at that PM again.... I'm wondering if it was written by a minor?

I'd just ignore it.   You certainly don't owe her/him an answer.  Then I'd just delete any other PM's from them.  I wouldn't waste any time or energy or thought on it.

I thought the same thing Jane. 

I'd be looking at their profile to determine if they are a newbie. If they are, I would shoot off a message to the site or at least to the tour guides telling them this person might need a gentle explanation of how this site is supposed to work...

She doesn't have a profile that I can view.  I wondered how long she had been around too.  The 1st PM I got from her was about a month or 2 ago.  I ignored that one because it kinda bugged me then.  Then when I got another PM from her I was stunned.  I really wouldn't have minded her asking for a deal but I'm not sending them out for free!  Thanks for the support.  I was wondering if I was just being a prude!

Wow--that is so out of line.  I can see asking for a deal, but to ask for free books, and a lot of them at that--is downright rude.  I also think you should PM back saying how each book is 1 credit, and that credits can be purchased from the kiosk or the book bazaar.

You could send her a note saying that she can usually get credits for less than the kiosk charges in the bazaar.  I'll sell her some myself for $3 each, though I would have to see the Pay Pal payment come through, or do it with a money order---I'd be reluctant to accept this person's check until after it had cleared!

I received a very similar email when I posted a deal on my shelf!  I thought it was a bit amazing.  If I decide to give them away, I'll be GIVING them away--not spending money to mail them to someone.

I think I replied with a "Sorry, I don't ship books for free. I expect deals to save me on shipping while saving others on credits." and didn't hear anything back.

I considered adding "if u get any credits keep in mind i have books you are interested in" but didn't.

I would be hesitant to trade with this person even if they later offer you some credits for your books. They could "forget" to mark the books received and have the system declare them lost. Then they have your books and their credits back. I would not trust them further than I could throw them.

Yuck.  That is so uncool and so against the intent of the site.

Hmmm this sounds familiar.

heres what I got....

I would love to help you clean off ur bookshelf but I don't have any points, if u decide to give them away please keep in mind that I am interested in the following books:

fashionistas
friday night cocktails
still thinking of you
they're not your friends

I guess they do this alot.  I just ignore them.  

First of all they are NOT "points"--does she know where she is? Tell her to get lost--why be polite? You guys are too nice....

Tell her to get lost--why be polite?

Because those are the rules of the site (and of life). There's no reason to be rude. "No thank you" is perfectly sufficient and appropriate.

Pretty ballsy!  If more than one person is getting these pm's, I would report them.

I'm afraid my response would be along the lines of:

Thanks so much for your interest in my shelf.  I do in fact give a number of books away.  You can find them at the Goodwill store located on North Midway Road in Dallas, Tx.

It would probably be helpful to shoot this info up to the PBS Team (contact the PBS team, in the Help Center.)  They can determine if she's sending a whole bunch of these, and explain to her about site ethics and the spam rule.  I'd hate for a brand new member to receive something like that and figure that the site is a scam. 

The person in question (I confirmed the OP and I had PM's from the same member) is no longer an account holder.

Good!  Hopefully it's permanent.