If you want a book in brand new condition. BUY IT!

I'm so tired of people requesting conditions that I can't possibly make! Most of my books come from Goodwill, My MIL, or from me.  I can't promise the books will be in pristene condition, geez they are used books!

Wow! People are really fussy at times!  If I were getting those requests... the next person in line would be getting the books.  Most of my books are 10+ years old! Nobody is going to get a NEW book from me! :) As long as they are not written in, I'm happy! :)

Was it actually a request for a "like new" book or was it some other kind of request?

To be honest I hope you're not saying that to people at all. Like you, I'm not a big fan of "brand new" or "like new" RCs and I generally decline them, but those RCs are still completely allowed by PBS. If someone wants to use that RC here and risk getting turned down more often, that's their choice. To actually tell them to go elsewhere for books would be very rude IMO.

ETA I assume you're talking about RCs based on this part: I'm so tired of people requesting conditions that I can't possibly make!

Just because YOU can't meet a Requester Condition doesn't mean that no one on the site can. There is no reason for someone looking for like new books to go elsewhere because there are plenty of them swapped here every day.

Did I day that someone should go elsewhere? No I did not!

"Did I day that someone should go elsewere?  No I did not!" 

Well, your statement, "If you want a book in brand new condition. BUY IT!"  does imply that!!!

Since you can't buy books on PBS, I wouldn't know what else you meant other than they should go somewhere else to get their new books. I realize it's frustrating sometimes if you get a lot of RCs that ask for new or like new books, but I just don't see why it's such a fuss.

Yeah, you lost out on a credit because you can't send your book to that person. But, if it got requested, it's obviously in the front of the FIFO and going to be the next copy requested when someone else wants that title, so you aren't going to sit on it too much longer. So, let them suffer with fewer books coming in, and lots of requests turned down, and know that your book will go to someone else soon.

Since you can't buy books on PBS,

Yes you can, now that they have the PBS Market.

Actually, I am with Gina on this. 

I try to send out very good books and have gotten super paranoid just reading the forums, thinking my books are not good enough.

If I have a doubt, I will not post the book. And that after having received many books that were in less than stellar condition, that went to my works little book library.

But 'like-new' RCs are really getting to me too.  I would decline them too, even if the book was new.  Because I have bought new books, that had stains, bad bindings, bent pages.

Sometimes people read books in book stores, like Borders and then put them back on the shelf.  Even though I buy them for full price, they are not new and have been heavily browsed.

In my opinion that is a good thing, a book well read is a book well loved, and therefore probably a very good book.

Sometimes I really wonder about those bookshelves I see in some people's homes. Fresh, clean unopened books that complement the decor very nicely - not a crease on the spine of any paperback in captivity.

Someone should mention (I'm too shy) that books are for reading. End of story.

The only RC I take seriously is one about allergies.  RC's seeking pristine works of art for the bookshelf are passed to the next person in line.

Actually, I am with Gina on this. But 'like-new' RCs are really getting to me too.  I would decline them too, even if the book was new.

Jerry, don't get me wrong, I decline them without a second thought too! But I'm not going to speak for all of PBS and tell someone to go buy their books new, because judging from the periodic board debates on this topic, there are other members who do accept RCs like that. That was my only concern with the OP. Even if I don't personally like those RCs, they are still allowed by PBS.

I agree, but if my book doesn't meet their condition, I simply decline and move on and don't take it personally. They can have requestor conditions all they want, I can decline all I want. Those folks probably aren't getting many books.... As my dearly departed dad used to say, "you can wish in one hand and crap in the other and see which one fills up first."  :D

Cheryl

I'm one of those that declines "like new" RCs but at the same time, I agree that every member has the right to set up whatever conditions they want. If they want books in a certain condition so much that they are willing to accept an increased rate of declined requests, then good for them.

RCs are part of the PBS life and I think we must learn to live with them - stop taking them personally, laugh at the crazy ones and look at them objectively. Are you sure the book meets the condition? Then accept.  Not sure if you book meets the condition? Don't accept and move on. If your book was requested FIFO, it means it's first in line so it will hopefully be requested again soon. If it's WL, you know it will go to the next person. I've been a lot happier in life since I stopped worrying about things I can't control and RCs are one of those things.

I accept like-new RCs. Why not? Most of my books are used, but I do have quite a few that are not just like-new but brand new (for various reasons). Not to mention, most hardbacks will look like-new for many many reads if you just remove the dust jacket while you read it.

All other things being equal, I would rather my like-new book goes to someone who will appreciate it, rather than go to someone who doesn't care.

I also receive plenty of like-new books in the mail, (which, although I do appreciate getting a like-new book, mostly I don't care). I am not sure why someone would prefer to send me a like-new book, which I don't care about in the least, rather than send it to someone who will actually appreciate it.

I think anyone who is peeved by the like new RCs should think about it from that person's point of view.

Maybe they've been burned by some requests by getting books that aren't postable. So they add a like new RC to cut down on it. They have that option or to repeat the rules in their RC, which they really shouldn't have to do. And some people dislike seeing rules repeated in RCs. I feel sorry for these people since they've probably lost credits in the past when they received bad books and the sender refused to refund their credits. I dread the day this might happen to me.

Maybe they ask for like new on that particular book because it's for a friend. I've ordered books on here for friends before and even though it's not a birthday gift or anything, I'd still like to give them a decent book. I haven't actually ever used a like new RC, can assume that like-new/giftable condition go hand in hand. I've taken my chances and haven't had any trouble getting a book in good condition for giving it to a friend or family member.

Sometimes I really wonder about those bookshelves I see in some people's homes. Fresh, clean unopened books that complement the decor very nicely - not a crease on the spine of any paperback in captivity.

Someone should mention (I'm too shy) that books are for reading. End of story.

Some of us can read a book without breaking the spine.  It's not even that difficult.  I often get PMs that books I buy, read, and send out look like they haven't been read.  I just don't like breaking spines.  (btw, I don't ask for books to not have broken spines here - I've been pretty lucky most of the time.)

I judge RCs on a case by case basis.  Even if I don't like the way it is worded, I decide if my book can meet it, and if it can't, I just move on.  No worries.

I accept like-new RCs. Why not?

In my case, I decline any RCs that makes me stop and think: will my book meet this condition? (And "Like New' RCs are in that category.) As it is, I barely have time to mail the books so I don't want to have even a second of anxiety thinking that my book may be RWAPed. I'm big on avoiding stress. :)

I'm also one of those people that read books gently...I also use a bookcover which helps keep the books in good condition.

I'm with you Amee, I don't get why people are so annoyed by RCs. I assume the person has been burned before. (I had one requesting no moldy books- eww why would someone mail those.) Some people want hardcovers with dustjackets, maybe they're gifts or all the other books in the series have DJ. Whatever, I don't care 'why', I just decide if my book measures up and move on.

not a crease on the spine of any paperback in captivity.

This made me lol. Great visual of untouchable books in a museum-like display. 

"in captivity" LOL.

Some of us can read a book without breaking the spine.

And some of us are Neanderthal primates who can't help but "break" the spines, especially mass markets paperscrap books. I like breaking spines if only to show that the ding-dang book's been enjoyed.

I tend to get most of my books used but ones I do buy new I can post as 'like new'..

I do not feel the need to get upset or angry about RCs. Either my book meets it or it doesn't. Someone will come along and want it at some stage.

I do think those that want unread, brand spanking new books should buy them because once you buy it, giving it to someone else the book is no longer brand new..LOL People really buy books brand new and then send them out without reading them first?

there are other members who do accept RCs like that

I am one of those members who does accept RCs like that. Many of my books are like new, so I will accept that RC. The requester may have been turned down by a few others before the request comes to me. That's fine by the requester, they end up with a like new book and are happy and I am happy. So, let the system work the way it was designed and don't be frustrated. You will get to send your book to someone who is perfectly happy with it.

People really buy books brand new and then send them out without reading them first?

Yes, guilty as charged. I occassionly find brand new books for $1 that I am not interested in, but I know it is a WL book here. So, I buy it and post it without reading it first.

People really buy books brand new and then send them out without reading them first?

Yes, guilty as charged. I occassionly find brand new books for $1 that I am not interested in, but I know it is a WL book here. So, I buy it and post it without reading it first.

+1

I do this quite often.  I'll even pay $2 to "rescue" a like-new used book from the trash bin at Half Price Books so I can send it to someone here who will read and enjoy it.

I might shake my head after hearing about some super-picky RCs, but I agree, no need to get rude about it. Just decline and move on.

*Attempts to combine matter with anti-matter to see tremendous release of energy*