I'm just curious as to what others do.  Do you thank someone each time you get a book in decent condition or do you only thank if a book comes to you particularly quickly or in almost brand new condition?

I've yet to get a book from PBS that is in bad condition.  Guess I've  been lucky so far in the two hundred plus books I've received. 

I always thank them. Even when I get an unpostable I start off with telling them I really appreciate them taking the time and effort to send me the book, before doing the whole "Unfortunately,...." thing where I describe the problem. I like keeping things as polite as possible.

But, everyone who sends me a book gets a thank you from me.

I generally thank all senders, I may have even thanked my one RWAP (don't remember and don't want to dive into the transaction archive).

Depending on what I receive it may be more heartfelt though (aka always send Thank You, when I received a 1972 book in pristine condition sent a full paragraph of thanks).

When the book has been extremely well wrapped I also mention this.

I think I always do since it pops up when you mark them received.  Sometimes just "thanks", or more details if I feel like it, nice wrapping, I can't wait to read this one, etc.

I almost always say thanks. The only time I didn't was when the books were mailed over a week late and they never PM'd to ask if it was okay or not.

A surprisingly controversial topic N.S.  Some members post that they do not wish to be thanked and the pm's just clutter their inbox.  Other members appreciate receiving them.

For myself, I appreciate the time a member takes to wrap and send me a book so I like to express appreciation with a thank you.  Might add a quick note if the book is especially well wrapped, arrived quickly, arrived damaged/inadequate packaging, or other special touches.

I agree, I always thank the sender because I DO appreciate the time & effort involved in posting, monitoring your account, wrapping books and getting them sent out in a timely manner. Like others, if something is outstanding, like condition of book or how well wrapped it was or how quickly it was mailed, I will comment on that. I also feel that saying thank you first is a good way to lead into comments about poorly wrapped books and how they might want to consider others ways of wrapping books or that they posted an unpostable book (RWAP) and whether or not I am requesting a credit back -- which fortunately does not happen that often.

I say "Thanks" for most books, with some added words if there was something special about the book. Like if I really like the author, or if its been on my WL for a long time, or whatever deserves special thanks.

I've got a question for you guys though.

I only mail on Sundays. I wrap and mark books mailed on Saturday night, and then I actually purchase the postage and mail on Sunday (the day that I picked as the mailing day). So, if people request a book early in the week, i might not even accept it until I can pick Sunday as the mail day.

So, if someone gave you a message like "Thanks for mailing the book fast!" and it was really about 6 days since they made the book request from you .... is that a sincere message, or are they being sarcastic? I couldn't decide. (The book arrived in regular media mail time ... like a week and a half after I mailed it. So, 2 and a half weeks after the request. Not what I would consider especially fast or anything). I puzzled over how that one might have been meant for a while!

Sara P:  Thanks are in the eye of the beholder.  I suspect that they really were thanking you, but you should believe that anyways, it'll make you feel better/live longer.

Parable for example:  Had two acquaintences in middle school.  One had a dry humor but was a little bit of a twit and just plain mean sometimes.  Second was a little slow but generally a very happy person who was extremely considerate (may have had low IQ but EQ was through the roof).  The first would often make fun of the second but in such a way that he was unaware that he was being made fun of, sometimes would accept veiled insults as compliments.  Once we got to high school, the first person had very few friends, but the second was extremely well liked (and got more girls for that matter).

I really hate all the clutter in my mailbox.  Unless a receiver really has something special to say I don't like to receive thank yous, and don't send them.  If it didn't take 2 or 3 clicks to read or get rid of them with this archaic mail system, it probably wouldn't be so bad. 

I always thank them ,because I do appreciate it.  Sometimes just a quick "Thank You " or a little more when I've gotten a great deal , or there in nice shape. Whatever..

I'm another "Thanker".  Sometimes I'll add a comment, sometimes just a "Thank You."  I always appreciate getting them to.

I prefer not get thanks, if that's all it is. Just adds to the clutter. It doesn't bother me, though. I don't know why some peope get irritated about it.
The only time I send thanks is if there's something like a bookmark included, or if I got a deal (like 3 for 1) I'll thank them for the deal.

I think of ordering a book like shopping. When I buy something, I don't thank Walmart (WM should be thanking me!)

I hope nobody thinks I'm rude for not thanking them. I do appreciate getting the book and everything, but it's not like they gave it to me for free.

I like to send "thank you"s for books I receive, and I also add a comment if the book was especially nice or well wrapped.

I don't expect thanks for all the books I send, but I do appreciate it when I get a note from the receiver.

I thank the sender if a book I requested is sent less than two days after I place the order (that makes me REALLY happy because I make it a point to ship out books requested from me within 24 hours), and I thank the sender if a book sent to me is in really excellent condition (like brand-new), because it so rarely happens.

I guess I'm the odd one out!  I rarely do, unless the book is in exceptional condition.

Mary in KY

I always say thank you, even if there is a problem.  If there is something else of note, say a like new book or great packaging, I mention that.  Also, I may comment on how much I wanted the book for such and such reason.  It only takes a minute when you fill out the form so why not be polite and maybe make someone realize you appreciate them.

I almost always say thanks or write a little longer note.  If I say thanks or something longer, it isn't rote and I mean it. 

I made the decision early on that the most beneficial thing I could do was not to clutter peoples' inboxes.  I hope that it's implicit that I appreciate the books I receive, since I explicitly requested them.  Overall, I'm grateful that PaperbackSwap has so many great members who make it a joy to belong,

If it's a book I'm especially happy to get, or if I'm moved to compliment someone's wrapping job, then I do send a brief note, figuring that it's OK to let the person know the transaction was "above & beyone."

When get a "Thank You" PM, I register the person as being a nice, polite individual.

At the same time, I'm glad I don't get one for every single book I send!

I thank senders EVERY time I receive a book.  I don't expect a reply, but I do want them to know that I get the book safe and sound.