Hi everyone,

Is it impolite when you order a book, to PM the person you and ask if they are running any specials?

Thanks for the help

No harm in asking, as long as you're polite about it! 

It may help if you ask for the titles up front, such as, "I'm interested in books x, y, and z. Would you be willing to give me all three for two credits?" If the answer is no, you can decide what to order.

If you really need a special, you can post an In Search Of or Need a Deal On... in the Book Bazaar.

Hope this helps!

Carla, I don't typically mind someone asking me, but I don' tlike the ones that are just blanket:  "You running any deals?".  If you want a deal, say something like, "Hey, I was looking at your bookshelf and saw several titles I would love to have...would you be interested in a 2-for-1 deal?"  That way they know what kind of deal you're looking for.

 Thanks Jane, Amanda

That helps me at least feel like it can't hurt to ask.  And I hope I'm usually polite with everyone I deal with here and in the non-PBS world.

When I order a book, I always check their profile and see if they have any deals going. Sometimes someone's profile will say 2 for 1 or 3 for 1 on all books or something.  Or list any unpostable freebies they might be willing to send.

Nothing wrong with asking and I agree that you should let them know what kind of deal you're looking for right away.  That'll save a bunch of PMs back and forth. 

Something like "I ordered X off of your shelf and I see 3 or 4 other titles I'm interested in.  Would you be willing to do a 2 for 1 or 3 for 1 deal?"  That way, they can respond right back, yes or no and let you know what kind of deal they'll do for you.

I have PM'd people before and let them know I was interested in two books and would they consider a deal.  they haven't turned me down yet!

i dont usually run "deal" but if someone sees something they like and pm me asking if i would consider a deal. 9 times out of 10 i will.

A lot of people who offer deals on the Bazaar also won't tell normal orderers about it unless they ask.  ;) 

I did this once and it completely bit me in the a**. The person seemed receptive at first but then never responded again after I listed the books I was interested in. When the book I ordered from her arrived, it had pages falling out.  I marked it RWP and she then accused me of trying to "get a free book out of her one way or another."  Worst experience I've ever had here.

Something else that's happened to me several times - someone mails asking if I'm willing to do a deal, I say maybe, which books do you want? and they never reply.   It's pretty annoying. So if you do ask someone, please don't just drop it after they respond.

I don't see a problem with it. Check their profile first--if they have one listed then it's simple. 

I'm in the minority I think, but I think you are more likely to get an agreement if you offer more than one credit. Personally, I won't do X for 1 deals--it costs me more shipping for the same amount of credits.  But if you make an offer involving more than one credit you get extra books for your credit and the sender saves on shipping per credit.  Just seems more reasonable to me that both sides benefit.

Thanks guys and gals,

 I did try to check the profile first, but they don't have their profile available.

I hadn't thought of offering more credits might try that if they ever respond to the book request.

Thanks again