I have Requestor Changes (RCs) to remind senders about what PBS good condition means.  I occasionally don't get a book sent because of my RCs.  Thus far I think this is working for me.  Though, I always wonder if my RCs are clear enough, or too restrictive.  Here are my RCs (at this point in time) below.  Any suggestions?

Please send only books in good condition.  No falling apart books.  No books with writing inside.  No books that are currently in a smoking home.

It is okay to send older-publication-date books that are worn from age.  Bends on covers, creased spine, yellowed pages, dog-eared pages are okay on these older books.  However, no falling apart older books.

Thanks so much!

Please send only books in good condition

You will get people who turn you down for this part, as "good condition" is subjective.  I think I'd take that part out.  I also that you don't need to include info about what you WILL accept from older books.  RC's should really be about what you don't want.  I wouldn't even address the "older books" issue, just make it general.

Maybe just put something like:  "Please, no books with writing inside, and no books that are currently in a smoking home.  Please make sure all books meet PBS posting guidelines.  Thank you!"

I don't know I personally hate being reminded of the posting guidelines because I follow them. I have to wonder if the people who don't follow them would even pay attention to RCS asking them to.

The "good condition" and "older books" part is kind of subjective.  What you consider good condition and what I consider good condition could be different.  Same with how old is an older book?  I book published 3 yrs ago could have gone through 5 readers and being showing it's age but still postable. 

I kind of agree with Mary and Lisa.  The no-writing and smoking conditions are good, you should keep those since PBS doesn't have a smoking requirement but they do allow writing inside the cover.  Otherwise the rest is re-hashing what they should be following.  I've come to the conclusion that you just can't hold people's hands around here, either they read the rules or they don't.  They had to click through a popup box reminding them about the conditions when they posted the book, they can click through a RC.  With or without a RC you have the option to mark it RWP.

I think you guys are right.  The more I try to clarify my RCs the worse it gets.  I changed my RCs to this:

No books with writing inside.  No books that are currently in a smoking home.  Thanks so much!

I like that better - clear and to the point!

I agree. I probably wold have turned down you original RC as it was a bit subjective.  Your newest one is clear and specific - I would have no problem with it.

I probably wold have turned down you original RC as it was a bit subjective.  Your newest one is clear and specific - I would have no problem with it.

Same here.

I like how clear your smoking RC is. I have turned down books before because I don't know if they mean currently or ever. Since I get many books here and at used bookstores I don't always know.

I only use an RC about postable conditions if the Sender is an absolute newbie: join date a couple days ago and only 10 books or less posted. I would never send this to a longtime Sender as they probably already know by noe the rules, had enough complaints or have been weeded out.

This is the RC I send to Newbies (along with particular conditions, like the smoking. It has worked great so far and not one has been turned down.

" Hi. If you are new to PaperBackSwap, welcome!  :-)

I only want this book if it ... (currently is in a non-smoking home)

If you haven't already, please make sure you read the Book Condition Guidelines in the Help Center, under Is my book okay to post here?
www.paperbackswap.com/help/help_item.php?id=205  It's not obvious to find.

It goes a long way into avoiding confusion and frustration at later finding out a book that was posted and sent is actually considered Unpostable according to the Guidelines. Not only will the credit have to be refunded, in addition to the wasted postage for sending an Unpostable book, requesting the book be sent back requires additional postage from the original Sender, not the Requestor.

If your book is within the basic Book Condition Guidelines, and fits my particular requests above, I'd be very happy to receive your book! :-D

Feel free to send me a Personal Message if you have questions. [ < - - Insert your own PM link here.]

Have a great day & happy reading! "

Best thing about your current version, imo, is the "thanks so much" part. 

I'm one of those who gets nervous when I see the RCs.  It doesn't make it better when the RC is terse and/or feels accusing.  If I meet the conditions, I do accept, but I never feel very good aobut those transactions.

Your new one is simple and feels friendly.  I'd happily accept it. 

I really like it when people who have RCs say, "No books from a current smoking home (or something to that effect).  Those that say, 'no books from a smoking environment' I sometimes hesitate over as many of my books come from FOL and thrift stores, and although we don't smoke I can't guarantee that the books haven't ever been in a smoking environment and have turned down books with that RC.  Pat

Mary L. : I don't know I personally hate being reminded of the posting guidelines because I follow them.

I resent it, too. I also find it a bit annoying when people explain why they have a certain condition. "Please no smokey books because I'm allergic to smoke" etc.  I don't need your life story.

Marilyn, why did you remove your "Please"? Please never hurts.

I recently received an RC:    "I want my books in the BEST CONDITION POSSIBLE (emphasis mine)" ---- I turned it down === that is SOOOO SUBJECTIVE.  If they are that picky about their books, why aren't they buying them new?

I'm relatively new to all this but here's my take on it.  We have to remember this is a book swap which to me means these books have been read, probably several times over.  Yes, sometimes there's a new book someone came upon that is in pristine, right out of the publishers door shape, but a lot of the books most coveted are always in circulation and look it.   When I read someone's special RC, I always err on the side of caution and will definitely turn it down, even though I know I'm following all the rules.  Plus, it just gets too tedious to be PMing back and forth.  That said, I still find MOST people don't have these specific conditions so it hasn't been a problem for me.  I understand the allergy issue, (ie smoke, pets) but how do I know the true situation of the person who previously had the book I am now sending?  I start to wonder, did I miss some dog or cat hair  while reading it, or will it smell like smoke to someone else even if I didn't smell it and no one smokes in my home?  So, I guess if you do have RC's you just have to accept that it might take a bit longer to get the books you really want.

Trish

Marilyn pvc: >>I think you guys are right.  The more I try to clarify my RCs the worse it gets.  I changed my RCs to this:  No books with writing inside.  No books that are currently in a smoking home.  Thanks so much!<<

Shavian: >>Marilyn, why did you remove your "Please"? Please never hurts.<<

On second thought I removed my RCs completely.  So Smoke up! (a line from movie Pump Up the Volume 1990, J/K-just kidding).  I really didn't have much left as conditions.  I'm not really worried about smoking books (just about passing a smoking book on).  It seems the more RCs you have the more you have to explain them.  Oh, and we're not Marilyn (please/thank you).  Dan (for Marilyn).

Connie R.: I recently received an RC:    "I want my books in the BEST CONDITION POSSIBLE "

Lol. Who doesn't?

lucky7 : When I read someone's special RC, I always err on the side of caution and will definitely turn it down, even though I know I'm following all the rules.  Plus, it just gets too tedious to be PMing back and forth.

My sentiments exactly. When you post an RC, the message you're sending is, "I am an ultra-finicky swapper who will create extra work for you and I'm 50 times more likely to demand a refund than those who don't post RCs." Some people apparently have a blanket rejection policy where they automatically turn down any request with an RC. I think that's uncool - especially in the case military swappers who need you to fill out customs forms - but I understand where they're coming from.