Someone reqently requested a very old paperback from me, published in 1980s. I sent a perfectly readble book, cover on, slightly yellowed paper but pages intact, just my name crossed out on the flyleaf. Swapper refused to give me a credit because the books "did not meet requestor conditions".

This is the third time this has happened to me lately. If the book is readable (and these were, I promise you) and from a nonsmoking nonpet home, then what are these folks expecting from a 30-year-old paperback? A brand new book?

I have to tell you, folks, I am starting to think we have a few swappers working the system to get free books by setting unmeetable requestor conditions then denying the credits when they get the book. I notice they never offer to send the book back, either, even though it's so unreadable. Hmmph...

We need a Trusted Trader system like on e-Bay where you can see someone's track record, can see how often they have disputes over books and/or refuse to put up the credits. Such a system would give good swappers a good rep and other swappers.. not.

Personally I am done trying to meet elaborate requestor conditions. Anyone who has more than the usual nonsmoking, nonpet conditions will get a no dice from me and they can find someone elses perfect book to swap. 

Sorry if I sound cranky but what a waste of my time and my money. If you want a new book, kids, try Amazon.com.  Grump grump grump :-(

OwingsReader

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Swapper refused to give me a credit because the books "did not meet requestor conditions".

I did not think that was possible to withhold a credit.  Even if the book was received with a problem, I thought the sender got the credit anyway at that time.   And then the receiver can ask for the credit back in the RWAP.

Maybe I am wrong?

What were their RCs?  Without knowing their specific complaint, it is hard to judge is your "readable" book met their conditions.

If the other person is refusing to mark the book as received even though they've told you they did get it, then you need to use the Contact Us link at the bottom of this page to let the PBS team know.  They can NOT refuse to mark it received and withhold your credit.  They only time they can not mark received is if you never marked it as mailed and they ended up with 2 copies of the book.

If you feel your book met their RCs and was postable by PBS standards, then you do not have to return their credit.

If someone has unmeetable RC's then the solution is to not send the book.   That is the way the site is set up. 

No one can refuse to give you a credit.  It's just not possible unless they refuse to mark the book receiver.  If they marked it RWAP it's your choice if you return the credit or not.  IF they had a RC and you didn't meet that RC then of course you should return it.

I can tell you are frustrated and understand that.  Without a RC books don't have to be perfect, they simply have to meet PBS guidelines.

I personally have given up on trying to meet RC's. If someone has an RC, I decline to send the book now. My view of it meeting their requirements can vary from their view. It's just not worth it anymore. It's so subjective.

"Readable" does not mean it's "postable".  For the very first time, I've marked a book I received with a RWAP.  The book IS readable.

But it has handwritten notes throughout it.  It's a novel with a library stamp on the front inside cover, so I'm assuming it was used in a school.

Books with writing and highlighting in the text are not postable (unless it's a textbook, I think). 

What were the requestors' conditions??

I'll admit, I refuse a request if the RCs are subjective. 

Mary in KY

You are right about the writing and highlighting Mary, except ANY book can be termed a textbook.  The extra rule here is that you MUST PM the receiver before sending any textbook and get their permission first.  IF they don't give permission then you, The Sender, must cancel the transaction.

I agree with Sarah  and Kristen.  The receiver must mark the book received, therefore returning the credit is optional for you.  Some members realize these older Out Of Print books will arrive with yellowed pages, creasing, and maybe even dog ears . . . all are allowed per PBS postablilty requirements.  Some members are unrealistic or do not realize they have requested a vintage editon.

Also curious regarding the RC, because nothing you've posted would appear to make the book unpostable.  Were all the pages firm?  Some of those older paperback books start to loose the glue holding the pages to the spine.

When I last ordered an older paperback that was out of print and I really wanted it. It was on my wish list. The sender sent me a PM  gently reminding me that it was an ld book and tho postable was not pristine or like new. I was pleased to let her know that I knew how old it was, but really wanted it. We are both happy with the trade. She went beyond what she had to do and I appreciated it. I have no RC of my own and I respect others RC's and so far , so good.

I'd say be careful what you ask for. If you are sending books that don't meet RCs, then you may find yourself on a list of not trusted swappers.

Age doesn't negate the need to meet RCs nor the site's posting guidelines. The requester may not know that you have an old print and therefore would not assume the book has issues. Many books are reprinted to the same ISBN years after their first release under it. Since the release date does not have to match, the new books would be posted to the same listing as the old ones.

If there is any doubt that your book does not meet the Requester Conditions, it is always safer to deny the book than to assume they will accept the book because it is old, heavily wish listed, rare, expensive, whatever the reasoning that the book should be accepted in lesser condition. Deny the request and wait for one without conditions. 

As others have mentioned, readable really doesn't matter here - it has to be postable under the site's guidelines to be posted and meet any Requester Conditions to be sent.

I think y'all are missing the point of the original poster's whoile rant.  Someone requested a book that was printed a very long time ago, and when they got it, they didn't like the condition - a condition which was understandable, and SHOULD have been expected, due to the age of the book.

Over a year ago, I requested a copy of a paperback book that was printed in the early 1970's.  When I got it, I was NOT surprised to find the pages yellowed and the covers slightly worn - after all, the book was almost FORTY YEARS OLD.  The book was completely readable; I read it and then reposted it and passed it along to another PBS member.  I never complained about the condition of the book when I received it, and the member who got it from me sent me a thank-you note, so they obviously had no problem with it either.

The point the original poster was trying to make is that PBS members cannot request a book that is, literally, OLD and then expect to get a brand-new shiny book in the mail.  For example, you can't request a 40 year old book and then say it doesn't meet your "requestor conditions" because it's old.  See what I mean?  A 40 year old book is going to have yellowed pages, unless someone's kept it in a vault (and who does that?).

I agree that we should have some way to "rate" a swap.  Lord knows I've had enough problems while using PBS.  I've given up ordering books from other members... it simply isn't worth the hassle and the drama.  There are a lot of "good eggs" here in PBS, but there are way too many "bad eggs" out there and I seem to end up having to deal with all of them.  (sigh)

Lori - you do understand what Requester Conditions are right? Its not just a phase the OPs receiver made up - it is a specific site allowed request for something more than postable in a request. If a requester uses Requester Conditions they are REQUIRED to be met and it doesn't matter if they request a 40 year old book or a 4 day old book. If the OP did not mean PBS Requester Conditions literally, then her use of terminolgy has people confused. The use of the word readable instead of postable always lends me to believe there was a problem with the book.

Members CAN request an old book and expect it to meet their RCs and site conditions. A member CANNOT just send an old book because it is "readable", it has to meet site conditions and any RCs or it cannot be sent. If someone has a no yellowed pages RC on an old book, they just might never get it. It is not the sender's right to just decide that the RC is unreasonable due to the age and send the book anyway.

I think none of us can form appropriate opinoins on this situation unless the OP returns and tells us, verbatim, what the requester's conditions were, which she did not spell out in her original post.

I think y'all are missing the point of the original poster's whoile rant.  Someone requested a book that was printed a very long time ago, and when they got it, they didn't like the condition - a condition which was understandable, and SHOULD have been expected, due to the age of the book.

I am the exception I know. Last year when doing the fantasy reading challenge we had to read a book published in the year you were born.  I found 3 books that were published in that year (1977). I ordered two by the same author as it was one I liked and had not seen those books before due to the age of them. Both books arrived in basically new condition, pages were slightly yellowed but unless you were looking hard you'd not notice it.  A very light crease in the spine. And this was a first edition paperback (was never in hardcover).  Never in my wildest dreams did I think those books would come in that condition.

I think some people do not know you can turn off RCs for some books and just leave them on for all books.

AND readable is not the same as postable. If you want postable then do a deal in the book bazaar.

Accepting or declining Requestor Conditions has always been your choice. I routinely decline those that are not clear, are subjective ("good condition" or "doesn't smell like _______") or that are long and wordy and full of "I prefer" and "I would rather" and blah blah blah.

A rating system for swappers would have very little value at PBS, which is based on FIFO. People would then need to be willing to cancel an order that came from someone that they "didn't like" or had a less-than stellar rating which would mean getting taken from the wishlist. I think the system works just fine if people use it as it is intended to be used.

Cheryl

I understood from the original poster that the requestor's conditions were "a readable book coming from a non-smoking, non-pet home" and those conditions were met.  Is that not what the original poster said?

And, yes, Melanie D, I fully understand what Requestor Conditions are.  I don't personally have any, but I comply with other PBS members' RCs 100% at all times.

As far as I can tell, the OP never specified just what the specific RC was for this person she's talking about. It's a bit confusing, but if you read through carefully, I don't think she ever said--she mentions that it's the third time recently she's had problems, but not any real specifics.

Cheryl

She happened to say that her books come from a nonsmoking, non-pet home, but she did not say if that was what the RC's OR the RWAP's were about.