I received a wishlisted book today from a new member that signed up on May 21.  They wrapped the book in a Trader Joe's brown bag with no plastic around the book.  One end was completely torn open.  The book has red staining from some of the print off of the Trader Joe's bag  (I assume because there is red print on the bag.)   I will not repost the book because of the red staining.  

So, is the book damaged by the sender or damaged by the post office?  I don't know what to do on this one.

I would say it was technically the sender since the staining was caused by the way the sender packaged the book, but that's just my own opinion.

It's damaged by the PO. But you can ask for your credit back when that kind of damage is caused by bad wrapping. But, remember, plastic isn't required, so you can't even count that against the sender. And, it seems likely that the package must have gotten wet or damp at some point, or else I doubt the ink would transfer.

If it was me, because it's a new member, and because you believe (I assume) that the book was postable when it left the house, I would mark it Damaged by the PO, but I would write a nice PM to the sender, explaining what happened, and how to package better. And not ask for my credit back.

From what you describe, I think you will get split opinions about asking for your credit back ... because objectively, it WAS damaged by the PO, and normally you don't ask for your credit back, but the sender could (probably) have prevented the damage with better wrapping, which allows you to ask for your credit back.

And, since it's a new member you are dealing with, I would give them helpful advice on the wrapping aspects of mailing and let them enjoy what might be one of their first credits from the site.

I haven't had a chance to flip through the pages for any other problems (I have to get in really good light.)  But, the red staining was very obvious.  

Thank you  Sara P.

The paper grocery bags are a bad wrapping choice as the ink does transfer. They do not need to get wet for that to happen. Whether you ask for the credit back is up to you but please inform the sender to mail in another wrapping.

Since you believe the staining is from the bag, that would be damaged by sender in my book.  The package being torn open doesn't seem to be related to the damage as I read it.

It is damaged by the sender as the method and choice of wrapping is what caused the damage. It is not the USPS's fault that the sender wrapped the book up against ink that rubbed off on the book.

The tear was caused by the USPS, but the sender's poor wrapping is what caused the damage that is making the book unpostable (I would suggest trying to remove the ink with light grade sandpaper to make it postable again).

What Sara said    and Melanie's sandpaper suggestion also!

rubbing alcohol used lightly/carefully might remove the red and not water damage the book

I agree with Sara in the sympathy for a new member department. If you PM them, you can direct them to the boards or the pbs help topics and I'd give them the benefit of the doubt on the credit. I know when I first joined, I did a lot of research through the boards but most people probably don't. Even with reading the help topics when I joined, I'm much pickier on what I will send out now just from my experience with trading books. 

Thanks for the info on the sandpaper and rubbing alcohol.  I will definitely try that.  And I will send a friendly PM to the sender.

I also agree with Sara's comments.

Update:   I checked the rest of the book, and it is perfect.  So, the sender sent a perfect book, but just made a mistake in the wrapping of the book.  I haven't tried the sandpaper or alcohol yet.  My decision:  I am going to mark the book as received with No Problem, then send a friendly PM to them about the wrapping.  I don't think they should get a RWAP for sending an almost new book.  If they had been a member for a long time, I probably would have made a different decision, because they should know better.

Very kind of you, Lisa.  I'm sure the new member will appreciate it.

The PM back from the other member.   I love doing a good deed.....

Hi Lisa, 

Thanks for your kind consideration and for your tip. Since joining, I have received one or two books wrapped in that way - with plastic under paper. With your message, I can understand the reasoning for that measure a little better. I had not reckoned on the ink from the paper bags transferring to the books.

Inks from paper bags, newsprint and other packaging materials can rub off onto book covers and page edges during normal mail handling. If using any printed materials as a wrapper or to pad a book, you should always use plastic that has no printing as the layer closest to book in order to prevent rubbing or transference of inks onto the book. In addition, the plastic layer will help prevent possible water damage during transit.

Update...

Thank you for the suggestions on the sandpaper and alcohol.  It worked perfect.